CFC CEGEP POWER RANKINGS (1): Let’s get ready to rumble!!!!!

With the oppressive humidity of the last few weeks it was really hard to visualize fall football coming anytime soon. But quietly across la Belle Province CEGEPs were opening up training camps and plugging away in the sweltering August heat preparing for the 2015 RSEQ Season. If the 2014 was any indication we should be in for a great year and once again we are proud to be able to bring you the weekly CFC CEGEP POWER RANKINGS. As with last season, our “Power Rankings” differ from a normal top 10 as we look at the best teams “at that time” so the records aren’t necessarily the prime factor, nor does it mean that only Division 1 teams will be in the rankings. One need look no further than last season as  D2 winner St. Jean finished #5, beating out four D1 teams in the process. This year may prove a little more difficult with André-Grasset and Limoilou moving into D1 and if week one is any indication, they should both be very competitive.

Speaking of week one, the 2015 season officially kicked off  Friday night in Lennoxville, where the host Champlain Cougars knocked off D1 newcomer Limoilou 25-14. In other action the Vanier Cheetahs, who didn’t lose a game until week nine last season fell 28-27 at Montmorency. Notre-Dame-de-Foy went on the road to hammer Édouard-Montpetit 42-7 while Lévis-Lauzon exploded for 69 points in their win over Garneau. The final match of week one had defending Bol d’Or champ Vieux Montréal beating last year’s D2 runner up André-Grasset 21-16.

With week one under our belts here are the inaugural 2015 CFC CEGEP POWER RANKINGS.

 

WEEK ONE CFC CEGEP POWER RANKINGS (2014 final power rankings in parenthesis):

1) LES SPARTIATES DU VIEUX MONTRÉAL (1) 1-0 D1 South-West tied 1st place (won 21-16 @ André-Grasset)

This is the time of year that I always quote the immortal words wrestling legend Ric Flair, “If Ya want to be the best, Ya gotta beat the best!!!” and with that in mind, 2014’s top ranked team Les Spartiates du Vieux Montréal retain top spot until someone knocks them off. Les Spartiates come in as the top ranked team but are by no means invincible. Key losses on the defensive side of the ball (namely Mathieu Betts) leave some early question marks, but the return of offensive stars like QB Frederic Paquette-Perrault, RB Edouard Montemiglio and receiver Danny Debrosse-Smith should help ease the transition. (Next Up – Garneau)

 

2) LE NOTRE DAME DE COLLEGE NOTRE DAME-DE-FOY (CNDF) (4) 1-0 D1 North-East tied first place  (won 42-7 @ Édouard-Montpetit)

Only three minutes away from advancing to the Bol d’Or in 2014, CNDF serves notice with a 42-7 drubbing of Édouard-Montpetit. Loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, CNDF has to be a preseason favourite to win it all. On offense expect big things from running back Alexis Côté who rushed for over 1000 yards in 2014. Big test in Vanier next week. (Next Up – Vanier)

 

3) CHAMPLAIN-LENNOXVILLE COUGARS (2) 1-0 D1 North-East tied 1st place (won 25-14 vs. Limoilou)

The Cougars looked great at times in 2014….and not so great at other times. The loss of running back Cedric Joseph to Western will hurt, but QB Mike Arruda keeps any offense in the game. Defensively the void left with the departure of Fred Robitaille to Carleton and Cedric Lussier Roy to Laval will be hard to fill. Will the Cougars be susceptible early? (Next Up – Édouard-Montpetit)

 

4) LES NOMADES DU MONTMORENCY (NR) 1-0 D1 South-West tied first place  (won 28-27 vs. Vanier)

Les Nomades finished 2014 on the cusp of cracking the CFC POWER RANKINGS finishing the season with an “honourable mention” in the final rankings. A big win against Vanier to kickoff the 2015 campaign lands Montmorency in the Power 5. (Next up – @ Limoilou)

 

5) LES PHÉNIX D’ANDRÉ-GRASSET (NR) 0-1 D1  (lost 21-16 @ Vieux Montréal)

The 2014 D2 runner-up kicked off their D1 campaign with a 21-16 loss. Despite the loss big things are expected of André-Grasset’s in their move from D2 to D1, a journey that started with their 2011 D3 Bol d’Or win. (Next Up – Lévis-Lauzon)