By Warren Rappleyea
Fourteen-year-old Sayreville War Memorial High School freshman Jayvis Rayside was set to compete at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this week for the 2017 U.S. Under 16 National football team in the 8th annual International Bowl.
Rayside was selected after attending tryout camps during the fall. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder, who resides in the Parlin section of the borough, was expected to line up as a running back and also play linebacker in the Jan. 17 contest against the Under-16 Football Ontario squad from Canada.
A year ago, Rayside was selected to participate in the International Bowl as a member of one of two “all-star” teams from the U.S. that played each other. During that matchup, which was also at AT&T Stadium, Rayside was in on 11 tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass. One the biggest highlights, however, occurred before the game.
“Just being in AT&T Stadium on the field and seeing the locker rooms and everything was amazing,” he said. “Then when we were lined up to say the ‘Pledge of Allegiance,’ I looked up and saw myself on the jumbo screen.”
Rayside was a key member of Sayreville’s freshman team that fashioned an 8-1 record this past fall. He was among the team leaders in both rushing and tackles, and Bombers coach Chris Beagan added the youngster to the varsity practice squad.
“We’ve had our eye on Jayvis for two years,” Beagan said. “Our strength coach told us all about him, and we’ve been watching him. He’s a hard-working player with a lot of character. I was very pleased to see him develop and grow as a freshman player. When we brought him up, he did everything right in drills and for the practice squad. We’re excited to have him in the program.”
Rayside began playing flag football at the age of 5 and eventually spent several seasons, primarily as a lineman, for the Sayreville Leprechauns Pop Warner program. He also played a season for the Morgan Panthers before entering high school.
In all, 45 high school players were selected to participate in the International Bowl. The national team is managed by USA Football, the sport’s governing body, which also is represented on the U.S. Olympic Committee. Eight games will be played in Arlington between teams from the U.S., Canada and Japan.
After arriving in Dallas Jan. 13, Rayside began practicing with his teammates and attending meetings with the coaching staff.
“It’s great to meet so many new people and get to know them and make friends from around the country,” he said. “It’s also a great opportunity to learn from new coaches.”
Rayside’s next goal is to play for the Bombers’ varsity team like his dad — also Jayvis — did in the early 1990s. Ultimately, the younger Rayside is hoping to play NCAA Division I college football.
“My goal has always been to play for the Bombers,” he said. “I’m hoping to earn a place on the varsity and, hopefully, a starting position as one of the running backs or as a linebacker.”