The last two weeks of football at the JV level have featured some great, wire to wire battles featuring some of the province’s powerhouses squaring off. We’ve seen successive changes at the top spot, while also seeing unbeaten streaks fall by the wayside. Fortunately for football fans the trend continues in the second half of the season with each week’s results becoming more important as time goes by.
This week’s action features a couple of marquee matchups that feature one-loss teams. Etobicoke, Niagara, Cumberland and Durham West all come in with a sole blemish on their win-loss ledger and all four want to keep it that way. Any chance of a first round bye would almost certainly be lost with a second defeat.
Who will remain in the race for a conference title or first round bye? Time will tell, but in the meantime here’s the weekly picks with this edition of the #CFC10 Previews and Predictions.
JUNIOR VARSITY (UNDER 17) PREDICTIONS WEEK 5:
ETOBICOKE EAGLES (3-1) @ #6 NIAGARA SPEARS (3-1) – Fri. June 26th 19h30 Kiwanis Field
THE MATCHUP: The Etobicoke Eagles come into this one 3-1 and in contention, but many out there question the legitimacy of the Eagles “Honourable Mention” in this week’s #CFC10 Summer Rankings. Sure their only loss was a respectable one to previously top ranked Cambridge but their wins have been less than impressive. The Eagles three wins come against opponents sporting a combined 2-12 record through the midway point. Not exactly JV titans. Obviously a win against Niagara would change this perception immediately, the question is can they pull it off.
Niagara on the other hand comes in flying high and with everyone’s respect having knocked the aforementioned Cambridge Lions out of top spot. With their only blemish coming at the hands of London, arguably the provinces hottest team they are without a doubt the real deal. The Spears are stellar defensively with Jake Porter leading a secondary that makes opponents pay for their mistakes. With three picks on the season coupled with his team leading 18.5 tackles (12 solo 13 assists) Porter is a ballhawk who is not afraid to mix it up. Defensive back Reid Wiley also has three interceptions, while Sandor Mod has proved to be a run-stopping force who can torment QBs. Offensively Maksym Nazartchyk and Cole Burniston lead the way carrying the burden on the ground for a team that is fairly one-dimensional.
ETOBICOKE PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Samuel Conteh, LB Devonte Smikle, QB Khalil Wilson, DB Dantae Lee, REC Marcel Grant, RB/KR Horatio Martin
NIAGARA PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB/REC Cole Burniston, LB Jack Scordino, DB Jake Porter, DB Reid Wiley, RB Maksym Nazartchyk, DL Sandor Mod
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: It’s not the Eagles’ fault that they haven’t played anyone of note yet, that’s just the way the schedule unfolded, but they are a good team. Led by dual-threat QB Khalil Wilson the offense can run and pass, keeping opposing defenses honest. Talented and athletic backs like Martin and Conteh make this an attack to contend with and with a strong defense this team can hang with most…….but hang and win are not the same thing, especially this week. The Spears may very well be one of the best in the province. They are anchored by a defense that forces pressure and causes turnovers, both winning ingredients. On offense they are one-dimensional but have great depth and are ranked 6th in the province in rushing, begging the question do they really need to throw? The Eagles will be game and put up a fight, but Niagara is to strong and deep and will pull away in the second half.
FINAL SCORE: NIAGARA 36 ETOBICOKE 14
CUMBERLAND PANTHERS (4-1) @ DURHAM WEST DOLPHINS (3-1) Sat. June 27th 15H30 Pine Ridge High School
THE MATCHUP: Since falling to the Toronto Thunder the Panthers have looked like a run away freight train. Outscoring opponents 124-19 in their last two games, it seems more and more likely that the clunker in Hogtown was an aberration. Offensively OPC participant Kian Williams is a beast while OPC teammate, QB Alex Lawrie has bounced back with two lights out performances and it looks like coach Warren Steeves has them back on track.
The Dolphins have been flying under the radar and for good reason. Much like Etobicoke in the previous preview, the Dolphins wins have been against “questionable” opposition. Their three wins have come against opponents who sport a collective 1-11 mark.
DURHAM WEST PLAYERS TO WATCH: DL Jaiden Cruz, QB William Rock, RB Rasheed Tucker, LB Christian Claros-Ayala, RB/REC Bailey Grimes
CUMBERLAND PLAYERS TO WATCH:Β RB Kian Williams, DL Samuel Obiang, QB Alex Lawrie, REC Willy Dimbongi, LB Charlean Alain
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Offensively the Dolphins have been able to pass in every game except their opening day loss to Kingston and that will be their key in this one, but don’t expect it to happen. The Panthers defense is athletic and will shut down the Dolphin offense while the offense will score early and often. This could be a trap game, but the Panthers are just too sharp to fall this week. The Panthers are in the conversation with the OVFL’s elite, the Dolphins aren’t yet.
FINAL SCORE: CUMBERLAND 42 DURHAM WEST 11
OTHER TOP TEN PREDICTIONS:
OVFL – #3 MYERS RIDERS 44 KINGSTON GRENADIERS 7 – Riders blow by Kingston, gearing up for their crosstown battle with Cumberland
OVFL – #2 LONDON JR. MUSTANGS 49 BRAMPTON BULLDOGS 7Β – London may very well be the hottest team in JV and the Bulldogs will experience this first hand.
OFC – #4 PETERBOROUGH WOLVERINES 45 HURONIA 0 – These two met earlier with the Wolverines prevailing 34-0….expect much of the same.Β
OVFL – #8 CAMBRIDGE LIONS 30 ESSEX RAVENS 18 – The Lions get back in the win column.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC Prospect Game Spotlight: Ontario OT is pumped to play the best around on home turf
