2015 FCC, game 5: Nova Scotia 22, New Brunswick 20

This is one of the match-ups I look forward to most from year to year. Aside from the "regional rivalry", both are relatively young programs in terms of this competition and drawing from a smaller talent pool.

Last year's contest was not close, unfortunately, but this one could have been tied with only 27 seconds remaining. Nothing bad can come from this kind of competitiveness.

Here's the recap from Football Canada. The image is by Emily Tower and listed from this article about New Brunswick's participation in the tournament.

Nova Scotia opened the scoring with a booming punt which sailed into the end zone for a single point.

Nova Scotia struck again on a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Monecko Clayton to receiver Marko Xidos.

New Brunswick was unable to capitalize on a pair of interceptions from linebacker Bailey Feltmate and defensive back Samuel Alward respectively. Feltmate had an impressive game tallying a game high 9 total tackles, 8 of which were solo. 

Nova Scotia looked to have taken a 15-point lead into halftime following a 1-yard Adam Bennett touchdown plunge however New Brunswick had other ideas. On the last play of the opening half, a 99-yard Ian Carty touchdown return narrowed the NB deficit 15-7 heading into the half. 

New Brunswick further chipped away at the NS lead as quarterback David Patry found Joel Shaw in the end zone 22-yards out, bringing the score 15-13. The touchdown was set-up by a Justin Wyryha interception; NB’s third of the contest which gave them the ball at their opponent’s 21-yard line. 

Following the pick, quarterback Monecko Clayton responded by finding Marko Xidos again, this time on a 50-yard bomb to set-up first and goal at the 10. On the next play, Bennett’s 2nd rushing TD of the game gave Scotia some breathing room, 22-14 at the 2 minute mark of the final quarter. 

New Brunswick tried to reply, moving the ball to midfield until a big hit by Tyler Ball caused a NB fumble which was recovered by Glodin Mulali to stop NB’s drive dead in its tracks. 

Starting at their own 30-yard line, New Brunswick would get one final possession with 1:08 to play in the game. The drive culminated with a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback David Party to receiver Joel Shaw, making the score 22-20. The 2-point conversion attempt was batted down to end the comeback.

Nova Scotia Offensive Player of the Game
RB Adam Bennett: 20 carries for 74 yards and 2 scores.

Nova Scotia Defensive Player of the Game
DL Andersen Recker: 4 tackles, 3 assists, 3 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery.

New Brunswick Offensive Player of the Game
QB David Patry: 13 of 19 passing, 200 yards, 2 TDs, 2 runs for 7 yards.

New Brunswick Defensive Player of the Game
LB Bailey Feltmate: 8 tackles, 2 assists, one interception returned for six yards.

There are only so many honours to hand out so I want to mention a few other statistical standouts from this contest.

New Brunswick receiver Joel Shaw ended up with 5 receptions for 120 yards and the two scores mentioned above.

New Brunswick DB Justin Wyryha had three interceptions in total.

Nova Scotia LB Jacob Morgan is credited with 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, a half-sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

2015 FCC game 4: Ontario 26, Quebec White 03

Jevante Stanley's career, if he chooses to continue to play football, will be an interesting one to follow.

Stanley's name has come up a number of times on this blog already as a result of quality play during the Football Canada Cup and the International Bowl. He was the championship game MVP in the 2014 FCC gold medal game and was named player of the game when Canada defeated their USA counterparts in the U18 game in the International Bowl last year.

See the article below from the Brampton Guardian's Frank Juzenas for further evidence. And check his 2015 highlights video at the bottom of the post.

ST.-JEAN, QUE. - With Player of the Game performances from Brampton’s Jevante Stanley and Tyrell Richards Ontario won its opening game of the 2015 Football Canada Cup in St. -Jean. 

Stanley, a 5-foot-8, 180-pounds running back was named Ontario’s offensive player of the game while Richards, a 6-foot-3 177-pounds defensive back earned selection as Ontario’s top defensive player. 

With Ontario leading 4-3 early in the second quarter, Stanley got things rolling with an 83-yard touchdown run, silencing the hometown crowd. He then added a second rushing touchdown from 33 yards out to put Ontario up 18-3. 

Team Ontario’s MVP last year in the under-18 final, Stanley finished with 262 yards rushing on 13 carries, with his two touchdowns. 

Ontario head coach Glen Mills commented on Stanley’s performance after the contest.
“Special player. He’s a pleasure to coach. He works extremely hard; he comes in every day and works. We definitely named him captain for that reason. He’s back again this year after he was dynamite last year. He’s a tremendous leader,” he stated. 

