Even though it may be the first official long weekend of the summer and school’s out, things are heating up on Ontario football fields.
As we are getting closer to the end of the regular season in both the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and Ontario Football Conference (OFC), teams are already playing as through they are fighting for survival – mainly a spot in the postseason.
Here are a few of the key games this weekend to keep an eye on:
VARSITY:
ONTARIO VARSITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE (OVFL):
CAMBRIDGE LIONS @ NIAGARA SPEARS (SATURDAY JULY 2ND, 8:00PM KIWANIS FIELD):
Two teams with a history will reignite their rivalry once again on Saturday night in Niagara.
The Cambridge Lions who are 4-1 on the season are visitng the Spears who have been perfect so far in 2016 with a 6-0 record.
Jackson White will guide the offence as he has throughout the season. So far in 2016, the pivot has completed 75 passes in 119 attempts for 1100 yards and 12 touchdowns. White have two viable options to connect with on the field – Brandon Metz (410 yards on 59 carries and three touchdowns) and Riley Boersma (377 yards on 23 receptions and four touchdowns).
Defensively, the Spears are led by #CFCOPC Jack Andrews.
However, no one has been able to crack the Spears code after six games. Quarterback Tre Ford orchestrates the offence and has completed 81 passes in 116 attempts for 1568 yards and 19 touchdowns. His main target on Saturday is expected to be receiver Jordan Terrio, who is coming off a three touchdown performance against the SSM Sabrecats. Terrio has amassed 643 yards on 29 receptions and seven receptions this season.
Special teams will play a big role in this game and each team has a solid kicker – the Lions have Nathan McLean while the Spears counter with Owen Charnock.
Ultimately, the Spears will be too much for the Lions to handle on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Niagara Spears 40, Cambridge Lions 23
ONTARIO FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (OFC):
BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS @ NORTH HALTON CRIMSON TIDE (JULY 1ST, 8:15PM):
If you are looking for gridiron Canada Day fireworks, North Halton will be the site of a great contest.
Burlington Stampeders will put their undefeated record to the test as the team visits the Crimson Tide.
Each of these teams comes in this week with an OFC Player of the Week. The Crimson Tide’s Elrick Harty rushed for 174 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns in the team’s victory over Oakville Titans. For his efforts, he was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week.
On the other side, Jack Miller comes into this game as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week. Miller recorded two sacks and registered six tackles to help to Stampeders dismantle the Guelph Jr. Gryphons.
The Stampeders have #CFC100 Dominic Mandalfino who has been on a tear in 2016 with 574 rushing yards and a league leading 10 touchdowns.
Unless the Crimson Tide can tame Mandalfino, Miller and company, the Stampeders will be rolling out of North Halton with their perfect record unblemished.
PREDICTION: Burlington Stampeders 50, North Halton Crimson Tide 17
Photo credit: London Jr. Mustangs
JUNIOR VARSITY:
ONTARIO VARSITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE (OVFL):
BRAMPTON BULLDOGS @ LONDON JR. MUSTANGS (FRIDAY JULY 1ST, 5:30PM, TD WATERHOUSE STADIUM):
In London, there will be a Canada Day matchup between two highly competitive squads.
The hosts Mustangs are on a roll and still remain undefeated after five games while the Bulldogs hope to regain their winning momentum after suffering their first defeat at the hands of the Niagara Spears last week.
The Bulldogs expect pivot Shaye Winter to lead the offensive front and Antonio Webb to anchor the defence.
While the Bulldogs could make a go of this game, the problem is they have to shut down the dynamic duo of Ethan Martin and Chase Brown. Martin, who was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week turned in an impressive performance against Essex Ravens as he completed four passes in six attempts for 112 yards and five touchdowns as well as 66 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
So far in 2016, Brown has racked up 451 yards on 27 carries and seven touchdowns for the Jr. Mustangs.
Overall, the Jr. Mustangs have too much offensive firepower for the Bulldogs to handle.
PREDICTION: London Jr. Mustangs 48, Brampton Bulldogs 20
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