Team B.C. outscored their opponents 87-32 to go undefeated at the inaugural U18 FBU University Games in San Antonio, Texas, where they represented Canada at the international football tournament Dec. 30 to Jan. 6.
Team B.C. dropped Team Europe 49-14 on Jan. 3 and then beat the host Americans 38-18 at the Alamodome Jan. 5.
"We worked as a family and we showed them up," said linebacker Andrew Pauls who played in the AAA Subway Bowl with Vancouver College.
The dominating offensive output set Team B.C. in a class of its own, said quarterback Liam O'Brien, who led Parksville's AA Ballenas Whalers to the high school football playoffs.
A quick start was essential. "It was huge," he said. "Coming out there that fast and quieting them down and taking the motivation out of them was huge."
(In contrast to its name, the University Games is for high school athletes.)
Vancouver College running back Liam Mahara ran for a touchdown against the Europeans and kicked a field goal against Team U.S.A.
His Fighting Irish teammate Pauls said beating the home team was especially sweet.
"It means a lot," he said. "It's pretty cool. Americans are the football people so it was awesome - one of the best experiences of my life. They were kind of intimidating to us. We just came out there, we were just excited."
Pauls' father Doug was on the Team B.C. coaching staff.
"It's been a great experience, just having another person telling you what you're doing wrong, what you're doing right," Pauls said about his dad. "To have another set of eyes has been really helpful for me. The coaches have been really great."
Head coach Tom Kudaba wants to see the international bowl games draw more teams than the four that participated this year. Mexico also competed.
"I think it's something that's going to grow," he said. "I would like to see more countries involved and have a real international tournament."
