INTHETRENCHES ONE LAST TIME

Ammbrose Souza, Aaron Brown and Mark Bowman realize the journey on which they are about to embark is about much more than a football game.

It's the chance to represent their country in an exhibition matchup against the best American football team in Europe and an opportunity to visit another continent, while playing the game they love.

Most importantly, each one admitted, it is the chance for them to stand side-by-side as teammates one final time.

The three local semiprofessional football players are set to depart Saturday for Vienna, Austria, where they will participate as members of Team USA in a game against the Vienna Vikings on May 24.

Bowman, Brown and Souza each are Watertown Red and Black veterans and all-star linemen. But those days are over.

Recent turmoil within the local semipro community has driven a wedge between these former teammates and many others.

Souza and Bowman each parted ways with the nation's oldest semipro club, and have joined the upstart Watertown Revolution. Brown, however, will play this year for the Red and Black.

The game in Austria will provide these men, who remain close friends off the field, one last opportunity to block for a common runner, protect the same passer, and strap on matching jerseys.

"When things got real bad a few months ago, AB and I talked," Souza said. "We didn't want to play at (semipro teams) St. Lawrence or Syracuse, so we said let's really look at this Team USA thing. Even if we commit to different teams (locally), we still wanted to go together. This has been a good distraction. It gives us something good to talk about."

Brown, a nine-time Empire Football League all-star, has been a part of Team USA for several seasons, but is just now looking forward to his first game with the organization.

Head coach Rudy Wyland contacted Brown earlier this year, letting him know of the team's need for bodies. Brown immediately thought of Souza.

"Having someone else I know going makes it more exciting for myself," Brown said.

Souza was granted a spot on the team based on Brown's word and that of former Red and Black offensive coach Dan Carr, who worked with Team USA in the past.

All three linemen benefited from credible references and the fact that they helped the Red and Black to the Empire Football League's best rushing mark in 2007.

"One of the selling points was that Aaron and I had a lot of experience playing side-by-side," Bowman said. "We're not going to be just a bunch of guys thrown out there together."

The team has just 150 players nationally, and is taking 40 on next week's excursion. The chance to line up against Europe's top team, however, carried an approximately $5,000 price tag for each participant. Each player is financing much of the trip by himself, and will remain a member of the team, which plays three or four games per year, until the end of 2009.

"We got some local help, but it was real short notice," Souza said.

They expect the week to pass by in a flash, as free time will be at a minimum when the team arrives. There are two scheduled practices per day, plus nightly meetings with position coaches. Both teams are scheduled to participate in a media day, too.

The Vienna Vikings represent arguably the best American football team in Europe. They've won four consecutive Eurobowls — the championship game of the European Football League, which is the top division in the European Federation of American Football.

"I'm anxious to see how I stack up against the best players in Europe," Bowman said.

The late addition of Bowman at guard will allow Souza to play defensive tackle, his favorite position. Souza said each of the local players expect to start in the game.

"Growing up in the military with my dad, It'll be an honor to wear the red, white and blue to represent our country and community. And play one last game with AB," Souza said.

Brown echoed those feelings, and is looking forward to sharing just a few more huddles with his friends.

"It's like a blessing right now," he said. "We get to go have some fun together, and it'll be a great experience being able to play football while we do it. It's an open door and an opportunity that not everybody can say they've had."