It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly a football season can go by and this year was no exception. Just like that we are about to close the curtain on another OFC summer season, but before we do there is the matter of a couple of new champions to be crowned at the Varsity and JV levels. Guelph University’s Alumni Stadium will play host to the OFC Championship Weekend and the only certainty is the changing of the guard at the Varsity and JV levels. The Hamilton Hurricanes were the defending champs at both levels and heading into the playoffs, were contenders to repeat. The Varsity Hurricanes ran into a red hot Burlington Stampeders squad and were dumped in the first round 33-23, while their JV counterparts knocked off Burlington in round 1 only to fall last week in the OFC South Final 35-17 to the unbeaten Guelph Gryphons.
The surprising and unbeaten Toronto Jr. Argos will take on the Burlington Stampeders in the Varsity game and at the JV level two unbeatens will go toe-to-toe, with Guelph “hosting” the Peterborough Wolverines. The South has been dominant at both the Varsity and JV levels, having won the championship game the last several seasons. Is 2015 the year of a breakthrough for the North??
OFC VARSITY (under 20) CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#3 TORONTO JR ARGOS (8-0) @ #5 BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (6-2):
The Matchup: The Toronto Jr. Argos come into this one looking to put the final touches on what has been a dream season and a win in the ‘Ship would serve as a bookend to a perfect year. The Jr. Argos crept up on everyone winning early and often but by the tiniest of margins against everyone, strong and weak alike. We said it during the mid-season but it was as if they were continuously playing to the level of their competition, definitely a recipe for disaster. A funny thing happened though, they kept winning and the margins started to grow. In last weekend’s OFC North final it looked like the Jr. Argos would finally be on the losing end of a tight one, but with under a minute left they prevailed and escaped with a 23-22 win. We asked the question before, but are the Jr. Argos a team of destiny?
The OFC South champ, the Burlington Stampeders looked like an early exit from the playoffs may have been looming as they dropped their final two to close out the regular season. With a first round game against the defending champion Hurricanes things didn’t look promising. Looks can be deceiving…..The Stamps came out like gangbusters and avenged both regular season losses, first knocking off the Canes 33-23 and then doubling up Guelph 42-21 in the division finals. The Stamps look like the team that spent time in the top 3 and heads into this one as the favourite.
Why Toronto might win: Quarterback Esson Hamilton can be a one man show offensively and keeps the Jr. Argos in any game. If Hamilton can extend plays and slow down the Stamps rush with his ability to scramble, it could be a long day for Burlington.
Why Burlington might win: The Stamps ground game is the OFC’s best. A three headed monster, Dom Mandalfino, Jordan Lyons and Justin Veltri can be devastating under any circumstances let alone in the August heat. If the Stamps get rolling they can suck the will out of any defense.
Toronto Player(s) to watch: QB Esson Hamilton
Burlington Player(s) to watch: RB Jordan Lyons
What will happen: The Stamps are too strong and too deep. Yes, Hamilton is the real deal but look for Burlington to pound the ball effectively both tiring the Jr Argo defense and keeping Hamilton off the field.
FINAL SCORE: Burlington 33 Toronto 14
OFC JUNIOR VARSITY (under 17) CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#3 GUELPH JR GRYPHONS (8-0) @ #4 PETERBOROUGH WOLVERINES (8-0):
The Matchup: The dream final, two unbeaten division leaders and the most dominant JV squads of 2015. The Wolverines organization as a whole as been getting better every season and has to be considered amongst the OFC elite. At the JV level the Wolverines were the OFC’s most dominant team….bar none. The Wolverines outscored opponents 381-81 en route to their 8-0 regular season.
The Guelph Jr. Gryphons came into 2015 as a bit of an after thought with folks looking at Hamilton and Burlington as the league’s heavyweights. Sure Guelph was considered to have a shot to make the playoffs, but were still viewed in the second tier…..no more. The Jr. Gryphons blew out Burlington and knocked off defending champ Hamilton twice in 2015 (once in the regular season and last weekend for the divisional final), leaving no doubt who the best in the South is.
Why Guelph might win: The Jr. Gryphons overall team speed takes over. The Jr. Griffs win any type of track meet in this year’s OFC.
Why Peterborough might win: Peterborough’s rushing attack is right up there with the best of them and they should have the ability to eat up yards and time. If the Wolverines D is fresh they can takeover a game on their own.
Guelph Player(s) to watch: RB Riley Boersma, QB Dakota Brown, REC Tommy Nield
Peterborough Player(s) to watch: RB Cam Gilmore, REC/RET Nick Clarkin, Ryan McNamara
What will happen: I want to call Peterborough in the upset, I was all set to do it…..but I just can’t pick against this Guelph team. The Jr. Gryphons win this one pulling it out late…did I mention I am SO tempted to pick Peterborough.
FINAL SCORE: Guelph 31 Peterborough 30
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