The second half of the Ontario Summer season looked to get started off with a bang with several high profile games scheduled for week six. Most notably Burlington and Peterborough squared off in a battle of undefeated OFC divisional leaders and not to be outdone the OVFL featured a pair of one-loss, top ten teams in Essex and Cambridge. Unfortunately neither game lived up to the billing as the Stampeders stomped Peterborough 29-1, while Essex won going away 30-11.
With the loss the Wolverines fell out of the top 5 dropping to #8. Peterborough had really hoped to make a statement and introduce themselves amongst the OFC elite, while indirectly enhancing the OFC North’s reputation…..They failed to accomplish either as Burlington dominated from wire to wire and with the Wolverine’s domination of the North so far, one wonders how big the gap between the North and South really is? The Cambridge Lions will be looking to get back on track as their second loss in a row has dropped them out of the top 10 for the first time in over two seasons.
The Metro Toronto Wildcats and the Durham West Dolphins both enter the top 10 this week sporting one-loss records of their own, but much like the unbeaten Toronto Jr. Argos of the OFC there are questions marks regarding strength of schedule, etc. Fortunately for all, the next few weeks will answer all these questions on the field. Although the playoffs are several weeks away, the elimination process has already started and each week’s results are becoming more and more critical. With that in mind here are the initial #CFC10 Summer Rankings for the second half of the 2015 Summer Season.
VARSITY (UNDER 20) TOP TEN RANKINGS – WEEK 7 (previous week’s ranking in parenthesis)
1) NIAGARA SPEARS (1) 5-0 OVFL (won 34-7 vs. Etobicoke) For the first time all season the Niagara Spears played in a game that wasn’t close. After winning their last two games by a total of six points, the Spears beat up on Etobicoke and have the inside track to top spot in the Adam Conference. The Spears will need to guard against complacency, as they should be double digit favourites in their remaining three games. Next up: @ Hamilton Ironmen
2) OTTAWA MYERS RIDERS (2) 5-0 OVFL (won 42-14 vs. Kingston ) The Myers Riders are looking like they are once again in their own world in the OVFL’s Wettges Conference. The Grenadiers came to town ranked tenth with a one point loss their only blemish and feeling good about life. However they left town in shambles as OPC MVP Phil Iloki torched them for 203 yards on 10 catches en route to a 42-14 beatdown. OPC offensive MVP QB Jacob Spinella had his third consecutive 300+ yard passing game and Jallah Lansanah had 94 yards rushing on only six carries. Although the Riders will be healthy favourites in their next game against Cumberland, all bets are off as the records mean nothing in “The Capital City Clash”. Next up: @ Cumberland
3) BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (3) 5-0 OFC (won 29-1 vs Peterborough) The Stamps made a statement of their own by knocking the North leading Peterborough Wolverines allover the field en route to a 29-1 drubbing. The Stamps opened the scoring with Clark McCallum connecting with Josh Palmer on a 105 yard pass and run play only five minutes in and they never looked back. Unfortunately there is zero time to bask in the victory as a date with arch-rival and defending champ Hamilton awaits them next week. Next up: @ #6 Hamilton Hurricanes
4) ESSEX RAVENS (5) 5-1 OVFL (won 30-11 vs. Cambridge) Running back Braeden Braccio rushed for 179 yards in a surprisingly one sided win against Cambridge. If this were a “Power Rankings” Essex would be in the top two. How’s this for a stat: since the end of 2012 Essex has a record of 22-2 in the regular season and playoffs against everyone in the OVFL not named Niagara….against the Spears 0-3. Next up: vs. Brampton
5) GUELPH JR. GRYPHONS (6) 4-1 OFC (won 68-7 @ Nipissing) No letdown for the Jr. Gryphons as they handle severely outmatched Nipissing. Guelph needs to make sure they don’t look ahead, but it will be hard as a clash with #3 Burlington looms on the horizon. Next up: vs. Forest City
6) HAMILTON HURRICANES (7) 4-1 OFC (won 53-7 @ Oakville ) Running back Osayi Iginuan got things started early with two rushing scores in the first quarter and Mike Ciaverella put it out of reach with a 60 yard punt return to the house. After suffering their first OFC loss the Hurricanes look to have bounced back nicely and with a win next week against Burlington the Hurricanes would be right back in the thick of things in the top 5. Next up: vs. #3 Burlington
7) TORONTO JR. ARGOS (9) 5-0 OFC (won 22-21 @ Forest City) A one point win against a not so highly regarded Forest City team. But until they lose…….Next up: @ Huronia
8) PETERBOROUGH WOLVERINES (4) 4-1 OFC (lost 29-1 @ Burlington) Peterborough comes crashing to earth falling to #8 after loss to Burlington. Next up: @ Sudbury
9) METRO TORONTO WILDCATS (NR) 5-1 OVFL (won 23-0 vs. Toronto Thunder) Metro Toronto impressive in shutout win, next few weeks will determine how good they are. Next up: @ Kingston
10) DURHAM WEST DOLPHINS (NR) 4-1 OVFL (won 33-7 @ Markham) Next up: @ Toronto Thunder
Dropped Out: Kingston Grenadiers (10), Cambridge Lions (8)
***Honourable Mention*** London Jr. Mustangs (OVFL), Cambridge Lions, Sault Ste. Marie Sabercats (OVFL), Kingston Grenadiers, Huronia Stallions (OFC), Brantford Bisons (OFC),
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