NS: Adjustments Could Decide Tier 2 NSSAFFL Championship Winner

It will be a reunion of sorts when the Halifax West Warriors and Lockview Dragons meet on Sunday for the Tier 2 Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) Championship game.

Warriors head coach Dave Kelly and Dragons coach Mike Korecki will be on opposing benches. However, the two coaches are familiar with each other as they worked side by side many years ago, coaching the Nova Scotia provincial football team at Saint Mary`s University.

Now, they will be on center stage for the Tier 2 championships trying to help their respective teams win the title. This will mark the third time the Dragons have reached the final. In the past, the team has had mixed results as they have won in one final while losing in another.

As for the Warriors, this will be the first time since 2003 that the team has played in a championship game. Even though this is their first championship in years, Kelly says the team will approach this game the same way they have approached all games this season.

“We are approaching this game like any other, we prepare the best we can, with what we know andwhat we have,” explains Kelly. “This is a one game winner takes all, so we are stressing there are no second chances, give it your all and focus on your job whether it is blocking, route running or whatever and there will be no “I should have,” no”what if” or regrets.”

Korecki says he knows the Warriors have been doing their homework on the Dragons for a while to prepare for this game.

“The West has been scouting us for about four weeks so I am sure they are ready,” comments Korecki.

While these two teams have not played each other in some time, the Warriors will tweak their game plan based on what happens during the game.

“It has been a couple of years since we have played Lockview so we are not that familiar with them,” adds Kelly. “At this point in the year, we will make some minor adjustments in order to stop what the other team does, but it will be a matter of players stepping up and playing at a high level.”

Meanwhile, the Dragons are not revealing how they plan to attack the Warriors. However, Korecki agrees with Kelly that adjustments will be a deciding factor in who comes out on top.

“Well we don`t talk about what we are going to do,”says Korecki. “I think this game will come down to who can adjust faster to the situation that they’re in and who will make less mistakes.”

The Warriors earned their spot in the Tier 2 NSSAFFL championship game with a 50-0 win over the Auburn Drive Eagles. Kelly says that team will draw from the positives and improve on other aspects of their game in the hopes of achieving success on Sunday.

“Offensively, we need to have a better start to the game,” explains Kelly. “I was most impressed with how the defensive played from start to finish.”

The Warriors will look to running back Zack Sellars and receiver Kyle Harris to lead the offensive attack.

“Offensively, we are going to play to our strength which is our run game,” comments Kelly of the Warriors plan.

Quarterback Scott Borden will try to execute the offensive game plan. Others that will play a role in the offensive attack will be running back David Nesbit, receiver Allan MacLeod, receiver Gavin Quigley, receiver Erdat Loshi and Alex Reader.

On the defensive front for the Warriors, linebacker Brad Long, linebacker David Kunzli and defensive tackle Jordan Grant will be looked upon to stop the Dragons offensive attack.

“Defensively, we have to be ready to counter their strong O-line and shut down their run game,” adds Kelly.

Other players that could factor in the success of the Warriors defensive line include Pat Keats, Will MacInnis, Luke Byrne and Mahmoud Altawil.

Korecki says that the Warriors are a strong team and many in the league have taken notice.

“They have a really nice team, they were right behind us in the standings but they had nine all-stars compared to our three,” explains Korecki. “So a lot of people must like their team as much as we have home field, people in the league must know more than us.”

The Dragons got their ticket into the championship game with a 41-0 victory over the John Hugh Gillis Royals. Korecki says there is one area they need to improve on from the last game.

“For Lockview to improve, we must improve our penalties and be disciplined on the field,” comments Korecki.

The team will look to wide receiver Brian Jones to lead them offensively. In last week’s semi-final game, Jones led theway with eight catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

Another player who will prominently factor in the Dragons offensive attack is running back Daniel Mader. Mader had 27 carries for 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns in last week`s game against the Royals. Dragons’running back Corey Cann, offensive lineman Marcus MacIssac and offensive lineman Ryan Cornish are other ones to watch for on the field on Sunday.

Defensively, the Dragons will look to linebacker Nick Gosse, defensive end Chad Wicks and defensive back Tim Hart to lead the way. Against the Royals last week, Hart registered 5 solo tackles while Wicks registered three sacks. Gosse chipped in with two sacks and a block punt in the semi-final game. Another player to watch for is defensive back Bill Dimitropolous.

Korecki says that the Dragons are looking forward to the opportunity to play in the Tier 2 NSSAFFL championship. The team overcame a rocky, tough start and gelled as a team over the course of the season.

“We underachieved early in the season after losing our starting QB Clarke Wyse so I think it’s important that we have rallied together in the second half of the season,” adds Korecki.

Additionally, the Dragons played in the Nova Division this season. Korecki reflects on the battle just to get to this game as well as the fact that the division will be well represented in this weekend`s championship games.

“This really shows how strong the division that we play in as three teams from that division are still playing,” explains Korecki. “It was like every week you were playing strong teams.”

The Tier 2 NSSAFFL Championship Game between the Halifax West Warriors and Lockview Dragons will be played on Sunday at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 6:00 pm.

(Photo courtesy of John MacCallum Charles P Allen Cheetahs Football Website)
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