Photos by: Cameron Bartlett, Blue Bombers
The final whistle had blown at East Side Eagles Field, marking the end of the second-annual Blue and Gold Showcase, presented by Princess Auto. The ear-to-ear grins on the players’ faces told the story — without a shadow of a doubt, the event was a success.
Organized by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and President & CEO Wade Miller, over 200 of Manitoba’s top U16 and U18 football players came together on Saturday to play in two separate showcase games. These athletes learned from a handful of Blue Bombers players, as well as some of the province’s top coaches over a two-week period, culminating in today’s games.
There was no charge for the program, reducing financial barriers to ensure the best talent from Manitoba was featured. Athletes had the chance to demonstrate their abilities, aiming to potentially land scholarships with universities or colleges. Additionally, proceeds from ticket sales – with well over 1,000 fans in attendance for each of the two games – went directly to supporting amateur football in the province.
“It’s a great opportunity to get better,” said U16 quarterback Alex Balasko from Grant Park High School, who threw two of Team Gold’s three touchdown passes in a 28-12 win over Team Blue. “It’s a great price, because there’s lots of programs that cost a lot of money. It’s very affordable and a great experience. The best part was getting to see new people and play at the highest level with great players.”
“It was great to be able to showcase our skills and get everything right,” added Dillon Lee, a U18 linebacker from Churchill High School who played for Team Gold in a 28-14 win. “These are also the best coaches from across Manitoba. It was incredible being able to work with them. When we made a big play, all the guys got hyped. The atmosphere was great, it was so much fun.”
Postgame, Bombers linebacker Tanner Cadwallader delivered a powerful message for the U18 group.
“Be a leader,” he said. “Share what you learned with the guys around you. It’s all about elevation.”
Cadwallader couldn’t be more accurate. Events like this – one of the many the Winnipeg Football Club has collaborated on with Football Manitoba – are beneficial for the community. Participants return to their local programs with increased insight about the sport, and a passion to lead by example. Through it all, everyone gets better.
“First and foremost I think the two and a half weeks leading up to the game is an amazing experience for the athletes to play with guys who they would normally see as enemies,” said Bombers long snapper Mike Benson, a local product who served as defensive coordinator for U18 Team Blue. “They get to make some friends along the way. More importantly, they’re learning from high performance coaches and university coaches. Anything that can give a player an edge and add to their football IQ and give them some confidence is an incredible thing.”
Last year’s showcase featured 10 individuals who committed to a U SPORTS program, and this year, six different U SPORTS schools from across the country took in the action, as well as some of the practices.
“I think what Wade’s done, partnering with Football Manitoba, making this game totally free to everyone, and getting the top talent in place, not just for the game, but I got to go out to some practices, that’s super beneficial,” said Sean Oleksewycz, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator for the Manitoba Bisons.
“It’s great to not just see players in the game environment, but their practice habits and how they work under other coaches.”
On the field, the action was as hot as the temperature.
The U16 contest kicked off at 1 pm, with Team Gold winning by 16. They never trailed, taking a 14-0 lead into halftime while holding off a second half surge from Team Blue. Balasko opened the scoring with 2:20 to go in the second quarter, finding Springfield’s Noah Hickey (related to former CTV Bowl champion Malachi) on a swing pass from four yards out. Hickey motioned from the boundary slot position, faking a jet sweep before getting the ball moments later near the far hashmark. He then pushed past two defenders to reach the goal line. The 6’3” Balasko capped the drive with a two-point convert to Benjamin Klos, delivering a toss on the money near the corner of the end zone. Balakso also connected with Klos for a long-bomb earlier in the drive, leading to the major two plays later.
A Team Gold interception shortly after led to Balasko’s second major, this one to Miles Mac’s Caiden Sol from 40 yards out.
“I love leading my team and having the ball in my hands every play,” said the sophomore Balasko, a former offensive lineman for the Fort Garry Lions who converted to quarterback after coming to Grant Park.
“I made the switch because my coach put me there. It worked out.”
Team Blue got on the board with 1:29 to go in the third. St. Paul’s Crusaders pivot Spiro Vagianos connected with teammate Tristan Channer, who caught a swing pass and used his speed to score. The two-point convert was unsuccessful, as Elmwood High School’s Mu Ler stepped up with a sack.
Team Gold’s deficit was narrowed to 14-12 with 10:38 to go, as Vincent Massey Trojans quarterback Alex Britton – who kept plays alive with his feet and athleticism – found Travis Irving for a major, however that’s as close as Team Blue would get.
With seven minutes to go, Winnipeg High School Football League Rookie of the Year Hayden Carriere (another Elmwood product) scored on a quarterback keeper, and the contest was iced with a pick six on the final play.
‘Doing these camps, they’re so much fun’
The U18 contest was loaded with next level talent. Bisons head coach Brian Dobie referred to the 2025 class as one of the best he’s seen in a while, and it was easy to see why.
Dakota’s dual-threat pivot Rogan Vergata – viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class – got the scoring started with 5:50 to go in the first quarter, scoring on a quarterback keeper. The major was set up by big plays from teammates Mikun Odanuga and Amid Kanu. The former enters his senior year as a three-year varsity starter and one of Manitoba’s top receiver prospects, while Kanu is one of the province’s fastest players and has received a plethora of U SPORTS interest as a running back and returner.
Dakota QB Rogan Vergata
Team Blue tied the game at seven on the first of two circus-style majors from Oak Park’s Nathan Esch. The first was from 65 yards out, and the second was from 30. The 6’5” playmaker – also receiving a multitude of U SPORTS looks – scored his first touchdown on a one-handed grab, while the second was made with a defender draped all over him while falling backwards.
“Our group wasn’t performing as well as I thought we could at the start of our practices, but near the end we ramped it up, and all put in the work,” said Esch. “(Oak Park head coach Chris) Ollson ramped up the tempo, and once we kept that up we did really well. I’m blessed to have all these scouts out here to watch us. It was a great game.”
With the score tied at 14 with 7:22 to go, Gold took over. Odanuga gave his side the lead on a screen pass with 7:22 to go, and 6’7” Grade 11 Grant Park defensive lineman Carson Thomas put the contest to bed shortly after. Highly-touted Elmwood edge rusher Thierry Moro (played in almost 30 career WHSFL games entering his senior year) recorded a sack and fumble and Thomas secured the loose ball for the score. It was the first of three straight turnovers for the gold team.
“I saw Thierry, he sacked the quarterback, and I saw the ball fly up in the air. I was like oh crap, and grabbed it and just started running,” smiled Thomas, a multi-sport athlete who didn’t start playing football until high school. “Getting into football was so fun. The more people I got to meet, the more friends. And doing all these camps, they’re so much fun.
