St. Paul Lions line Jacob Petruk competes at U18 Football Canada Cup

ST. PAUL – St. Paul Lions lineman Jacob Petruk of Elk Point is playing at the U18 Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg from July 11 to 20, joining Team Alberta who is looking to defend the national title it won last summer. The Football Canada Cup is the...

ST. PAUL – St. Paul Lions lineman Jacob Petruk of Elk Point is playing at the U18 Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg from July 11 to 20, joining Team Alberta who is looking to defend the national title it won last summer. The Football Canada Cup is the country's top under-18 tackle football tournament, bringing together the best players from across Canada, according to Football Canada. Petruk, who plays offensive line and defensive line for the Lions, said the tournament is a great opportunity “to go out and represent your province.”

Alberta defeated Ontario 37-34 in an overtime victory to secure the gold in 2025 at Antigonish, N.S. This was Alberta’s first national title since 2007. “We're trying to win gold for the second year in a row,” Petruk said.

“That's the ultimate goal.” There is, however, added pressure being the defending champions, Petruk said. “We put ourselves on the map,” he added.

“It is going to be harder competition . . . But I'll just have to work a little harder to get things done.” This is not Petruk's first time wearing provincial colours.

For example, he represented Alberta two years ago at the U16 Western Challenge, a tournament where top U16 players from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, clashed. For Canada Cup, preparation has been both physical and mental for Petruk. “Mentally, I've just been kind of . . .

thinking about what I can do so that we can win gold,” Petruk said. Physically, he’s been conditioning and kept himself training in the gym. Petruk, who is entering Grade 12 in the fall, will return for one more season with the Lions after the tournament.

He also thanked the community for their support. “Thanks for all the support from everyone, really,” Petruk said. “They just have that much faith in me that I'm going to be an elite athlete.”

Todd Tanasichuk, Lions' head coach, expressed confidence in the athlete. “He's one of the best prospects at the Grade 12-level in all the province,” said the coach. “If I was a university coach, I'd be contacting Jacob because he's got not just ability, he's got great character and strong skill set.”

The 2026 Football Canada Cup will be streamed at: gsmedia.ca