CRANEY, GRANDISON PART OF HISTORIC TEAM WORLD WIN

York University Lions football head coach Warren Craney and rookie defensive back Marcus Grandison were part of Team World’s history 35-29 victory over the United States under-19 national team at the International Bowl on Wednesday night (Feb. 1).

The game, which was played at the Kelly Reeves Sports Complex in Austin, Texas, marked the first loss in international competition at the senior or junior level by Team USA, including the 2007 and 2011 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior World Championships, the 2009 under-19 IFAF World Championship and two previous International Bowls.

Craney was Team World’s defensive coordinator for the third straight year, while Grandison, playing on the team for the second consecutive year, was named one of the captains of the team prior to the game.

Also in Texas was Lions offensive coordinator Michael Faulds, who was there as a coach with the Team World development team.

Led by Craney, the defence for Team World held Team USA to 254 yards in total offence and ran up 404 yards against the Americans.

Craney, Grandison and Faulds will be back at York this week following their successful stint in Texas. Craney, Faulds and the rest of the coaching staff are well into recruiting season and working hard to bring in several top players for next year’s Lions, while Grandison continues to practice with the team after a stellar first season with the Lions in 2011. He finished second on the team with 48.5 tackles and also added a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception while starting all eight games at safety.