Quebec White coach Fabrice Raymond was also impressed. 

“We couldn’t counter their power play and Jevante with his cutbacks; he had a good game on us,” Raymond said.

Ontario Offensive Player of the Game
RB Jevante Stanley: 13 carries for 262 yards and 2 scores.

Ontario Defensive Player of the Game
DB Tyrell Richards: 2 tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception returned for 13 yards.

Quebec White Offensive Player of the Game
RB Joanik Masse: 7 carries for 95 yards, one TD.

Quebec White Defensive Player of the Game
DB Neal Côté: 7 tackles, 1 assist, 1 fumble recovery.

2015 FCC Game 3: Quebec Bleu 50, Nova Scotia 00

No one will ever mistake this place for a "breaking news" site.

Over the past few days, Football Canada has been sending out mini-bios of some of the players participating in the International Bowl. Nice little bit of promotion.

Before fully getting into all that, I still want to store Football Canada Cup results so here we go with, uhm...game three, played on July 13th, I believe. Still some work to do...

That awesome shot in the middle of the recap is by James Hajjar and was lifted from the Football Quebec website.

Quebec-Blue's defence made an early statement, capitalizing on Nova Scotia turnovers. On the game's opening drive Kaylyn Smith St-Cyr stepped in front of Nova Scotia quarterback Monecko Clayton pass, returning it 21 yards to the Nova Scotia 21-yard line. A pair of Samuel Makwanda rushes culminated with a 3-yard touchdown to make the score 7-0.

Quebec's defense stalled Nova Scotia's next drive, forcing a second interception in as many series - this time by Alec Poirier at Quebec's own 22 yard line. Quebec-blue took full advantage once again as quarterback Ezechiel Tieide connected with Bryan Owusu Bekoe on a 10-yard touchdown strike. 

A 43-yard Kevin Mital jet sweep extended the Quebec advantage to 21.

Quebec opened the second quarter by forcing its third interception of the first half. The host province's top team took full advantage once again as Tieide connected with Vincent Forbes-Mombleau on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

A 5-yard Alex Daigneault touchdown rush would push the Quebec lead to 35 heading into halftime.    

A pair of rushing touchdowns from quarterback Chrisopher Cinq-Mars in between a rouge made the final score 50-0.

Quebec Bleu Offensive Player of the Game
RB Samuel Makwanda: 7 carries for 95 yards, one TD.

Quebec Bleu Defensive Player of the Game
DB Kaylyn Smith St-Cyr: 4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 fumble force, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception returned 21 yards.

Nova Scotia Offensive Player of the Game
WR Luke Oulton: 1 run for 11 yards, 4 receptions for 20 yards.

Nova Scotia Defensive Player of the Game
LB Evan Holmes: 2 tackles, 1 assist.

In conclusion, I mentioned the FootballCanadamini-bios. Here's the one for Smith St-Cyr, who excelled in this game.

2015 FCC Game 2: Saskatchewan 53, New Brunswick 02

So clearly I'm incapable of keeping track of the Football Canada Cup not only as it happens, but several months later. I still want to record its results and accomplishments though, even though Football Canada and many of the provincial bodies do a far better job of it of late. And I want to do it before the 2016 edition rolls around.

The recap below is from discovermoosejaw.com and written by Marc Smith.

Team Saskatchewan made it look easy in their opening game at the 2015 Football Canada Cup on Monday. 

Helped out by Maguire Abell and Griffin Barrett from the Peacock Tornadoes, Saskatchewan rolled to a 53-2 win over Team New Brunswick in the opening game at the tournament in Quebec. 

 

Saskatchewan scored early and often as they built up a 32-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and then cruised from there. New Brunswick didn't get on the board until a safety in the second quarter. 

Barrett finished with a sack and tackle for loss in the win for Saskatchewan. 

Offensively, Regina Riffel quarterback Mason Nyhus completed 10-of-13 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Saskatoon Holy Cross' Ethan Newman came in and went 2-for-2 with 45 yards passing and one touchdown. 

Saskatchewan also rushed for 142 yard on the ground with Regina Riffel running back Kyle Borsa leading the way with six carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. 

Regina Leboldus receiver Finley Easton hauled in three passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, while his Leboldus teammate Michael Scrapper had three catches for 60 yards and a score.

Nyhus was named to the tournament's All-Star Team which, as the article from which the image above was lifted and cropped reminds us, means he's invited to the International Bowl next year in Texas.

