Toronto’s Tevaun Smith IFAF player of the month

The World Team, made up of the best 19-and-under players from eight countries and four continents, made a statement at the second annual ‘Team USA vs. the World’ game and accomplished something no other team has been able to do against a Team USA national team since the program began in 2009 – score a touchdown.

Team USA has previously dominated in international games convincingly beating France, Mexico and Canada at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio to claim the gold medal and last year shutout the World Team 17-0 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. But this year – the World team came out firing almost completing the storybook comeback but just fell short as Team USA went on to win 21-14 on February 2 at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.

But the statement was made and the gap is closing in between the United States and the rest of the world in the sport known internationally as American football.

Who scored the historic first touchdown against a United States national team? That would be none other than 6-0, 180-pound Canadian wide receiver Tevaun Smith. Smith, who has nine years of football experience, plays for Chaminade College High School where he has won MVP and Offensive player honors.

And on one of, if not the biggest football stages, Smith did not shy away from the competition but plowed right through it setting the tone for the World Team against a USA team that was made up of 45 players who are bound to some of the top college programs in the United States including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Auburn and Oregon.

On the World team’s opening offensive possession, Smith showcased his explosive speed returning the kickoff 79 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.

“It was a low, soft kick,” said Smith. “I picked it up and saw a nice hole, saw a nice block and I took it right into the hole and took it to the house.”

“It makes me feel great and very happy. It feels great to even be part of the game against the USA. It has been a great experience.”

Smith was also a crucial facet of the World team’s late game comeback attempt, as quarterback Ben Rossong connected with Smith for a two point conversion to make his team only down one score, 21-14, late in the game.

American Samoa linebacker Beck Coulter came up with an interception at his own 45-yard line with five seconds remaining to give the World Team one shot at tying the game, but the fairytale comeback the World Team hoped for came up short as Rossong was unable to reach the end zone with a Hail Mary pass as time expired.

Despite losing the game, the World team and Tevaun Smith proved their talent on the gridiron. Smith was recognized for his stellar performance being named the World Team Most Valuable Player.

“It was a great game. I wish we could have come away with the W, but it was still a great game and experience.”

The World Team and Smith were led by head coach Greg Marshall.

“They are as good of people I have ever coached,” said World Team head coach Marshall. “In one short week we have become very close and really bonded as a team. Yes we want to win the game, but we also want to have a great experience and come away with some lifelong friends.

“Our kids played hard all the way through. I am very proud of this team.”

IFAF would like to honor Tevaun Smith’s accomplishments and performance by naming him the IFAF.org 2011 February Player of the Month.