Who were the best defensive players on Day 1 of Football Canada Cup?

With minimal preparation time defenses and defensive personnel tend to shine at the Football Canada Cup. This years U18 format was no exception to that rule.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

1 – #45 – Saskatchewan – Jacques Geyer – Geyer was all over the field against Manitoba. He finished the game with 1 solo, 2 assists, 2 tackle for losses and 1 fumble recovery.

2 – #99 – Quebec – T.C. Mulumba – Big plays and pressure all day from Mulumba. Finished the game with 4 solos, 1 assist, 3 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble.

3 – #59 – Nova Scotia – Devon Marshall – The other half of the terrible twosome (Terrance Mendes, #68), Marshall was a key reason for the Nova Scotia victory. Finished game with 1 solo, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss and 2 knock downs.

4 – #44 – British Columbia – Johnthia Fernandez – Major reason for second half comeback. Finished day with 3 solos, 3 assists and assisted on a tackle for a loss.

5 – #5 – Manitoba – Evan Gill – Athletic for his size he managed to contain the perimeter game of Saskatchewan. Finished with 1 solo, 4 assists and 2 tackles for a loss.

LINEBACKERS:

1 – #42 – Nova Scotia – Jacob Leblanc – He was the best defender on the day. Lining up as both middle linebacker and defensive line he made plays all over the place. Finished game with 7 solos and 3 tackles for a loss amounting to 28 yards.

2 – #95 – West Ontario – Peter Gray – (PICTURE) Limited the Quebec run game from his will linebacker position. Finished game with 3 solos, 1 assist and assisted on a tackle for a loss.

3 – #44 – Alberta – Tanner Doll – An athletic and active linebacker he made plays all over the field. Finished the day with 2 solos, 4 assists, and one fumble recovery.

4 – #50 – Louis Morrisette – Quebec – Was busy tracking down Varga and did a great job limiting his runs. Finished day with 2 solos, 1 assist and 1 tackle for a loss.

5 – #41 – Jared Soll – British Columbia – Active and aggressive linebacker who was all over the field. Finished day with 4 solos, 1 assists, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 sack.

6 – #9 D.J. Lalama & #57 Connor Ketchen – Manitoba – This duo were effective all game versus Saskatchewan. Lalama finished with 5 solos and 3 assists and Ketchen had 1 solo, 1 assist, 1 tackle for loss and 1 break up.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

1 – #1 Justin Palmier & #8 Keegan Arnyek – Saskatchewan – Defense dominated the game for Saskatchewan and these two were a major reason. Palmier finished with 4 solo tackles and 2 break ups while Arnyek finished with 3 solos, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble and 2 break ups.

3 – #29 – Kalvin Johnson – West Ontario – The west ontario defense was up for the challenge sunday and one of those players who had a great game was Johnson. He finished with 4 tackles and 1 interception.

4 – #28 – Gabriel Gendreau – Quebec – Quebec’s secondary was not challenged but when they were Gendreau was up for the challenge. he finished game with 8 solo tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.

5 – #27 – Steven McCaffrey – Alberta – Steven played an aggressive game and was rewarded with Alberta’s defensive player of the game. He finished with 1 solo, 1 assist and 1 tackle for a loss.

6 – #6 – Sam Jamieson – East Ontario – East Ontario free safety had a very good game, taking away the middle of the field from BC. He finished the game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assists.