Since reformatting to the U-18 age category in 2010, Team Quebec has been the most dominant team, winning the 2011 FCC and coming 2nd in 2010 to Saskatchewan.Β Β This is how we see the day two games unfolding.
Wednesday July 18th
Game 5 – Nova Scotia vs. ManitobaΒ (10am)
Nova Scotia needs to find a way to muster some offense and Manitoba has to have a better start then game one.Β Β If Manitoba can feed off the good second half they had against Ontario West we like their chances.Β Β If Nova Scotia can produce on offense we like theirs.Β Β Coaching composure weighs heavily in favour of one side.Β Β We like the Manitoba running back combo of Alex Taylor and Blair Mattes.
Manitoba 23 Nova Scotia 18
Game 6 – New Brunswick vs. Ontario East (1pm)
New Brunswick returned to the tournament with a sort of ‘baptism by fire’.Β Β The football gods may have been watching and decided to end the game for them (it was not a forfeiture – as reported on other mediums).Β Β New Brunswick does have a solid running back (Fred Hammond) but very little else that can pressure an oppositions defense.Β Β If Ontario East can work on their ‘sports psychology’Β Β they should win this one.Β Β Ontario East has to find some simpler ways of distributing the ball in their pass game, especially to Malcolm Carter.
Ontario East 32 New Brunswick 7
Game 7 – Quebec vs. Saskatchewan (4pm)
Saskatchewan played the best 7 minutes of football of any team in the tournament.Β Β Against Quebec that same performance will find you in losing column.Β Β Team Quebec may have a better offensive line and better defensive unit then they had in last year’s tournament.Β Β Add to that the big play ability of QB Michael Arruda, these guys will be difficult to beat.Β Β If Saskatchewan can get game one second half composure from Noah Picton they should compete well.Β Β Will have to have a better performance in the run game to give themselves a chance.
Quebec 36 Saskatchewan 12
Game 8 – Alberta vs. Ontario West (7pm)
This will be the game of day 2.Β Β Both teams are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.Β Β Alberta’s Will linebacker Troy Hansen was all over the field on defense and specials.Β Β Ontario West got good production from their linebacking core (Walden et al) and from DBs Parisotto and Johnson.Β Β There were some holes in the defense that coaches hope to fill.
This game may will come down to one position – Quarterback.Β Β Which of the four that played on Sunday is yet to be known.Β Β Alberta QBsΒ Merchantand Rowe were more mobile then the Ontario duel of Roberts and VanWynsberghe, but they were more successful with the long ball.Β Β Flip a coin.
Alberta 27 Ontario West 25
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