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Carson McKie and Team Ontario came home with a gold from the 2024 Football Canada Cup (FCC) in Regina, Saskatchewan last week. The FCC is the premier pre-university football tournament in Canada. Showcasing the top under-18 football players from across the country.
McKie of Delhi District Secondary School anchored the offensive line playing centre for his second year at the tournament. He got his start in the sport watching his older brother on the gridiron. We asked him what makes playing on the offensive line special.
This year’s Team Ontario would begin with online meetings. Watching tape of their plan with the coaches learning the systems for offence and defence. The team then met for an intense 4 day camp before heading to Regina. Game one they faced Nova Scotia and it was a very one sided game with Ontario winning 58-0. McKie feels that was an important way to start the tournament.
There second game was a little closer versus last year’s champions Saskatchewan, ending 32-7 in favour of Ontario. This set them up for a final against Quebec in the gold medal round. Where they would win again bay a score of 45-7. McKie was a true sportsman during our chat saying that the teams were evenly matched and that there was strong competition. However, he did admit that Team Ontario was a special team this year.
McKie returns to play for the Delhi Raiders this fall. Due to his age he will not qualify to play for team Ontario again next year. He would recommend the experience to any high school football players. Saying that the exposure and high level of coaching was of benefit. McKie has his sights set on playing at the university level, hoping to study at Guelph or Queens. Then if things align maybe the CFL.
Written by Jeremy Hall