Team Québec golden at the 2023 U16 Eastern Regional Challenge

July 8, Sackville, NB – The 2023 U16 Eastern Regional Challenge offered football fans in Sackville, New Brunswick, a stellar night cap on Saturday when Team Québec and Team Ontario battled tooth and nail in the final game, Québec narrowly besting Ontario 21-14 to win the gold medal. Team Nova Scotia captured the bronze.

In a barn burner of a final, Team Québec edged out Team Ontario by one score (21-14) to capture the gold. Québec were looking add to their fourth quarter lead with a field goal attempt when Ontario came up with a huge block, denying the three-point with just over six minutes to play in the game. Luckily for Québec, it was not enough for their opponents to shift the momentum in their favour. Ultimately, despite Ontario’s best efforts, the Belle Province all-stars solidified their victory and a repeat Eastern Challenge title, much to the delight of their traveling supporters.

Team Ontario’s standout performers in the final were Calem Smith (offensive) and Charlee Lawson (defensive) who notably returned a fumble for a touchdown. Québec’s Loia-Ismaila Diasé-Valade (offensive) and Alex Laflamme (defensive) received the MVP honours for the winning side.

In the first game of the day, Team Nova Scotia took down Team New Brunswick to clinch bronze on a final score of 28-7. New Brunswick Evan Lewis (offense) and Khael Perry (defensive) earned MVP honours for the runner up, while Kurtis Harper (offense) and Eric Klemm (defensive) had the top performances of the day for the bronze medallists from Nova Scotia.

Visit footballcanada.ca for complete results, replay of the games, as well as details on all upcoming Football Canada events.