This weekend signals the end of the 2015 regular seasons in both the OFC and OVFL. With the playoffs just around the corner there are still a few things to settle before the “second season” begins. In the OFC it’s a very light slate with only three games scheduled for week 9 and the focus, no doubt will be on the Forest City Thunderbird-Burlington Stampeder clash. Although all the playoff spots have been clinched the seeds have not. The winner of this one will host a first round playoff game and the loser will start the postseason on the road.
In the OVFL there’s a lot more at stake as three teams; Kingston, Durham West and York Simcoe vie for the two remaining playoff spots in the OVFL’s Wettges Conference.
CUMBERLAND PANTHERS (4-3) @ YORK SIMCOE BUCS (3-4)Β – Sat. July 18th 16h00 St. Maximillian Kolbe CHS
THE MATCHUP: The Cumberland Panthers are a bit of a question mark, are they amongst the elite, or just a notch below. Time will tell as the playoffs loom. The Bucs have to win to make the postseason and it will be interesting to see how that sense of urgency plays out against a stronger opponent.
PANTHERS TO WATCH:Β RB Kian Williams, DL Samuel Obiang, QB Alex Lawrie, REC Willy Dimbongi, LB Charlean Alain
BUCS TO WATCH: DB Danny McWhirter, DB Matthew Vassos, QB Ben Langlois, RB Ron Boshoer, WR Jordan Torres
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Panthers are just too much for a game yet nonetheless overmatched York team.
FINAL SCORE: CUMBERLAND 44 YORK SIMCOE 14
FOREST CITY THUNDERBIRDS (5-2) @ #7 BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (6-1)Β – Sat. July 11th 13h00 University of Guelph
THE MATCHUP: The Stampeders come into this one licking their wounds as a fourth quarter onslaught by Guelph last season knocked the previously unbeaten Stamps from the top spot in the #CFC10. Guelph scored four unanswered TDs in the final frame en route to a 63-21 win and in the process, clinching the OFC South. Burlington who had just come off a blowout win of their own over highly regarded Hamilton, looked to be the odds on favourite to win back the crown they relinquished in 2014. But that was then….this is now. The Stamps cannot afford to go into the playoffs on a two game skid with waning confidence, not in the uber competitive OFC South.
Forest City has quietly notched a 5-2 record this year and have been on the cusp of the #CFC10 all season. A win in this one would see them host a first round game and crack the top 10 going into the playoffs. The Thunderbirds bounced back nicely after being dismantled by Guelph, now the question is can Burlington do the same?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Stamps should shake off any malaise and bring their A game in this one, still one of the province’s best teams they should outlast a very good Thunderbirds team who will be a dangerous “out” in the 2015 postseason.
FINAL SCORE: BURLINGTON 33 FOREST CITY 24
KINGSTON GRENADIERS (3-4) @ OSHAWA HAWKEYES (4-3)Β –Β Sat. July 11th 17h30 Oshawa Civic Stadium
THE MATCHUP: The Hawkeyes came up big last weekend, knocking off the Durham West Dolphins 27-7 and clinching a playoff spot in the process. But don’t think for a minute this group is satisfied with their accomplishments so far. Oshawa will be looking to enter the postseason on a high note and will gunning for a 5-3 finish and avoid any tie-breaker scenario. Kingston comes in under much more urgent circumstances, needing a win to ensure a playoff bid.
GRENADIERS TO WATCH: QB Drew Freake, LB/L Chad Stymes, DL Hunter Dickerson
HAWKEYES TO WATCH: DB Moshen Al-Tamimi, DB Liam Potter, DL Aaron Sporar QB David Maecker, REC Matt Hurley
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Hawkeyes are for real and are a step above Kingston
FINAL SCORE: OSHAWA 24 KINGSTON 14
DURHAM WEST DOLPHINS (3-4) @ #2 MYERS RIDERS (7-0)Β –Β Sat. July 18th 12h30 University of Ottawa
THE MATCHUP: The Dolphins had a chance to clinch a playoff spot last week with a win. They failed to do so, falling to the Oshawa Hawkeyes 27-7 making this weekend a must win or they will need help and unfortunately it’s against Myers.
DOLPHINS TO WATCH:Β DL Jaiden Cruz, QB William Rock, RB Rasheed Tucker, LB Christian Claros-Ayala, RB/REC Bailey Grimes
RIDERS TO WATCH:Β RB JP Cimankinda, DB Liam Paquette, RB Hayden Tripp, LB AJ Oickle, LB Alejandro Politis, REC Owen Clement
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: No let up by Myers as they cruise in this one..
FINAL SCORE: MYERS 49 DURHAM WEST 7Β
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