WINNIPEG — For the first time since 2006, the under-18 football Canada Cup will be played in Winnipeg, and the hosts are more than ready to show what they’ve got after a disappointing seventh place finish in 2015.
“I think mentally, we can’t look back on what happened last year, we’re a totally different coaching staff and there’s probably only 10 guys that were on the team last year, so we’ll be a different team,” head coach Donald Burrell said.
Seven teams from across Canada, including two from Manitoba, will compete in the national high school football championship taking place from July 9 to 15 at both Investors Group as well as East Side Eagles field, and according to University of Manitoba Bisons head coach Brian Dobie, team ‘Toba’s crop is the best he’s seen in years.
Offensive players to watch among the hometown group include quarterback Andreas Dueck and receivers Abdul-Karim Gassama and Remis Tshiovo. Defensively, the team returns six members from last year and will be led by veterans Jalen Burley (lineman), Chase Ellingson and Shae Weekes (both defensive backs) — the latter of whom was quick to reinforce the high praise given by Dobie.
Manitoba Gold’s first game takes place at 5 p.m. CT on July 9, while Manitoba Silver will take to the field at 8:30 p.m.
A complete schedule for the tournament can be found on Football Canada’s website here.
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