CFC “CEGEP POWER 5” (4): CNDF, Champlain-Lennoxville & Geants all roll

Unbelievably we are already at the midway point of the 2015 Division 1 season with D2 and 3 rapidly approaching the middle of their season’s as well. Who would have thought that perennial powers Vanier and Vieux Montréal would be struggling at this point of the season, both on the outside looking in as the second half playoff race begins. Sure there is an awful lot of football left to be played before the final invites are handed out, but both the Cheetahs and Spartiates need to turn things around in a hurry if they have any hope of seeing the 2015 postseason.

We said it last week, but it looks like anyone’s ball game at the D1 level as parity reigns supreme. CNDF and Champlain-Lennoxville remain the class of the league and the division’s only unbeaten teams, with both improving to 4-0 on the season. But neither looks unbeatable and Lévis-Lauzon, Limoilou and Montmorency all look poised to pounce in the second half of 2015….stay tuned!!

D2 defending champ Saint-Jean once again appears to be the team to beat and currently look like they are part of a two man race with John Abbott. For the second week in a row Les Géants crack the “Power 5” begging the question, how well WOULD they fare at the D1 level? Let the debate begin.

Without further ado…….this week’s “CEGEP POWER 5”

WEEK FOUR CFC CEGEP POWER 5 (Last week’s “Power 5” ranking in parenthesis):

 

1) LE NOTRE DAME DE COLLEGE NOTRE DAME-DE-FOY (CNDF) (1) 4-0 (won 21-9 @ André-Grasset)

CNDF improves to 4-0 with a 21-9 road win over André-Grasset. The offense was less than electrifying, but Chadrick Tchanga Henry’s six catches and Alexis Côté 105 yards rushing were enough to lead the way for Notre Dame. Defensively Alexandre Paré had another big game registering seven solo tackles, two for loss and a sack keeping the André-Grasset offense in check all afternoon.

We will find out just how good CNDF is over the next three weeks with games against Limoilou, Montmorency and Champlain on the slate. A potentially brutal stretch indeed. (Next Up vs. Limoilou)

 

2) CHAMPLAIN-LENNOXVILLE COUGARS (2) 4-0 (won 32-10 @ Vanier)

The Cougars were a one man show on offense as Guillaume Conrad-Ares led his team in both rushing and receiving. Conraud-Ares had three catches for 76 yards, while notching 142 yards and three scores on 22 carries. Defensively Samuel Brodrique and Cheikhe Sidy Sow led the way with 11.5 and 11 tackles respectively. Broderique also had two sacks, while Sow also recorded a sack to go along with a pick…not a bad afternoon. On one of their “less efficient” days passing the Cougars still scored 32 points, displaying balance and depth across the board.  (Next Up vs. Garneau)

 

3) LES NOMADES DU MONTMORENCY (NR) (3-1) (won 29-25 vs. Lévis-Lauzon)

Les Nomades reenter the Power 5 on the heels of a 29-25 win against previously third ranked Lévis-Lauzon. Joanik Masse averaged 7.7 yards per carry rushing for 131 yards on only 17 carries. QB Francis Bois fired three touchdown passes in the win. It’s easy to forget but Montmorency is just a road loss away from being unbeaten. (Next Up @ Vieux Montréal)

 

4) LES FAUCONS DE LÉVIS-LAUZON (3) 2-2 (lost 29-25 @ Montmorency)

After opening the season with a couple of impressive wins and les Faucons have dropped back to back games to fall to 2-2. Although it’s only week 5 this weekend’s game against Vanier is as close to a must win as you can get this early. Not for the standings, but to regain lost momentum. But before one sounds the alarms, keep in mind the two losses have come to Champlain and Montmorency, two teams with a combined 7-1 record . (Next Up vs. Vanier)

 

5) LES GÉANTS DE SAINT-JEAN (5) 3-0 (won 71-6 @ Victoriaville)

Saint-Jean has outscored the opposition 208-34 in their first three games of 2015 and with Drummondville up next, things aren’t about to change.  (Next Up vs. Drummondville)