#CFC10 PREVIEWS & PREDICTIONS (2): Classic rivalry to open OFC season, key OVFL battles on three fronts

It’s a big weekend on the gridiron in Ontario as the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) begins the 2016 season.

Already after one week of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), battle lines have been drawn as each passing week emphasizes the important of winning key games in both the Adam and Wettges Conferences.

Here are a few of the key matchups we are handicapping this week in both leagues:

OVFL:

VARSITY:

CAMBRIDGE LIONS @ LONDON JR MUSTANGS (Sat MAY 28th, 7:00PM @ TD Waterhouse Stadium):

With the stakes very high in the very competitive Adam Conference, the Cambridge Lions come into London this weekend hoping to take a bite out of the London Jr. Mustangs.

The Mustangs are in search of their first victory of the 2016 season and are coming off 17-9 loss at the hands of last year’s defending champions Essex Ravens. One thing that the Mustangs need to work on is generating offence as the Ravens defence shut down their game last weekend.

Offensively, watch for a pair of running backs expected to carrry the load for the team – Brentyne AndersonBrown and newcomer Tazie Vang Bell.  #CFC100 Daniel Valente highlgihts the Mutsangs defence.

For the second straight week, the Jr. Mustangs will be facing a very tough Lions defence.  In last week’s 35-11 victory over the Hamilton Ironman, Jacob Spencer had 4.5 sacks 5 solo tackles 1 ta and a fumble recovery for 3 yards.

The Lions offence will be led by quarterback Jackson White completed 19 passes in 26 attempts for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

With every game being important in the Adam Conference, we’re taking the home team to get their first win of the season.

PREDICTION: London Jr. Mustangs 28, Cambridge Lions 24

HAMILTON IRONMEN @ ETOBICOKE EAGLES (SAT MAY 28th, 4:00PM @ Michael Power/St.Joseph High School):

This is a battle of 0-1 teams and the only two things for certain are this – one team will get their first victory of the season and the other will go 0-2 on the season.

Offensively, the Eagles will look to receiver Keegan Dicks for production as he scored two touchdowns and amassed 153 yards on four receptions. Additonally, Justice Allin 77 yards on 19 carries, 1 touchdown) and Max Melville (completed 10 passes on 28 attempts for 231 yards) will be sparkplugs on the offence.

Defensively, the Eagles will be led Cameron Buck who caught an interception and registered four solo tackles in last week’s game.

As for the Ironmen, offence and special teams will play a prominent role, led by Austin Papalazarou who had 139 yards on nine receptions in last week’s lost to Cambridge Lions.  Moreover, pivot Alexander Di Pietro will lead the Ironmen’s game execution plan as he tallied the lone major as well as completed 16 passes in 25 attempts for 193 yards.

On special teams, kicker David Benedetti is the one to watch for the Ironmen.

PREDICTION: Etobicoke Eagles 20, Hamilton Ironmen 17

JUNIOR VARSITY:

SSM SABRECATS @ OTTAWA MYERS RIDERS (SUN MAY 29th, 1:00PM @ Beckwith Recreation Park):

A batlle of undefeated teams takes centre stage this weekend as the SSM Sabrecats and Ottawa Myers Riders are both riding momentum waves after scoring huge Week 1 wins.

The Sabrecats will have to solve the problem of how to contain Myers Riders offensive star Hayden Tripp who was unstoppable in last week’s win over the Toronto Thunder.  In that game, Tripp scored nine touhcdowns and rushed for 130 yards on nine carries.

Furthermore, the Myers Riders have other targets that the Sabrecats need to be on alert for – Terrell Brown (105 yards on two carries, 1 touchdown), Hono Iloki (74 yards on two carries, one touchdown) and Nicklas Sua (70 yards).

However if last week was any idication, the Myers Riders defence could very well have their hands full with the Sabrecats offence.  Led by pivot Jordan Robinson-Wright who completed 20 passes in 28 attempts for 303 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s victory over York Region Lions.

Nik Gervasi (three majors and rushed for 188 yards on 15 carries), Skylar Premo-Miceli (two touchdowns and racked up 106 yards on five receptions), Antwan Fair (77 yards on three receptions) and Tevin Daybutch (72 yards on six carries) will also play prominent roles on the Sabrecats offence.

The Sabrecats defence will be anchored by Joseph Rosso and Geryd Lesage.

We see this one going down to the wire and it will come down to special teams and turnovers.  Whichever team seizes the opportunity at the right time will come out on top in this contest.

PREDICTION: Ottawa Myers Riders 42, SSM Sabrecats 38

OFC:

VARSITY:

BRANTFORD BISONS VS HAMILTON TIGER CATS (SATURDAY MAY 28th @ 5:00PM):

As the OFC regular season begins this weekend, a timeless rivalry highlights week 1 action.

Formerally the Hamilton Hurricanes, the Hamilton Varsity Tigers Cats come into the 2016 season with a fresh name and look. However, the team is still reeling from a disappointing campaign last year that saw them lose to the Burlington Stampeders in the semi-finals.

Leading the charge for the Varsity Hurricanes this year is defensive back Nolan Putt, #CFC100 pivot Connor Carusello and newcomer Jacob Patton.

As for the Bisons, pivot Matt Krason, slotback Raymond Martino and running back Kevin Cann wil spearhead the offence.  Defensively, watch for Hunter Stenner, Jamal Chase and Ethan Cole.

With two iconic coaches leading these teams in Rob Underhill (Hamilton) and Kelly Ireland (Brantford), expect this one to provide a ton of explosive plays and dramatic fireworks.

PREDICTION: Hamilton Varsity Tiger Cats 35, Brantford Bisons 20.