OVFL Preview: David vs Goliath, gridiron edition (VR Ottawa Myers and London Jr. Mustangs)

After a slow start to the 2012 Ontario Varsity Football League season, Max Palladino, head coach of the Ottawa Myers Riders, made a few changes.

“At the beginning of the year we tried a 3-4 defense,” stated Palladino.

In the first three weeks of the season, Ottawa was 1-3.  They won their week two matchup against the Cumberland Panthers 8-5.

“We got away from that.  We went back to the basic 4-3,” stated Palladino.

Since Coach Palindino went back to old school basics they have been undefeated.  In the second half of the season Ottawa’s defense has played a tremendous.

Although the Myers Riders have had an exceptional second half they are still the underdog.

“We are feeling great,” stated Palladino.  “Only one more win away from winning it all.”

Looking for a few players to keep an eye on during Saturday’s game?  Keep looking. Throughout the season Palindino hasn’t been able to pick out any key players on his team.

“We don’t have one individual that is a superstar,” stated Palladino.  ”I could name them all.”

Without them all together, this team wouldn’t be where we are.”

The Riders have a 53% pass completion with 2035-yards, 132 first downs and 18 majors, all from the passing game. Quarterback Nick Gorgichuk will be a huge contender for Ottawa. Gorgichuk passed for 2686-yards and ran for 255-yards.

The whole defensive line will be no exception.  Since the beginning of the playoffs, the Riders have allowed 32-points.  Their last game they shutout the Toronto Thunder 26-0.

“We’re going up that mountain but we haven’t gotten to the peak yet,” stated Palladino.

“After the game [Saturday] should be the peak, when we are winning this all.”

Head coach Chris Bertoia and the London Jr. Mustangs have every reason to be positive going in to Saturday’s game.  They have sailed through this season going undefeated.  With a commanding 445-points-for and mere 152-points-against.

“Our team is motivated and focused to achieve the goal [that] was set at the start of the season,” exclaimed Bertoia.

Although the Riders have been seen as the underdog, Bertoia is prepared for Saturday’s game.

“The Myers Riders have been on a great run in the playoffs,” stated Bertoia.

“They have momentum and confidence right now.”

However Bertoia will put forth his best players to bring home a championship.  Like any coach though, not one individual can be named.  For the Mustangs it’s the players who make the team who they are today.

“Each week this season, a different player has stepped up and been a difference maker.”

The Mustangs have a 56% pass completion with 1642-yards, 132 first downs and 43 majors, with a majority of them from their rushing game.  London’s biggest threat may very well be QB Colin Drennan.  He has raked in 1938-passing-yards, his longest being 105-yards.

“We weren’t supposed to win against Metro [Toronto].  We weren’t supposed to win against [Toronto] Thunder,” stated Palladino. “And we’re not supposed to win against London.”

“It is David and Goliath, round three.”

CanadaFootballChat.com will be providing a pay-per-view (PPV) live stream of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) finals on August 18th.  All three games will be broadcasted.

OVFL CHAMPIONSHIPS
OSHAWA CIVIC CENTRE AUGUST 18

VARSITY: 7:00pm Ottawa Myers vs London
JUNIOR: 3:30pm Pickering vs Mississauga
BANTAM: 12:00pm Ottawa Myers vs Brampton
The PPV will be a $5.99 ‘day-pass’, which will allow you access to any of the broadcast games.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PAY PER VIEW

 

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply