Canada Cup National Team avenges Friday night loss to end International Bowl

On Saturday night at the University of Texas-Arlington’s Maverick Stadium, the Football Canada Cup [U-18] National Team scored on their first seven consecutive possessions, defeating USA Football’s U-18 National Team by a final score of 53-9. With the win Canada avenged the Junior National Team’s Friday night loss and evened the International Bowl series between Canada and the U.S. at 3 games each heading into the 2014 IFAF U-19 World Championship in Kuwait.

Canada’s offensive attack was sparked through the stellar play of its running back triple threat of Raishaun Provo (Pickering, ON), Tyler Chow (Calgary, AB) and Kayden Johnson (Kerrobert, SK). On the other side of the ball, Canada’s defensive front continued to pressure Team USA all evening, disrupting the rhythm and timing of the American offense.

After forcing a 3-and-out on Team USA’s opening drive, a 3-yard Raishaun Provo rushing touchdown gave Canada an early 7-0 lead. Provo would go on to capture Canada’s Player of the Game honours totaling 69 yards on 12 carries.

On their second possession, Team USA gambled on 4^th and 12 just inside Canadian territory with a fake punt run. The play resulted in a fumble which was returned nearly 20 yards by defensive lineman, Shaun Robinson (Halifax, NS) to the U.S. 38.

Canada’s offense continued to roll after the turnover as a 13-yard Tyler Chow run gave Canada a 1^st and goal at the 4-yard line. Facing 3^rd and 14 following a U.S. defensive surge, quarterback and Canada Cup Offensive MVP, Frédéric Paquette-Perrault (Montreal, QC) lowered his shoulder along the sideline, forcing his way into the end zone to widen the Canadian lead to 14.

Later in the quarter on its next offensive series, Canada faced another critical 3^rd down, this time a 3^rd and 17. Paquette-Perrault found Kayden Johnson (Kerrobert, SK) on a screen pass to keep the drive alive. Johnson would later punch the ball in from the 3-yard line to widen the Canadian lead to 21.

A Trevelle Wisdom (Toronto, ON) pick 6 on the next series stretched Canada’s lead to 28.

Following a Team USA touchdown run, Simon Aubin-Lavoie (Montreal, QC) returned a blocked American extra-point attempt to the end zone for two, making the score 30-6.

Canada continued to pour it on as new quarterback, Liam Putt (Caledonia, ON) showed great touch on a 28-yard touchdown strike to Colton Hunchak (Calgary, AB) to put Canada up 37-6.

Team USA would add a late 45-yard field goal to make the score 37-9 at the half.

On its fifth possession, Canada’s offensive production looked to have finally stalled, opening the second half as they faced a 4^th and 17 at the U.S. 31-yard line. With the field goal unit on the field, holder Colton Hunchak took the snap and found kicker turned receiver Greg Hutchins (Bedford, NS) across the middle to keep the drive alive. Hutchins later capped the drive with a 27-yard field goal to make the score 40-9.

Following a Craig Hinschberger (London, ON) interception near midfield, Liam Putt found Félix Laflamme (Sainte-Thérèse, QC) in the end zone to increase Canada’s lead 47-9 at 3:46 of the 3^rd quarter.

To start the final quarter, a Khaliel James (Windsor, ON) rushing touchdown marked the game’s last score making the final 53-9. The score was Canada’s 7^th consecutive offensive possession to have resulted in points.

(Photo credit:  Doug Wanderscheid, USA Football)