On the consolation side of the draw, host New Brunswick, Manitoba and Nova Scotia looked to rebound from day 1 defeats. The 2013 Football Canada Cup marked the return of a mini games due to the amalgamation of Ontario into a single provincial team creating a field of seven. Mini games had previously been used up until 2010 when the under-17 and under-19 divisions were amalgamated into a single under-18 tournament to better align with Football Canadaβs newly created Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model.
The contests featured two twelve minute halves without a halftime and a 20-minute break between games.
Special teams critical for Nova Scotia
Day twoβs action began with an all-maritime match-up between host New Brunswick and neighbouring Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia opened the scoring on a 48-yardΒ Greg HutchinsΒ field goal after recovering a fumble at the New Brunswick 45-yard line.
HutchinsΒ recorded all seven first half points, adding a single on a punt that bounced through the end zone along with a 20-yard field goal to put Nova Scotia up 7-0 at the half.
To open the second half,Β HutchinsβΒ kick-off rolled through the end zone to make the score 8-0 for Nova Scotia.
After a 10-yard holding call, New Brunswickβs defense recorded a sack for a loss of 10 made it 3rdΒ and long at the NB 45-yard line, forcing a punt. Hutchins struck again as his punt rolled out of bounds to make the score 9-0.
Late in the second half, NB began at their own 22-yard line with a 22-yard reception from quarterbackΒ Andrew CrawfordΒ to receiverΒ Branden Keenan. A 2-yard 1stΒ down reception and 2ndΒ down incompletion made it 3rdΒ and 8. NB elected to go for the 1stΒ down, as Crawford sailed a pass down the sidelines to a leapingΒ Kyle McClusky. The NS coverage held tight, batting the ball to the ground to force the turnover.
Late in the game, Nova Scotia started at the NB 49-yard line. After a NS chop block penalty negated a 17-yard completion, NBβs defense forced a 41-yard field goal attempt.Β HutchinsΒ continued his stellar day, drilling his third field goal kick to mark his 12thΒ point and final score of the game.
Manitoba showcases its firepower in game 5
Thursdayβs second mini-game pitted host New Brunswick against Manitoba in a rematch of last yearβs 7thΒ place game.
On the gameβs opening possession, quarterbackΒ Drenin BuschΒ found receiverΒ Riley HarrisonΒ for a 31-yard touchdown pass.
Beginning at the New Brunswick 35-yard line, a 23-yard 1stΒ downΒ Alex TaylorΒ run set Manitoba up inside the red zone. On the next play a Taylor 18-yard touchdown run to put Manitoba up 14 after the Busch extra-point.
A single on a kick-off through the end zone following the Taylor rumble increased the Manitoba lead to 15.
A 16-yard fake field goal pass toΒ Jeremy EdmondsΒ with 3:36 to play in the 1stΒ half pushed the lead to 22.
Manitoba began their next offensive series at their own 52-yard line. AΒ BuschΒ pass to receiverΒ Cameron DuplinΒ gave Manitoba a fresh set of downs inside the 10. Following a run for a loss of 3-yards an incomplete pass set-up a 3rdΒ and 13. QuarterbackΒ Drenin BuschΒ (who also handles Manitobaβs kicking duties) foundΒ Jeremy EdmondsΒ on an 13-yard fake field goal pass for six. With the extra-point, Manitoba pulled out to a 22 point lead.
Following a 22-yardΒ Jayde ErasmoΒ touchdown run to make the score 29-0, the teams traded opening drive turnovers. First aΒ Brock LektemanΒ interception gave Manitoba possession at the New Brunswick 43-yard line. On their 1stΒ play from scrimmageΒ Charlie DeeΒ recovered a Manitoba fumble to give NB possession at their own 18. The host province was unable to capitalize as Manitobaβs defense held strong, forcing a 2-and-out.
The dynamic duo ofΒ Alex TaylorΒ andΒ Victor St PierreΒ added two more rushing touchdowns each to make the final score 56-0 for Manitoba.
Nova Scotia comes back to defeat Manitoba
Down 10-5 late in the 2ndΒ half, Nova Scotia stormed back to defeat Manitoba 12-10.
Thursdayβs third and final mini-game saw Nova Scotia square-off against Manitoba in a rematch of last yearβs day two opening game which saw a Nova Scotia 14-point 4thΒ quarter comeback propel Nova Scotia to the 2012 5thΒ place game.
On Thursday, after the Nova Scotia defense forced a 2-and-out on NBβs first possession, they brought the heat, blocking theΒ Drenin BuschΒ kick. Following the block, Busch (who is also Manitobaβs starting quarterback) won the footrace to the bouncing ball in the end zone. Busch pounced on the ball to minimize the damage to a safety.
To close out the 1stΒ half, quarterbackΒ Drenin BuschΒ found receiverΒ DeVonn SheperdΒ who managed to keep his feet in bounds in the corner of the end zone to make the score 10-2 after the Busch extra-point.
Manitoba extended its lead 10-5 with a 35-yard Busch field goal with 7:39 left to play.
With 1:53 left to play, Manitoba took over at the Nova Scotia 30-yard line. On 3rdΒ and short, Manitoba elected to hand-off to running back,Β Alex TaylorΒ who went off-tackle to pick up a new set of downs. From there, Nova Scotiaβs defense held strong at the 24-yard line led by defensive linemanΒ Shaun Robinson. On 1stΒ down, Robinson met Taylor in the backfield while on 2ndΒ down he combined withΒ Malcolm HydeΒ to bring downΒ Drenin, forcing a Manitoba punt. With 32 seconds left to play, Robinson made his presence felt once again, pushing his way through the Manitoba offensive line to block the Manitoba punt.
Following the Nova Scotia fumble recovery, quarterbackΒ Sean MuirΒ connected with receiverΒ Jake MooreΒ to set-up 1stand goal at the 6-yard line with 18 seconds to play. After Manitoba pass interference penalty brought up a new set of downs, a 2ndΒ downΒ Nicholas GreenΒ touchdown run made the score 11-10 with no time remaining on the clock.Β Greg HutchinsΒ converted the extra-point to make the final score 12-10.
All three teams in the consolation side of the draw will square off in their second set of three mini-games on Sunday beginning at 11am (AT).
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