Here we are at the midway point of the 2015 season and as expected the action on field is heating up faster than the weather. With the “home stretch” upon us virtually nothing has been settled in terms of seeds and rankings. The second half kicks off in both the OFC and OVFL with some great head to head, #CFC10 Top 10 games. Without further delay, here are our fearless predictions for week 6.
#4 PETERBOROUGH WOLVERINES (4-0) @ #3 BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (4-0)Β – Sat. June 27th 15h00 Nelson Stadium
THE MATCHUP: The schedule makers hit the jackpot with this one, a mid-season interdivisional battle featuring both division leaders going at it. Both teams come into this one 4-0 atop their individual divisions. The Stamps offense has displayed a balance needed for a deep playoff run, able to pass and run with equal efficiency. Having said that, calling their ground game “efficient” is the understatement of the year. Running backs Jordan Lyons and Dominic Mandalfino lead a stable of backs that have been able to run at will thus far inΒ 2015. With such a strong ground game, the airways open up nicely for QB Clarke McCallum and company and they do seize the opportunity making the Stamps a very hard foe to defend. The Stamps come in untested and the only unbeaten team in the OFC south, but the untested part will change dramatically as they enter a murderous stretch in their schedule facing, Peterborough, Hamilton and Guelph in successive weeks.
How dominant have the Wolverines been? For starters they have outscored the opposition 197-42 and the only real challenger defending division champion Huronia fell 31-14 in a game that wasn’t close. The question is always “how good is the North (old Ramsay)? That question should be answered by early Saturday evening.
PETERBOROUGH PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Dylan Astrom, REC Nathan O’Keefe,Β DB/K Devin Claypole, RB Devon MacCallum, LB Joe Bencze
BURLINGTON PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Clarke McCallum, RB Jordan Lyons, RB Dominic Mandalfino,
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: This one is a statement game for both the Wolverines and the OFC North. The North viewed by many as the “younger brother” has looked very strong and the Wolverines will be amped on the road, look for both teams to come out swinging, but the Wolverines defense gets stronger as the day progresses.
FINAL SCORE: PETERBOROUGH 31 BURLINGTON 26
#5 ESSEX RAVENS (3-1) @ #4 CAMBRIDGE LIONS (4-1)Β – Fri. June 27th 20h00 Windsor University
THE MATCHUP: Essex has looked stronger and stronger each week, following the traditional Raven blueprint of success, smashmouth football. Ranked second in rushing yards and fourth in passing yards, the Ravens excel in either aspect and opposing defenses can strive, only to contain not stop this machine.
Cambridge comes in off their first loss of the year and will be anxious to put it behind them. Brendan Carey has done a fine job replacing graduated James Roberts and the Lions have looked amongst the province’s elite. Defensively, the Lions specialize in thievery, leading the OVFL with 12 interceptions on the season. Defensive backs Riley Pilkey and Mitchell Weiler each have four picks, while Ben Slinger (also a DB) has three. Weiler has contributed two scores and Pilkey one for a defense that cn take over a game
CAMBRIDGE PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Devin Keeling, QB Brendan Carey, REC Kaedan Jespersen, REC Gordon Lam, DB Riley Pilkey, DB Mitchell Weiler, DB Ben Slinger
ESSEX PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Braeden Braccio, QB Anthony Bontorin, LB Erik Erickson, DL Lowhya Lako, REC Alex Bornais
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: This will be another OVFL classic, overtime is a distinct possibility and my coin toss says……Essex.
FINAL SCORE: ESSEX 33 CAMBRIDGE 31
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE:
OVFL Mississauga Warriors 28 SSM Sabercats 20 – a must win for both teams, the Sault desperately trying to stop the bleeding on a promising season.
OVFL Metro Toronto Wildcats 33 Toronto Thunder 28 – after an opening day loss, coach Russ Hoff’s squad is playing great football.
OVFL #2 Myers Riders 38 Kingston Grenadiers 18 – Myers too much for Kingston.
OFC #6 Guelph Jr. Gryphons 42 Nipissing Wild 0 – No let down for Guelph after knocking off David (Hamilton) last weekend.
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