FCC 2019: Manitoba wins defensive showdown against British Columbia

Manitoba ends tournament in fifth place while British Columbia winds up sixth

By Ameeta Vohra

Kingston, Ontario (July 13, 2019) – For the second straight year, Manitoba and British Columbia met on the last day of the 2019 Football Canada Cup.

In a rematch of the 2018 fifth place game at the 2019 Football Canada Cup, Manitoba and British Columbia were engaged in a competitive defensive battle.  In the end, Manitoba won the showdown, defeating British Columbia 19-6 on Saturday afternoon at Queen’s University’s Richardson Stadium.

With the win, Manitoba finished the tournament in fifth place while British Columbia settles for sixth place.  In last year’s game, British Columbia defeated Manitoba 23-10.

Just over three minutes into the fourth quarter, Manitoba quarterback Sawyer Thiessen threw an interception in the hands of British Columbia defensive back Corbin Grant.  However, British Columbia were not able to get anything going on offence, going 3 and out and resulting in a turnover on downs to Manitoba.

With 7:12 left in the quarter, Thiessen rushed with the ball down to the seven yard line.  At the 6:31 mark, he connected with Theo Karahalios, who stumbles into the end zone for a touchdown to give Manitoba the early lead.

British Columbia would get their first points of the game when Liam Reid was successful on a 31 yard field goal attempt.

In the second quarter, Reid had an opportunity to get British Columbia within one point of Manitoba; however, his 26 yard field goal attempt was no good.

However, British Columbia ended the first half with a couple of sacks on Thiessen by Cody McMahon and Kaishaun Carter.

At halftime, Manitoba held a 7-3 lead over British Columbia.

In the second half, Keyshawn Dorsey replaced Jay Mather at quarterback and got to work. Dorsey connected with Terrel Jones for a nice reception to get British Columbia deep in Manitoba territory in the third quarter.

On 3rd and 12, Dorsey rushed down the field to Manitoba’s 20 yard line.  Into the next play, the rushing attempt was not successful at 2nd and 5.

The culmination of that drive was a 21 yard field goal by Reid with 6:42 left in the third quarter to pull British Columbia within one point of Manitoba.

With 4:14 left in the game, British Columbia conceded a safety to Manitoba.  Isaac Dokken had a great chance to score the first touchdown of the second half when he sprinted into the end zone but the touchdown was recalled because Manitoba drew a penalty.

On the same drive, Manitoba was not able to convert offensively but Reece Wyke added a 28 yard field goal with 2:35 left in the game.

Getting some assurance, Dokken sprints into the end zone to tally a major and seal the victory for Manitoba.  The team’s two-point conversion attempt was incomplete.

Offensive Players of the Game were wide receivers Reece Wyke (Manitoba) and Nolan Ulm (British Columbia).  Defensive Players of the Game were defensive lineman Jordan Friesen (Manitoba) and defensive back Corbin Grant (British Columbia).

Overall, Manitoba’s defence shined by stepping up and mounting a wall against British Columbia’s key strength, which enabled them to pull out the victory on Saturday.

“Our defence played really well,” commented Manitoba head coach Ryan Karhut.  “Their (British Columbia)  and bread and butter is running the ball and out defence took that away from them.”

Our guys were flying around really well and our offence was executing when we really needed to so it was really good.”

Meanwhile, British Columbia could not overcome their slow start.  However, the team earned a victory of different sorts, not related to the game itself.

“We were slow coming out of the block; we didn’t really get the gear in shift and of course, you don’t do that,” said British Columbia head coach Cory Philpot after the loss.  “We ended up losing the game but overall I’m happy.

These kids got a chance to talk to some universities and that’s a win for me; these kids going off to a university.”