The CanAm Bowl returns to action this Saturday in Meeteetse, Wyoming. The annual six-aside football competition pits the best players from Saskatchewan and Alberta against a U.S. team made up of top players from Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Texas.
WestCentralOnline made the trip as four practices were held in Rosetown, including three on Tuesday, prior to the Canadian team departing south of the border on Wednesday.
CanAm players following the second of three practices on Tuesday in Rosetown A few players didn't have far to go. West-central Saskatchewan will be well represented on the Canadian side with a pair of Rosetown natives in Jacob Fehr and Mathew Morris, joined by Plenty's Liam McGrath, and Kerrobert's Kyran Amola.
Speaking with coach Bob Mayo after the second practice, he likes what he sees out of the west-central quartet. Mayo is familiar with each player, and talked about getting a closer look at the towering player Fehr as an opposing coach at the Senior Bowl back in May.
"Jacob is one of our starting strong side corners. I was one of the coaches for the South team at Senior Bowl, Jacob was playing on the north team and he did a fantastic job." said Mayo, as Fehr took home the Top DB award for the North team. "He's very smart, very versatile. He's strong, a good tackler, and we are really lucky to have him."
Fehr's talent has already earned him a spot at the junior level, signing on to play with the CJFL's Regina Thunder next season. His now former Rosetown Royals teammate Mathew Morris also landed a spot with the Thunder after an appearance at Senior Bowl, as Mayo switched sides of the ball to talk about the bruising runner.
"Mathew is our starting running back. He's tough, runs really hard." said coach Mayo. "We are really lucky to have him. He's a good blocker, and a great kid."
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The other two west-central players also represent offensive weapons that could play a factor in Wyoming. Liam McGrath is a graduated member of the Plenty Wildcats, and Mayo has seen what the young player can do first hand.
"He's one of our offensive ends. Real fast kid. I have watched him play Sask Selects over the years, as well as we played against him in the provincial (quarter-finals) this year. Good kid, really fast, really strong, and he's going to be a big part of our offense."
Every good offense also needs a playmaker through the air. Whether he's catching it or receiving it directly, Kerrobert's Kyran Amola has the potential to be a gamebreaker for the Canadian side.
"Kyran will be a weapon. He's super athletic, super fast, and will play running back and receiver for us so we expect big things from him too."
The former Kerrobert Rebel was eager to speak when approached with the microphone. Amola is eager for the Canadian side to show off their game against four football hotbed states, and then personally, Amola is hoping for a great sendoff to his football career in likely his last game.
"I'm going to school for engineering, so I don't know if I will have time." Amola shared, hoping the trip to Wyoming ends his football career with a bang.
The offense getting in some work on Tuesday With Team USA holding an all-time record of 20-5, Team Canada certainly has their work cut out for them this weekend. Canada's last win came in 2022 by a score of 40-28 when the game was held in Wakaw. Going back to 1997, west-central has hosted the game a total of seven times.
Screengrab via footballsaskatchewan.caThe team will practice a few more times after completing their ten hour trek south to Wyoming. Looking to spoil their Fourth of July weekend, the latest 6-aside edition of Canada vs USA gets underway on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
Find a livestream for the game HERE.
Mon, Jul 8, 7:30 PM
