Local football stars earn spot on Ontario team

A large contingent of local players will represent Ontario in two major football championship tournaments in Wolfville, N.S. this month.

The Canada Cup for players 18 and under runs from July 8 to 14 at Acadia University where former Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive tackle Jeff Cummins is head coach. From July 18 to 22, the four-team Eastern Challenge for players 16 and under will be held at Acadia.

Both events are run by Football Canada. The Canada Cup is essentially the national championship for provincial teams and the Eastern Challenge involves provinces from only the eastern half of the country.

Kyle Quinlan and Rob Underhill from Greg Knox’s McMaster Marauaders coaching staff will help coach the Ontario U-18 team, while Don Edwards, president of the Ontario Football Alliance will manage the U-16 team.

Local players on the Ontario team in the Canada Cup include receiver Isaac McAlonan of Grimsby, running back Nathan Langley of Burlington, offensive lineman Adam Tattric of Hamilton, linebackers Eduardo De La Garza from Grimsby and Zachary Ihasz of Burlington, and defensive lineman Kyle Samson from Hamilton.

Ontario’s U-16 team will include Stoney Creek linebackers Joshua Butler and Nathan Condello, Hamilton running backs Brayden Kelly and Jawaun Smith plus Thomas Berrio of Ancaster, Smith’s twin brother defensive back Jaylen Smith and offensive lineman Alex Donaldson of Hamilton.