OVFL VARSITY (under 20) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
ADAM CONFERENCE FINAL: #4 LONDON JR MUSTANGS (6-2) @ #2 ESSEX RAVENS (7-1):
The Matchup: These two teams hooked up in a week three thriller that saw Essex sneak out of town with a 45-43 shootout win and there’s no reason that this weekend’s Adam final should be any less exciting.
London comes in to this one ranked fourth in the province and boasting the league’s best ground game. The Jr. Mustangs led the league in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per carry. Both Cole Kussmann and Brentyne Andersonbrown would start for most teams and give London an unparallelled one-two punch. Often forgotten however is the Mustangs offensive line who have dominated consistently this year and can takeover a game. Not to take away from the super talented Kussmann and Andersonbrown, but this is an O-line which could make a lot of backs look good, real good.
Not to be outdone, the Ravens are ranked third in rushing but unlike London their ground game is a one man show. Braeden Braccio rushed for 1299 yards in 2015 and much like his London counterparts, he to gets to do business behind a superior O-line.
The Ravens have followed their 2014 script perfectly….lose the opener to Niagara and run the table, getting stronger every week. The Ravens have depth and talent across the board and QB Anthony Bontorin is one of the province’s underrated players. If need be Bontorin, can take over a game while his favourite targets Omar Hayes Williams and Alex Bornais can both take the top off the coverage and when need be make the tough catches in traffic.
Why London might win: Although Kussmann had a good game last time these two met, Andersonbrown did not. The Ravens held Andersonbrown to 39 yards on 10 carries and he could be the difference maker. If Andersonbrown gets going the Jr. Stangs will have a pair of fresh, star running backs to pound away in the August sun.
Why Essex might win: The London defense gives up way too many points and one of the best ways to neutralize the London ground attack, is keep ’em off the field. Essex should have success moving the ball, and in a game that could go down to the last possession the Ravens defense has proven the more reliable of the two.
London Player(s) to watch: RB Cole Kussmann, DB Noah Hallett, QB Tristan Arndt, RB Brentyne Andersonbrown
Essex Player(s) to watch: RB Braeden Braccio, REC Alex Bornais, QB Anthony Bontorin, DL Lako Lowhya
What will happen: A term I will repeat, but this my friends is a coin toss. Both teams clearly finished as the class of the OVFL’s Adam Conference and both seem to be peaking. I like the Ravens defense to make a few key stops and the Ravens repeat as Conference Champ.
FINAL SCORE: Essex 38 London 34
WETTGES CONFERENCE FINAL: #8 KINGSTON GRENADIERS (6-2) @ #1 MYERS RIDERS (8-0):
The Matchup: The Myers Riders looked every part the champion as once again they ran roughshod through the OVFL’s Wettges Conference. The Riders outscored opponents 393-111 en route to another perfect regular season and an 8-0 mark. QB Jacob Spinella and receiver Phil Iloki are the league’s most prolific aerial duo, with both leading the league at their respective positions. Spinella in his first year at the helm, finished the season as the highest rated quarterback passing for 2430 yards and 30 TDs in his team’s eight wins.
The Grenadiers quietly finished 6-2 and in the final weeks of the season their defense really seemed to click. Defensive back Lance Cellini leads the way and is one of those guys that has a nose for the ball. With 32 solo tackles, three picks and a fumble recovery, opposing offenses need to know where he is on the field at all times.
Harry Robinson is mister everything for the Grens leading the team in rushing, while at the same time finishing the season fifth in receptions for Kingston and sixth in tackles. Want an impressive stat line? Try out Robinson’s…..531 yards rushing, seven rushing TDs, nine catches, two TD receptions, 23.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and finally a fumble recovery.
Why Kingston might win: The Kingston defense has looked great the last few weeks and if they crank it up a notch and take Spinella out of his rhythm, this could get interesting. The Kingston defense is well equipped to shut down the Myers ground game and if they can rattle Spinella and bracket Iloki…..
