2014 International Bowl roster selection coverage

The roster selection for the 2014 International Bowl has gathered some interest, at least in Alberta.  It is mentioned in two recent articles in reference to a couple of local players.

The photography of Ed Ilnicky below is by Greg Southam for the Edmonton Journal.

Edmonton Sun - A pair of young U of A Golden Bears football prospects will play on the Canadian junior team in next month’s 2014 International Bowl series.

Rookie running back Ed Ilnicki and recently recruited offensive lineman Joel McQuay are part of the 60-player roster that will take on USA Football’s U-19 team Feb. 7-8 at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Ilnicki, a freshman out of Spruce Grove, and McQuay, who is graduating from Red Deer’s Notre Dame high school, were chosen from a pool of 500 athletes in attendance at regional identification camps across Canada.

The main goal will be moving on to represent their country once again at the 2014 U-19 World Championship in Kuwait.

In his Bears debut, Ilnicki led the team in rushing yards in 2013, finishing fourth among running backs in the Canada West Conference with 518 yards, to go along with 5.1-yard average and two touchdowns, while catching 16 passes for 166 yards and another TD.

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McQuay, a six-foot-five, 270-pound O-liner, signed a letter of intent to join the Bears next season, meaning the entire starting offensive line off of Team Alberta will be at training camp under Bears head coach Chris Morris in the summer.

St. Albert Gazette - The Football Canada national junior team roster for the 2014 International Bowl includes a pair of St. Albert players.

Defensive lineman Garret Meek, a St. Albert minor football product with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and running back Jackson Ryan of the Bellerose Bulldogs were named to the 60-player roster for the Feb. 7 and 8 series at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas at Arlington.

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The six-foot-three, 290-pound Meek completed his first Canada West season with the Huskies after a stellar high school career with the Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds.

The bantam graduate of the 2009 Tier II provincial finalist St. Albert Fury played three seasons with St. Albert Storm midget team in the Capital District Minor Football Association.

The six-foot, 250-pound Ryan is considered the first Bellerose player to compete internationally. He joined the Bulldogs in his Grade 12 season after playing for the Sexsmith Sabres in the Mighty Peace League.

The co-recipient of the team’s outstanding offensive player award rushed for 278 yards on 46 carries and scored three touchdowns while battling injuries with the Carr conference division one semifinalists in the metro Edmonton league.