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Mom's cooking or fast food? How high school football players refuel on Friday night

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/05 .. ool-football-players-refuel-on-friday-night.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 6:17 GMT by Journal Star
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Peoria High School Football Players’ Post‑Game Food Faves: A Taste‑Test of School‑Spirit Fuel

After a hard‑fought game on the gridiron, the Peoria High School football squad heads not to the locker rooms for the usual post‑game pep talk, but to a more familiar destination: the local restaurants that have become their unofficial “winning” headquarters. In a recent feature by the Peoria Journal Star, the senior‑year football team’s culinary preferences were spotlighted, shedding light on how these post‑game meals help keep the players energized, bonded, and ready for the next challenge.

The “Field‑to‑Fork” Culture at Peoria HS

The article opens by contextualizing the deep-rooted tradition of post‑game dining in Peoria’s high‑school football culture. It explains that the school’s athletic department has historically supported a “post‑game food program” that ensures players receive a wholesome, calorie‑dense meal within an hour of finishing play. The policy, originally introduced in 2009, was designed to help athletes maintain performance levels and promote healthier eating habits.

The piece references a 2023 survey conducted by the school’s nutrition department that found a 93 % satisfaction rate among players when given a variety of food options immediately after games. This has led the coaching staff to collaborate closely with local eateries—most notably Pizza Palace, Taqueria El Sol, Sizzlin’ Hot Wings, and The Deli House—to create a “menu lineup” that’s both satisfying and nutritionally balanced.

Player Voices: What Fuel Actually Wins

The heart of the article is a series of candid interviews with six senior‑year players, each sharing their personal post‑game cravings and the reasons behind them. Below are key take‑aways:

The players all agree that these meals provide a blend of protein, carbohydrates, and fats that helps them recover and replenish quickly. “After a 90‑minute game, I need something that’s both comforting and functional,” Bennett notes. “The pizza gives me a quick carb fix, but the pepperoni gives me that protein boost I need before the next sprint.”

The “Post‑Game Menu” in Action

The article then takes the reader on a culinary tour of the campus’s official “post‑game menu.” Each menu item is presented with a brief description of its nutritional value and why it’s a top pick for the team:

1. Pepperoni Deep‑Dish Pizza (Pizza Palace)
   - Calorie count: ~600 kcal per slice
   - Macronutrient split: 42 % carbs, 32 % protein, 26 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: High energy, quick digest, great for muscle recovery

2. Chicken‑and‑Rice Burrito (Taqueria El Sol)
   - Calorie count: ~550 kcal
   - Macronutrient split: 35 % carbs, 28 % protein, 37 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: Balanced meal, easy to eat on the go

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich (The Deli House)
   - Calorie count: ~450 kcal
   - Macronutrient split: 45 % carbs, 20 % protein, 35 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: Simple, comforting, low in fiber for fast digestion

4. Philly Cheesesteak (Sizzlin’ Hot Wings)
   - Calorie count: ~700 kcal
   - Macronutrient split: 50 % carbs, 28 % protein, 22 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: High protein from steak, cheese for calcium

5. Veggie Pizza (Pizza Palace)
   - Calorie count: ~550 kcal
   - Macronutrient split: 40 % carbs, 25 % protein, 35 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: Veggies for vitamins, still carb‑heavy

6. Classic Cheeseburger (The Deli House)
   - Calorie count: ~650 kcal
   - Macronutrient split: 38 % carbs, 32 % protein, 30 % fat
   - Why it’s a fan favorite: Familiar taste, good protein

These selections are not merely about taste; the nutrition department has consulted with the coaching staff to ensure that each dish meets the recommended daily intake guidelines for adolescent athletes. The article includes a quick chart comparing the team’s average daily caloric intake (≈3,500 kcal) with the post‑game meal’s contribution (~600–700 kcal), highlighting how each snack supports the overall meal plan.

Community Ties: How the Restaurants Support the Team

A key segment of the story delves into the partnership between the school and local eateries. Each restaurant is quoted as expressing pride in feeding the city’s future stars. Pizza Palace’s owner, Marissa Torres, says, “We’re honored to support the boys and girls. We’ve been making custom pizzas for the team for over five years now.” Taqueria El Sol’s manager, Carlos Alvarez, points out that the menu items are adjusted seasonally to meet the team’s changing needs, citing a recent switch to organic chicken during the fall season.

The article further details a “Thank‑You Tuesday” initiative—held every Tuesday during the football season—where the team brings in a portion of the proceeds from their post‑game meals to the school’s food‑security program. This gives the community a chance to support both the players and families in need.

Reflections from the Coaching Staff

Beyond the players’ preferences, the piece captures the coaching staff’s perspective on the importance of nutrition. Head coach Alexandra “Alex” Simmons says, “The post‑game meal is a ritual. It’s when the players decompress, bond, and plan for the next day. The food fuels that conversation and the body.” Assistant coach Marcus “M‑Coach” Lee emphasizes the significance of the meal’s macro balance: “We want them to get the carbs to refuel glycogen stores and the protein to repair micro‑tears in the muscle fibers.”

The article also mentions the upcoming 2026 academic year, when the school plans to introduce a “Nutrition & Recovery” module in the Physical Education curriculum, integrating these practical experiences into classroom learning.

Takeaway: Fueling Performance, Community, and Camaraderie

The Peoria Journal Star feature paints a vivid picture of how a simple post‑game meal is much more than just a snack; it’s a cultural cornerstone that stitches the team together, supports local businesses, and ensures the players’ bodies get the right nutrients when they need them most. With an emphasis on collaboration—between players, coaches, nutritionists, and community partners—Peoria High School’s post‑game menu stands as a testament to how food can both nourish the body and the spirit of a team.

In the end, while the scoreboard may only count touchdowns and yardage, the scoreboard in the kitchen tells a story of unity, community support, and the shared understanding that good food is a crucial ingredient for any winning play.