Comeback kids; New Brunswick stages a thrilling 4th quarter comeback to beat BC 16-12 on Day 2 of the 2024 Football Canada Cup

July 11th – REGINA, SK – New Brunswick staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 16-12 victory over British Columbia in the second round of the 2024 Football Canada Cup on Wednesday, July 10, at Leibel Field in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The game unfolded as a defensive battle, with each quarter telling its own story:

Both teams started cautiously, exchanging field goals. British Columbia’s Andrew Lawson opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal at 3:32. New Brunswick quickly matched it when S. Vincent kicked a 19-yard field goal at 8:31 following an interception. The quarter ended 3-3, setting the tone for a tight contest.

New Brunswick seized momentum when Logan Smith returned a blocked punt 45 yards for a touchdown at 9:26. This pivotal play gave New Brunswick a 10-3 lead heading into halftime, despite British Columbia’s offensive advantage.

British Columbia rallied, dominating possession with 9:20 of clock control. Matthew Chapman’s 2-yard touchdown run at 7:06 brought them within one point. Hudson Jones then kicked a 35-yard field goal at 11:58, pushing British Columbia ahead 12-10 and setting up a tense final quarter.

The game’s deciding moment came with 5:19 left when New Brunswick’s Noah Crowley broke free for a game-winning 47-yard touchdown run. British Columbia’s final drive stalled at New Brunswick’s 19-yard line, securing the 16-12 victory for New Brunswick.

New Brunswick’s offense found its rhythm late, with Crowley finishing with an impressive 115 yards on 14 carries. British Columbia controlled much of the game, outgaining New Brunswick in total yardage 308 to 140. Quarterback Liam Connolly completed 8 of 16 passes for 86 yards, while Matthew Chapman led the ground attack with 132 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Defensively, New Brunswick was led by Ethan St. Pierre, who recorded 4.5 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack. For British Columbia, Wyatt Poitras anchored the defense with 4.5 tackles.

The game was marred by penalties, with British Columbia drawing 13 for 110 yards and New Brunswick 11 for 85 yards. These infractions significantly impacted the flow of the game and field position battles.

The victory puts New Brunswick (1-1) in contention for a higher placement, while British Columbia (0-2) faces an uphill battle in their final game. The 2024 Football Canada Cup concludes with the final round of games on Saturday, July 13. New Brunswick will play for 5th place, while British Columbia will compete in the 7th place game.

For full stats information and the tournament schedule, visit www.footballcanada.com.

About the Football Canada Cup: The Football Canada Cup is a prestigious event in the Canadian football calendar, showcasing the best U18 male talent from across the country. This tournament serves as a crucial platform for player development and provides a pathway for athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels, including U SPORTS, NCAA, national team programs, and professional football.

About Football Canada: Football Canada is the national governing body for amateur football in Canada. Football Canada’s mission is to initiate, sustain, and encourage programs, services, and activities targeted at all levels of the game of football in Canada. The organization oversees various programs and competitions, including national championships, coach and official certification programs, and national team programs for tackle, flag, and touch football. Football Canada is committed to fostering the growth and development of football at all levels across the country.

About Football Saskatchewan: Football Saskatchewan is the provincial sport governing body for amateur football in Saskatchewan. The organization is dedicated to promoting, developing, and governing all aspects of football within the province. Football Saskatchewan works tirelessly to provide opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials at all levels of the sport. Through various programs and initiatives, they aim to increase participation, improve the quality of play, and create a positive and inclusive football community throughout Saskatchewan. As hosts of this year’s Football Canada Cup, Football Saskatchewan demonstrates its commitment to advancing youth football and showcasing the province’s sporting capabilities on a national stage.