Top-level middle school-aged football players across the country received exciting news this week, as they received invitations for the inaugural U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Games Series. 

The summer series kicks off July 7 with the Canton Classic at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and concludes with the Texas Showdown on July 22 at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters in Frisco, Texas.

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Players earned invites by attending a U.S. National Team Middle School Showcase or Regional this spring. Each event featured skill and character development instruction from college coaches, and evaluation for a spot at one of this year's bowls, where they'll get four days of on-field work leading up to game day.

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Parents and players were fired up to receive this week's notification, as were the coaches who'll lead the assembled Stars and Stripes teams. Here's a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:

I'm excited to share the news that my son Bradley has been selected by @usafootball to play in the @USNFT Ohio Middle School Bowl Game this summer! My family and I are so proud of him! Thanks @AlPopsUSAFB and your staff for the invite! #USAFootball #EarnYourStripes pic.twitter.com/dgr9a5thnR

— Peter Schwartz (@SchwartzSports) May 17, 2018

Thankful to be selected to the USA Football Middle School Team. I will wear my Stars and Stripes with Pride. @USNFT @Youth1Football @AlPopsUSAFB @JPRockMO @elitefootball @PlayBookAthlete @Coach_KBoyer pic.twitter.com/LQAiZabwAT

— Miles Famous8 McVay (@FarmersFuqua) May 16, 2018

Extremely excited to be back working with USA Football for year 3! This opportunity to be apart of something as great as this organization is simply amazing! Can’t wait to get to work in Canton! #TeamStripes #TeamDenham @USNFT @CoachAI @USAFBOps @CoachDenham1 pic.twitter.com/zuLwn6zgl9

— Coach Tyrone Young™ (@CoachYoung41) May 16, 2018

When I saw this email I was speechless! What an absolute honor to be able to represent this great country, thank you for the opportunity @USNFT @usafootball @CoachAI @USAFBOps pic.twitter.com/mwtfAL5bHJ

— Coach David Denham (@CoachDenham1) May 16, 2018

My last youth event before HS. With great honor I accept and thank you @USNFT @AlPopsUSAFB @CoachAI @usafootball @USAFBOps 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9yKLIyWuhN

— Peter Zamora (@qbpete) May 14, 2018

Blessed with another (#AnotherOne) opportunity to coach with USA Football. Loved my experience at the San Antonio Regional camp. Love being a part of such a great organization. S/O to @CoachBSmithey for allowing me to coach on his staff. #TeamStripes pic.twitter.com/RFSMgffHLB

— Coach Eddie Chinea (@CoachChinea) May 15, 2018

I had an amazing time at the USA Football camp in Minneapolis! The competition was great and the coaching was even better! Honored to be invited to the Canton, Ohio MS Bowl Games this summer! @CoachKish @AlPopsUSAFB @CoachTrocheHU @USNFT @AWilliamsUSA pic.twitter.com/ZCoSnxrpra

— Gabe Frerichs (@FrerichsGabe) May 16, 2018

Excited, humbled & honored to be invited to the U.S. National Team!!! Want to thank @USNFT, @usafootball @AlPopsUSAFB, @CoachAI & all of my coaches for their training, support & mentoring. @CoachTenner @CoachCapasso_DL @CoachFeddy #EarnYourStars 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HCaCZwQFDB

— Anthony Famularo Jr. (@FamularoJr) May 16, 2018

I'm so excited to be selected for the US National Team @USNFT! I can't wait to represent my country and play with the top-rated middle school athletes at the Middle School Bowl Game in Texas this July! Thank you so much to @usafootball @AlPopsUSAFB. My hard work has only begun pic.twitter.com/2aQkWp7IlY

— Matthew A. Conners (@ConnersFootball) May 16, 2018

Humbled 2 follow in Big Bros @MezaJoemeza31 footsteps!Honored 2B selected!I will be at Canton while he's at NAU training 2 bring home the🥇 pic.twitter.com/fUlOsSWDYV

— Ryan Meza (@RyanMeza21) May 15, 2018

Thank you @usafootball @USNFT #QB #USAFootball pic.twitter.com/x2Vt9sDurj

— Sterling Smith (@StuMoney7) May 14, 2018

So proud of my boys! Justin invited to play Defensive End and Jason invited to play Wide receiver for USA Middle School Bowl Games for Class of 2022 and 2023 in July 2018. Thank you @USNFT @AlPopsUSAFB @usafootball for providing my boys this great opportunity. pic.twitter.com/WtCrafSmuU

— Jeffrey Eisele (@Jeisele11) May 14, 2018

Thanks Coach @AlPopsUSAFB and @USNFT for the opportunity to represent my country on the field! #EarnYourStars #OLine @usafootball @PlayBookAthlete @Rivals @247Sports @Youth1Football @Youth1Media @ncsa @NCSA_Football @CrowleyISD @CrowleyFB_TX @Kickslide pic.twitter.com/B7XAh9ljrv

