April 15, 2009

BRYCE PETTY of Midlothian, Texas, and TEVIN REESE of Temple, Texas, both incoming freshmen of Baylor University, have been selected to play for USA Football's 2009 Junior National Team which will compete in the sport's first junior world championship this summer. Petty, a 6-3, 215-pound quarterback from Midlothian (Texas) High School, and Reese, a 5-11, 160-pound receiver from Temple (Texas) High School, are among 36 graduating high school seniors soon to enter 27 college football programs who will play on America's first national team in the sport comprised of players aged 19 and under. USA Football's Junior National Team roster will ultimately consist of 45 student-athletes.

USA Football, an independent non-profit and the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, has built America's first Junior National Team in the sport to compete in the eight-nation, four-continent 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio, from June 27-July 5. National football teams from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Sweden have qualified to join the United States to pursue the sport's first world championship on the international junior level (19 and under).

USA Football's Junior National Team is led by CHUCK KYLE, head coach of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School, who has led his Wildcats to 10 of Ohio's past 21 state titles, including two USA TODAY "national championships."

"It's an honor to be able to represent the United States and USA Football's Junior National Team is getting two quality football players in Bryce (Petty) and Tevin (Reese)," Baylor head coach Art Briles said. "They are both big-time players with tremendous ability and passion. They will represent not only Baylor University well, but the United States well."

Petty, rated by The Dallas Morning News as Texas's No. 2-ranked prep quarterback, recorded 3,549 passing yards and 20 TD passes while rushing to 10 more TDs during his junior and senior seasons while missing time due to injury. Reese, a two-sport athlete (football and track), led the Temple Wildcats with 31 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns last season. Reese also qualified for Texas' Class 5A state track meet in the triple-jump and long-jump as a junior.

USA Football's 2009 Junior National Team:

Player High School Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown College & Head Coach

Players selected for USA Football's Junior National Team were nominated by high school and college coaches from around the country. Roster selections are ultimately determined by USA Football's coaching staff, which collectively possesses 33 state titles and 155 high school head coaching seasons of experience.