CANTON, Ohio - Sixteen seconds was all it took for Team USA to gain the lead in its game against Mexico Wednesday in the IFAF Junior World Championship at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.
Team USA used quick offensive strikes and an early defensive score to claim a 55-0 win over Team Mexico.
“I really was concerned coming into the ballgame because our kids are not used to coming back and playing a football game three days later,” Team USA coach Chuck Kyle said. “We’re used to seven days. Your body clock was a little off, but when the whistle blew, we were fine.
“Mexico did not give up tonight,” Team USA running back David Wilson said. “That’s one thing that gained my respect. That team did not give up from the first snap to the last snap. If anything, they got stronger throughout the game.”
After Tevin Reese returned the opening kickoff to midfield, Wilson needed just one play and a hole on the left side of the line to make his way into the end zone.
Wilson added another touchdown run on Team USA’s second possession. Wilson took Bryce Petty’s handoff to the right side of the line, but saw more space and cut back around left end. Once Wilson picked up a block downfield from a wide receiver, he hustled his way into the end zone.
The extra point made it a 14-0 game with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Wilson was not done making highlight reel plays. His first carry of the second quarter resulted in another touchdown. Wilson was hit in the backfield and again at the line of scrimmage, but kept his legs moving. He hurdled a couple downed linemen, ripped through another tackle and scampered across the goal line.
“I come off the field going, ‘I can’t explain it,’” said Petty, a native of Midlothian, Texas. “I’ve never seen anybody like him before in my life and I’ve been around football for a while. It’s freakish.”
Linebacker Robert Bell got some repetitions on offense late in the first quarter. Bell caught Petty’s pass along the left sideline, spun out of an arm tackle and scored from 53 yards away.
In the second quarter, Team USA had Mexico pinned deep in its own territory. A blitz from the right side caused a fumble which Bell recovered and returned 10 yards for a touchdown.
“We accomplished our mission,” Kyle added. “Defensively, we played a very good ballgame. Mexico was spreading out. They have some skill [and] a very good quarterback. We disrupted his timing.”
Team USA will play its neighbor to the North, Team Canada, in Sunday afternoon’s gold medal game at 1 p.m. Team Mexico plays Saturday night in the bronze medal game against Team Japan.
“This will be a very good championship game,” Kyle said. “Canada is a balanced football team. They throw the ball because [in] Canadian football, [you have] three downs. They’re used to throwing the ball with precision. We’ll have to play very good defense.”
“We watched them play New Zealand and they handled them pretty well,” Petty said. “We’ve been gunning for Canada this entire tournament with them being ranked No. 1, us No. 2. That put a big star on them for us. We’ll be coming out head-hunting and we’ll be ready for them for sure.”
Wilson not only family member in uniform
While he is representing Danville, Va., and the Virginia Tech program he will play for this fall, David Wilson is also playing in the Junior World Championship for his family.
Wilson’s older brother Ronald is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. Wilson passed on an opportunity to participate in a national track meet to wear the blue jersey with USA stitched into the front.
“Being able to represent my country, I’m a very patriotic person,” Wilson said following the win over Mexico. “I would’ve followed my brother in the Navy if I hadn’t been as successful in football.
“Being able to play the game you love for your country is a big deal. Instead of competing inside your country, you’re competing for your country. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.”
Mewhort leads Team USA onto field
In front of 11,218 fans, Ohio native Jack Mewhort led Team USA out of the tunnel carrying the American flag.
Mewhort, a graduate of Toledo St. John’s Jesuit and future Ohio State Buckeye, was the starting left tackle against Mexico. Behind Mewhort and the other offensive linemen, Team USA outgained Mexico 433-35 for the game.
Canada needs comeback
With 1:27 to play in the fourth quarter, Team Japan scored a touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Yuichiro Araki to Jumpei Yoshimoto and took a 35-31 lead over Team Canada.
However, the Canadians were able to mount a go-ahead drive of their own.
Canada returned the ensuing kickoff to its 36-yard line. Five plays later, Jeremie Doyon-Roch threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Alex Anthony and kicker Lirim Hajrullahu added the extra point, which made it a 38-35 game.
Canada withstood a deep pass attempt along the left sideline and stopped a lateral on the final play of the game. Team Canada had a 461-376 advantage in total yards over Japan, who only gained 57 yards rushing the ball.
Matt Florjancic currently works as a freelance reporter and sports announcer for WOBL and WDLW Radio.