— Johnathan Porter 🔥 (@porter_2424) May 14, 2018

So blessed to have this opportunity provided to me. Thanks to my mom & dad for taking me to camps & believing in me and to my coaches that have challenged & pushed me. Couldn't have done it without any of them. #blessed #playhardworkharder #EarnYourStars #Thankful #NeverGiveUp pic.twitter.com/TX2b3bhlwh

— Jase Briseno (@JaseBriseno) May 15, 2018

#whyigrind #pbsmallworld@AlPopsUSAFB @usafootball @USNFT @LakesideRamsFB @PlayBookAthlete @ArElite100 @ARFBALLRANKINGS @JayMeadors @CareyDuhart pic.twitter.com/PxJo2JeEHD

— Pierce Smalley (@PierceSmalley) May 15, 2018

Dear Allen and family,
With great pleasure, I am pleased to share that you have been selected to play in the Texas U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game this summer as a(n) RB!
I MADE IT!!!! It's OFFICIAL #EarnYourStars @usafootball@AlPopsUSAFB https://t.co/oB3fUwFsr1

— Allen Mitchell (@Allentyler314) May 15, 2018

Blessed to be invited to play on the Texas US National Football team!
Phil 4:13@AlPopsUSAFB @DBCoachMcGraw @CoachMikeGPU @ClayMackSkills @Mister_Wont_Die @legacyplayon @PlayBookAthlete @soneworleansbra @KingHeard80 @usafootball @USNFT @atascocitaraven @prodigalson3 pic.twitter.com/fQafbxuhTD

— Christian Whitley (@CWhitley27) May 15, 2018

Incredibly honored to be invited to represent my country at the @USNFT Middle School Bowl Game in Canton, OH! @USNFT @usafootball @AlPopsUSAFB @CoachFrank_21 pic.twitter.com/wPskWYevif

— Garret Hoffman (@GarretHoffman13) May 15, 2018

Very proud to be selected to the U.S National Team! @AlPopsUSAFB @Teaguefootball @CoachMartinez99 pic.twitter.com/qsk5p2IV7h

— Jackson Newville (@jnewville7766) May 15, 2018

Thank you @AlPopsUSAFB @Coach_Hammer @USNFT for selecting me to play in Ohio for the U.S. National Team Middle School Games. Can’t wait! #blessed #EarnYourStars pic.twitter.com/Ny8DWxtSiS

— Michael Dipasquale (@mikeyd1019) May 14, 2018

Thank you to those that helped me reach this goal. Work hard, stay humble. @matthennesy @Coach_Hammer @CoachAI @acoachingrev @BillLiedy @Raptor7v7 @d1_raleigh @RyanDLarsen @ronwhitcomb @TheQBAcademy @tballardqbcoach @BJones_GRINDQB https://t.co/mEV46cFVQO

— Connor Clark (@Connor_clark10) May 15, 2018

Excited, humbled & honored to be named to the U.S. National Team for my 2nd straight year. Want to thank @USNFT, @AlPopsUSAFB, @CoachAI & all of my coaches for their training, support & mentoring. @air14football @coach_mstringer @CoachTWeber @Hatchettl @Coach_Hammer @CoachTenner pic.twitter.com/3C4O7rMwxj

— Brennan Storer (@Brennan7Storer) May 14, 2018

Excited to be invited to play for the U.S. National Team in the Texas Middle School Bowl this summer @AlPopsUSAFB. @usafootball @GTEagleFootball #GTDNA #rep512 pic.twitter.com/y94dOrrQZJ

— Darson Herman #10 QB (@Darson_Herman) May 15, 2018

Honored & Humbled for the opportunity to put on the Red, White & Blue for the @USNFT in Canton, OH this summer for the 1st MS Bowl Games! Thank you for all you do @usafootball @USNFT @AlPopsUSAFB @CoachAI pic.twitter.com/oPlXJDeu4I

— Max Thomson (@Max_Thomson5) May 15, 2018

#Blessed and honored to receive an invite to represent and play for US National Team. Thx to my family, teammates and coaches. #QBNation2023 #QB2023 #EarnYourStars @CoachAI @matthennesy @AlPopsUSAFB @USNFT @hillbilleways @PlayBookAthlete @teamvblack @brettbowersfit @tgilkey57 pic.twitter.com/kQXM05lbTa

— Jackson Gilkey (@Jackson_Gilkey) May 14, 2018

Honored to receive an invite to play for the US National Team! Thank you @USNFT @AlPopsUSAFB @CoachAI @matthennesy @hillbilleways @WRAB50 pic.twitter.com/Mwwr0eX2v6

— Colton Thomasson (@ColtonThomasson) May 15, 2018

Incredibly honored to be selected for the U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl! Blessed to represent my country again, thank you! 🇺🇸🏈@USNFT @CoachAI @matthennesy @AlPopsUSAFB @hillbilleways @CoachMerkens @CoachChinea pic.twitter.com/lq7yWBIqe7

— Chase Campbell (@Chase3QB) May 15, 2018

I’m blessed and honored to be selected as apart of the U.S. national team 🏈@coach_crumedy @USNFT @AlPopsUSAFB @hclxtreme pic.twitter.com/Fp3XD0ZKhg

— Cornelius Banks II (@Cbanks_13) May 14, 2018