Usually a week three battle between a couple of unbeatens doesn’t generte alot of hype, at least not this early. This weekend in Windsor however could be the exception. Both the London Jr. Mustangs and the Essex Ravens have become synonymous with Ontario gridiron supremacy and this weekend the two meet, with the winner claiming top spot in the OVFL’s Adam conference(for now).
#6 LONDON JR. MUSTANGS (2-0) @ #3 ESSEX RAVENS (2-0)
THE MATCHUP: Two unbeatens, two perennial powers……does it get any better than this? Both offences in this one can score, but Essex does it through the air, a bit of a rarity at Bantam. Sure both teams can run, but Ravens QB Jake Heydon is quietly establishing himself as the league’s best passer. Don’t get me wrong Essex can run it as well, evidenced by rb Justin Pope’s 270 yards in two games. Pope has averaged a whopping 8.9 yards per carry, making the Ravens offence the definition of balanced. The Mustangs have been a different story altogether. What Essex has been to balanced, London has been to one dimensional. Now, one dimensional sounds bad, but when you rack up over 500 yards on the ground in two games…it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Running back Cameron Guest has been leading the way tallying almost 500 yards in two games (482 to be exact).
Defensively both teams have been good. The Mustangs are led by a couple tackling machines in linebackers Luke Stiles and Zack Blesity. Kaiden Burdock leads the way for an Essex defense which has caused 8, that’s right 8 turnovers in two games.
WHY LONDON WILL WIN: The ‘Stangs boast a defense that can range from sideline to sideline. Blesity is amongst the legue best and can change a game on his own. London has the defense to shut down Essex and if Cameron Guest goes off, look out!
WHY ESSEX WILL WIN: Offensively, this may be the most balanced team in the Bantam Adam conference. The Ravens should be ble to keep the London D guessing and on their heels.
MUSTANG PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Zack Blesity, LB Luke Stiles, RB Cameron Guest
RAVEN PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Jake Heydon, DL Zack Argent, LB Kaiden Burdock, RB Justin Pope
WHAT WILL HAPEN: Another great OVFL Bantam matchup, this should be a classic. You heard it here both these games make the playoffs with one going deep, who that is we’ll see, but the ability to force turnovers on D and pass on O give the Ravens the edge in week three as they pull out a squeaker.
FINAL SCORE: ESSEX 29 LONDON 26
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