CFC CEGEP “POWER 5” (5): Two horse races in both Division 1 & 2

Here we are at the midway point of the 2015 season and although there is half a season to go before the post-season, CNDF and Champlain-Lennoxville look to be the class of Division 1. Both CNDF and the Cougars of Champlain head into the second half of the season unbeaten and on a collision course towards their colossal week seven clash where first place will be on the line. The debate as to who is number one might come to an end in two weeks, but after that all bets are off. Three teams are currently tied at 3-2 with another two teams waiting in the wings at 2-3. With only one win separating spots three through seven, the second half of the 2015 season promises to be a wild one.

The D2 level has been a two man show with Valleyfield and Saint-Jean the two remaining unbeaten, but neither has really been challenged and it will be interesting to see if Valleyfield is up there with Saint-Jean. Time will tell, but for now Saint-Jean remains the lone D2 team to merit consideration in the “Power 5”

With the first half of the season under our belts and the playoff push about to begin here are the Week Five CFC CEGEP “POWER 5”.

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

1) LE NOTRE DAME DE COLLEGE NOTRE DAME-DE-FOY (CNDF) (1) 5-0 (won 41-14 vs. Limoilou)

CNDF highlighted their depth as Twelve different players touched the ball on offense. Ten different players had catches and twelve carried the ball as CNDF rushed for 241 yards in the one-sided win. This weekend’s road game at Montmorency has all the makings of a classic “trap game” and one can be sure that the CNDF coaching staff is doing their utmost to keep the focus on Momo…..for now. (Next Up @ Montmorency)

2) CHAMPLAIN-LENNOXVILLE COUGARS (2) 5-0 (won 40-23 vs. Garneau)

Marc-Antoine Pivin hauled in nine catches for 141 yards while Mike Arruda improved his league leading TD pass total to 12. Much like CNDF, the Cougars need to guard against looking ahead when they go against a good André-Grasset team this weekend. (Next Up @ André-Grasset)

3) LES FAUCONS DE LÉVIS-LAUZON (3) 3-2 (won 50-20 vs. Vanier)

Les Faucons climb back to the number three spot after a thorough trashing of the Vanier Cheetahs. Samuel Cameron had 201 yards on only 11 carries, while QB Francis Bois had 354 yards of total offense (310 passing, 44 rushing) as Lévis-Lauzon exploded for 600 yards on offense. Les Faucons are tied with Champlain in scoring with 197 points in five games. The problem is they have given up 122 points, worst amongst all teams with winning records. (Next Up vs. Vieux Montréal)

 

4) LES GÉANTS DE SAINT-JEAN (5) 4-0 (won 69-6 @ Drummondville)

Saint-Jean have now outscored D2 opponents 277-40 in their first four games. Granted the blowouts have come at the expense of the league’s bottom feeders, but still impressive. Les Géants face their first legitimate test of the 2015 season, hosting 3-1 John Abbott this weekend.  (Next Up vs. John Abbott)

 

5) LES SPARTIATES DU VIEUX MONTRÉAL (NR) (3-2) (won 24-7 vs. Montmorency)

Les Spartiates climb back into the rankings, but this time in the number five spot. Kicker Benjamin Lies and a ferocious defense led the way in their 24-7 win. Lies connected on five of five field goals and the defense held the visiting Nomades offense to under 150 yards. With the passing game struggling, Dynell Pierre continues to carry the offense leading all D1 ball carriers with 630 yards, but les Spartiates need to improve their passing game and redzone efficiency to have any hope of defending their crown. (Next Up @ Lévis-Lauzon)