July 3, 2016
Canada falls to U.S., setting up rematch with Mexico
Football Canada – Harbin, China (July 3, 2016) – Canada was unable to overcome an 18-14 halftime deficit, falling to the U.S. 32-14 on Sunday July 3 at the 2016 IFAF U19 World Championship in Harbin, China. With a trip to the gold medal game on the line, Canada will now face Mexico, for the second time in the tournament, on Thursday July 7 at 5 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET). In Sunday’s earlier game, Mexico defeated Austria, 46-7 to setup the rematch.
Tournament statistics can be found at http://www.ifaf2016u19.com/u19officialscoringsummary/300.htm.
Photos for media use only, courtesy of USA Football, are available in the following Dropbox folder (credit USA Football): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1v8nqof9l4v12i0/AABImgZ_ni68igklgCcn6a5ka?dl=0
Canada came out of the gate strong on both sides of the ball. On the game’s opening series they forced a U.S. three-and-out. Unfortunately, incidental contact by Canada on the ensuing punt, opened the door for the Americans who recovered the ball, giving them a fresh set of downs at midfield.
The mistake would not come back to haunt Canada as their defense held the U.S. offense at bay, forcing another three-and-out.
On a drive that started at their own 26-yard line, Canada marched down to the U.S. 3-yard line where Samuel Makwanda would run off-tackle, finding the end zone to give Canada an early 7-0 advantage.
Later in the opening quarter, Canada was unable to build momentum following a third down sack by linebacker Deshawn Stevens (Toronto, ON). They did however continue to win the field position battle as the drive ended with a terrific Vincent Blanchard (St-Germain-de-Grantham, QC) punt, which was downed by the Canada cover team at the U.S. 5-yard line.
On the ensuing American drive, Canada continued to press defensively as lineman Riley Pickett (Saskatoon, SK) recovered a U.S. fumble, giving the red and white a fresh set of downs inside their opponent’s 20-yard line. Canada was unable to capitalize as Blanchard’s 20-yard field goal attempt was blocked to keep the Canada advantage to 7.
With the U.S. trailing 7-6, the end of the second quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw the lead change on three consecutive drives. First, the U.S. took its first advantage, following a short touchdown pass from quarterback Lindell Stone to put the stars and stripes ahead, 12-7.
Canada responded immediately as quarterback Dimitri Morand (Gatineau, QC) found a wide-open Félix Lussier-Roy (Sherbrooke, QC) along the sideline for the 63-yard major, placing the red and white ahead 14-12. Lussier-Roy would go on to claim Canada’s player of the game honours.
The lead was short-lived for Canada as seven plays later the U.S. pulled ahead, 18-14, heading into halftime when Stone connected with a U.S. receiver in the end zone.
The U.S. added to its lead to begin the final quarter as a fourth Lindell Stone touchdown pass and a Tre Bugg pick-six made the score 32-14.
Canada continued to work to close the gap but was unable to build on their first half offensive success. A golden opportunity came midway through the fourth quarter as Bruno Lagacé (Boucherville, QC) recovered a fumble forced by Ben Whiting (Saskatoon, SK). The turnover set-up a first and goal inside the 10-yard line, however, the red and white attack was unable to find the end zone.
2016 IFAF U19 World Championship Schedule:
(Note: All times are local to Harbin, and the schedule is subject to change.)
Wednesday, June 29
1 p.m. – No. 6 Australia vs. No. 7 China (B2)
4 p.m. – No. 5 Japan vs. No. 8 TBD (bye) (B1)
Thursday, June 30
1 p.m. – No. 2 Canada vs. No. 3 Mexico (A2)
4 p.m. – No. 1 USA vs. No. 4 Austria (A1)
Saturday, July 2
1 p.m. – Loser B2 (China) vs. Loser B1 (bye) (B3)
4 p.m. – Winner B1 (Japan) vs. Winner B2 (Australia) (B4)
Sunday, July 3
1 p.m. – Loser A2 (Mexico) vs. Loser A1 (Austria) (A3)
5 p.m. – Winner A1 (USA) vs. Winner A2 (Canada) (A4)
Wednesday, July 6
1 p.m. – Loser A3 (Austria) vs. Loser B3 (bye) (B5)
5 p.m. – Loser B4 (Australia) vs. Winner B3 (China) (B6)
Thursday, July 7
1 p.m. – Winner A4 (USA) vs. Winner B4 (Japan) (A5)
5 p.m. – Loser A4 (Canada) vs. Winner A3 (Mexico) (A6)
Saturday, July 9
1 p.m. – Seventh-place game (Loser B6 vs. Loser B5)
5 p.m. – Fifth place game (Winner B5 vs. Winner B6)
Sunday, July 10-**
1 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game (Loser A6 vs. Loser A5)
5 p.m. – Gold Medal Game (Winner A5 vs. Winner A6)
**-Kickoff times for July 10 will be switched if Austria participates in the Gold Medal Game to accommodate travel schedules.
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About Football Canada
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Established in 1884, Football Canada is the national governing body of amateur football in Canada and a proud member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Working closely with the provincial football associations, we develop programs and resources for players, coaches, officials in the three disciplines of Tackle, Flag and Touch Football. Football Canada’s vision statement is “from playground to stadium” where players can participate in the game of football throughout a lifetime recreationally, competitively and internationally.
Patrick DeLottinville
Coordinator, Communications
613-564-0003 x 226
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