IFAF World Junior Championship: Panama overwhelms Brazil to finish 7th

Panama claimed seventh place overall at the 2024 IFAF U20 world Junior Championships as running back Luke Koening stormed to the game’s MVP title with five rushing touchdowns in a 50-14 victory over Brazil.

Koening rushed 19 times for 262 yards at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton and fellow back Francisco Saldivar found the end zone on a 51-yard dash. Saldivar also connected with quarterback Cristian Restrepo, who completed 9 of 29 pass attempts for 114 yards, for a touchdown through the air.

The first half was a close contest with Panama leading 14-7 at halftime. Gabriel Lopes had tied the score for Brazil at 7-7 with a 5-yard rush and it was 14 apiece in the second quarter after a 5-yard pass from Gustavo Cornelius to Lucas Barros.

Then Panama gained the upper hand, scoring five rushing touchdowns without reply, including four from the unstoppable Koening.