Lynn’s Rushins excels in Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl

SAN ANTONIO – The second annual Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl kicked off Sunday morning at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Pitting the nation’s top 7th and 8th graders against one another in an all-star format, the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl brings together the top youth talent in the nation. Rufus Rushins of Lynn, a defensive end, represented the US in the USA-Canada Youth bowl.”It’s been an honor playing with some of the best players. It’s been a great opportunity and I am glad to represent the state of Massachusetts and my hometown,” said Rushins on his experience at the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl. Rushins starred on the field as well, earning the USA team’s Defensive Player of the Game honors.Canada won the game, 42-38.The Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl consists of three East vs. West all-star games, one for the top 40 7th graders with a 175-pound limit, one for the top 40 8th graders with a 185-pound limit and a third game featuring the top 40 8th graders with no weight limit. New this year is a fourth game – the USA-Canada Youth Bowl. The games are modeled after the US Army All-American Bowl, which was played Saturday at the Alamodome.Last year, many of the top players in the bowl received college interest and national attention from media outlets such as USA Today, Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. Last year’s game was also the unveiling of YouTube sensation Sony Michel, who ran away with MVP honors after a four-touchdown, 275-yard performance.The Bowl week for the athletes consisted of practices, a skills competition, and breakout sessions with Hall of Famers, as well as current and former NFL stars and celebrities. The Youth All-Americans also had VIP access to the US Army All-American Bowl and were honored during the game.Several thousand youth all-stars were nominated for this honor. Athletes had to fill out a nomination form and submit a highlight tape. The selection committee, which consists of Football University’s regional directors and scouts, works year round with hundreds of local youth football coaches and commissioners who help identify top athletes.For more information on the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl and its related events, visit: www.footballuniversity.org or www.eastbay.com. National sponsors of the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl include Youth Football Coaches Association, Schutt, and Gatorade.