What does one do when one stands six-foot-six and weighs nearly 300 pounds?
He plays football.
And what does one do when he excels at playing football?
He represents his country.
That is exactly the situation that YRHS Raiders behemoth offensive lineman Peter Kozushka finds himself in at this very moment.
Kozushka, a grade 12 football player for the 2-0 YRHS Raiders senior football team, was recently named to the roster of Team Canada that will take on Team USA in early February 2015 in the International Bowl series, which will take place at Arlington, Texas' AT & T Stadium, formerly known as Cowboys Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
The hulking lineman, ranked second in the nation for college eligible high school offensive linemen, said he found out that he made the team on Friday via the Football Canada website, three days before he received the official phone call from the Canadian coaching staff. "I found out Friday on the Football Canada website but I got a phone call about three days after confirming that I had made it," mentioned Kozushka, adding that the coaching staff picked what they believed to be the top 40 players in the country from those that participated in the Canada Cup in Saskatoon earlier this year.
The two-time Provincial team member, who also anchors the Raiders very large offensive line, said that being named to Team Canada was his top personal goal heading into the 2014 Canada Cup, where he won a silver medal with Team Saskatchewan Green. "Going in there (Canada Cup), that was my goal," said Kozushka, offering up a rare smile. "I wanted to play my best and get named to Canada to show that I am one of the top players in the country."
One other person that was smiling at the mention of Kozushka being named to Team Canada was Raiders offensive coordinator Jason Boyda. "It definitely brings a smile to my face. I'm so proud of him," offered Boyda. "All of the hard work and effort that he has put into it is paying off and he just represents Yorkton football. The effort, determination and dedication that he puts into it is proof that he's going to do a great job down there in Texas."
Boyda also mentioned that having someone of Kozushka's calibre on the line makes his job as Raiders offensive coordinator that much easier. "I know that when we need those desperate yards for a first down, I know what number I'm calling and I know that we're running right behind Peter," said the Raiders offensive coordinator, adding that offensive linemen, no matter how talented, rarely get mentioned by media or fans. "Peter plays one of those positions where he gets no love from the media or the fans but he gets a lot of love from his teammates, especially his quarterback, and his coaches.
"His opponents too after he gives them a beating for the four quarters that we play."
But while he most certainly beats up his opponents in the Moose Jaw High School Football League (MJHSFL), Kozushka knows that the opposition in Texas will be much tougher. "It's the top 40 under-18 players in their country too," said Kozushka, continuing, "So they're going to be there to try to win and we're going there to try and win. It's just going to be a great game in the future."
As for now, however, Kozushka has a few things on his mind. Beat Moose Jaw's A.E. Peacock (and Canada teammate Sawyer Buettner), win a league championship and take home a Provincial title. "I want to keep up the intensity and show the league that we're here to win it this year," offered Kozushka. "Then I want to go on and win a Provincial title."
