Canada falls to Team USA in 2014 U-19 WC gold medal game
On Wednesday night in Kuwait, Canada took home silver after falling to Team USA 40-17 in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U-19 World Championship final after rallying from a 12-0 deficit to lead 14-12 heading into halftime.
The game marked the third consecutive U-19 World Championship that the two rivals had squared off, as Canada rebounded from a 2009 finals loss to defeat Team USA 23-17 in 2012.
Still reeling from their 2012 gold medal game loss, Team USA scored on their opening two possessions to take an early 12-0 lead however Canada would rally to end the first half, taking a narrow advantage into the break.
Down 12-0, Canada responded as Calgary quarterback Brett Hunchak found CEGEP du Vieux-Montreal receiver Louis-Mathieu Normandin on a 35-yard screen pass to make the score 12-7.
Canada tried to further chip away at the USA lead at the end of the 1st quarter however kicker Dominique Levesque’s (CEGEP Champlain-Lennoxville) 34-yard field goal attempt missed wide right.
Canada continued to press, taking the lead midway through the second quarter as Hunchak struck again, this time down the sideline on an 18-yard touchdown completion to Champlain-Lennoxville receiver Marc-Antoine Pivin.
Trailing 14-12 at halftime, Team USA would score 28 second half points – all four touchdown passes by way of quarterback Bryan Scott.
To regain the USA lead, Scott threw his first of four second half scores, a 60-yard touchdown pass to fellow Californian Chase Krivashei.
The momentum would continue to swing back in Team USA’s favour following a Canada fumble at their own 49-yard line. Team USA wasted no time as on the next play, Scott would connect with receiver Sasha Kelseyon a 49-yard touchdown pass to widen the USA lead 27-14.
Scott found Kelsey again followed by his fourth touchdown of the half, this time connecting with Khaneil Bruce in the end zone to push the Team USA lead 40-14.
Beginning at the USA 48-yard line Canada would drive down to their opponent’s red zone setting up a 35-yard Dominique Levesque field goal to make the final score 40-17.
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