Peyton and Eli Manning Serve as Honorary Coaches in Rematch Between the Nation's Most Storied High School Rivals, Gatorade Begins Search for Next REPLAY

CHICAGO, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- It was a game more than 15 years in the making, and in the end the Phillipsburg Stateliners finally came away with long-awaited bragging rights. Players from the 1993 Phillipsburg High School football team notched a 27-12 victory against their rivals the Easton Area Red Rovers in a full contact, four-quarter game at Fisher Stadium at Lafayette College, as part of an original program from Gatorade featured on missionG.com called REPLAY. The contest, for which more than 10,000 tickets sold out in 90 minutes, featured All-Pro quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning roaming opposite sidelines as honorary coaches and provided closure for the players following their epic 7-7 deadlock years before. The 89-degree day provided significant need for advanced hydration, and the same Gatorade and G2 low-calorie sports drink the players used in their training was at the ready game-day to help keep the 30-something football players hydrated so they could perform at their best.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090426/CG05441-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090426/CG05441-b)

"Getting this opportunity from Gatorade to play again was like hitting the lottery," said Robert Wargo of Phillipsburg, who was named Defensive MVP. "We gave our entire bodies to this game. We dedicated ourselves to this process, and today we proved that we can still compete at a high level."

Both teams relished the opportunity to replay their rivals, which marked the 104th meeting between these schools separated by the Delaware River. Since the Gatorade REPLAY rosters were set two months ago, Easton and Philipsburg players have participated in a comprehensive training and nutrition program designed by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) and Velocity Sports Performance Centers. The players also received their own supply of Gatorade and G2 to use throughout their training. And thanks to the strong link between Gatorade and the National Football League, the two squads learned from the pros as they trained with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid and All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook at the Eagles NovaCare training facility.

"Even though we lost, I'd strap on those pads and do it all over again tomorrow," said Eric Detweiler of Easton, the Linemen MVP. "I tell you what, over the last 15 years not a day has gone by that I didn't think about playing again, and I'm so thankful I got that chance during Gatorade REPLAY."

The Manning brothers spent the game on the sidelines rooting on their respective teams, and both quarterbacks were impressed with the level of competition and passion displayed by the players.

"It was amazing to see the intensity these players brought to Gatorade REPLAY," said Peyton Manning, honorary coach of the Easton Area Red Rovers. "After all these years, these guys still have the passion, drive and desire to be the best they can be. Their performance shows once you're an athlete, you're always an athlete. It was truly special to see them compete for glory at this level one more time."

The game, along with the training process and various team bonding activities, appear in several episodes of Gatorade REPLAY, which can be viewed at missionG.com.

"Gatorade and GSSI are proud to play a role in fueling what is definitely a 'G' moment for these athletes," said John Stofan, a scientist with GSSI. "The determination these men poured into their training should serve as an inspiration to any athlete hoping to reignite their passion to play, regardless of their sport."

The call for players from the 1993 game began at the launch of REPLAY Jan. 24, at the Easton-Phillipsburg high school wrestling match. Interested players completed a brief phone interview followed by a formal interview with the 1993 Easton Area and Phillipsburg coaches and REPLAY casting directors. All selected players passed a physical examination and participated in the collaborative training program coordinated by GSSI in partnership with Velocity.

BE THE NEXT GATORADE REPLAY

Looking ahead to the next season of Gatorade REPLAY, fans can visit www.missiong.com/replay or www.facebook.com/gatorade to nominate their school or favorite rivalry. In the coming months, Gatorade will announce the next featured game, so fans should stay tuned to learn more and watch the series play out on missiong.com.

About Gatorade

The Gatorade Company is a division of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP). The Gatorade hydration portfolio includes the nation's leading sports drink, Gatorade(R) Thirst Quencher, as well as Gatorade Tiger(TM) Focus and G2(R). Gatorade is designed to meet the needs of all athletes, no matter where they're active. Gatorade is backed by more than 40 years of research and is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes, and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. G2 is a low-calorie sports drink containing electrolytes, B vitamins and antioxidant vitamins C and E to support a healthy lifestyle. Gatorade Tiger Focus has L-theanine, which along with advanced hydration and carbohydrates, helps promote mental focus. PepsiCo's overall hydration portfolio includes leadership brands Gatorade, Propel(R), Aquafina(R) and SoBe Life Water(R). For more information, please visit www.gatorade.com and www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE Gatorade

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