Canada Champions Again

Team USA and Canada squared off for the seventh straight year for the tournament’s gold metal and the success continued for Canada as they physically dominated Team USA in a 23-13 victory. By Jeff Garza

The United States triumphed in the first four meetings between the rivals, while Canada took home the trophy the last two occasions. Two of Florida’s biggest stars came out to Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fl to help celebrate the 2007 Global Junior Championship Game. Escambia High (Pensacola) and University of Florida product Emmitt Smith joined Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor for the coin toss.  Canada caught the United States on its heels with a reverse pass by Dalin Tollestrup to Frank Bruno for 29 yards on the first play from scrimmage. However, the drive quickly ended as Team USA forced Canada to punt three plays later.  The first drive of the game seemed to illustrate the pattern as both teams punted the ball twice in the first quarter. A total of four first downs by both teams left the quarter with no score. The second quarter mimicked the first as Canadian running back Anthony Woodson ran off right tackle for 28 yards on the second play of the quarter. USA’s defense buckled down, as they did in the first quarter after the long gain, and forced Canada to punt. Starting on their own 20, Team USA started to click. Frederick Bruno sparked the team with a 24-yard yard run around the left side. The United States continued to move the ball down the field to the Canada 20. The United States lined up with four receivers and Derek Rifenbury connected with Jason Frierson in the back of the end zone for six points. That play capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive, eating up 4:33.  Canada bounced back quickly with a 48-yard kickoff return by Duncan Hankinson. Starting in their opponents’ territory, the Canadians had great field position to put points on the board. Five runs and one pass moved Canada to the USA 7. On third-and-goal, Bruno Prud’homme (pictured above) missed a wide open Frank Bruno in the corner of the end zone, forcing Canada to settle for a field goal. That score cut the USA lead to 7-3 at the half.

 

The Canadians made a statement by running the football on their first drive of the second half after they forced Team USA to punt. Beating the Americans at the line of scrimmage, they were able to pull off runs of 17 and 38 yards to move the ball to the USA 14. On third down, Prud’homme took the snap out of the shotgun formation and raced into the end zone to give the Canadians the lead, 10-7. After a 16-yard punt that was nearly blocked, the Canadians had another strong opportunity to keep the United States on their backs. A 21-yard completion on third-and-17 to Anthony Parker kept the drive and momentum rolling. Canada continued to attack through the air on the next play as Prud’homme hooked up with Ismael Bamba for a 30-yard touchdown reception. 17-unanswered points by Canada gave them a 17-7 lead with 02:10 remaining in the third quarter. The Canadians kept complete control of the game by getting the football back once again. The United States third-down defense continued to struggle as they committed a personal foul on third-and-23, giving Canada a first down. The first down helped lead Canada to a field a 37-yard field goal.  The final dagger for USA occurred with 6:50 left in the fourth period when Canada’s Frederick Plesius intercepted Derek Rifenbury. Canada controlled the ball on the ground, taking the clock down to 03:08 before kicking another 37-yard field goal by Dan Village.  With the game well out of reach, Team USA finished the tournament with an 11-play, 65 yard touchdown drive. The touchdown reception by Michael Hellman finished the scoring for the game as Canada won the 2007 NFL Global Junior Championship, 23-13.  Team Canada has won three consecutive gold medals, outscoring Team USA 71-48 over that span. The MVP Awards were given to Canada defensive end Ameet Pall and Team USA defensive tackle Jason Paul-Pierre.