#CFC10 Summer Previews & Predictions – VARSITY (3): Epic battle in Windsor

Time really does fly!

With the weather starting to really heat up, so too are things in OFC and OVFL. In a blink of an eye, we are already in Week 3 in both leagues.

In the OVFL, there is no doubt that the game to watch involves a batlle between two #CFC10 ranked teams – eighth ranked Essex Ravens hosts the seventh ranked London Jr Mustangs in a game that is crucial, especially for the 1-1 Ravens.

Other Week 3 games of note in the OVFL include unbeaten Durham West Dolphins hosting 1-1 Metro Toronto Wildcats.  Although it’s only Week 3, the Toronto Thunder (0-1) hosts Cumberland Panthers (1-1). The loser in the Panthers/Thunder game already faces an uphill fight to get into the playoffs.

Here are this week’s Varsity Previews and Predictions:

VARSITY PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS WEEK 3:

#7 LONDON JR MUSTANGS (2-0) @ #8 ESSEX RAVENS (1-1) Sat. June 6th 19h00 University of Windsor

THE MATCHUP: The London Jr Mustangs are looking to return to their 2012 form. In that inaugural season they ran the table, knocking off the Ottawa Myers Riders for the OVFL Championship (for those keeping track, the Myers Riders have not lost since). So far, its been good for the Jr Mustangs as they enter Week 3 with a  2-0 record; however, there are some question marks.

After two weeks, one is tempted to think the Jr. ‘Stangs philosophy is the best defense is a great offense. The team has had no problem scoring points this year.  In fact, the Jr, Mustangs’ offense is amongst the most proficient in the league. The Jr. Mustangs boast the OVFL’s top ground game and are not too shabby passing the ball, ranking fifth in passing yards after two games.

No, they don’t have a problem putting points on the board.  The problem is stopping the opponent from scoring. In two games, the Jr. ‘Stangs have surrendered 64 points and over 900 yards in just two games, numbers usually not synonymous with going 2-0.

For the Ravens, they bounced back nicely after a 22-15 Week 1 loss to Niagara Spears to knock off the Mississauga Warriors 42-24.

The Ravens have been pretty good defensively playing well against the Spears.  Although they gave up almost 450 yards in the air to the Warriors, (most teams will give up piles of passing yards to Warriors pivot Kevin John), they kept the Warriors out of the end zone when needed.

Offensively the Ravens look a lot like Essex teams of the past.  They run and run effectively. The Ravens are a run first team, but make no mistake about it, QB Anthony Bontorin can chuck the rock.

LONDON PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Cole Kussman, QB Tristan Arndt, RB Brentyne AndersonBrown, DB Noah Hallett, DB Jordan Carter

ESSEX PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Braeden Braccio, QB Anthony Bontorin, LB Erik Erickson, DL Lowhya Lako, REC Alex Bornais

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Defensively, the Jr. Miustangs’ top three tacklers are defensive backs and that’s usually not a good thing. To be fair, the Jr. Mustangs surrendered over 500 yards passing to the Warriors.  No doubt, the secondary were making tackles all day. However,  the same tackling trend carried over to Week 2 against a team that can run like Essex.  This will be a problem. As for the Ravens, they cannot afford to drop to 1-2 and will not. Look for an exciting back and forth shootout OVFL style where, like we said before – the best defense is a great defense. Should be a ten on the entertainment scale.

FINAL SCORE: ESSEX 38 LONDON 35

METRO TORONTO WILDCATS (1-1) @ DURHAM WEST DOLPHINS (2-0)  Sat. June 6th 19h00 Pine Ridge HS

THE MATCHUP: With a win on Saturday, the Dolphins would match their 2014 win total with just three weeks into the season.

The Dolphins won a one-point squeaker against Kingston Grenadiers to open the season and then handled the York Simcoe Bucs last weekend. Led by quarterback Mitch Van Pelt (who led the OFC’s junior varsity Clarington Knights to the finals and their best season in forever) and running back Darnel Jarett, the Dolphins have amassed 660 yards offense in just two weeks. Defensively. they have been solid as they shut down the Bucs.  However, the team probably gave up a little too much real estate to the Grenadiers in Week 1.

The Wildcats got in the win column last week after falling in Week 1. They came into the 2015 season with high hopes and know how important a win this week is to keep the momentum going. Offensively, #CFC100 receiver Trivel Pinto and running back Jaiden Hyland have led the way so far. Hyland surpassed the century mark last weekend rushing for 124 yards on 13 carries.

DURHAM PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Mitch Van Pelt, RB Raishaun Provo, RB Darnel Jarett, DB Trey Abrahams, LB Trey White, LB Donte Smith, J’van Manhertz

METRO PLAYERS TO WATCH: #CFC100 REC/RET Trivel Pinto, DB Tyree Dunn, RB Jaiden Hyland, LB Luc Babin

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: These Dolphins are not your older brother’s Pickering version. Although they may not be amongst the OVFL’s elite, quarterback Van Pelt knows how to win and this team has playoff potential all over it. Look for the Dolphins to pull away in the second half.

FINAL SCORE: DURHAM WEST 38 METRO TORONTO 24

CUMBERLAND PANTHERS (1-1) @ TORONTO THUNDER (0-1)  Sat. June 6th 17h30 Mary Ward CSS

THE MATCHUP: The Cumberland Panthers cracked the #CFC10 after a convincing 49-0 Week 1 win over normally solid Cornwall Wildcats. The Panthers followed up their 49 point explosion with 7 total points in an 8-7 home loss to Kingston Grenadiers.

Having said that, conditions were less than ideal as there was steady downpour throughout the game last Saturday. The conditions were better for Cumberland than Toronto however, as the Thunder game was postponed due to the weather.

Having played relatively well against the two-time defending champ Ottawa Myers Riders, the Thunder will be chomping at the bit for this one.

TORONTO PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Connor Smith, REC Daynar Facey, LB Clinton Pasquale, RB Andre Goulborne

CUMBERLAND PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Baxter Balthazar, #CFC100 and OPC REC Kurleigh Gittens Jr., RB Quintin Gregory, DB Khadeem Pierre, LB Patrick Madore, LB Jaryd Rushford

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: It’s early but in the uber competitive OVFL neither team wants two losses as early as Week 3 of the season. Look for a tight but exciting affair as both rosters have some playmakers that are capable of taking matters into their own hands. The Panthers need to be more effective passing the ball in this one as the Thunder will be geared up to stop the run. In the end, the Thunder is a little deeper and have the more balanced attack offensively.  They go to 1-1 while the Panthers fall to 1-2.

FINAL SCORE: TORONTO 27 CUMBERLAND 21