WEST U-16 CHALLENGE: Saskatchewan wins SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE

Defending champs down B.C. in final, Alberta snares bronze

LANGLEY, B.C. – Saskatchewan used a strong defensive effort to pick up their second straight Western U-16 Challenge title as they defeated B.C. 22-10 at McLeod Stadium in Langley, Wednesday. The defending champions trailed 10-8 at halftime, but shut out B.C. in the second half to take the title. Earlier in the day, Alberta had taken the bronze medal, as they defeated Team Manitoba 31-23.

Bronze Medal: Alberta 31, Manitoba 23

Seth Poelzer scored a pair of touchdowns to lead Alberta to their second consecutive bronze medal. He found the end zone from three yards out midway through the second quarter to give his squad a 13-0 lead at halftime, and then ran for an 80-yard score just 46 seconds into the third quarter to put Alberta up 20-0. Poelzer carried 13 times for 116 yards, both game highs.

Manitoba mounted a second-half comeback through the air, as touchdown catches by Max Payne late in the third quarter and Mikun Odundoga midway through the fourth – along with a two-point converston by Amid Kanu cut the lead to 23-16. However, Alberta’s Owen Steinkie put his team back up by two scores on a five-yard run with 2:04 to go. Kanu scored a late touchdown for Manitoba on a hook-and-ladder play, but they could not complete the comeback.

Alex Giella made three field goals for Alberta, and finished with 13 points overall, as he added three converts and a single on a kickoff.

Alberta outgained Manitoba 275-252, with Alberta picking up 208 of their yards on the ground, while Manitoba picked up 158 of theirs through the air.

Manitoba quarterback Ryan Wirtzfeld completed ten passes for 193 yards, including the three touchdowns, and was intercepted once.

Defensively, Brian Dieujuste led Alberta with 10 tackles, including two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Manitoba was led by Jesse Deneka, who had nine tackles and a forced fumble.

Game 2: Saskatchewan 22, B.C. 10

Team Saskatchewan used a stifling defence to shut out B.C. in the second half, on their way to a 22-10 victory over the hosts. Saskatchewan held B.C. to only 118 yards of total offence in the game, including just 39 in the second half, as they overcame a 10-8 halftime deficit.

Nitro-Ice Hanna led Saskatchewan with six tackles, including two sacks, and an interception. Altogether, Saskatchewan got to B.C. quarterbacks six times, with Gavin Packham, Lucas Edmonds, Tragen Green-Edmonds and Ryker Hanson all getting home. Saskatchewan also forced five B.C. turnovers, including three interceptions.

B.C.’s only touchdown of the day came on defence, as Jack Roberts scored on a 40-yard interception return in the second quarter. B.C.’s other points came on an 11-yard field goal by Reid Thompson late in the second quarter.

Saskatchewan’s first-half touchdown came on a 22-yard catch by Ty Fedak-Andrews, while Aualin Penner scored on a one-yard plunge in the second half. That touchdown was set up by a 54-yard catch by Adrian Reaume that put the visitors on the 1-yard line. Ty Gorniak had the other Saskatchewan scoring, with two field goals, two converts and two singles.

Matt Chapman led the B.C. receivers with four catches for 55 yards, while Adrian Reaume had two catches for 55 yards.

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After this year’s championship, Saskatchewan will go into next year’s challenge as the top seed, followed by B.C., Alberta and Manitoba in that order.

Football Canada

2022 Under-16 Western Challenge

at Langley, B.C.

Sunday, July 3

Saskatchewan def. Manitoba 49-23

B.C. def. Alberta 22-17

Wednesday, July 6

Bronze Medal: Alberta def. Manitoba, 31-23

Championship: Saskatchewan def. B.C., 22-10