Battlefords local, Keaten Osicki pictured here with the championship trophy won with his Sask Selects team in Germany. (Submitted photo/Nicholas Osicki)

By Martin Martinson

International Hardware

Local football player wins OneWorld Bowl Games in Germany

Apr 12, 2024 | 4:00 PM

North Battleford’s Keaten Osicki is coming off a trip of a lifetime, winning an international championship at the 2024 OneWorld Bowl Games, with the Sask Selects varsity football team in Emsdetten, Germany.

The tournament marked the first time going overseas to compete on the gridiron for Osicki, currently a Grade 11 student at North Battleford Comprehensive High School, who has also played football throughout his high school tenure with the Vikings’ school team.

The Sask Selects, who also represented the country as the lone Canadian team at the tournament, hit the ground running with back-to-back 32-0 and 32-8 wins over Denmark and Germany, followed by a 17-0 victory over the Netherlands in the semis, to advance to the final against the USA.

A tight game right to the final minutes, Osicki – a defensive back moved to defensive tackle – played an integral role in the deciding play, forcing a fumble in the USA backfield, that allowed his team to recover the ball and seal the championship win.

“Our coach had moved me into the middle and the player I was lined up against had already taken a couple of penalties for holding and face-making earlier in the game, so I realized I could probably take advantage of that as he would likely be more hesitant,” Osicki recalled of the play. “I was able to make it through the line and make a quick tackle which caught the player in the backfield off guard, leading him to drop the ball and allowing our linebacker to jump on it.”

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Recovering the ball in the end zone, the play gave the team the win, leading a swell of emotions to take over.

“It was definitely a very exciting moment for me, and for our whole team,” Osicki said with an audible smile, reflecting. “We were all jumping and cheering, and it kind of relaxed a lot of our nerves I think, as we had been so tight [and intense] all game.”

The tournament win marks Osicki’s second championship as a member of the Sask Selects football program, having also won at last year’s International Border Wars in San Antonio, TX., back in February 2023.

“It’s definitely a moment to remember,” Osicki said of the win. “I’m just very happy I was given this opportunity and it’s something I definitely have to thank my parents for. It’s hard to put into words what it means to me… but it means a whole lot to represent my province and play overseas against these other teams.”

In addition to the varsity team’s success, the Sask Selects 14U team also won a championship in their age group, featuring Battlefords local Brandyn Schmunk. The 14U team posted a pair of wins over both Germany and the USA on their way to the title.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1