Team USA Under 18 National team takes the field at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas for their first game of International Bowl IX to face Team Canada, January 17.
The two teams have split the last two games between them in the International Bowl. In 2016, Canada surprised Team USA by blanking them 24-0 while the US exacted revenge in 2017 winning by an almost identical score, 26-0.
Head coach for Team Canada this year is Junior National Team Head Coach Steve Sumarah. In addition to serving as current Junior National Team Head Coach, Sumarah instructed quarterbacks and receivers for Canada, who were silver medallists at the 2011 IFAF Senior Men’s World Championships in Austria. In 1998, he was the head coach for Team Nova Scotia at the 1998 Football Canada Cup (when it was in the under-19 format).
Currently, Sumarah is in his fifth year as head coach of USports Carleton Ravens. During his time with the Ravens, he led the team to an appearance in the OUA playoffs in 2016.
Offensive Coordinator for the under-18 team is Cory Philpot. This past summer, he led Team BC to a successful return to the Football Canada Cup where the squad finished fifth. Philpot enjoyed a successful career as a player with the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions where he set a record for single season rushing yards on route to helping the team win a Grey Cup in 1994. The next season, Philpot set a league record for the most touchdowns (22).
During his CFL career, the former running back was a recipient of the Eddie James Memorial Trophy twice (1994, 1995) and selected as a CFL All-Star in 1995. The offensive star also did a brief stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1999-2000). Previous to the CFL, Philpot played in the NCAA for Division 1 FBS team Ole Miss Rebels.
Philpot’s twin sons, Jalen (#5) and Tyson (#6), both play for Canada.
The Team USA 51 man roster is as diverse as can be imagined with players from 24 states. Texas leads the way with five players followed by Georgia and Missouri with four each and New Jersey, Florida, Virginia and California with three apiece.
Matt Gegenheimer, 13-year head coach at Prior Lake High School (Savage, Minnesota), will lead the U-18 National Team. In 2011, Gegenheimer guided the Lakers to their first state tournament appearance in program history. Prior Lake returned to the state playoffs in 2012, 2014 and this past season. Gegenheimer is a USA Football regional master trainer, teaching important health and safety protocols and proper on-field technique to coaches nationwide.
Watch the game live on ESPN Select.
LIVESTREAM: International Bowl IX – Team USA U18 v. Team Canada Jan. 17 8p (9p ET, 3a Jan 17 CET)
