Mustangs ride into cross-border battle

Meath Park Mustangs Levi Kosowan and Nick Stacey will see stars – and stripes – when they don Team Canada football uniforms.

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“Very rarely do kids this age get to represent their country internationally,” said Mustangs coach Bryan Swystun. “For them, it’s a huge experience.”

Kosowan and Stacey were chosen to represent their country July 3 in Preeceville, Sask., at CanAm Bowl XIV, a cross-border, 6-A-Side football grudge match against the U.S.

“I take great pride in (being selected),” said Stacey, who considers himself a ball-hawking safety. “It’s going to be an awesome time.”

The two Mustangs attended a tryout camp – strictly for graduating high school players – in May at the University of Saskatchewan’s Griffiths Stadium.

Kosowan, already known as an up-and-coming talent on the provincial football scene, was expected to crack Canada’s 24-person squad.

Stacey’s inclusion, on the other hand, wasn’t a sure thing.

“Nick – great surprise,” Swystun said. “He’s a kid and an athlete that, if he realized it and put his mind to it, could be joining Levi and playing post-secondary football.”

Kosowan’s size, power and football IQ earned him a spot at the Saskatoon Hilltops’ fall camp. If Stacey decides to pursue football after high school, it’ll be his wheels that have coaches’ heads spinning.

“The one thing that really impressed us with Nick was his football speed,” said Canadian coach Jason Boyda. “We believe speed kills and the more speed we have on the field, the better we’re going to be.”

Stacey left his teammates in the dust in a 40-metre dash during tryouts.

The speedster must have his jets on full throttle if he’s going to keep pace with his southern adversaries.

Team U.S.A. draws from 6-A-Side playing schools in Texas, Nebraska, Colorado and Montana, whereas all but one of Canada’s players are from Saskatchewan (one Albertan got the nod).

More than 200 high schools play 6-A-Side football in Texas alone. As of last fall, 36 Saskatchewan towns had 6-A-Side football squads.

Despite the vast talent pool the Stars and Stripes draw from, Team Canada has held its own throughout the bowl’s history.

The Canadians have won five of the 13 CanAm Bowls played thus far.

Kosowan and Stacey would like to be a part of the team that gives Canada its sixth victory.

“I’d love to do win – that would mean a lot to me,” said Stacey, who plans to take a two-year integrated resource management course at SIAST in Prince Albert, beginning next year.

“I can’t wait to play them and smash them in, you know, give them a little hit here and there.”

Swystun said the game is usually fiercely competitive, but the players maintain a high level of sportsmanship.

“They go 100 per cent all the time, but they’re right there helping guys out, giving them a pat as they go back to their separate huddles,” he said.

The camaraderie between opposing players is developed in the days leading up to the game. The gridiron gurus engage in a softball game and golf tournament and enjoy an awards banquet together the night before the CanAm Bowl.

For some players, like Kosowan, who’s never been to the U.S., the trip to Preeceville will be an educational experience.

“It’s learning another culture, too,” said Kosowan, a six-foot-one, 205-pound linebacker. “Not being a travelling guy, it’ll be nice to get some diversity around, and show them the Canadian way.”

About 1,000 people live in Preeceville, which is about 100 kilometres north of Yorkton.

A grandstand that could almost seat the entire town will be erected on Preeceville School’s football field.

Next month’s showdown with Uncle Sam might be the only time either Mustang competes at an international level.

“Pride really comes into play,” Swystun said. “When you get a chance to play for your country – at any level – it’s pretty huge.”

Both Mustangs believe they’re ready for the challenge.

“I’ll definitely be nervous,” Stacey said. “But I’ll just have to get my head in the game and play.”

Photo:
Meath Park School’s Nick Stacey, left, and Levi Kosowan will represent Canada in 6-A-Side football play on July 3 at CanAm Bowl XIV. Herald photo by Marty Hastngs