Five Nova Scotia football players woke up world champions on Sunday.

The five players were part of Canada’s under-19 men’s team that toppled the host U.S. 23-17 in Saturday night’s IFAF world championship final in Austin, Texas.

Canada’s win avenged a 41-3 setback against the Americans in the final two years ago in Canton, Ohio.

Running back Andreas Robinson (Dartmouth), receiver A’dre Fraser (Lawrencetown), offensive lineman Kadeem Adams (Halifax) and defensive linemen Jacob Leblanc (Herring Cove) and Adam Melanson (Kentville) are the Bluenoses on the Canadian roster.

Robinson, Fraser and Adams all started.

“We had one goal ... and that was to come back with a gold medal around our neck,” head coach Noel Thorpe said in a release.

“These guys believed in it and they played 48 minutes of solid football. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.”

Fraser had a 45-yard reception in the championship game. Robinson carried five times for six yards and Leblanc, the reigning AUS rookie of the year at Mount Allison, had a pair of tackles.

Canada led 10-0 in the first half, but had to cover a late onside kick by the U.S. for the win.

Elliott Richardson of Acadia and Devin Murphy of Saint Mary’s were part of the coaching staff.

Canada defeated Sweden 43-0 and Japan 33-24 in its other two tournament games.

Fraser is set to play for Guelph and Adams for Western this season.

(mmosher@herald.ca)