Sask Offensive Player of the Game
RB Kyle Borsa: 6 carries, 70 yards, 1TD.

Note: Borsa also contributed in the return game. He carried back four punts for 48 yards and a kickoff for 27 yards.

Sask Defensive Player of the Game
LB Isaac McCallum:  2 assists.

New Brunswick Offensive Player of the Game
RB Aidan O'Neal: 3 carries for 39 yards.

Note: O'Neal also returned five kickoffs for 105 yards

New Brunswick Defensive Player of the Game
LB Bailey Feltmate: 6 tackles, 3 assists, 2.5 tackles for loss.

Just a little something I noticed about Feltmate; the next closest tackler on the New Brunswick defense had three. It looks as though the young program has molded themselves a very good player. A name to bear in mind for the future.

2015 FCC Game 1: Alberta 39, Manitoba 08

I've been looking forward to the Football Canada Cup for months and when it finally started, I was unable to give it the attention that I'd planned to. But I'm catching up now.

Football Canada does a good job of recapping the games, providing stats and so, and it would only make sense to refer to them for information. No sense in repeating it here word for word. I'm going to attempt to track down alternative media sources then, starting with a recap of the first game between Alberta and Manitoba, from the Cochrane Eagle. The photo of Des Catellier is from Rocky View Weekly by way of Alberta Football News.

Team Alberta started off on the right foot at the Football Canada Cup tournament in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., on July 13. 

Riding the arm of Cochrane Midget Lions quarterback Des Catellier, Alberta defeated Team Manitoba 39-8 at the national tournament for elite, under-18-year-old (U18) high school football players. 

Catellier threw for three touchdowns and booted two field goals to power Alberta to the win. Slated to play the first half, an early injury to second-half QB Alexander Noel of Grande Prairie left Catellier in the driver’s seat for the entire contest. He was 17-of-27 for 252 yards, three TDs and a pick. 

“The offensive line played really well, I had a lot of good protection,” said the Bearspaw resident who plays high-school ball for Calgary powerhouse St. Francis. “The play-calling was good. I like our playbook. It was good.” 

Alberta vaulted to a 19-0 lead, 14 points coming on a 37-yard TD strike to Foothills Comp’s (Okotoks) Landon Rose and a 66-yard scoring connection with Red Deer’s Ben Pasiuk. 

... 

Joining Catellier on Team Alberta are high school all-stars Justin Sambu (defensive end, Cochrane High) and Dan Teitz (linebacker, Springbank High). Like Catellier, both play community club ball for Cochrane Midget Lions. 

“We were just looking to execute,” Sambu said of Alberta holding Manitoba to eight points. “The coaches really thrive when the defence plays up-tempo. We’re looking to execute and be great football players. 

“It was a lot harder than what I’m used to. They (Manitoba) were pretty good.” 

Sambu chased down two tackles from his defensive-end spot and knocked down a Manitoba field-goal attempt... 

Alberta Offensive Player of the Game
QB / PK Des Catellier: 17 of 27 passing, 252 yards, 3 TDs, 3 carries for 15 yards

Alberta Defensive Player of the Game
DL Tyrese Best:  2.0 tackles, 1 sack and a pass knockdown

Manitoba Offensive Player of the Game
REC Liam Grace: Five receptions for 63 yards and a score.

Manitoba Defensive Player of the Game
DL Jalen Burley: 3.5 tackles (1.5 for loss), 1 sack.

In terms of contributors, Manitoba QB Bryson McNeil hit Grace for the TD from 38 yards out. Matthew Lucyshin took an interception back for a score late in the fourth quarter as well. Finally, Manitoba's Keenan Onyebuchi is credited with eight solo tackles.

"Yarmouth Teenager Tackling Football"

On the eve of the start of the 2015 Football Canada Cup, let's take a look at this profile of Team Nova Scotia's Jadon Robinson. The photo is uncredited in the complete version of the article.

YARMOUTH – When Jadon Robinson was a Grade 3 student at Arcadia Consolidated School, he laced up for the school hockey team. He would shuffle from one end of the ice to the other. There were no long hockey strides. His were baby steps on the ice. 

While he continued to play the sport, admittedly, he says, hockey was not really his thing. So it’s not surprising that baseball took over as his favourite sport to play. 

But given his size – he says he’s 6’4” and 340 lbs. – some around him, in particular his brother-in-law Chris Pyne, wondered if the teen should pursue another sport.

