Canada Arrives In Jacksonville For
NFL Global Junior Championship IX; Teams Make Last Minute
Adjustments
January 27, 2005
CANADA WAS the first team to arrive in Jacksonville ahead
of the NFL Global Junior Championship IX when the 2000
champion and runner up the past four tournaments touched
down on Tuesday.
Canada will be hosted by Nease High School where the 36-man
squad will practice twice a day under Edmonton Eskimos
head coach Danny Maciocia.
"The competition will be very tough, especially
with the format of the first round where it is difficult
to prove yourself in 14-minute games," said Maciocia.
"Since many teams have already begun practicing
and we only had a short training camp, we will have to
work twice as hard to be the tournament winners. I am
anxious to get on the field and start working."
Canada will take on teams from Japan, France, Mexico and
a Jacksonville high school all-star Team USA at The Bolles
School on Wednesday, February 2 from 2:00 p.m. and on
Saturday, February 5 from 11:00 a.m.
Team USA head coach Corky Rogers has had to make three
changes to his roster due to injury and dual sport commitments.
Hilliard high school defensive back Zach Whittenburg,
First Coast high school linebacker Ryan Stamper and kicker
/ punter Clay Gregory of University Christian have all
been forced to withdraw.
Rogers had drafted Lavoris Mobley of Wolfson high school
into his secondary and added Travis Prince of Raines high
school at wide receiver. Aaron Locke of Fleming Island
will now handle kicking and punting duties.
"These things happen in football so we just have
to make adjustments and continue with our preparations,"
said Rogers.
The remaining three overseas teams Japan, France and Mexico
arrive in Jacksonville on Sunday, January 30 and begin
practicing at The Bolles School, University Christian
and Mandarin High School respectively on Monday. |
