Attrition seems to be the word of the day in the OFC at the Bantam level. After only three weeks of play there are only two unbeaten teams left. In the north the Oakville Titans have jumped out to a 3-0 start, while in the south the Burlington Stampeders are 2-0. If the early results are any indication, the race to the OFC Bantam crown should be wide open as their doesn’t appear to be any clear cut favourite. In fact the OFC Bantam race may be the most hotly contested this summer.
In the OVFL Myers, Cumberland, Essex and Metro Toronto all boast 3-0 records, while Cambridge sits at 3-0. Falling from the ranks of the undefeated were the London Jr. Mustangs who were unceremoniously dumped 48-6 by the 3rd ranked Essex Ravens. Heading into the midway point of the 2015 season, the annual battle for playoff positions, seedings and home field advantage has begun.
BANTAM (UNDER 15) TOP TEN RANKINGS – WEEK 4 (previous week’s ranking in parenthesis)
1) OTTAWA MYERS RIDERS (1) 3-0 OVFL (won 51-0 vs. York Simcoe) Offensively balanced QB Jared Valentino has fired six QB passes while running back Alexander Purdy is averaging just over 11 yards per carry.
2) BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (2) 2-0 OFC (bye) The Stamps had a week off to prepare for Brantford….that’s not a good thing for Brantford.
3) ESSEX RAVENS (3) 3-0 OFC (won 48-6 vs. London) The Ravens flexed their muscles and made a case for top spot with a convincing 48-6 dismantling of previously unbeaten London. OPC QB Jake Heydon continued his lights out play last weekend going 11 of 13 for 234 yards and 4 tds. Essex does look unbeatable early.
4) CUMBERLAND PANTHERS (4) 3-0 OVFL (won 69-0 vs. Toronto) July 4th date with crosstown rival Myers looming large. The Panthers haven’t been tested yet and that won’t start this weekend against Oshawa.
5) OAKVILLE TITANS (5) 3-0 OFC (won 55-0 vs. Clarington) The Titans have looked very impressive thus far outscoring their opposition 103-33 in their first three games.
6) CAMBRIDGE LIONS (7) 3-0 OVFL (won 68-0 vs. Hamilton Ironmen) Receiver Seth Robertson has five catches this year, FOUR of which for touchdowns.
7) METRO TORONTO WILDCATS (8) 3-0 OVFL (won 41-18 vs. Durham) The Wildcats up their mark to 3-0.
8) HURONIA STALLIONS (NR) 3-0 OFC (won 36-6 vs. Vaughn) The Stallions debut this week at #3..
9) LONDON JUNIOR MUSTANGS (6) 2-1 OVFL (lost 48-6 vs. Essex) It will be interesting to see how the ‘Stangs bounce back.
10) HAMILTON HURRICANES (NR) 2-1 OFC (won 53-34 vs. Brantford)
***Honourable Mention*** Oshawa Hawkeyes (OVFL), Toronto Jr. Argos (OFC)
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