Eastern football recruit Erik Lora will compete for USA Football’s Junior National Team in the inaugural International Federation of American football junior world championships in Canton, Ohio, beginning June 27.

The tournament is the first international American football competition for high-school aged players. The event will feature teams from eight countries- Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States – and will take place at the historic Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The U.S. team is the first junior national team in the history of the sport. The team is made up of incoming college freshmen from 22 states, entering 33 different college football programs in the fall.

One of those players making up the national team is the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Lora, a wide receiver who has committed to Eastern and will make his debut with the Panthers in the fall. The involvement with Team USA allows him a few extra days of practice this summer before arriving at Eastern’s camp. It also gives him an opportunity to play alongside some of the highest-recruited players in the nation.

Lora, who played for Columbus High School in Miami, Fla., was a First-Team All-Dade County selection and finished the year ranked second in receiving yards in Dade County in 2008. The receiver pulled in 29 catches for 649 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, helping Columbus to a 10-1 record. He also returned 11 punts for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Team USA kicks off competition in the world championships against France on June 27. The tournament will run throughout the week, leading up to the championship game on July 5.

Jeff Jurinek can be reached at 581-7943 or at densportsdesk@gmail.com