By Joel van der Veen

FORT WORTH — They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that goes double when it comes to football.

Addison Ouellette of Davidson was part of the South Saskatchewan Selects U16 team that travelled to Fort Worth, Texas, last month for the Texas School of Football’s international tournament and showcase.

His father Trevor said the team played at a Catholic high school with a large field outfitted with grandstands, artificial turf and lights. The competition, he added, was just as impressive.

“There were no weak players out there on either side,” he said. “It was an elite league competition, and it showed.”

Addison and his team went undefeated in four games from Feb. 18 to 21, picking up the championship trophy at the end of the weekend.

In their opening game, the U16 team defeated the Euless Longhorns 33-0. The game was a highlight for Addison, who made an interception and scored a touchdown.

On Friday, they faced Georgia, winning 19-0, followed by a 27-12 win over the North Oak Cliff Eagles on Saturday. They faced the Eagles again on Sunday in the championship game, winning 19-0.

Trevor said the defence played exceptionally well over the weekend, only giving up two touchdowns. As the games were played according to U.S. rules, Addison served as the free safety.

Tryouts were held for the Saskatchewan team in November. One weekend practice was held before Christmas, with additional practices held every second weekend since then.

Addison was the sole six-man player on the team, as the other players came from larger centres and had played on nine-man and 12-man teams.

He said it was a great experience, from the weather to the competition, and added that he learned lots from watching the other players.

“You watch them do something better than you do, you just pick that up and learn from them,” he explained. “It was fun.”

Trevor observed that as it was the start of spring season for the U.S. teams, some of their competitors were less precise than he expected. He said they may have been sharper if the tournament had been closer to mid-season.

Though the Selects team only played in one tournament together, Trevor said it is considered a stepping stone towards the provincial U18 team.

Tryouts and camps will be held in coming months, beginning with a combine in April and the four-day camp in May. The 2016 Football Canada Cup will be held in Winnipeg in July.