It was, by many accounts, the right move to make.
Rutland Thunder high school wide receiver Steele Law had been named Team B.C.'s offensive Most Valuable Player after scoring a pair of touchdowns in the team's 27-6 bronze-medal win over Team Manitoba at the Football B.C. Western Canada U17 Challenge Thursday, July 10, at the Apple Bowl in 麻豆精选.
Law, however, had already won the same honour in the team's first game, a 22-10 loss to Saskatchewan, on July 7. So after the presentation, Law gave the award to the player he, his teammates, and fans, thought deserved the honour: Vernon running back Caden O'Dwyer, who plays high school football with the Clarence Fulton Maroons.
O'Dwyer was an offensive force against Manitoba.
He rushed for 181 yards on 16 carries, and scored a third-quarter touchdown that gave B.C. a 19-0 lead. On his scoring drive, O'Dwyer had the last three touches, running for 38 yards up the middle 鈥� helped by a great block from Fulton teammate, offensive lineman Noah McIntyre 鈥� and was brought down at the seven-yard line.
He then ran the final seven yards over two carries for the major score.
O'Dwyer also made a great touchdown-saving tackle on an interception by Manitoba late in the first half.
McIntyre was solid on the offensive line in both games for Team B.C. Vernon Panthers teammates, linebacker Owen West, and defensive back Nash Steele, saw plenty of reps in both games on the Team B.C. defence. Seaton Sonics player Rylan Terleski got in some kicks for the provincial team.
Team B.C.'s head coach was Rob Ellis of Salmon Arm, former elementary school principal in Armstrong, and founder of the Pleasant Valley Secondary Hawks' football program.
Team Saskatchewan won the gold medal, downing Team Alberta 28-17 in the final July 10. Alberta had blitzed Manitoba 41-0 in the other semifinal.
鈥� Football Canada is hosting the U18 Canada Cup event in Antigonish, NS., this week. Ayden McDonald of the Vernon Panthers and Team B.C. dropped to the consolation side Monday, July 14, when they lost their opening game, 52-14, to Team Quebec. McDonald, a wide receiver, was held out of the end zone.
B.C. will take on Manitoba Thursday in a consolation bracket match.
