U.S. snaps Canada’s U18 national team’s 4-game winning streak

Photo credit: USA Football

Box score

Canada’s under-18 national team fell to their U.S. counterparts 26-0 to open the inaugural North American Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on Saturday January 28 in Orlando, Florida. The loss snapped Canada’s under-18 national team’s four-game winning streak.

Canada kept the game close at halftime, holding the host nation to 15 points in the first two quarters, but was unable to move the ball consistently on offense all game.

“I think it started off bad with that trick play [resulting in the U.S.’s first touchdown] and we never really got our momentum offensively,” said head coach Marco Iadeluca.

Canada’s defense was the bright spot on the night.

“I thought the defense played hard all game,” said Iadeluca. “They were on the field for probably three-quarters of the football game and played hard until the end. Our offense turned over the ball way too often to win the football game.”

Linebacker Brody Williams and defensive back, Dillon Zimmerman led Canada’s defense on Saturday, each tallying four solo tackles.

“They’ve been consistent throughout week,” said Iadeluca of Williams and Zimmerman. “I had mentioned that those two guys are two to watch defensively and I think that they stepped up to the plate without a doubt.”

Williams totaled 10 total tackles and earned Canada’s Player of the Game honours on the night.

“It feels pretty extraordinary,” said Williams of the award. “It doesn’t usually go to a defensive player so I was a little bit surprised but I knew that I balled out today, I was also proud of the boys and that they still showed heart even though we were down.”

The young St. Paul’s linebacker from Oakbank, Manitoba thrived living his dream of playing for Canada.

“It meant everything to me, just to say that I’ve represented my country in the sport I love.”

Scoring summary

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