Manitoba and host Alberta advance to Under-16 Western Challenge gold medal game

By Ameeta Vohra

Saskatchewan and British Columbia to square off for bronze medal on Saturday

Manitoba and hosts Alberta won their games at the Under-16 Western Challenge on Wednesday at Foote Field in Edmonton.

In the earlier game, Manitoba defeated Saskatchewan 21-16.  Alberta won the second game against British Columbia 21-16.

On Saturday July 7th, British Columbia will play Saskatchewan in the bronze medal game.  Kickoff is 11:00am MT/1:00pm ET. In the second game, Manitoba faces Alberta at 2:00pm MT/4:00pm ET.

MANITOBA 20, SASKATCHEWAN 10:

Negus Lewin scored two touchdowns to lead Manitoba over Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan took an early 3-0 lead when they added a field goal.

In the second quarter, quarterback Jordan Hanslip connected with Theo Karahalios for a 79 yard major to give Manitoba the lead.

Lewin sprinted into the end zone with 2:33 remaining in the half for a four yard rushing major.  About two minutes later, he would score his second touchdown of the game – a 10 yard major.

At halftime, Manitoba enjoyed a 17-3 lead over Saskatchewan.

In the second half, Saskatchewan attempted to catch up to Manitoba.  With 8:09 left in the game, pivot Zach Szakacs connected with Daniel Wiebe for a 63 yard touchdown pass.

Offensive Players of the Game were Lewin (Manitoba) and Wiebe (Saskatchewan).  Defensive Players of the Game were Jason Rushatsi (Manitoba) and Anthony Lukan (Saskatchewan).

ALBERTA 21, BRITISH COLUMBIA 16:

In the later game, British Columbia got on the scoreboard first as Jamil Yousuf caught an interception and sprinted down into the end zone to give the team a 7-0 lead over Alberta.

However, Alberta would strike back with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.  Quarterback Luc Nolin found Cale Brownell for a touchdown score.

Just before the end of the second quarter, Liam Attwood would add the first of three field goals in the game.  He was successful on a 27 yard attempt to give British Columbia the lead.

At halftime, British Columbia led Alberta 10-7.

Elic Ayomanor helped Alberta get the lead back in the third quarter as he sprinted into the end zone for a 15 yard major.

British Columbia would regain the lead when Attwood would add two more field goals (29 and 22 yards).

With 3:03 left in the game, Nolin connected with Adrian Minakata for a touchdown pass to seal the win for Alberta.

Offensive Players of the Game were Martin Sialeu (Alberta) and Kayle Cowley (British Columbia).  Defensive Players of the Game were Jack Dutton (Alberta) and Taaj Jhooty (British Columbia).