Windermere Prep freshman named to national football team

WINDERMERE — Mason Russell is going to Jerry’s World.

Russell, a freshman fullback and linebacker for Windermere Prep who has scored three touchdowns in the Lakers’ first two games, learned Aug. 28 that he had been named to the 16-and-Under USA Football National Team. As a result, Russell, 15, will get to participate in the International Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Texas — also known as “Jerry’s World” for the Dallas Cowboys’ owner.

The game pits the USA against Canada and will be broadcast live on ESPN3/WatchESPN. The Windermere Prep freshman is excited, to put it mildly.

“I was just overjoyed,” Russell said. “I really have no way to describe it other than shock.”

Russell participated in a regional camp in the spring and, through that camp, was selected for a national development camp in the summer in Canton, Ohio. A select number of players from that national camp were named to the national team and will get to participate in the 2016 International Bowl week from Feb. 1 to 5. International Bowl week culminates with an official International Bowl Game against Team Canada at 1 p.m. Feb. 5.

The accomplishment was celebrated by Russell’s friends and family — and also his football program and school.

“It’s very big for our program to have a kid go represent Windermere Prep down at Jerry’s World on TV,” head coach Jacob Doss said. “He’s going to get coached by some of the best coaches in the country.”

Doss has coached his 6-foot-1, 199-pound fullback/linebacker for just two games but has been impressed with his demeanor and believes his future is plenty bright, saying Russell might be one of the best freshman football players in the country.

“Mason has obviously got the physical tools, but the greatest part about Mason is his mental tools,” Doss said. “This kid has a desire to be great. … I think he’ll pull a couple college offers early as a freshman.”