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