Source: PatrickΒ DeLottinville, Football Canada
Canada to face U.S. on July 3 at 4 a.m. ET in China
Harbin, China (June 30, 2016) – Canada’s Junior National Team overcame a 16-3 first half deficit, defeating Mexico 30-16 to open action on Thursday June 30 at the 2016 IFAF U19 World Championship in Harbin, China. Canada will now play the U.S. on Sunday July 3 at 4 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET). The U.S. defeated Austria 65-14 in Thursday’s late afternoon game.
When the game began, following a roughly 45-minute weather delay, Canada started out strong. They forced a Mexico three-and-out to open the first game between the two nations in junior men’s competition, and took over at their opponent’s 40-yard line.
They looked to have taken full advantage of excellent starting field position after a long FΓ©lix Lussier-Roy (Sherbrooke, QC) run gave Canada a first and goal opportunity. However, a third down Mexico interception stopped the red and white’s drive dead in it’s tracks.
Later in the opening quarter, Canada opened the scoring with a Vincent Blanchard (St-Germain-de-Grantham, QC) field goal from the 20-yard line. The opening score gave Canada an early 3-0.
Mexico’s defense continued to give Canada problems as they forced their second offour interceptions on the night, giving their offense the ball at the Canada 20-yard line. Mexico took full advantage, capitalizing with a rushing touchdown from their quarterback to take a 7-3 lead.
A pair of defensive plays gave Mexico a commanding 16-3 halftime advantage. Following a punt that was downed at the Canada 1-yard line, Mexico sacked quarterback Dimitri Morand in the end zone, making the score 9-3. Next a Mexico defender stepped in front of a Canada pass, returning it to the end zone for a major.
Canada returned from halftime looking to bounce back from a disappointing first half of play.
They did just that, narrowing the deficit 16-10 as quarterback Dimitri Morand (Gatineau, QC) connected with receiver Khalik “KJ” Johnson (Surrey, BC) on a 12-yard touchdown strike. The score was set-up by an interception near midfield, created when a pass glanced off the hands of a Mexico receiver and into those of linebacker Deshawn Stevens (Toronto, ON).
Canada continued to mount a comeback as Morand scrambled into the end zone, electing to keep the ball himself on a quarterback read-option, to tie the game up at 16 nearing the end of the third quarter.
Following a 29-yard Vincent Blanchard field goal attempt that was blocked by Mexico, Canada received new life as linebacker Nicolas Cross (Regina, SK), Canada’s player of the game recipient, blocked a punt that was downed inside the Mexico 15-yard line.
Canada wasted little time, as on the very next play, FΓ©lix Lussier-Roy (Sherbrooke, QC) ran the ball into the end zone to make the score 23-16, giving the red and white their first lead since the opening quarter.
Lussier-Roy would add a second rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the Canada victory, 30-16.
2016 IFAF U19 World Championship Schedule:
(Note: All times are local to Harbin, and the schedule is subject to change.)
Wednesday, June 29
1 p.m. – No. 6 Australia vs. No. 7 China (B2)
4 p.m. – No. 5 Japan vs. No. 8 TBD (bye) (B1)
Thursday, June 30
1 p.m. – No. 2 Canada vs. No. 3 Mexico (A2)
4 p.m. – No. 1 USA vs. No. 4 Austria (A1)
Saturday, July 2
1 p.m. – Loser B2 (China) vs. Loser B1 (bye) (B3)
4 p.m. – Winner B1 (Japan) vs. Winner B2 (Australia) (B4)
Sunday, July 3
1 p.m. – Loser A2 (Mexico) vs. Loser A1 (Austria) (A3)
4 p.m. – Winner A1 (USA) vs. Winner A2Β (Canada) (A4)
Wednesday, July 6
1 p.m. – Loser A3 vs. Loser B3 (B5)
4 p.m. – Loser B4 vs. Winner B3 (B6)
Thursday, July 7
1 p.m. – Winner A4 vs. Winner B4 (A5)
4 p.m. – Loser A4 vs. Winner A3 (A6)
Saturday, July 9
1 p.m. – Seventh-place game (Loser B6 vs. Loser B5)
4 p.m. – Fifth place game (Winner B5 vs. Winner B6)
Sunday, July 10-**
1 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game (Loser A6 vs. Loser A5)
4 p.m. – Gold Medal Game (Winner A5 vs. Winner A6)
**-Kickoff times for July 10 will be switched if Austria participates in the Gold Medal Game to accommodate travel schedules.
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