Football, it seemed, might be a natural fit. 

It turns out it was. 

“I was in love with it as soon as I stepped on the field,” Jadon says. 

And the sport seems to love him back. Last year – his first year playing football – he was a member of the Nova Scotia provincial under-17 team. He played at the Spalding Cup in Montreal and was named to the all-star team. 

This summer, as part of the provincial under-18 team, Jadon – who turns 17 in September – will compete at the Football Canada Cup in Quebec July 13-19.... 

Since Yarmouth doesn’t have football teams, this past school year Jadon attended Sir John A Macdonald High School in Tantallon (outside Halifax) where he played Division 1 football. His positions included right guard and left guard (on the) offensive line and sometimes defensive tackle. 

Asked what it is about football that gave him an instant connection to – and love of – the sport, Jadon says, “It’s a really physical sport, that’s the main thing I like about it. And the teamwork is big. You work as a unit. 

“And just the atmosphere was great. I just felt welcomed with open arms and that helps a lot when you’re with guys you don’t know, but they act like they’ve known you for 10 years,” he adds. “You’re just one family.” 

Jadon’s Sir John A coach Steve Majury says players will take a few paths to football. There are those who have played it since they were young kids and stuck with it through junior high and into high school. And there are those who are late entrants to the sport, only coming to it in high school, like Jadon. 

“He’s been able to pick up the sport extremely quickly,” Majury says. “He’s made for it. He’s a big, strong, very quick athlete. Given his size, he’s built for football, and his mentality is being a very competitive individual, which I really like about him on the football field.” 

Plus the teenager is very coachable. 

“He’s a very personable young man. He’s intelligent and he just really listens well to coaches as we teach technique and have him really work on specific things,” Majury says. 

... 

This isn't to say Jadon doesn’t have room for improvement, he says. Conditioning, cardio and strength training are all things he still needs to work on, Majury says, saying Jadon’s only limitation at this point is himself. 

“From a potential standpoint, you just look at the shear size and athleticism, those are things you can’t really teach and he’s got those attributes,” he says. “So he can go as far as he wants to with football. If he pushes himself the sky’s the limit for him.” 

As for how far he’d like to go, Jadon – who will enter Grade 12 in the fall – says he’s not sure. He’s still contemplating his future beyond high school, but is leaving all doors open...

Alberta ready for Football Canada Cup 2015

Since Team Canada pulled out of the bungled IFAF Senior World Championship tournament (something I choose to not dwell on), attention turns to the Football Canada Cup in July. New Brunswick announced its roster late last month, and Alberta did the same recently.

Typically, that generates a few articles in local papers. Last week, the Rocky View Weekly published a brief article about the Cochrane area players that will suit up for Team Alberta. There's a portion of that below (full version, by Brendan Nagle, here) though the picture is from the Cochrane Times.

Three Cochrane-area football players have made the final cut for Football Alberta’s under-18-years-old (U18) provincial football team. 

Quarterback Des Catellier of Bearspaw, defensive lineman Justin Sambu of Cochrane and linebacker Dan Teitz of Springbank, all of whom play for the Cochrane Lions, will play for Team Alberta at the Football Canada Cup (FCC) U18 championship in Montreal this summer. 

They were chosen May 10 from a pool of 130 of Alberta’s top minor football players following Football Alberta’s U18 main selection camp in Calgary. When the selection process began in April, there were 400 players trying out. Forty made the team. 

“It feels pretty good. It’s great talent. Everybody’s working hard,” said Catellier, 17, who plays high school football for Calgary powerhouse St. Francis. 

The Grade 11 student is in his second tour with Team Alberta, last year going as a kicker and backup quarterback. This season he’s going as quarterback first, kicker second. 

Whether he starts at QB is still to be determined leading up to July’s FCC in Montreal. At the May 10 Team Alberta scrimmage on McMahon Stadium’s FieldTurf surface, the lanky pivot threw a touchdown strike to Bev Facey’s (Sherwood Park) Chuba Hubbard and ran for a touchdown on the two offensive sequences he played. 

“It’s going to be a good experience to see how we stack up against the rest of the country,” Catellier said.

St. Francis posted a 5-1 record in 2014. Their loss came when the Notre Dame Pride defeated them 21-18. The two teams met again in the city championship game and the Pride won again (their third consecutive title), this time 17-10. St. Francis was ranked 5th in the country going into that game.

Here's the full Alberta roster, as displayed by Alberta Football News. St. Francis is certainly well represented.