It’s that time of year where the temperatures reach their peak throughout Ontario and the real dog days of summer begin. What used to mean vacation, lazy nights, cottages, now means football as the Ontario summer season enters the 2015 playoffs in both the OFC and OVFL. Without further delay here’s our best shot at who will advance.
OVFL ADAM CONFERENCE WILDCARD – SSM SABERCATS (5-3) @ #10 CAMBRIDGE LIONS (4-3)Β –Β Sat. July 25th 20h00 Jacob Hespeler Field
THE MATCHUP: In a rematch of last weekend’s season finale for both teams, there will be two big differences. This time it will be in Cambridge and the loser’s season is over. With the finality of it all, expect two teams that can play old fashioned knock ’em down football to come out swinging. Despite a 44-25 Cambridge win, this one could go either way as the Sabercats showed they can beat anyone on any given day, knocking off previously top ranked Niagara in week seven.
SABERCATS TO WATCH: LB Michael Reid, DB Lautaro Frecha, LB Nicolas Nicoletta, REC Austin Wesley, RB Justin Senecal
LIONS TO WATCH: KR/PR Nathan McLean, QB Brendan Carey, DB Riley Pilkey, REC Gordon Lam, Jared Beeksma, OL Andrew Spencer, DB Owen Sutcliffe
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: This one could go either way…but it won’t. Cambridge picked off SSM five times last week and that was no fluke. The Lions secondary is amongst the province’s best leading the OVFL with 21 interceptions on the season. Look for the Soo to come out and fight the good fight, but Cambridge will make a few more plays, key plays. The Lions will pull away in the fourth.
FINAL SCORE: CAMBRIDGE 37 SSM 24
OFC SOUTH SEMIFINAL – #8 BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (6-2) @ #5 HAMILTON HURRICANES (7-1)Β – Fri. July 24th 20h00 Ron Joyce Stadium
THE MATCHUP: In a rematch of a week seven classic, the Stamps will try and avenge their 20-18 last second loss and advance to the OFC South final with a win. The Stampeders come in on a two game skid and risk seeing a once promising season end in the first round, if they can’t turn things around in a hurry. Burlington has the talent but the question is do they have the confidence?
The Hurricanes, on the other hand have bounced back from their first ever OFC summer loss to win out and earn home field. But make no mistake about it, the Canes know the last one could have went either way and will be very focused. Led by Windsor commit QB Liam Putt, the Hurricanes boast a star-studded offense, capable of scoring quickly and a big play defense, ranked #1 in the OFC.
BURLINGTON PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Clarke McCallum, RB Jordan Lyons, RB Dominic Mandalfino, REC Josh Palmer, REC Nick Cassola,
HAMILTON PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Liam Putt, REC Nick Petermann,Β DL Dan Fascione, DE Damian Tesoro, RB Osayi Iginuan, DB Jake Baker
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: This one should be similar to the week seven encounter and come down to the wire. Both teams are skilled and deep. Boasting balance, speed and size on both sides of the ball, these two heavyweights will treat fans to some great ball. But who will win?? Normally it’s very tough to beat a high quality opponent twice in such a short span and although this is no exception, I think Hamilton pulls it off winning another nail-biter. Like the last time, I like the Liam Putt factor.
FINAL SCORE: HAMILTON 28 BURLINGTON 24
OVFL ADAM CONFERENCE WILDCARD -MISSISSAUGA WARRIORS (4-4) @ #6 LONDON JR MUSTANGS (6-2) Β Sat. July 25th TD Stadium 16h00
The MATCHUP: In a rematch of the 2015 season opener Mississauga travels to London to take on the Jr. Mustangs in Adam Conference Wildcard action. The Warriors come in led by 2014 Team Ontario pivot Kevin John. John is a multipurpose threat who can pressure a defense with both his arm and legs and keeps Mississauga in any game. The Warriors are considered by many the most dangerous “out” for any of the favourites and should not be taken lightly.
The Mustangs bounced back after a disappointing 2014 season and were only 6 points away from being unbeaten. The London ground game is the best in the OVFL with the London banging out 2511 yards rushing in 2015. Cole Kussman led all OVFL rushers accumulating 1621 yards on 185 carries leading a prolific Mustang offense that can pile up the points. The problem lies with a defense which on occasion will give up a pile of points and needs to tighten up if they hope to squash a Mississauga uprising.
MISSISSAUGA PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Kevin John, LB Jack Caesar, REC Kian Schaffer-Baker,
LONDON PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Tristan Arndt, RB Cole Kussman, DB Noah Hallett,
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Mustangs will ground and pound keeping Kevin John and the Warrior offense off the field for extended clips and that will be their key to victory.
FINAL SCORE: JR MUSTANGS 38 WARRIORS 31
OTHER PLAYOFF GAMES:
OFC SOUTH SEMIFINAL: GUELPH 38 BRANTFORD 18 – A loss to Brantford is the only blemish on the Jr. Gryphons record…it won’t happen again.
OFC NORTH SEMIFINAL: TORONTO JR ARGOS 31 SUDBURY 10 –Β The Jr. Argos seem to be getting better each week.
OFC NORTH SEMIFINAL: PETERBOROUGH 33 HURONIA 22 –Β The Wolverines will pull away, getting another crack at the Jr. Argos.
OVFL WETTGES CONFERENCE WILDCARD: CUMBERLAND 21 METRO TORONTO 14 – Laurier commit Kurleigh Gittens Jr. will be the difference in this one.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Prospect Game Spotlight: Alberta punter aiming for the moon
