Canadian football stars tackles big stage
Sumarah sees ‘huge change’ in national program’s attitude
Wearing a red maple leaf instead of a raven on his shirt, Steve Sumarah couldn’t be prouder or more excited.
Sumarah, the head coach of Canada’s U18 and U19 teams competing in the International Bowl at Arlington, Texas, says this is a chance for kids from this country to prove what they can do on a grand football stage.
So far, so good. Canada’s U18 team knocked off the U.S. 42-26 Wednesday night. Up next is a U19 showdown Friday at 9 p.m. (streamed on ESPN3, on YouTube via USA Football and accessible through Football Canada’s website).
“When this (series of games) first started, I really believe there was a whole big aura that there was no chance for Canada to beat the U.S.,” said Sumarah, whose regular assignment is as head coach of the Carleton University Ravens. “We were going to go have fun, but we couldn’t win. Now, these guys are going to not only compete, they’re going in to win. That’s a huge change in attitude and thinking … all for the positive.”
In the world junior championship, Canada, then coached by Warren Craney, won a gold medal in 2016 by defeating the U.S. 24-6. Canada also won gold in 2012 and was runner-up in 2009 and 2014. Sumarah took over as head coach after the 2016 worlds. Players from the U18 and U19 teams competing this week will be evaluated and a team will be put together for the next world championship this summer in Mexico.
“I wanted to be part of representing my country,” Sumarah said. “It’s a great experience for players, but I also think it’s a great experience for us. You don’t get these opportunities, especially in football, to get these moments. It’s different in a very patriotic way. Guys on the U18 and U19 teams travel around the country, but what’s neat about this is they come together and form a bond playing for their country.”
These Canadian teams are stacked.
Explained Sumarah: “Every one of the U19 players will have a major NCAA Division 1 scholarship offer. They’ll be signing letters of commitment within the next two, three weeks. Last year, the three quarterbacks that played in this game, one went to Alabama, the others went to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. We’re talking bigtime schools. If you really want to challenge yourself as a football player, what better opportunity than this?”
There are obstacles for the Canadians. The games are played under U.S. rules, so throw out the wider and longer field, pre-snap motion by multiple receivers and other things that make the Canadian brand of football unique.
“The biggest issue is the motion,” Sumarah said. “That’s been the hardest thing, guys just leaning.
You don’t even think twice about that in Canada. Down here, you flinch or move a bit and you’re offside. Then you talk about something like a fair catch, when to touch the ball and when not to, when to let it bounce and when not to. It’s a big adjustment.”
On Wednesday, the U18 Canadians
won for the fifth time in its past six meetings with the U.S.
Canada fell behind 8-0, but after a pair of field goals by Antoine Couture, another field goal gave the Americans an 11-6 lead with 1:17 left in the first half. After a Jacob Biggs interception, QB Lukas Boulanger connected with Tyson Rowe for a one-yard touchdown for Canada with three seconds left before halftime.
Jalen Philpot, Canada’s MVP for the game, ran into the end zone from four yards out for another score in the third quarter. Then, a key interception by Riley Gabriel led to an Adre Simmonds touchdown. Another Philpot touchdown, this one from 46 yards, widened Canada’s lead. After another Couture field goal, Nicolas Lessard scored on an interception.
“The guys came to play,” Sumarah said. “They were so amped up for this game all week long. To be honest with you, I thought we outphysicalled them. For me, to be able to have this (the maple leaf ) on my chest, it’s a very proud moment. I have coached in a lot of football in the last 20 years, but there’s something to be said about winning, wearing your Canadian colours proudly.”