Manitoba and hosts Alberta open U16 Western Challenge with wins

Manitoba and hosts Alberta won the first games of the inaugural under-16 Western Challenge on Sunday at University of Lethbridge Community Stadium.

In the earlier game, Manitoba defeated British Columbia 26-7.  Alberta won the second game against Saskatchewan 48-3.

On Wednesday July 5th, British Columbia will play Saskatchewan as both teams will be in search of their first win of the tournament.  Kickoff is 4:00pm MT/6:00pm ET. In the second game, Manitoba faces Alberta at 7:00pm MT/9:00pm ET.

MANITOBA 26, BRITISH COLUMBIA 7:

On the opening kickoff, British Columbia’s Ethan Yip returned the ball for a 95 yard touchdown reception to give the team an early 7-0 lead.

While Manitoba didn’t score a touchdown, the team got points as British Columbia conceded 2 safeties and earned a single after Presley Solar-MacKay’s 21 yard field goal attempt was wide.

At halftime, British Columbia led 7-5.

In the second half, Manitoba overtook the lead when Kaiden Bannon hauled in a 21 yard major.  With over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, quarterback Carter Kutzan connected with Keshaun Ducharme for a 19 yard touchdown.

Negus Lewin put the game out of reach for Manitoba as Kutzan connected with him for a 37 yard major.

Offensive Players of the Game were Yip (British Columbia) and Kutzan (Manitoba).  Additionally, Defensive Players of the Game were Jade Buchanan (British Columbia) and Adam Fast (Manitoba).

ALBERTA 48, SASKATCHEWAN 3:

Hosts Alberta got on the scoreboard 1:28 into the game as quarterback Eli Hetlinger found Ajou Ajou for a 32 yard touchdown reception.

Saskatchewan responded back with Jackson Milton Owen’s 18 yard field goal to get within four points of the lead.

With 38 seconds left in the first quarter, Jaxon Hume sprinted into the end zone to score a 51 yard touchdown to extend Alberta’s lead.

Alberta continued their momentum in the second quarter when Ajou Ajou tallied his second major of the game – a 57 yard rush.  Ethan Perry dashed into the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown to strengthen Alberta’s lead.

At halftime, Alberta led Saskatchewan 38-3.

In the second half, there was not a lot of scoring but Alberta continued to find ways to put up points. Charlie DeLand was successful on a 13 yard field goal.

Perry’s second touchdown of the day rounded out Alberta’s scoring.  His score was a 34 yard touchdown.

Offensive Players of the Game were Ryker Frank (Saskatchewan) and Ajou (Alberta).  Furthermore, Defensive Players of the Game were Parker Schmaltz (Saskatchewan) and Carson Remus (Alberta).