Canada even up 2016 International Bowl series with U18 victory
Photo credit: USA Football
Canada’s U18 national team defeated the U.S. U19 Selects 31-13 in the second of two opening day games at the 2016 International Bowl series on January 31 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. With the win, Canada evened up the 2016 International Bowl series after the U.S. U19 national team defeated Canada 33-0 to open up the competition.
Second year U18 national team running back JEVANTE STANLEY proved why he earned last year’s U18 game MVP award, acting as one of Canada’s spark plugs. He led the team, rushing 9 times for 144 yards.
“He’s an explosive kid, that’s what he does,” said U18 head coach, BRAD COLLINSON (Laval Rouge et Or). “I think anywhere he plays, he’s done that. Put him up with an even better group of athletes and it’s going to show up even more.”
JEVANTE STANLEY set-up Canada’s opening touchdown with a pair of 20 yard runs to move the national team down the field. Quarterback MASON NYHUS (Regina, Sask.) finished off the drive with a 1-yard keeper to give Canada an early 7-0 lead.
“I’m really glad we played so well tonight, and I’ve had such a great time with my teammates throughout this process,” Stanley said. “We started fast and just continued all night. My line did a great job all night, and obviously our defense played great as well.”
Nyhus added a second 1-yard quarterback keeper to give Canada a 14 point advantage heading into halftime. The touchdown was set-up by a long passing completion from Nyhus to receiver BEN PASIUK (Red Deer, Alta.).
“Mason had a good day,” Canada’s head coach added. “He stayed poised, made good decisions. We protected the ball although we had one fumble there but overall we did well.”
On the first offensive play of the second half, JEVANTE STANLEY (Brampton, Ont.) split the U19 Selects defense, rushing 76 yards untouched into the end zone.
On the next series, a NICOLAS CROSS (Regina, Sask.) pick-six, off a tipped pass, increased Canada’s lead to 28.
“Cross is an unbelievable football player,” said Collinson. “That kid was balling out, left and right. He made a great pick for a touchdown and was all over the field defensively. He did a heck of a job.”
Essex Ravens linebacker, DANIEL METCALFE (Kingsville, Ont.) led Canada’s defense with 12 total including 7 solo tackles and 1 sack.
From 24-yards out, U.S. quarterback SCOTTY FORBES (Sterling, Va.) found receiver ZACKERY RODERICK (Fredericksburg, Va.) in the end zone to narrow Canada’s lead 28-7.
A 28-yard VINCENT BLANCHARD (Germain-de-Grantham, Qué.) Canada field goal followed by a U.S. DOUGLAS SANTOS (Peabody, Mass.) rushing touchdown made the final score 31-13.
“The kids were so excited to come here and play in this place against the U.S. Obviously, they played a great game against a very talented opponent. Couldn’t be happier at the outcome for them and my whole staff,” Canada head coach, Brad Collinson said.
In their second game at the 2016 International Bowl series, Canada’s under-18 national team will face the U.S. under-18 national team on Wednesday February 3 at 7 p.m. CT. Having all experienced playing in a three game tournament over the span of a week last July at the 2015 Football Canada Cup, the national team is well equipped when it comes to short turnaround times.
“I think with what we do at the Canada Cup, the quick turnaround isn’t going to be a problem for these guys,” said Collinson.
“We’re going to have to see who’s banged up and get them repaired by our physios and get them ready to play. It’s going to be a lot of mental instead of physical for the next couple of days but we’re going to get back to work tomorrow.”
Scoring Summary
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | V-H |
| 1st | 05:14 | CANADA – Mason Nyhus 1 yd run (V. Blanchard kick), 7-61 3:52 | 7 – 0 |
| 2nd | 06:10 | CANADA – Mason Nyhus 1 yd run (V. Blanchard kick), 2-41 0:38 | 14 – 0 |
| 3rd | 11:37 | CANADA – J. Stanley 76 yd run (V. Blanchard kick), 1-76 0:11 | 21 – 0 |
| 10:11 | CANADA – Nicolas Cross 39 yd interception return (V. Blanchard kick) | 28 – 0 | |
| 4th | 09:18 | USA-SELE – Zac Roderick 24 yd pass from Scotty Forbes (Taylor Sheets kick), 4-62 1:48 | 28 – 7 |
| 04:43 | CANADA – V. Blanchard 28 yd field goal, 8-35 3:50 | 31 – 7 | |
| 02:30 | USA-SELE – Douglas Santos 1 yd run (Scotty Forbes pass failed), 7-81 2:06 | 31 – 13 |
Players of the Game
| Canada | LB – Nicolas Cross – Regina, Sask. – LeBoldus |
| USA | QB – Scotty Forbes |
