Playing defense against Cedar Hill (Texas) senior quarterback Avery Davis can be likened to assembling a 1,000-piece puzzle … with the pieces upside down … in the dark … blindfolded.

Davis, committed to Notre Dame, will help lead the U.S. Under-19 National Team against Football Canada at the North American Championship in Orlando on Jan. 28.

Through seven starts this season, the 5-foot-11, 192-pound signal-caller has completed 111 of 163 passes (68.0 percent) for 1,613 yards and 24 touchdowns against just three interceptions. The future business major also runs the first leg of Cedar Hill’s 4x100 and 4x200 track relay teams.

“He’s an athlete, but I look at him as a true quarterback, too,” said Cedar Hill head coach Joey McGuire. “He’s got great accuracy – he can make all the throws and when he pulls it down, he can really run. He studies the game, he’s serious about it. He brings all of the intangibles you want in a quarterback.”

Opposing defenses try different ways to keep Davis at bay – some blitzing on nearly every down while others dropping back into coverage.

“They all try to keep me in the pocket and contain me from running,” said Davis. “I’ve had to adjust to that and that’s helped me. I’m taking what defenses are giving me, which has made me a better passer.”

Davis’ U.S. Under-19 National Team head coach in Orlando will be Kenny Sanchez of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). Sanchez’s team, currently ranked No. 1 in the country by USA TODAY, is one of the few to outplay Davis and the Longhorns (8-2), winning 44-14 in the team’s first game on Aug. 27.

“That game’s in the past, we’ve gotten better from it,” said Davis. “I’m eager to learn from the superior knowledge of my coaches and every coach I get to work with. I have respect for [Coach Sanchez] and all of the success that he’s had. I’ll be all ears and take in everything he’s saying.

“I look forward to wearing that red, white and blue – representing my country,” Davis added. “I also look forward to playing with some of the best players in the nation.”

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Other players to watch:

U.S. Under-18 National Team

Quarterback Jalen Mayden of Sachse (Texas) continues to direct the Mustangs to a perfect record (10-0). The younger brother of U.S. National Team alumni James Mayden (Rice) and Jared Mayden (Alabama) has completed 149 of 231 attempts (64.5 pct.) for 2,210 yards and 22 touchdowns against four interceptions on the season. Mayden has also rushed 90 times for 491 yards (5.5 avg.) and eight TDs. He is considering scholarship offers from more than 20 schools, including Alabama, Louisville, Ohio State, Nebraska and Texas. He’ll lead the U.S. against Football Canada’s Under-18 National Team during the North American Championship in Orlando on Jan. 28.

U.S. Under-17 National Team

Defensive end Nolan Smith of Calvary Day (Savannah, Ga.) has chalked up 10.0 sacks, 46 total tackles and three forced fumbles in seven varsity games as a sophomore this season. The 6-2, 220-pounder has helped Calvary Day to a 9-0 record. Smith returns to the International Bowl where last year, as a member of the U.S. Under-16 National Team, he totaled 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble in helping defeat Football Alberta, 43-6, in AT&T Stadium. Entering this season, Smith had already received scholarship offers from Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Miami (Fla.) has since joined those three schools. The U.S. Under-17 National Team will face Team Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 16.

U.S. Under-16 National Team

Running back Kendall Milton of Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), who overwhelmed defenses on the freshman level earlier this season, has ascended to the Bears’ varsity program (6-4). In six varsity games, Milton has continued his penchant for running through tacklers like turnstiles, rushing 49 times for 415 yards (8.5 avg.) and four TDs. Having earned his roster spot with standout performances at the National Team Development Games, Milton is the younger brother of Fresno State sophomore defensive back Ka’Lonn Milton and the nephew of former NFL All-Pro linebacker Kevin Hardy. The U.S. Under-16 National Team takes on Football Ontario’s Under-16 team on Jan. 16 at AT&T Stadium.

Click here for video features on past U.S. National Team athletes and 2016 International Bowl game webcasts.