British Columbia’s under-18 football team defeated Team USA 38–18 to win the FBU International Games championship on Jan. 5 in San Antonio, Texas.
Team B.C. crushed Team Europe 49–14 in the semi-final to reach the championship game, despite surrendering a touchdown on the game’s first play. B.C. scored on seven of twelve total drives in the contest and held Europe to just one additional touchdown.
B.C. scored five majors and a field goal in the championship game, including three rushing touchdowns from Qualicum quarterback Liam O’Brien. Mason Swift and Marcus Davis, teammates from the Mt. Douglas Rams, also scored for B.C.
Davis was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for B.C. The 16-year-old receiver was knocked out of the game after a hard hit in the second quarter, but was later cleared by team doctors to continue playing.
Head coach Tom Kudaba was proud of his team’s effort at the tournament and says, “I truly feel that the main reason we won our games was that our players and coaches were committed to do their best.
“Not only was the effort and accomplishment on the field second to none but the discipline and behaviour of the team while we were preparing for our two games was excellent as well.”
The team is comprised of the top high school football players from across B.C., as selected by General Manager Larry Reda and team coaching staff. The 36-player roster was finalized in early Dec., and included Nanaimo Redman offensive lineman Chae-Cody Faickney.
The championship game was played at the Alamodome, site of the annual Alamo Bowl and home of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.