PRAIRIE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (PFC) GAME OF THE WEEK (1):
A rematch of the PFC title game
The PFC season kicks off this weekend and the Game of the Week will highlight a rematch of the 2014 title game as the defending champion Saskatoon Hilltops visit the Calgary Colts at McMahon Stadium.
In their only regular season meeting a year ago the Hilltops blasted the Colts 47-19 in Calgary on Sunday September 21st.
Following that game the Colts won four straight games on the road including their semi-final win in Regina. The Hilltops on the other hand rattled off six wins in a row including the 2014 Canadian Bowl in Langley. As a matter of fact the last Hilltops loss was Saturday September 6 against Regina, meaning they have won eight straight games.
The Hilltops have returned a number of key pieces from last season’s championship team. Quarterback Jared Andreychuk returns after a solid season in 2014. His two main threats return as well with Evan Turkington, the Canadian Bowl Offensive Player of the Game, and Evan Kopchynski are back. The “Evans” combined for 27 catches, 733 yards and 10 touchdowns.
It’ll be the Hilltops running attack that will look different from a year ago. Yes they will still have a big, talented offensive line, but gone is Wayndel Lewis the CJFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 after graduating. That said the Hilltops have always had a potent running attack and this year it’ll fall on Logan Fischer’s shoulders. Last year he rushed 28 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns. It’s not like Fischer is a rookie as he was asked to carry the load in the Hilltops post season run after the season ending injury to Lewis. Andreychuk is also extremely dangerous with his legs carrying 42 times last year for 342 yards.
Defensively the Hilltops will be sound after allowing just 160 points last year they have returned a few key pieces. Dylan Larson returns to the secondary following his Canadian Bowl Defensive Player of the Year award. Quinn Pierce also returns and will be asked to fill the huge hole left by graduating linebacker Justin Filteau.
The Calgary Colts will be a dangerous team this season. Last year was the first for head coach Matt Blokker in the PFC and fans saw how he can get his style of football and his players bought in. His club ended the season on a three game winning streak to finish third in the standings. His club played their fourth straight game on the road in the semi-final beating the Thunder and punching their ticket to the Conference title game.
Coach Blokker is a master at adjustments and in the offseason he has adjusted his roster to be one of the most competitive in the PFC.
The Colts main weapon should be Jevon Cottoy now in his second year. As a member of the PFC All-Rookie team last year, he hauled in a team leading 26 receptions for 524 yards and four touchdowns.
Both Brett Hunchuk and Cole Meyer return to quarterback the Colts, as they combined for 95 completions and 9 touchdowns a year ago.
Offensively the Colts have a number of players returning, but one large hole is left after the graduation of running back Cameron Fox. He accounted for a Conference high 158 touches last year and compiled 919 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the defensive side the CJFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Jakub Jakoubek returns after a terrific 2014 in which he led the PFC with 138 defensive points. He collected 48 tackles, 16 assisted tackles, four knockdowns, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (one of a touchdown) and two interceptions.
With the return of Jakoubek and Colton Burr the Colts will be solid on the defence.
For just a Week 1 match-up the Hilltops and Colts make this one very interesting. These two clubs open the regular season on Sunday in Calgary and will conclude the regular season in Saskatoon in a rematch on Sunday October 11th. Kick-off this Sunday is set for 12:00pm from McMahon Stadium.
BRITISH COLUMBIA FOOTBALL CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK (4):
A rematch of the BCFC title game
This week was circled on the calendar for most around the BCFC at the beginning of the season as the Langley Rams (2-1) visit the Okanagan Sun (3-0) for the first time since the Cullen Cup championship back in October.
The Sun have been dominating through the first three weeks of the season, particularly on the defensive side. They have allowed just 10 points in three games, allowing a Conference low 177.6 offensive yards. This defence is quick and swam to the ball making it difficult for running backs to get momentum and the numbers prove it. On average the Sun are allowing just 36 yards per game on the ground this season. This week however they will face their toughest task with the Rams offensive line and running back Nathan Lund. The speedster has collected 289 yards on 20 rushes averaging 14.5 yards a carry
Offensively the Sun have scored a Conference high 169 points. The quarterback combination of Cam Bedore and Josiah Joseph has worked thus far. The pivots have combined for 38 completions, 817 yards and eight touchdowns. They are fortunate to have so many weapons to throw to including Kyle Kawamoto, Lerone Robinson, Shai Ross, Kyle Patchell, Thomas Huber and Pierre-Luc Lord who of have each caught touchdown passes.
Running the ball has also been successful the Sun behind a big, talented offensive line. In total the Sun have rushed for 638 yards, averaging 212.6 yards a game.
With all the success the Sun have had on offence, they will face their toughest defence so far this season. The Rams are solid, allowing 46 points in the first two games of the season and pitching a shutout last week in their home opener.
Defensive lineman Brock Gowanlock has been nasty, recording eight sacks through the first three games of the season. Alex Agnoletto has been a force making 12 tackles and is among the Conference leaders.
Like the Sun, the Rams “D” has been outstanding against the run, allowing an average of 95.6 yards a game. Overall they are allowing 273.6 yards of total offence.
Offensively the Rams have scored 91 points, including 52 last weekend against the Huskers and are starting to find their stride. Quarterback Davoun Hallums is 27 of 55 for 399 yards and has thrown three majors. First year receiver Bobby Pospischil who played with SFU last year leads his club with 11 catches for 259 yards and a score.
Last year the Sun won both regular season meetings at the Apple Bowl, but the Rams won the Cullen Cup on the natural grass.
This is the first of two meetings between these two teams. They will meet again on August 29 in Langley.
This game has all the making of a defensive battle as both teams don’t give up much. Kick-off from the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, where the weather forecast is calling for 22 degrees, is set for 7:00pm.
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