Shellbrook’s Nathan Anderson and Hafford’s Lane Dubyk and Wyatt Radics were chosen to play for Canada in the 22nd annual CanAm Bowl, played in Kerrobert July 7.
The CanAm Bowl is an annual six-man football game played between graduating Grade 12 all-star players from the United States and Canada. The game is hosted by Saskatchewan high schools each year, and this was Kerrobert’s second year to host, also hosting in 2017. Hafford was the hosting school in 2016.
Although the U.S. team won the game 68-30, the Canadian athletes will all remember representing their country in Team Canada uniforms, as well as the friendships they forged with their American counterparts during a week of pre-game activities.
In the game itself, Team Canada suffered intercepted passes and quarterback sacks along with as a dominant American offence throughout much of the game.
Early in the game, Canada was only trailing 14-8 but were behind 22-8 by the end of the first quarter. Although they found the end zone once in the second quarter, the U.S. defence blocked their convert attempt. At half-time, the Americans led 46-14 and 60-14 by the end of the third.
The Canadians were able to give the hometown crowd something to cheer about in the final 15 minutes, holding the U.S. to one touchdown and putting up 16 points of their own in the fourth quarter, to end the game with the 68-30 score.
Former Hafford Viking Dubyk had a lot of playing time on offence in the game, including a number of carries. The game will undoubtedly become a highlight of his football career, along with being named Viking MVP and team captain in both 2016 and ’17. He was also selected by Football Saskatchewan for the Senior Bowl.
Defensive player Anderson also saw action in the CanAm Bowl. He holds the W.P. Sandin School record for most tackles in a game – 21 – and led the high school team in interceptions in both Grades 11 and 12. He was named Best Defensive Back at Husky Summer Camp and played in the North Saskatchewan Bowl.
Radics played four years of six-man football with the Hafford Vikings. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2014, won Most Improved Player and Fighting Heart awards in 2016 and the Most Dedicated Award in 2017. He did not play in the Bowl game.
Others playing for Canada came from Kerrobert, Dodsland, Hanley, Raymore, Rosetown, Plenty, Ituna, Caronport and from Alberta. U.S. players hailed primarily from Montana but also Wyoming and Nebraska.
For those interested in seeing the game, camera crews were present and it will be available on SaskTel Max on demand. Living Sky School Division’s Ryan Kobelsky also live streamed the game.
The CanAm Bowl began in July of 1997 when an American all-star team made the trip to Canada to play a Saskatchewan all-star team in Porcupine Plain. The United States won that inaugural game 40-22 and has now won 18 of the 22 total games played.
