The U.S. Under-19 National Team routed an overmatched Under-19 Team Canada 47-7 on Friday night in the ninth International Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Team USA controlled all facets of the game showing their superiority in what has become an annual demolition. Over the last five years, the Americans have outscored Canada 171-25 in the Under-19 exhibition.
History
The International Bowl is the largest annual global competition in American football.
Starting in 2010, the event has featured the top high school and middle school-aged players from across the world. This year, U.S. National and Select Teams will compete against Team Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Team Nordic for bragging rights.
The slate includes 12 games in multiple age groups, from Under-14 to Under-19, that will be shown to an international audience on several ESPN platforms.
As USA Football invites the best players in the country to wear the red, white, and blue, the opportunity to represent America is an experience players never forget.
The showcase has produced notable college football and NFL players such as Todd Gurley, Tyrann Mathieu, Jameis Winston, Corey Coleman, and Devin Funchess among others.
In the Under-19 game, the U.S. has a commanding 8-1 series advantage.
International Bowl Under-19 Recap
In a game that Team USA was expected to win, they came out and imposed their will on the Canadians.
Christian Turner opened the scoring only 39 seconds into the game on a 56-yard touchdown run to give Team USA a 7-0 lead.
Not even a minute later, Rashod Bateman scored on a 15-yard reverse to extend the advantage to 13-0. The Americans went for two, but failed to convert.
Team Canada came close to scoring near the end of the first quarter. However, Team USA blocked David Solie‘s field goal attempt.
The Americans continued to add to their lead in the second quarter when Hayden Rome made a 38-yard field goal to make it 16-0. Isaiah Bolden-Stinson returned a punt for a touchdown on Team Canada’s ensuing drive to put Team USA up 23-0.
Jordan Miner and German Green intercepted Jonathan Senecal on consecutive Canadian possessions that Team USA converted into scores.
Tavion Thomas and Hassan Haskins each ran for touchdowns to increase the Americans lead to 37-0.
Team USA ended the first half with a 31-yard field goal to put them up 40-0.
In the third quarter, Turner scored on Team USA’s first possession to make it 47-0. Drue Jackson set up the one-yard touchdown run thanks to his long reception.
Team Canada ended the shutout in the fourth quarter after Isaiah Joseph recovered a Team USA fumble. Andreas Dueck ran for a four-yard touchdown to put the Canadians on the board.
American Supremacy
With a 47-7 destruction of Team Canada, Team USA’s head coach Elijah Brooks was pleased with his team’s performance.
“I was happy that the guys really came out and played well and aggressive,” Brooks told USA Football. “We talked about playing fast, and they did that and did a great job.”
The Americans dominated the game from start to finish. They ended with nearly 500 total yards compared to Team Canada’s 87.
As all of Team USA’s roster will be playing on Saturdays next fall, Team Canada just didn’t have the firepower to match up.
“Unfortunately, when you are playing a very good team, they’re going to make plays on you and they ended up making plays,” Steve Sumarah, head coach of Team Canada told Football Canada. “We kept retreating. Kudos to these guys, they regrouped in the second half and I thought we battled much better.”
Spencer Sanders won game MVP honors after completing 13 of 20 passes for 181 passing yards. The future Oklahoma State Cowboy showed off his arm talent throughout the game, giving Mike Gundy another quality quarterback prospect to develop.
Brian Asamoah II earned defensive player of the game after finishing with four tackles. The future Oklahoma Sooner delivered a big hit to Senecal in the third quarter displaying his power and physicality.
The win capped an unforgettable week for Team USA.
“From Day 1, the guys let their egos go, bought into playing for Team USA,” expressed Brooks. “So many great personalities, and good, genuine kids. They were extremely fun to be around.”
Team USA will look to continue their Under-19 success in the 2019 International Bowl.