Why Myers might win: The Riders are a track meet waiting to unfold each week and although they face a good Kingston defense, they are a great offense. If Spinella gets hot early, look out. With the depth at receiver and the offensive line’s ability to give the the passer ample time, this could turn into a very long afternoon for Grenadier defensive backs.
Kingston Player(s) to watch: QB Dylan Fisher, REC Carter Matheson, RB/DB Harry Robinson, REC Jeremy Pendergast, DB Lance Cellini, DB Caedan Saulnier, RB/LB Konner Burtenshaw
Myers Player(s) to watch: QB Jacob Spinella, REC Phil Iloki, LB Akash Bakshi, DB Daniel Barker, LB Darryl Jean-Baptiste, REC Jesse Skucas, P/K Connor Ayre
What will happen: It is near impossible to shut Myers’ offense down and the best you can hope for is to slow them down. Even best case scenario, Kingston’s offense won’t score enough to keep pace and worst case scenario, this one could get ugly.
FINAL SCORE: Myers 28 Kingston 10
OVFL JUNIOR VARSITY (under 17) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
ADAM CONFERENCE FINAL: #5 NIAGARA SPEARS (7-1) @ #1 LONDON JR MUSTANGS (8-0):
The Matchup: The Jr. Mustangs have sat atop the #CFC10 for a good chunk of the year and for good reason. It must be something in the water in “the forest city” because much like their Varsity couterpart, this group of ‘Stangs can run the ball….and how! Featuring their own two-headed monster in Tazie Vang Bell and Chase Brown, London have the best ground attack this side of Myers.
Why Niagara might win: The Spears can pile up the points and if they turn this into a last possession type of game….
Why London might win: The ground game proves too much and overwhelms the Spears, taking up chunks of yards and more importantly time.
Niagara Player(s) to watch: RB Maksym Nazartchyk, DB Jake Porter, LB Jack Scordino, SB/RB Cole Burniston
London Player(s) to watch: RB Chase Brown, RB Tazie Vang Bell, DB Daniel Valente, DB Tamurie Bringi,Β Chase
What will happen: Two great teams, the depth in London’s backfield will be the difference.
FINAL SCORE: London 40 Niagara 35
WETTGES CONFERENCE FINAL: #6 TORONTO THUNDER (7-1) @ #1 MYERS RIDERS (8-0):
The Matchup: A rematch of Myers opening day 28-21 overtime win, this one clearly pits the Wettges two best teams going at it with the prize being a birth in next week’s championships. Two premiere programs, led by top notch staffs. Toronto coach Bubba Allen and Myers’ Matt Kassner are amongst the league’s top coaches and you know both these teams will be well coached across the board and fundamentally sound. Neither team has tasted defeat since that opening day classic and fans should be treated to some great ball.
The Thunder boast the conference’s best defense and maybe the province’s best front seven. One of the most under discussed defensive stats is who is making the tackles and it’s no coincidence that the Thunder’s leading tacklers are found in the front seven. Loaded with athletes who are well coached running or passing against the Thunder is a daunting task.
Why Toronto might win: Perhaps the ONLY team in the Wettges that have a chance to stop Cimankinda without bringing DBs into the box. If they can force Myers to throw…..
Why Myers might win: JP Cimankinda…..nuff said
Toronto Player(s) to watch: DL Chris Sabat, DL Markus Jean-Loescher, LB Delonte Knight, REC Shedler Fervius
Myers Player(s) to watch: RB JP Cimankinda, RB Hayden Tripp, LB AJ Oickle, LB Alejandro Politis, DB Liam Paquette
What will happen: The key is simple, whoever wins upfront wins this one, plain and simple. This should be a good old fashioned slobberknocker as it will be strength against strength. The Thunder have a front seven good enough to force Myers to throw and Cimankinda is good enough bust through the best defenses in the league. Should be a great one. Another coin toss, this one is tough to call. When in doubt pick the team that has Cimankinda.
FINAL SCORE: Myers 26 Toronto 23
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