Nova Scotia: Metro Mustangs and Timberlea Renegades make final preparations for NSVFL championship game

“We are looking forward to the big game as the junior varsity Metro Mustangs has had much improved record over last year,” comments Mustangs head coach Greg Bayne.  “With respect to being a very young team last year most of our players are returning plus we added some great new talent.”

“Being in the championship game is an awesome opportunity for us and we need to take advantage, seize the day!”

Getting to this championship game has been a result of hard work and a goal that the Mustangs have set their sights on since March.  In the beginning of the NSVFL season, the team looked invincible.  However, they have looked vulnerable in the last three weeks and come into this game losing their final two games of the regular season.

“The players have gelled as a team as they have been working hard since the end of March,” adds the Mustangs head coach.  “The last three weeks have been tough on the team with injuries, school priorities, etc…resulting in two straight losses.”

“Those early six wins are a bit of a distant memory so now it’s time to win the big one.”

Things have gone well this week in the team’s preparations for the final game.

“We have had a great week of practice as school is finished and the players are focused,” reflects Bayne.  “We are still down players to injuries but the rest of the team knows they have to step up.”

Over the course of the regular season, the Mustangs have had the Renegades number.  Both teams faced each other twice during the regular season and the Mustangs were victorious in both games.  The Renegades are looking to decipher their opponent’s game execution plans and will look to veterans and two way players to lead the way on Saturday to success.

“We will need good games from the veteran players and the players who are playing both sides of the ball,” explains Renegades assistant coach David Rent.  “If we get that, we have a good chance to win the game.”

“As with any game but more so now, we are concerned about injuries during the game because if a key player goes down it could be hard to replace them.”

The team needs to find a way to successfully execute their game plan if they have any hopes of being successful against the Mustangs. It won’t be an easy task but the Renegades are up to the challenge and know what they must do in the championship game.

“Metro Mustangs are a very good run oriented team so in order for us to be successful in the championship game, we need to be able to contain their run game,” assesses the Renegades assistant coach in dissecting their opponent.  “Defensively, they are a team that likes to bring a lot of pressure and force the offence to either make quick decisions or bad decisions.”

“We need to be able to handle the six man rush and make smart decisions.”

Offensively, the Renegades will look to tailback David Nisbet, speedback Hayden Clarke and Chandler Tufts to lead the way.

“Offensively, we have to figure out a way to score points against Metro Mustangs,” adds Rent.   “We have struggled scoring, but with everyone healthy and putting the ball into our playmakers hands we should have greater success.”

On the defensive side, Nate Rostek, Drew Packman, Nick Bennett and linebacker Donovan Blue will lead the charge.

“Defensively, we will continue to reinforce the game plans from our last game and be ready to adapt to any new wrinkles they throw at us,” says Rent of the unit’s game plan.

Meanwhile, the Mustangs know what to anticipate from their opponents and will counter with an offensive attack which will involve all players on the unit.

“We will be calling on our offensive line led by Matt Zwicker and receivers led by Alex Bayne to step up their blocking while being relentless with their attack and staying on their blocks until the whistle,” explains Bayne of the offensive unit’s game execution plan.  “That will be the key to offensive production.”

“We suspect the Renegades to send an eight man pressure package at times which will create down field opportunities. Our quarterback Sean Muir will have to remain calm under the pressure and make things happen.”

Moreover, several key players will be looked upon to lead the team’s defensive unit.

“Defensively, we will call on the play of linebackers Taylor MacDonald and James Pelley, defensive tackle Jay Hachey and defensive back Matt Bayne to show leadership and poise under the pressure of the big game,” comments the Mustangs head coach.

When the team goes on the field on Saturday, Bayne hopes the players will remember the advice he gave them of how to go about this game.

“I told the players “Make it the game of your life empty the tank and leave nothing left”,” says Bayne.  “”Leave that field in the end regardless of the outcome with a feeling that you gave it everything you had.”

“That is all a coach and a teammate could ask for.”

Quick Facts:

– A new NSVFL junior varsity champion will be crowned on Saturday

-The Metro Mustangs and Timberlea Titans have played each other twice in the regular season with the Mustangs winning both games.

-Both teams had 2012 identical regular season records (6-2); however, the Mustangs ended up with first seed in this championship game, by virtue of defeating the Renegades twice in the regular season.

Head Coaches:

Mustangs:
Greg Bayne

Renegades:
Grant Packman

Players to Watch:

Mustangs:
OL Matt Zwicker
REC Alex Bayne
QB Sean Muir
LB Taylor MacDonald
LB James Pelley
DT Jay Hachey
DB Matt Bayne

Renegades:
RB David Nisbet
Hayden Clarke
Chandler Tufts
LB Donovan Blue
Nate Rostek
Drew Packman
Nick Bennett

Game Information:
The Metro Mustangs and Timberlea Renegades will square off for the NSVFL junior varsity championship title on Saturday June 30^th, 2012 at Saint Mary’s University Huskies Stadium.  Game will start at 12:30pm.

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