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Valentine competes for spot in International Bowl

By Gabriel Pruett

PORT NECHES — Nick Valentine has not let the boundaries of Texas be his stopping point for playing football.

The Port Neches-Groves defensive lineman has for three years been a part of the United States National Developmental team and again hopes to compete in the International Bowl.

Playing in the game and being a part of the team has given Valentine the chance to teach players from other countries the game of American football. “It is a huge honor,” Valentine said.

“I enjoy playing for them. It is a great experience to meet other players from around the country and to play against teams who do not know as much about American football.

“Some of the time there is a language barrier. That is hard. I worked with some D-linemen earlier this year from Japan. That was fun. They could interrupt what I was saying.”

It is difficult to make the national team. It all begins with camps before players are chosen into multiple teams that play against each other.

Finally, a player could be chosen to put on a USA jersey to compete in the International Bowl and now this season a new round has taken shape.

The best players who compete in the International Bowl have a shot to represent the country in the world championships.

Valentine is not only playing for himself in the games, he also is representing PN-G.

“We have a good school here and a great team,” Valentine added. “To share my style of play with others is an honor.”

A big aspect of being a part of the national team is Valentine has not taken much time off during the summer.

Two-a-day workouts for most area high schools start on Aug. 3. His conditioning is at a high level already after participating with the developmental teams.

“I am getting better,” Valentine said. “The more I improve, the better chance of me playing at a higher level.”

– See more at: http://www.panews.com/2015/07/22/valentine-competes-for-spot-in-international-bowl/#sthash.x65c27u2.dpuf

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