Steamboat Pilot & Today

They battled big, bruising linemen on the football field for four years. Now, Soroco Rams C.J. Remick and Kory Babcock are competing with prep students and Girl Scouts.

The two friends spent Tuesday afternoon trying to solicit money from Steamboat Springs businesses for a trip to Australia to play in the Down Under Bowl, a football tournament of high school all-stars from the United States, New Zealand and Australia.

One of their ideas included putting collection jars in stores, but almost everywhere they went, their plot was foiled by Girl Scouts who beat them to the punch.

"You know people are going to give to the Girl Scouts," Babcock said, shaking his head. "They're cute, and they have cookies."

Babcock and Remick don't have cookies, and they have given up on the idea that people will give to them based on cuteness. They do have $2 raffle tickets, however. People who purchase raffle tickets will be entered into a nationwide drawing for two trips to Australia.

Regional Colorado football coaches selected Remick and Babcock for an all-conference team, qualifying them for selection to play in the Down Under Bowl. They will represent Colorado, along with players from other Colorado schools, including Steamboat Springs High School. Steamboat Sailors traveling Down Under are Chris Dombey, David May, Shea Hurley, Lonny Radford and Casey Earp. Former Sailors coach Mark Drake will coach the Colorado team.

The event is not limited to football. Basketball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, golf, volleyball, cheerleading and track and field competitions also are part of the event, which is sponsored by International Sports Specialists Inc.

The trip costs will cost Babcock and Remick more than $4,000 each -- "a whole lot of money," they both said -- but they are determined to raise the money despite competition from charities, college-bound students, and Girl Scouts all vying for the same dollars.

After all, it may be their last time to play organized football.

"It's a different culture to experience," said Babcock, who filled the quarterback role.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Remick, who played many positions this past season, but shined as a running back. "When someone comes to you and asks if you want to go to Australia to play football, you can't say no."

-- To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204

or e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com