The varsity London Junior Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) are well aware of what they are up against in the wildcard round of the playoffs. The sixth place Adams division Mustangs will be in Cambridge taking on the third place Lions.
The two teams met in week seven, and the Mustangs came out on top 50-48. Jordan Haylor, Head Coach of the Mustangs expects it to be another offensive affair. He knows that the quarterbacks are the ones to watch.
“(James) Roberts (Lions QB) is one of the best in Ontario, no question,” said Haylor. “He does everything well.”
“For us, if Luke Petropoulakis can have another good game, we feel like we have a great chance.”
Instead of trying to put a complete stop on Roberts, the Mustangs hope to just slow him down.
“This is not a game we will win 7-6,” said Haylor. “Our defence understands that Cambridge will move the ball and score some points on us.”
“We need to manage the game well as coaches and try to win it in the fourth quarter.”
While the Mustang defence will be looking for aerial assaults, the offence is expecting some trench warfare. They will be led by running back Cole Kussmann, who had 222 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions in Week 7.
“He’s our workhorse.If Cole is getting lots of carries, then we like our chances,” said Haylor. “Our run game is our strength.”
Not only does the running game provide offence for the Mustangs, but Haylor plans to use it to his advantage on defence as well.
“The better we run it, the more we are able to keep their offence off the field,” said Haylor.
The Mustangs are coming into the playoffs, following a 50-7 win over Hamilton. They hope to keep that momentum alive.
“We feel like we are playing our best football at the end of the season, which is always the goal,” said Haylor. “The last two weeks we have been basically been playing playoff football as it has been do or die for us.”
The Jr. Mustangs will visit the Cambridge Lions on Saturday. Kickoff at 8pm.
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