USA Football Releases Initial Roster for U.S. U-16 National Team for International Bowl VIII
The phrase, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” rings true for the 2017 U.S. Under-16 National Team, which will descend upon Arlington, Texas, tall on talent and coaching credentials to face Canada’s Football Ontario U-16 Team during International Bowl VIII at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 17.
U.S. head coach Jason Mohns of Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.) has led his Sabercats to three state titles and a 56-7 (.889) record since becoming their head coach in 2012, including a 9-0 mark thus far in 2016.
“Coach Mohns’ teams reflect his intelligence and enthusiasm,” U.S. National Teams manager Aaron Ingram said. “His success speaks for itself. He’s an ideal fit to lead our Under-16 National Team and these young men are going to love playing for him.”
Most student-athletes competing in the game will travel long distances to get to AT&T Stadium. The trip for U.S. quarterback Ken Seals will be a local call, however, as the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Azle (Texas) resides just 36 miles northwest of the world-class football venue. The freshman starts for Azle’s varsity team.
Link to original article in USA Football.
“I think what sets him apart is his desire to be good and his maturity level. He takes it very seriously,” Azle head coach Devon Dorris told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in September. “In the classroom, he’s an excellent student. He’s a very focused individual.”
The U.S. team also features high-powered running back Kendall Milton of Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), another freshman playing on the varsity level in a talent-rich football state. The defense is anchored by several playmakers, including defensive end Luke Horne of Vista Ridge (Cedar Park, Texas) and safety Brock Jones of Clovis North (Calif.).
U.S. Under-16 National Team alumni include Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson and running back Trevor Speights of Stanford, both of whom are redshirt freshmen for their college programs this season.
Football Ontario seeks to avenge the 2016 U.S. Under-16 National Team’s 43-6 victory against Canada’s Team Alberta this past February.
| Name | Pos. | Current School | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Huntley | DL | The Hammond School | SC |
| Alex Wood | DB | Pine Creek High School | CO |
| Anthony Houston | DL | Nature Coast Technical High School | FL |
| Benjamin Ziolkowski | OL | Oak Creek High School | WI |
| Blaise Sparks | OL | Ida S. Baker High School | FL |
| Brayden White | DL | Louisburg High School | KS |
| Brock Jones | DB | Clovis North High School | CA |
| Caleb Murphy | OL | West Washington Senior High | IN |
| C.J. Niedzielski | OL | Toms River North High School | NJ |
| Clarence Freeman IV | WR | Bishops High School | CA |
| Collin Sullivan | WR | Round Rock High School | TX |
| Dallas Rogers | LB | Papillion Lavista South High School | NE |
| Dante Girardi | RB | NY | |
| David Morales | OL | Jesuit College Preparatory School | TX |
| Dominic Cyr | Ath | Heritage High School | CA |
| Efton Chism III | DB | Monroe High School | WA |
| Ethan Harrison | LB | Lone Star High School | TX |
| Geirean Hatchett | DL | Ferndale High School | WA |
| Gus Hartwig | OL | Zionsville High School | IN |
| Isaiah Bibb | RB | Clear Springs High School | TX |
| Jack Thomas (J.T.) Cavender | LB | Midlothian High School | TX |
| Jackson Hodor | TE | West Orange High School | FL |
| Jameson Silva | QB | Central High School | CA |
| Jared Mossoney | OL | Pendleton Heights High School | IN |
| Jaydin Conley | DB | Tippecanoe Valley High School | IN |
| Jayvis Rayside | LB | Sayreville War Memorial High School | NJ |
| Jeffery Wells | DB | Perry Meridian High School | IN |
| John Lyons | LB | Paramus Catholic High School | NJ |
| Jonathan Seaton | DL | Hillsborough High School | NJ |
| Joseph Perkins | DB | Murrah High School | MS |
| Josh Fryar | OL | Roncalli High School | IN |
| Kaden Gill | WR | Point Loma High School | CA |
| Kahlil Glover | LB | Calvert Hall College High School | MD |
| Ken Seals | QB | Azle High School | TX |
| Kendall Milton | RB | Buchanan High School | CA |
| Kirk Collins | DB | Clear Springs High School | TX |
| Lamarco Yates | WR | Southport High School | IN |
| Lee Smith IV | WR | Celebration High School | FL |
| Luke Horne | DL | Vista Ridge High School | TX |
| Namdi Obiazor | DB | Eden Prairie High School | MN |
| Noah Kim | QB | Westfield High School | VA |
| Parker Hannon | K | Roswell High School | GA |
| Rontarius Aldridge | DL | South Pointe High School | SC |
| Sav’Ell Smalls | TE | Kennedy Catholic High School | WA |
| Tyler Nubin | DB | St. Charles North High School | IL |
| Tyler Savage | WR | John Champe High School | VA |
| Wes Hine | OL | Sacred Heart-Griffin High School | IL |
