As the final week of the regular season of the Nova Division of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) is upon us, there will be no greater battle on the field than the one that is about to take centre stage under Friday Night Lights between the Charles P Allen Cheetahs and the Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars.
On the eve of one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, both teams are busily preparing for the showdown.Ā Ā Both teams know how significant this game is on Friday night simply due to the magnitude and stakes.
On the eve of one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, both teams are busily preparing for the showdown.Ā Ā Both teams know how significant this game is on Friday night simply due to the magnitude and stakes.
“It’s a huge game with major playoff implications,” comments Cougars head coach Scott Annand.Ā “It’s our season and a top four playoff spot is at stake.”
“Win you’re in, lose you’re out.”
This is not the first time these two teams have met in 2012.Ā Back on September 7th, 2012, the Cheetahs steamrolled over the Cougars in exhibition play 52-7.
While the teams may already be familiar with each other, the Cheetahs expect the Cougars to be prepared and mount stiff competition on the field Friday night.
“Although we have played each other already this year in exhibition play, we anticipate facing a much different, much improved team on Friday night,” says Cheetahs head coach Michael McPherson.Ā “Great Programs like Cobequid are only going to get better as the year goes on, having strong coaching and support to guide their strong number of athletes.”
“They have years of tradition in producing good football teams, and good football talent and we anticipate a tough game from them.”
If the Cougars are to have any chance for success on Friday night, they must they must rely on their key players to have season best performances. Cougars quarterback Gab Bagnell will lead the offensive game execution plan.Ā One thing to watch for will be Bagnell’s connection with running backs Ben Petrie and Chandler Jennings.Ā Offensive lineman Brendan Collette will be looked upon to provide leadership.Ā Moreover, defensive end Drew Erskine, linebacker Calder Saunders and defensive backs Andrew Murphy, and Nick Simpson are expected to be effective while making key plays on the field.
“We just need a great team effort against CPA,” adds Annand.Ā “We need our seniors to step up; starting with our quarterback and our offensive line has to establish a run game to set up the pass while receivers have to make plays.
“Defensively, we cannot give up big plays and momentum swingers as we need to contain the run.”
Ultimately, the Cougars know what they must do in order to pull out a victory on Friday night.
“We need to execute, play discipline football, play hard for 60 minutes and minimize mistakes,” assesses the Cougars head coach.
As for the Cheetahs, the team will look to quarterback Sean Muir, running back/safety Taylor MacDonald, receivers Alex Bayne and Ryan Keays, offensive lineman Matt Zwicker and kicker/punter Chase Kodejs to lead the team on the field.
While this game will serve as a measuring stick for the Cheetahs, the team needs to ensure that they can respond to the challenge their Truro opponents will present on the field.
“We have a younger team this year and it is very important we get stronger and more disciplined each week,” comments McPherson. “This will be another solid test for us, as we measure our progress and development.”
“The Cougars are a big physical team and it will certainly be a battle on both side of the ball for us.Ā It should be an exciting Friday night game under the lights!”
The Charles P Allen Cheetahs will host the Cobequid Educational Cougars under Friday Night Lights on October 26th, 2012 at Burnside Turf.Ā Kickoff is 7:00pm.
Cheetahs photos 2 and 4 courtesy ofĀ Joe Chrvala
(website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jchrvala)
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
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