Talent, pride, coaching and a good community are all vital ingredients in a successful high school football program.

There is another important ingredient, too: Food. And lots of it (but not too much.)

For the past two years, Selinsgrove Area High School football players have been fueling up at the Selinsgrove VFW before home games and all but the most distant away games.

Before Friday’s playoffs opener, a District 4 Class AAA semifinal against Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, the fuel for more than 60 players and 10 coaches included 160 hamburgers and 25 dozen pierogies, with a healthy helping of bananas on the side.

Bill Wenrich, of Selinsgrove, father of Seals player Matt Wenrich, helps to organize the ad-hoc group of parents and community members.

“I just like to help out,” he said as nine volunteers worked with VFW Quartermaster Harold Aucker to prepare the food.

“I also like to think it keeps us out of trouble, but it doesn’t,” Wenrich said. “We have a lot of fun doing this.”

The menu changes weekly, but centers on Snyder County favorites like chicken and waffles and meat loaf.

Team physician David Wato also signs off on the menu to make sure nutritional and energy needs are met for the players, Wenrich said.

That is why large portions of carbohydrates accompany a main course of meat.

“It gives them long-term energy for the game,” Selinsgrove head coach Dave Hess said.

Despite the large meal, and the fact that it is being fed to a large group of large teenagers, there rarely are any problems with discipline or organization.

“It’s like clockwork,” Wenrich said. “The team arrives at 3 p.m., and are out of here by 4, and we clean up and are out of here by 4:30.”

The timing of the meal is critical, as well.

“The players are done eating by 4 p.m. and the game starts at 7,” Hess said. “That gives them plenty of time to digest their meal.”