Good things come to those who wait.
America waited 233 years for its first junior national team in its favorite sport. The wait is over.
And yes, this team is good ... (ahem) make that demanding-coach-smiling-good.
Members of USA Football's Junior National Team arrived at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, Saturday from 22 states, each soon to enter one of 33 college football programs. The team conducted its first practice Sunday afternoon under the watchful eyes of its 10-man coaching staff, led by head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School.
Even Kyle, a possessor of 10 Ohio large school state titles and 21 consecutive playoff seasons, couldn't hide his excitement after watching his team work with "USA" emblazoned on its helmets and jerseys before a crowd of 100 fans.
"When we started doing drills, I'd walk over to a group say, 'All right - let's see the next drill' and then you say, 'Oh my gosh (chuckling) - OK, that's different.' We usually don't play linebackers that big," Kyle said. "I saw [defensive coordinator Steve] Specht halfway through and I said, 'Hey, Specht - I think you're going to have fun,' and he said, 'Oh yes, I think we will.'"
Although graced with obvious natural ability, Team USA has things to work on with 12 practice days remaining before facing France on June 27 in Canton's historic Fawcett Stadium next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"The communication was good," Kyle said following the two-hour session. "I think we got a lot done. Later on tonight, they're going to see a large portion of that practice on film. That's when they can look at themselves and go, 'Ok - I got it, Coach.'"
Offensive coordinator Gary Swenson, a five-time Iowa state champion and head coach of West Des Moines Valley High School, will employ a mix of shotgun, direct snap, zone plays and lead plays.
Defensively, Team USA will employ Specht's 3-3-5 alignment from Cincinnati St. Xavier High School - the same defense that Kyle runs with his St. Ignatius Wildcats. Specht has twice led his Bombers to an Ohio big school state title (2005, 2007).
"It's a fun defense," Kyle said. "I think you'll see the kids enjoy it. When you line up, you see a three-man front, but after the snap, it's not three guys - people are coming from all over the place and the coverages are changing after the snap. And the kids are really getting into it because they see it's a fun defense."
Team USA will practice twice on Monday: 9-11a and 2-4p ET.
Stay tuned to usafootball.com for daily updates from Team USA's home in North Canton, Ohio, and take a look at the photo gallery to see the team in action.
