The odds are firmly against them but American Samoa are taking a glass half full approach into their first match at the Under 19 World American Football Championship this weekend.
The territory qualified for the elite youth event by thrashing Australia 93-7 in the final of the Oceania Bowl in February.
They face top seed and big brother the United States in the opening game in Austin, Texas, in what will be their tournament debut.
The President of the American Samoa Federation, Mel Purcell Junior, says their aim is to make the gold medal match.
"How we get there is going to be dependent on how well they prepare themselves. The heat is going to take quite a bit out of the kids here but maybe with the fact it's quite humid here in American Samoa is going to help them a little bit, already practicing in 106 degree weather in Texas."
American Samoa's first match is Saturday evening US and American Samoa time.
