🏈My "Game Plan" to Feeding The Players💍

This Sunday we fed the offensive line.....we always try to do it at least once during the season for my husband's players.

We usually feed anywhere from 15 to 25 guys who all have big appetites. Here is my game plan of how to get it done:

1. Prepare ahead of time.

I clean the house that week, make my menu/shopping list, and grocery shop🏃🏼📝

2. Put together the side dishes.

I always make about 2-3 chili cheese dips the night before. That way I can just throw 

them in the oven and they have something to snack on right when they get to our house. A big pasta salad is always good to make the day before too. I just add the 

dressing the day of.

Chili Cheese Dip

2 cans Hormel chili 

Shredded Mexican cheese

2 packages of cream cheese.

Layer a large baking dish with two blocks of cream cheese. Add cans of chili, and top with shredded cheese. This will make one pan. 

3. Grill out.

I handle all the sides while my husband mans the grill......there's no "i" in 

team......right??😉🏈. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, or chicken breasts are the usual choices. 

4. Drinks. Keep it simple. Bottled waters,  lemonade, or gatorades. Really, anything that's already in a can or bottle. It eliminates needing cups and you can chill them in a cooler ahead of time.

5. The sides.

A pasta salad and a fruit salad are my staples, but another player favorite in the fall is my famous fruit dip with sliced apples. Super easy and they love it.  Recipe below:

Fruit Dip

2-4 blocks of cream cheese 

Brown sugar 

Best paired with green apples

I microwave the cream cheese for about 30 seconds or so too help the mixing 

process. Mix in brown sugar with cream cheese until smooth. Taste test to decide if you need more brown sugar or cream cheese. Serve on ua tray with sliced apples.

5. The Traditional O-Line dessert.

I learned a great recipe from another coach's wife (thanks Bev!) when we were at the University of Colorado. It's an ice cream dessert that the players love, and best of all its SO easy! Coaches' wives are always asking me for the recipe, and I am happy to share as it was shared with me. The only tedious part is unwrapping all the ice cream sandwiches. I make 2-3 pans of it just to be safe. Again, best to prepare morning of, 

or the night before to allow it to re-freeze. 

The O-line Dessert

Two packages of Ice cream sandwiches

Large container of cool whip

Caramel sauce

Chocolate sauce 

Peanuts (salted)

Layer a large pan with unwrapped ice cream sandwiches. Next, put half of the large tub of cool whip on top. Drizzle caramel, chocolate sauce, and peanuts. Repeat all 

steps. Chill for at least a few hours. 

6. Don't forget the little details.

I try to have the house set up with football games on TV, corn hole and croquet set up outside, and our boys decked out in team gear. I get plates and napkins in team colors and always pick up a few table cloth covers at the dollar tree. They're easy to throw away and make cleaning up easier when it's all said and done (also available in school colors). 

I always feel our dinner was a success when there are leftovers and we are sending home 15+ O-Lineman full and happy. Another successful night for our Jackrabbits.....thanks to a good game plan💛🐰💙🏈.