Shut out in their opening game of the 2016 U18 Football Canada Cup, Manitoba Gold responded with a shutout of their own Tuesday at East Side Stadium.
Held off the scoreboard in an 11-0 loss to Saskatchewan on Saturday, Manitoba Gold rebounded to blank New Brunswick 13-0 in the consolation semifinals Tuesday morning, ensuring they will improve on their seventh-place finish from last year’s event.
“We came into this tournament wanting to be in the medal round, but I’m glad the kids can get the losing taste out of their mouth,” said Manitoba coach Donald Burrell. “It’s a win, so we’ll take it.
“Anytime you keep any team off the board, that’s a good job.”
Manitoba’s defence bent but never broke on Tuesday, allowing some big plays but keeping New Brunswick off the scoreboard. The Manitobans have yet to allow a touchdown in this tournament after holding Saskatchewan to three field goals and a safety in the loss Saturday.
Defensive back Galata Gurmu made a big impact Tuesday, blocking two punts and intercepting a pass.
“It just shows you his football smarts,” said Burrell. “We didn’t practice any blocks this week and he came on the sideline and said ‘Coach, I can get through, can I go?’
“He saw something he thought he could take advantage of.”
Manitoba came out running the ball on their opening drive, with Brandon Urciuoli and Kaeden Corrie carrying the load down the field before backup quarterback Dayton Black scored the game’s opening touchdown on a one-yard sneak.
Urcuoli finished with 77 yards on 10 carries, while Corrie had four carries for 66 yards.
Black’s TD would be the only points until the fourth quarter as both defences held strong. Andreas Dueck connected with Brayden Saville for a six-yard TD to round out the scoring with just over five minutes left.
Dueck finished 10 of 20 for 112 yards and the TD, while WR Tyler Fedak had four catches for 61 yards.
New Brunswick was led by speedy running back/receiver Aidan O’ Neal, who had 17 carries for 94 yards and another catch for 22 yards, plus eight kick returns for a combined 101 yards. QB Hunter Sturgeon also took off for some big gains, rushing it seven times for 97 yards.
New Brunswick head coach Chris Hopkins was proud of the team’s play, keeping it a one-possession game until midway through the fourth quarter.
“It was an extraordinary team effort,” Hopkins said. “I’m so extremely proud of our guys. If you look back at the evolution of the program from when we came in 2012, this program is on the rise. I don’t think we’ve competed with a team in Canada Cup to that degree ever.”
“We have a great opportunity to make the statement we want to make in the next game.”
Manitoba Gold will wrap up their tournament with the fifth-place game Friday at Investors Group Field at 2 p.m. while New Brunswick will play for seventh at 11 a.m.
The bronze-medal game goes at 5 p.m., with the championship slated for 8 p.m.
