#CFCOVFL PREVIEW: Myers Riders looking to complete perfect season

With a single game left in the regular season, the junior varsity Ottawa Myers Riders are a win away from perfection.

The Myers Riders are 7-0 due in large part to walloping opponents on an average scoreline of 43-17.

Going into Saturday’s clash with the Durham West Dolphins (3-4), Myers Riders Head Coach Matt Kassner says his team wants to do much more than earn a perfect season.

“You always want to have an undefeated season, but at the same time, we have a much larger goal of winning a championship,” said Kassner, adding the team has made it to the championship game each of the last two years and lost twice in heartbreaking fashion. “We are going to keep that in mind.”

A win against the Dolphins would also earn the Myers Riders home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which adds to the stakes.

“If we lose, then during the Conference Championship, we would likely have to travel to Toronto,” Kassner said. “Still, we just need to play hard and treat it like any other game.”

Additionally, the Myers Riders expect their opponents, the Dolphins, to play hard during their last game of the season.

“I know Durham is fighting for a playoff spot so it is going to be a tough matchup,” Kassner says.

Though the Myers Riders are coming into the contest with the better record, Kassner says the team cannot take the Dolphins lightly.

“We have to step up our pass defence, because they have some good playmakers on their team, so I think that could be a bit of an issue for us,” Kassner said. “Hopefully we come prepared in that sense.”

Through seven games, the Myers Riders have been able to boast the league’s most dominant running game. Jean-Paul Cimankinda has been a big reason for all of the success, rushing for 1930 total yards this on 158 carries so far during the regular season.

“Our run game has been pretty unstoppable as of late, so hopefully that can carry us over,” Kassner said. “Obviously, JP himself is a phenomenal athlete and player, but we also have a great offensive line making holes for him.”

“It is a nice luxury to have a player of that caliber. He is a once-in-a-generation type player”

Kassner says the team will aim to do much of the same against the Dolphins. Led by Cimankinda, the Myers Riders will look to rush their way to a perfect season.

The junior varsity Durham West Dolphins visit the Ottawa Myers Riders at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 at the University of Ottawa.