2015 International Bowl: Canada ready for U-19 rematch against U.S.

Photo credit: USA Football

Football Canada’s Under-19 National Team is preparing for their Saturday February 7 rematch against Team USA at Maverick Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. Kickoff is set for 1 PM local time (CT).

The series of games is a collaboration of the sport’s national governing bodies in each country – USA Football and Football Canada – featuring top student-athletes in football’s greatest annual international competition.

Canada’s U-19 squad is led by the future 2016 Junior National Team coaching staff. A veteran of international football, WARREN CRANEY has served as head coach since 2014 and has been with the program during the first three U-19 World Championships. Craney has also coached at the International Bowl since its inception in 2010; from 2010-’13 with the IFAF World Team followed by the inaugural Canada-US game in 2014. Read more about the U-19 coaching staff here.

Returning experience

Canada’s squad features 20 players returning from last year’s International Bowl; 7 of which make their second appearance as members of Canada’s U-19 National Team in addition to 13 who played on last year’s U-18 team.

In addition, for nine of the returning players the game will mark the third time they represent Canada internationally after falling to Team USA 40-17 in the gold medal game at the IFAF U-19 World Championship July 2014 in Kuwait.

A member of last year’s U-18 National Team as well as Canada’s Junior National Team in Kuwait, receiver COLTON HUNCHAK jumped at the chance to play in the International Bowl again for many reasons.

“It’s an amazing opportunity. When coach Kamau Peterson came and asked me if I wanted to do it again, I answered yes right away,” said Calgary’s Hunchak.

“The level of coaching here is amazing – you’re not going to get this level of coaching anywhere else other than maybe at the university level. Even then, on this team you’re getting the best [from the next level] all together in one coaching staff, you’re not going to get that on any other team. And the level of competition you get in practice and in the game is just amazing.”

Canada’s head coach is happy with how his team is coming together despite a short week of preparations.

“Training camp is going really well and the guys are coming together. I’m pretty excited to see what’s going to happen on Saturday,” said Craney. “The team is really bonding and the days are pretty grueling.”

“There’s a large expectation that we put on these kids and we put them in situations where they’re immersed in football from 7:30 in the morning until 11 o’clock at night every day. It’s very difficult on them both physically and emotionally but they’re responding really well and I think it’s a sign of how well the coaching staff selected this team.”

American roster full of top prospects

Canada’s counterparts feature a lineup of players committed to big time U.S. schools such as Notre Dame, UCLA, Oregon, Michigan State and Oklahoma.

“It’s always a great barometer and challenge – last year we faced a team that included Samaje Purine who has gone on to become one of the top running backs in college football at Oklahoma,” Craney said.

Canada returns a number of key pieces who have the experience of not only playing internationally but also the familiarity of playing together. To neutralize a talent laden American squad Craney is hoping for a quick start.

“With the quality of kids that we have especially at the skill positions, I definitely think we need a quick start. I think if we can come out of the gate in a hurry our skill players will be able to make a difference for us in this football game,” said Craney.

Following a loss in last year’s U-19 game, Canada will be looking to build on momentum created last Friday following a 25-9 International Bowl win in the U-18 game.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the following link: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/under-19-international-bowl-us-national-team-vs-canadian-national-team-tickets-14629837237?

Follow the conversation

Use the hashtag #IB2015 to follow the conversation on social media. Those that use #IB2015 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram may be featured on http://www.usafootball.com/IB2015.

Webstream

The 2015 International Bowl games will be webstreamed live from Arlington, Texas. The webstream can be accessed on gameday by visiting www.footballcanada.com.

2015 International Bowl, Canadian U-19 National Team Roster

* = member of 2014 U-18 National Team, International Bowl

** = member of 2014 U-19 National Team, International Bowl

*** = member of 2015 U-18 National Team, International Bowl

Red = member of 2014 Junior National Team, IFAF U-19 World Championship in Kuwait

U-19 Coaching Staff | 2015 International Bowl

This post is also available in: French