By Paige Gurgainers

Webster Parish may have another break-out football star coming up the ranks.  

12-year-old Ian Clark, soon to be an eighth grader at Webster Junior High School, has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to play for the National USA Football Team and will be traveling to Los Angeles, California in July 2028 to showcase his skills in the Olympics.  

According to Ian’s mother Whitney Clark, they traveled to Missouri City, Texas earlier this year in May to try out for the team.

“On May 29, we received a call from Ms. Chloe Sullivan congratulating Ian on making the National USA team,” said Whitney.  

Ian expressed that he had no expectations of making the national team.

“Although I did get several interceptions,” he said. “I am very excited and happy that my hard work really showed.” 

Now the real work begins – preparing for the 2028 summer Olympics.  

“I will have to attend several ID camps and USA football tournaments,” said Ian. “I will also have to do online training, as well.” 

Ian has been playing 7 on 7 and tackle with a travel team for the past 6 years with the last two being year-round. He received a championship ring last December for True Talent of America in New Orleans and recently won 12u, 7 on 7 and SPAR football championships with the Port City Goats football team.  

He is not only determined on the gridiron, but he perseveres in the classroom. This last school year, Ian was on the A Honor Roll every 9 weeks and finished out the year in the top 3 of his seventh-grade class for Social Studies and Mathematics.  

When asked if he felt that football was his passion and possibly something he would like to make a career of, he was very quick to answer. “Yes, I love football more than anything. I plan to be just like J.J. Sneed someday.”