U.S. National Team players participate in practice Wednesday in preparation for Saturday's Canton Classic. (Photo via Peter Schwartz)

It was another hot day in Canton, Ohio on Wednesday as the U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Game Series kicked into high gear.  

The teams gathered on the fields at Walsh University on Wednesday morning for the first of two practices as the countdown continues toward Saturday’s games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There’s still plenty of work to do, but the schedule for Saturday is all set.  

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At 9 a.m., the U-14 Pride will take on the U-14 Courage. At noon, the U-14 Stars will face the U-14 Stripes. The tripleheader concludes at 3 p.m. with the U-15 Stars going up against the U-15 Stripes.  

In between Wednesday’s practices, the athletes had lunch, attended position meetings and received their game uniforms for Saturday. The teams went through individual and team drills during the practice sessions as the coaches began installing plays. Over the course of just two days, it’s amazing to see just how far the players have come and just how much work the coaches have put in with so much to do in a short amount of time. 

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For the players, this has been an exciting experience so far, on and off the field.  

On the field, they continue to build chemistry, which is so important because as I heard a coach on one of the teams say, “this is your family for this week.” With athletes from 37 states, it’s also been an opportunity for the players to get to know each other and share stories during down time.   Having watched three practices so far, I know there is a lot of talent that will be on display Saturday on both sides of the ball. 

This is a week for the kids to put in hard work and to show character as they get ready to play in Saturday’s games, but it’s also been an opportunity to make new friends and get coaching from different voices.  From my perspective, my son Bradley has played for the same head coach and basically the same coaching staff on his youth football team for the last five years.  

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Other than the occasional youth football camp, this week has been a unique opportunity to learn some different techniques and schemes that will only help him as he makes the transition to playing in middle school this fall. The coaches have been great in teaching the kids, but also correcting them if they’ve made a mistake. Regardless of how these games turn out, the entire week has been valuable for all these athletes.  

For the parents, it’s been equally exciting on the sidelines … hot, but exciting! From my perspective, it’s been great to meet other parents, not only from the New York/New Jersey area where my family lives, but also from around the country and to get a feel of what youth football is like in other parts of the nation. This week so far has truly been a football convention for all parties involved.

Bradley shows off his U.S. National Team jersey. (Photo via Peter Schwartz)

Many parents, including myself, are going through an experience like this for the first time, and we certainly have a lot of questions about what the week is like and what to expect. Throughout the week, there has always been someone from the USA Football staff walking around to talk to the parents and see what concerns they might have. I’ve also had a chance to talk to some of the coaches and trainers, and that has made this even more enjoyable.  

Thursday, the teams will go through a morning practice followed by lunch before they get to spend a few hours with their families and perhaps a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as some parents have discussed. Then, it’s back to Walsh University for an evening scrimmage against their opponents for Saturday’s game as the countdown to kickoff continues.  

Peter Schwartz is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York. His son, Bradley, is playing in the Canton Classic on Saturday. Schwartz will write a blog every day this week leading up to Saturday’s Middle School Bowl Games.