Eight Canadians named to IFAF U19 World Championship All-Tournament team

Eight 2012 Football Canada Junior National Team members were selected to the All-Tournament team for the 2012 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Under-19 World Championship played at Burger Stadium in Austin from June 30 to July 7.

Canadian Defensive Back and future Champlain Cougar, Kevin McGee was named Tournament MVP after his two interceptions helped to shut down the United States as Canada won the Gold Medal. McGee led the tournament with 4 passes defended and had 2 interceptions in addition to recording 12 tackles.

“I didn’t think I’d even be a game MVP let alone the tournament MVP,” said McGee. “It’s unexpected. They’ll be really happy and really proud of me back home. I’m pretty happy.

“Everybody expected the Americans to win and we shocked the world. Hopefully everybody realizes we’re not just a hockey nation, we’re a football nation.”

Canadian quarterback and Western Mustangs commit Will Finch, who completed 19 of 29 pass attempts for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns, was joined by his favorite receiver and former Burlington Stampeders teammate Doug Corby, who had 12 receptions for a tournament-high 290 yards and 2 touchdowns. Corby a Queen’s recruit was Canada’s MVP in their opening game against Sweden.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive linemen Edward Godin-Gosselin (Notre-Dame-de-Foy) and Charles Remi-Sarrazin (Édouard-Montpetit) were joined by linebacker, John Rush. Rush who played his freshman season with the University of Guelph in 2011 was the tournament’s third-leading tackler with 14.5 and was Canada’s MVP in the semi final win over Japan.

F-X Garneau’s Louis-Philippe Simoneau was honoured as a specialist after making 4 of 5 field goals with a long of 37 yards, converting 8 of 10 extra points in addition to punting 8 times for 309 yards and a 38.6-yard average.

Three Junior National Team players — RB, Steven Lumbala and OL, Kirby Fabian (University of Calgary), as well as WR, Julian Bailey (Laval) were named First-Team tournament All-Stars in 2009.