According to the National Federation of High Schools, over 1 million boys play high school football in the United States.

Of all of those, only 45 were selected for perhaps the greatest honor a player can receive — to be able to represent the country as a member of a national team.

The 12 year-old International Federation of American Football (IFAF), which promotes and organizes the game in countries all over the world, recently held its first-ever Junior World Championship Tournament in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In addition to the host USA team, squads representing Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Sweden took part in the event, which concluded on July 5 with Team USA downing Canada, 41-3, in the gold medal game.

Former LaFayette All-State lineman and University of Mississippi signee Evan Swindall was a member of the inaugural USA squad.

Swindall helped the Americans win their three games by a combined score of 174-3 and was named to the All-Tournament First Team Offense, as voted on by the tournament coaches.

Wednesday, back in LaFayette, Swindall reflected on the experience.

What does it mean to win a world championship gold medal?

Swindall: I’m proud for two reasons. The first being that I was able to play for my country, and secondly because that it’s the first ever (world championship) for football. It’s just great. It’s definitely special.

Was there a moment where it finally hit you as to what you were doing and who you were playing for?

Swindall: Really it happened during the opening ceremonies when they finished playing the national anthem. I got chills and they lasted the entire game against France. I think it was the same for most everyone on the team because we played lights out that game.

How was the rest of the week?

Swindall: We had a game lounge and all the teams were there. We hung around with the team from Sweden a lot and met the teams from New Zealand, Japan and Germany. We played a lot of ping-pong and shot some pool. We got to interact with the other teams a lot and got to know them. It was pretty neat.

Everything was really nice. We got to go to the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame, listen to (former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker) Chris Spielman speak and tour the Cleveland Browns facilities. Everyone treated us really nice and it was a lot of fun.

What did you learn about football players from other countries?

Swindall: I think they are a lot more appreciative of the game than we are here. They have to play to play in their countries and maybe we kind of take it for granted here, but they are really into it.

They played hard and gave a good effort, but they just aren’t at the skill level of us in the United States just yet.

What does it mean to get the represent your country and play for the United States?

Swindall: Just to get to represent your country in any way is great, but to do it in football is awesome. It’s great to represent your country playing a sport you love and to win. I never thought I’d see the day when we’d be competing for a gold medal in football.

And making the All-Tournament Team was great. It was a real honor, especially being the only kid for Georgia. I had to represent the South.