CFC OFC Game of the Week Preview: “We have to focus and prepare for this game.”

Going into Week 7 of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) season, the varsity Twin Cities Predators are looking to continue their winning streak.

For three straight weeks, the Predators have played impressively and are completing solid wins which is giving the team more momentum in the second half of the season.

Most importantly, Predators Head Coach Kevin Horn has noticed his older players really stepping up to ensure the success of the team.

“They are the ones leading the charge and making the plays we need to win games,” said Horn.  “It’s been great to see our experienced guys get things done on both sides of the ball.”

Last week’s game against the Niagara Storm was called at half time with injury concerns for a sparse Storm squad.  As a result. the Preds took home a 34-0 win in a game that was called at halftime.

Going into this week, the Predators are facing the 5-1 Brantford Bisons, whose only loss this season has been to the undefeated Hamilton Hurricanes. The explosive Predators know they are up for a tough game especially on a short week after playing a Sunday night game in Week 6.

However, Horn is confident and knows the team is up for the challenge.

“It’s not ideal to play on a short week […] we will make sure to use practice this week to prep and we will be 100 percent ready to play them,” said Horn.  “It should be a great game.”

The Predators will be counting on consistent performers Mitch Kernick, Jaedon Herron, Jake Skrinda (caught three interceptions against Forest City Thunderbirds in Week 4), Corey Jones and Tyler Majaury to lead the charge against the Bisons.

The Predators and Bisons will battle on Friday July 4th on Bison Alumni Field.

As for the junior varsity Predators,  the team also enjoying some wins after a rough first half to the season. Week 4 saw the Predators lose over a tough goal line to Forest City Thunderbirds.  However in Week 5, the Predators came up with a 42-19 win over Chatham-Kent Cougars.

“Every aspect of our game came together,” added Head Coach Jim Macarthur of the Week 5 win.

Last week against the Niagara Storm, the junior varsity Predators got another win, 10-2 after a delay with ten minutes left in the game due to lightning.

Going on the road to play against the Sarnia Sturgeon, Macarthur said there is one very important thing the team learned against the Storm.

“Our guys learned to win an ugly game, we had lots of successes but also lots of mistakes and it wasn’t pretty but we won it,” said Macarthur.

Going into Week 7, the junior Preds are going to rely on their strengthening defense, which limited the Storm to only two points.

“I’m really proud of our defense, it was a defensive shut out for us against Niagara, they didn’t break and always keep it together to make crucial plays,” reflected Macarthur.

One standout player last week was David Gill, who caught two interceptions and also had a fumble recovery against Storm.

“He played an awesome game, he has really worked on reading the offense and is great at learning and listening from the coaches,” commented Macarthur.   “Coach Kenny Myers has done a great job working with them and helping them make plays happen.”

Along with Gill, the Preds will be relying on Daniel Stirling, Keyeli Wonch- Castiglione, Jesse Lautenslager, Matt Wilkinson, Ronnie Macarthur and Tavian Shand to contribute on the field.

In preparation for the Sturgeon,  the Predators are going to focus on offense line play,

“We had no offensive touchdown last week which is concerning,” explained Macarthur.  “We need to work on understanding and executing new plays, protecting our quarterback and getting our feet going.”

“It’s just a matter of focus.”

The winless Sturgeon only have one point for them this season but the Predators do not expect it to be an easy game.

“The ones you expect to win can be the most challenging, we have to focus and prepare for this game,” said Macarthur.

The junior varsity Predators play the Sturgeon on Sunday July 6th at Norm Perry Field.