VARSITY PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS WEEK 2:
#9 ESSEX RAVENS (0-1) @ MISSISSAUGA WARRIORS (0-1) Sat. May 30th 18h00 St. Marcellinus CSS
THE MATCHUP: Both teams have established themselves as perennial powers in recent years and both opened 2015 with losses, expect a sense of urgency from two proud programs in this one. The Warriors fell 40-29 in week one to London Jr Mustangs and offensively were impressive through the air, but in a repeated theme at each level, couldn’t run.
One wonders if there was something in the water as all three Mississauga Warrior teams, bantam, junior varsity and varsity failed miserably in running the ball. The Warriors accumulated 0ver 500 yards passing, with Kevin John showing why he helped win gold for Team Ontario in 2014 John passed for 477 yards completing 24 passes in 35 attempts for 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
What was worrisome was the -7 yards rushing on the afternoon. As inept as they were running the ball, they were equally inept trying to stop it. The Junior Mustangs galloped for 319 yards, which never bodes well, but presents a huge problem against an Essex team known for rushing.
The Ravens rushed for 206 yards in their opener as Braeden Braccio picked up 132 yards on 22 carries in a losing effort against the Niagara Spears. Last year, Essex bounced back from a week one loss against Niagara, to go unbeaten all the way until their loss inthe finals. Obviously they are hoping for deja vu.
MISSISSAUGA PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kevin John, REC Juwan Jesqutih, REC Shakur Wray, LB Jack Cassar, DB Kevin Nguyen
ESSEX PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Braeden Braccio, QB Anthony Bontorin, LB Erik Erickson, DL Lowhya Lako, REC Alex Bornais
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Look for the Ravens to be able to move the ball. While the Warriors will put up some decent numbers through the air, Essex will control the ball, game clock and tempo and when you do that good things usually happen. This should be a close, high scoring affair that showcases to contrasting offensive philosophies.
FINAL SCORE: ESSEX 38 MISSISSAUGA 31
OSHAWA HAWKEYES (1-0) @ #7 TORONTO THUNDER (0-1) Sat. May 30th 17h30 Mary Ward CSS
THE MATCHUP: The Hawkeyes, come in 1-0 off of a big 35-28 week one win versus Metro Toronto Wildcats. The Thunder battled two time defending champs Ottawa Myers RIders and showed they could score losing 49-28. Although Myers Riders scored 49, the Thunder defence was solid holding them to under 200 total yards and really having to deal with a shortened field much of the game.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Thunder are looking to return to their form of 2012 where they were one of the dominant programs, the Hawkeyes look to be the upstart. When it’s all said and done Saturday, it will be the Thunder who emerge and improve to 1-1.
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO 42 OSHAWA 21
#7 CAMBRIDGE LIONS (1-0) @ #7 ETOBICOKE EAGLES (0-0) Sat. May 30th 17h30 Mary Ward CSS
THE MATCHUP: The Lions looked very impressive in their shutout win against Brampton. Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) pivot Brendan Carey takes over the reigns from graduated star James Roberts and if week one was any indication, it should be a smooth transition! Carey looked good in his debut passing for 264 yards while completing 15 of 22passes. Kaden Jeperson accounted for 110 of those yards on only two catches. Etobicoke Eagles had the bye in week one.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Eagles will get a rude welcoming to the 2015 OVFL season falling to Cambridge in a somewhat one-sided affair.
FINAL SCORE: CAMBRIDGE 37 ETOBICOKE 9
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