CFC National Playoff Countdowns & Predictions (ONT): “This will need to be a team win”

Today, CFC continues its exclusive coverage of “National Playoff Countdowns & Predictions”.  Some of these teams are currently ranked in the ‘CFC 50’ high school poll this season.

In this next installment, Leaside Lancers Defensive Coordinator Casba Vegh gives his thoughts and outlooks to the team’s Toronto District Secondary School Athletic Association quarterfinal game against Richview Saints on Friday.

LEASIDE LANCERS VERSUS RICHVIEW SAINTS (TDSSAA – QUARTERFINALS):

“Don’t let our 2-3 regular season record fool anybody. Two of those losses came on last minute plays by the opposition (Northern and Downsview), so we are out to show the league, that we are better than our record indicates.”

Those are the sentiment of Leaside Lancers Defensive Coordinator Casba Vegh as the team prepares for their quarterfinal matchup against Richview Saints on Friday.

While this will mark the first time this season these two squads will meet, both teams are very familiar with each other.  The Lancers know it won’t be an easy task to face the Saints.

“This game versus Richview is going to be a competitive game,” handicapped Vegh of the quarterfinal.  “Both teams are used to playing in November, when weather conditions get colder, and protecting the football becomes a priority.”

“This is a rematch of the junior semi-final from 2012, when turnovers became the difference in Leaside’s loss to Richview.  This has not gone unforgotten.”

While size on both the offensive and defensive lines may be a disadvantage for the Lancers, they make up for it with their speed.

“Our biggest strengths are our team speed and the ability to use a variety of offensive looks,” added Vegh.

Offensively, the Lancers have two main threats in Brentyn Hall and Aidan McFadden.  Running back Connor Piries and quarterback Matthew Georgiadis will also be expected to play prominent roles on the Lancers offensive unit.

There are two standouts that will anchor the Lancers defensive unit.

“Connor Day has become the backbone of the defense, and reliable tackler halfback Billy Janetos will need to put in his usual solid day’s work,” assessed Vegh.

Ultimately it won’t take just a couple of players to step up and lead the Lancers.

“As most people know, we play with 12 men and any one unit of 12 is greater than one or two guys,” expressed Vegh.  “This will need to be a team win.”

PREDICTION: Richview Saints 31, Leaside Lancers 20

LEASIDE LANCERS:

2014 RECORD: 2-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brentyn Hall, Aidan McFadden, Connor Piries (running back), Matthew Georgiadis (quarterback), Connor Day (linebacker), Billy Janetos (defensive back – halfback)

ROSTER:

#	NAME	1	2	3	4	Total
2	Connor Liddell
3	Kishan Patel
4	Cathal Doherty
5	Brentyn Hall
6	Albert Munyorovi
7	Aidan McFadden
8	Taylor Abrahim
10	Brychan Williams
12	Matthew Georgiadis
17	Carter Neal
19	Murphy McNamara
20	Muhammad Anus
24	Austin Freeman
25	Peter Saunders
27	Riley Smith
33	David Birnie
38	Paul Verge
41	Andrew Alvarado
44	Connor Day
47	Theodore Ivanov
52	Jonathan Chung
54	Chad Thornton
55	Devin Dunn
57	Patrick Dolan
63	Valluvan Koneswaran
64	Aidan Maloney
40	Alex Radu
68	Mihai Hirboca
70	Bill Janetos
77	Brenden Quinlan
66	Nikola Visnjic
#	NAME	1	2	3	4	Total
80	Stefan Popovic
83	Cooper Diemer
84	Tomas Antolin-Grant
85	Brendan Parnoja
88	Cameron Sintzel
89	Jack Lawson
94	Jacob Morris
97	Jack Carlton
99	Aidan Beattie
92	Connor Pires

 

 

RICHVIEW SAINTS:

2014 RECORD: 3-1

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)