Team Stars & Stripes completed their final full practice at the Tec de Monterrey Campus Estado de Mexico before taking on the Tec Monterrey All-Stars in the 2009 Tazon de Estrellas on Saturday, December 19.

“It has been a great experience to have the opportunity to work with kids at this caliber,” said Offensive lineman coach Jim Lyall. “Not only are they physically talented but they are very emotionally motivated. They want to win and that is a great thing. Every time we come out to practice, the players are eager to learn.”

Following the practice on Thursday, the team drove an hour north of Mexico City to visit the Teotihuacan ruins. It was the sixth largest city in the world in 400 A.D., but then Teotihuacan was mysteriously abandoned 300 years later.  The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the World.

“The pyramids were definitely my favorite part of the trip so far,” said defensive end Cory Lowe (Willamette University). “It was cool because you got to bond with your teammates and also see a historical monument in Mexico. We really got to know the culture.”

“They were awesome,” added defensive back Tim Machan (Washington University-St. Louis). “I’ve seen them in pictures and movies but it was a ton of fun to actually climb up there and see the view.”

Other players’ thoughts on the trip to the Teotihuacan ruins:

Defensive Tackle Mark Worrilow (Ursinus College)

“I thought the pyramids were an incredible experience. Just being exposed to something that is so significant culturally was something I wasn’t used to. It was exciting. I am a history buff, so I could have spent a whole day there. I thought it was the pinnacle of my trip experience wise.

Defensive Lineman Darryl Jackson (Kean University)

“The pyramids were pretty good. I actually thought I was in Egypt for a second. The climb to the top was interesting. I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I fought through and made it up there.