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 Football Ontario’s Under-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.

“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
Cj Niedzielski	OL	Toms River North Mariners	NJ
Clarence Freeman Iv	WR	Bishops High School Varsity Football	CA
Collin Sullivan	WR	Round Rock High School Varsity	TX
Dallas Rogers	LB	Papillion Lavista South Titans	NE
Dante Girardi	RB	Pop Warner	NY
David Morales	OL	Jesuit College Preparatory Football	TX
Dominic Cyr	Ath	Heritage High School	CA
Dominick Pallotto	OL	Cherry Creek High School	CO
Efton Chism Iii	DB	Monroe High School	WA
Ethan Harrison	LB	Lone Star High School Frisco	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	IN
Jaydin Conley	DB	Tippecanoe Valley High School	IN
Jayvis Rayside	LB	Sayreville War Memorial High	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	MN
Noah Kim	QB	Westfield High School	VA
Parker Hannon	K	Roswell High School	GA
Rontarius Aldridge	DL	South Pointe High School	SC
Tyler Nubin	DB	St. Charles North High School	IL
Tyler Savage	WR	John Champe High School	VA

Stay connected to USA Football for roster updates. For more information on the 2017 International Bowl, click here.