Even though North Bay’s Mike O’Shea will not be at the Grey Cup since his Winnipeg Blue Bombers were beaten by the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final, that doesn’t mean North Bay won’t be represented at the 106th Grey Cup in Edmonton.
In fact, West Ferris Trojans quarterback Mason McGriskin will be there too.
The 2018 NDA champion quarterback has been selected to play in an All-Canadian Titan Team exhibition game held on Saturday, November 24th, a day ahead of the Grey Cup.
"It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of this and experience playing with the best players in Canada but also watching the best two teams in the CFL for the Grey Cup," McGriskin told BayToday.ca.
"It’s going to be an exciting weekend."
Larry Tougas, who coached McGriskin to an NDA title with the Trojans senior football team, hopes this opportunity will open up some doors for him.
“Naturally representing West Ferris and of course North Bay is an honour for him,” noted Tougas.
“I think it is a great opportunity and a testament of all the work he has put in and hopefully it will help take him to the next level next year.”
Tougas says McGriskin earned this opportunity.
“The biggest thing with Mason is that he puts a lot of time into playing quarterback and this is just a reward for all the hard work that he has put in. He has done all the things necessary to go to the next level.”
A total of 70 high school football players were chosen from across the country which is part of the Nissan Kickoff Project. The event aims to showcase the nation’s most notable high school football players who not only shine on the field but also off it.
“We hope the 70 players selected inspire a future generation of young athletes in grassroots football and we are thrilled to be hosting them at the 106th Grey Cup,” said Steve Rhind, director of marketing, Nissan Canada Inc.in a release.