#CFCOVFL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Ravens soar into Championship Game

This year’s OVFL championship on August 15 at the University of Waterloo will be a rematch of the 2014 championship, but the Ravens hope to learn from their mistakes and come out on top this time around.

The 2014 championship game was a classic, and the Ottawa Myers Riders beat the Essex Ravens on the last play of the game, winning by a score of 25-24.

In fact, the Riders have been one of the best teams in the OVFL for some years now. The Riders have made it to the championship game every year since 2012, winning in 2013 and 2014.

The Essex Ravens last OVFL championship came in 2010, but head coach Glen Mills is confident that his Ravens can seek revenge against Ottawa and come out on top this Saturday.

“It is a great opportunity to get back the championship,” says Mills. “It is an opportunity to correct our mistakes from last year.”

Mills is confident in the Ravens because they have been playing very well this year. After going 7-1-0 in the regular season, the Ravens have played extraordinarily in the playoffs beating the Cambridge Lions on August 1^st and the London Jr. Mustangs last weekend.

The Adam Conference final against the Mustangs last Saturday was a great test for the Ravens who looked good, coming out on top by a score of 21-17. The Ravens had touchdowns from WR Alex Bornais and RB Jacob Savoni, a JV player who was brought up and finished with 12 carries for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“I thought our team played very physical last week,” Mills remarks. “They gave a tremendous effort and left it all on the field.”

After last year’s heartbreaking loss to Ottawa, Mills believes that the most important message to his players is a simple one: “finish the job,” Mills says.

Although Mill’s message may sound simple to execute, Ottawa is one of the best teams in the OVFL for a reason. The Ottawa Myers Riders went 8-0-0 during the regular season and have beaten the Cumberland Panthers and Kingston Grenadiers in convincing fashion in the playoffs.

“The [Riders] execute very well and don’t make many mistakes,” says Mills about his opposition.

“They have a very good quarterback and a couple solid receivers,” explains Mills. “On defense they are a solid group.”

Mills is talking about starting quarterback and #CFCOPC Offensive MVP Jacob Spinella who has had an outstanding 2015 season. In last weeks Wettges Conference final against Kingston, Spinella threw for 350 yards with 0 interceptions and 6 touchdowns. The Riders top receivers include #CFCOPC Varsity MVP Phil Iloki, Eddy Cenatus, and Jesse Skucas.

Mills also spoke about the Riders league-leading defense which only had 111 points against during the regular season, the least in the OVFL.

In terms of the Ravens players, coach Mills suggests to keep a close eye on QB Anthony Bontrin, RB Breaden Braccio, RB Jacob Savoni, and WR Alex Bornais as they are all having outstanding seasons.

The Ravens are just one win away from being the 2015 OVFL champions, and coach Mills knows how important Saturday’s matchup is.

“Anytime you win a championship, it is special,” Mills believes. “I think we have a very good shot at it this year, we just have to play 60 minutes of Ravens football.

The 2015 OVFL varsity championship game between the Essex Ravens and Ottawa Myers Riders is set for Saturday August 15 at the University of Waterloo. Get ready for a classic!