Photo courtesy of Kirby Sports Photography

The CJFL will be well represented on Thursday as Football Canada's Junior National Team opens the 2016 IFAF U19 World Championship in Harbin, China on Thursday against Mexico.

No less than seven players who currently play on a CJFL team will see action.  They are; Khalik Johnson (Rams, pictured), Adam Machart (Hilltops), J Min Pelley (Colts), Logan Ferland (Thunder), Riley Pickett (Hilltops), Skye King (Colts) and Carson Bell (Thunder).

Thursday’s matchup will mark the first time that Canada, the defending silver medalist, and Mexico, the defending bronze medalist, face one another in junior men's competition.

"Mexico is always a strong team at this tournament and we're excited for this big test right out of the gate," said head coach and defensive coordinator, Warren Craney, who's been with the program since the inaugural 2009 world championship.

Canada began training camp last week in Harbin. While they prepare for the competition, they have also been using their time in China to adjust to the drastic time difference.

"The first few days were a bit of a tough adjustment, after a long travel day and twelve hour (ET) time difference, but we're coming together nicely as we prepare to represent our nation on the world stage."

After their opening game against Mexico, Canada will play on July 3, July 7 and July 9 or 10, depending on game results of the championship's double-elimination play.

Canada and Mexico open action on Thursday while defending champion, the U.S., will face forth place finisher from 2014, Austria, at 4 p.m. local time. The winning and losing nations from Thursday will play one another on July 3.

Canada, the defending silver medalist, has met the U.S. in each of the first three IFAF U19 World Championship gold medal games. In 2012, Canada defeated Team USA 23-17 in Austin, Texas.

(Note: All times are local to Harbin, and the schedule is subject to change.)

Here is the schedule:

Wednesday, June 29
1 p.m. - No. 6 Australia vs. No. 7 China (B2)
4 p.m. - No. 5 Japan vs. No. 8 TBD (bye) (B1)

Thursday, June 30
1 p.m. - No. 2 Canada vs. No. 3 Mexico (A2)
4 p.m. - No. 1 USA vs. No. 4 Austria (A1)

Saturday, July 2
1 p.m. - Loser B2 (China) vs. Loser B1 (bye) (B3)
4 p.m. - Winner B1 (Japan) vs. Winner B2 (Australia) (B4)

Sunday, July 3
1 p.m. - Loser A2 vs. Loser A1 (A3)
4 p.m. - Winner A1 vs. Winner A2 (A4)

Wednesday, July 6
1 p.m. - Loser A3 vs. Loser B3 (B5)
4 p.m. - Loser B4 vs. Winner B3 (B6)

Thursday, July 7
1 p.m. - Winner A4 vs. Winner B4 (A5)
4 p.m. - Loser A4 vs. Winner A3 (A6)

Saturday, July 9
1 p.m. - Seventh-place game (Loser B6 vs. Loser B5)
4 p.m. - Fifth place game (Winner B5 vs. Winner B6)

Sunday, July 10-**
1 p.m. - Bronze Medal Game (Loser A6 vs. Loser A5)
4 p.m. - Gold Medal Game (Winner A5 vs. Winner A6)

**-Kickoff times for July 10 will be switched if Austria participates in the Gold Medal Game to accommodate travel schedules.