Defensive backs Riley Gabriel and Kamryn Matheson were named to the 40-player national U-18 roster that will play against the United States national team in January (location to be announced at a later date).
Gabriel and Matheson were selected from a pool of talented standouts that competed in the 2017 Football Canada Cup last month in Wolfville.
“This year’s Football Canada Cup group has been an outstanding group of young men,” said junior national team head coach Steve Sumarah. “One of the things that made this selection very difficult was the talent pool in every position was so deep.
“It was very challenging but I think we’ve put together a pretty good squad. I am excited to see how these kids perform.”
The 2018 International Bowl serves as a momentum builder for the junior national team as it prepares to defend gold at the 2018 International Federation of America Football (IFAF) under-19 world championship.
“Going forward, some of these guys will have an opportunity to join the junior national team and it will only strengthen that program,” added Sumarah.
“It’s a very exciting time for football in Canada and I’m looking forward to January when we can go compete against the Americans.”
Gabriel and Matheson got their start in the Truro Minor Football Association and are current members of the Cobequid Cougars high school team.
Gabriel was a Nova Scotia High School Football League all-star last season, while Matheson was an all-star and conference rookie of the year.
Gabriel represented Canada last January at the North American Championship U-18 in Orlando, Fla.
