With players and coaches from around the United States and the globe converging in Arlington, Texas, for International Bowl IX, here's a look at some of the media coverage as Friday's first gridiron contests near.

In the Ithaca Journal, Kevin Stevens tells the story of three New York offensive linemen who'll take the field at AT&T Stadium - Maine-Endwell High School teammates A.J. DeSantis (U.S. U-18 National Team) and Brennan McQuade (U-18 Select), and Tom Reeves (U-19 Select) of Moravia High School. 

Jim Linsdau of the Placer Herald talks to Kristian Ingman of Sacramento, California, a member of the U-14 Stars.

KCCI in Des Moines, Iowa, has a video interview with East High School and U-18 U.S. National Team lineman Caleb James.

The Dallas Morning News introduces Dallas-area competitors, including Sachse High School and U.S. U-19 National Team quarterback Jalen Mayden, and Mexico's Autenticos Tigres, who made a 17-hour bus ride to play against the U.S.

Dave Fawcett of InsideNova in Virginia details Battlefield High School and U-18 Select defensive back Mason Setness.

The Sentinel & Enterprise in Massachusetts tells readers about Leominster American Youth Football teammates Joey Pallotta (U-15 Stars) and Colin LeBlanc (U-15 Select).

Kevin Goheen of the Dayton Daily News discusses four University of Michigan football recruits who'll play for the U-19 U.S. National Team - running backs Christian Turner [Buford High School (Georgia)] and Hassan Hankins [Eureka High School (Missouri)], and twin brothers and defensive backs Ge'mon and German Green [DeSoto High School (Texas)].  

Turner has been busy preparing.

@UMichFootball commit @_ChrisTurner28 came thru a got some good work in. Very very explosive kid smh Looking forward to working with him til college. #LEVELUP pic.twitter.com/q4sc0sGHUE

— bigcoach54 (@bigka54) January 3, 2018

 

Rick Brown of the Tampa Bay Times talks about three players from that region who'll compete - Nature Coast Tech High School offensive lineman Louis Miele of the U.S. U-19 Select Team, and Wesley Chapel High School defensive back and Florida State commit Isaiah Bolden, and Wiregrass Ranch High School DB and Florida State-bound Jordan Miner, both of the U-19 U.S. National Team.

Miele is ready to go.

In Georgia, Chris Gay of the Columbia City News-Times tells the story of Grovetown High School linebacker Greggory Rodgers and Harlem High School running back A.J. Brown, both members of the U-18 U.S. National Team.

Rodgers made quite a haul at his team's recent banquet.

American Football International features Team Nordic U-19 head coach Jim Criner - the 77-year old who won a Division I-AA championship at Boise State and a World Bowl championship, among many U.S. and international coaching stops.

In other coaching news, American Football International discusses Brazilian Bruno Barandas, the 24-year old Georgetown University graduate assistant who'll be the first foreign coach for the U.S. U-19 Select squad.

Melanie Petrucci of the Community Advocate in Massachusetts interviews U.S. U-16 National Team member Kealan Green, a linebacker from Shrewsbury High School.

Click here for the full International Bowl IX game schedule. All contests will air on ESPN3.