Juanita's Nathan Dean to Play in Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

The inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl has picked Skyline football coach Mat Taylor as one of 18 of high school coaches to serve as the official coaching staff for the East vs. West face-off on Jan. 3, 2012 in Phoenix.

The team will include on its roster tackle Nathan Dean, a senior at in Kirkland, widely regarded as one of the top offensve linemen in the state. Last summer, the 6-foot-5, 270-pound player committed to play next year for the University of Washington. See Nathan talk about it in the attached You Tube video.

Jeff Lindquist, a senior at Mercer Island High, was also chosen for the team.

The event is presented by JuniorRank Sports and the United States Marine Corps, and will feature 100 of the country’s top high school football players. Coaches from coast to coast were scouted for the coaching staff positions, with the final 18 selected based on their volunteered time, expertise and commitment to the inaugural bowl game.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Taylor, who found out he was selected even before leading the Spartans to a commanding win over Skyview at the Washington state 4A football championships. Taylor has been the Sammamish school' head football coach for the past four seasons, and has coached for 12 years on the staff at Skyline. Taylor has been coaching high school football for 17 years, and teaches special education at Skyline. He has earned both the Washington State Coach of the Year and the Seahawks Coach of the Week honors, among others. 

Taylor leaves for Phoenix on Dec. 27, and his wife, Katie, will join him on New Year’s Eve. He said it will be a challenge to pull the team together with just a week to practice, but he’s looking forward to the experience.

“It’s a great thing for everybody. The biggest thing is to have fun,” Taylor said.

“By lending our motto Semper Fidelis to this bowl game, we are showing our commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. This game will feature some of the most talented athletes in the country, but each has been selected not only for his athletic prowess, but also his academic performance and the strength of his character,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command in a press release.

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will air on CBS Sports Network Jan. 3, 2012, at 3 p.m. Pacific Time from Phoenix. The preceding day The Proving Ground football combine, airing Jan. 2, 2012, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time, on CBS Sports Network, will give viewers the chance to watch 400 of the country’s best high school football stars participate in skills competitions.

To learn more, visit http://www.semperfidelisbowl.com.