NFL GJCX Detroit Archive
Oh Canada!
In Detroit in January 2006 Canada’s defense was dominant in a 10-0 victory over USA in the title game of the NFL Global Junior Championship X at the Pontiac Silverdome. The win marked Canada’s second straight championship and third overall in the event’s ten-year history. Read all about the NFL Global Junior Championship X in Detroit in the NFHLS.com archive.
“I felt the same type of excitement and butterflies as I did (before the Grey Cup) in Vancouver a few months ago," said victorious head coach Danny Maciocia, who is also the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. "To then come out here and win in someone else’s back yard is huge."
USA’s pass defense kept them in the game, forcing Canada quarterbacks to go a combined 0-11 for two interceptions. However, USA could not stop the run as Canada rushed for 201 yards, 134 by MVP running back Samuel Fournier.
The first half was a defensive struggle highlighted by five turnovers, three by Canada and two by USA. Canada avoided an early deficit on their opening drive as USA linebacker Eric Schwartz almost intercepted a Marc-Olivier Brouilette pass that could have been returned for a touchdown.
"Offensively we took way too many penalties, something that was non-existent last Wednesday," sad Maciocia of the first half. "We self destructed and gave them an opportunity to stick around. Whenever you do that bad things are going to happen. We were able to talk it through at half time and made sure we were going to play disciplined football in the second half."
The teams exchanged three-and-outs before Canada defensive back Julien Hamel intercepted a deflected Jamie Lorentz pass on third down to give Canada the ball near midfield. USA forced Canada into another three-and-out situation before getting the ball back.
Canada’s defense held USA, forcing them to punt. On the next play, USA defensive back Matt Feltner intercepted Brouilette and returned the ball 24-yards to the Canada 25-yard line, giving USA great field position. One play later, Olivier Turcotte Letourneau intercepted Lorentz and Canada regained possession at their own 14-yard line. Canada was able to pick up a key fourth-and-one at their own 23-yard line before being forced to punt.
Despite a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Canada to move USA across midfield, USA could not capitalize and had to punt the ball back to Canada who took over at their own 32-yard line after a five-yard punt by Kevin Lanning. Canada would pick up a first down before USA’s Schwartz recovered a running back Matt Henry fumble at the Canada 41-yard line, giving USA good field position.
After picking up a first down and getting into field goal range, Canada was able to push USA back seven yards to the 31-yard line. Kicker Kevin Lanning missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, keeping the score at 0-0.
Fournier picked up 41 of Canada’s 50 yards on their next drive which put the ball at the USA 19-yard line. With Canada threatening to score the first points on the game right before halftime, Feltner got another interception off of Brouilette at the one-yard line and return it to the USA 12-yard line to help USA keep the score tied at 0-0 going into halftime.
The second half began with USA moving the ball to midfield before being forced to punt. Canada’s Josh Boden returned the punt 49 yards to the USA 32-yard line. After a 15-yard rules infraction penalty against the USA, Canada got the ball at the USA 17-yard line. Canada ran Fournier four straight times and into the end zone for first score of the day. After a Christopher Milo extra point, Canada held a 7-0 lead.
Canada forced USA to punt on the next drive, but Boden fumbled after signaling for a fair catch. USA defensive back Eric Suttie recovered and USA had the ball at the Canada 38-yard line, but Canada’s defense stood up once again as USA went three-and-out.
Canada punted the ball away and forced USA into another three-and-out before Boden returned the punt 28 yards into USA territory. After a 15-yard personal foul penalty against USA, Canada began the drive at the USA 26-yard line. Receiver Tony Testa dropped a touchdown pass but Christopher Milo nailed a 23-yard field goal to give Canada a 10-0 lead with 8:10 remaining in the game.
After exchanging punts, Canada was able to run the clock out and celebrate their second consecutive championship.
For the first time in event history, Canada’s defense did not allow a point throughout the tournament to total five shutouts.
Admitting defending the GJC crown proved more difficult than winning it a year ago in Jacksonville, coach Maciocia said: "You’re the hunted and that’s just the nature of the game. I’m sure that next year in Miami that will be the case again. We’re just going to enjoy this one and cherish it for a while."