NS: Cheetahs and Phoenix Prepare for Battle

It is a matchup of two undefeated squads.

The Charles P Allen Cheetahs and Citadel Phoenix will tangle on Friday evening at Burnside Turf. This game will be a battle royale.

Both teams have yet to suffer a loss in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). The Phoenix is 5-0 and tops the Nova Division. Sporting a 3-0-1 record, the Cheetahs are currently in second place.

Unbeaten streaks are not the only thing on the line. Top spot in the division and homefield implications for the playoffs are at stake. Therefore, the winner of this match up stands to gain a lot.

The Cheetahs will try to hand the Phoenix their first loss of the season; however, the team knows it will not be an easy task.

“Citadel year over year has consistently produced a high caliber, well disciplined team,” comments Cheetahs head coach Mike McPherson about the Phoenix football program. “I think having not lost in 3 years or so speaks for itself.”

“This is a very impressive accomplishment at any level of football”

Phoenix coach Jeff Lawley believes the Cheetahs will be a formidable opponent and will pose a threat to them on the field.

“From what I have seen, they are the most skilled team we will face in regular season,” says Lawley.

McPherson expects the Phoenix to be ready to play.

“We anticipate a very sound team defensively,” comments McPherson. “On the offensive side, a solid line accompanied with some very skillful athletes that should keep us busy Friday night.”

Meanwhile, Lawley says the Phoenix’s defensive line has to be on top of their game to counter the Cheetahs offensive guns.

“CPA is a very sound and balanced team, we will need to be patient in our attack to find some openings,” says Lawley of his team’s game plan against the Cheetahs. “We will need to bring our ‘A’ game and focus on ball security to remain competitive.”

The Cheetahs equally believe they have to be at their best.

“We will need to ensure we emulate some of the things that have made this program so successful and ensure we put forth a four quarter effort,” comments McPherson of the Cheetahs game approach.

The Cheetahs will be led by receiver Jordan Koch who is a candidate for league’s most valuable player. So far this season, Koch has 170 rushing yards on 11 runs and 1 touchdown. Additionally, he has 551 all purpose yards and 53 receiving yards on 5 catches.

However, Koch is not the only offensive dynamo that the Phoenix needs to contain.

Cheetahs’ running back Louis Stephen has 306 rushing yards on 46 runs for four touchdowns, and 317 all purpose yards. Also, Stephen has 16 receiving yards on four catches. Receiver Mack Thompson has 11 catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Cheetahs quarterback Andrew Adams has a completion rate of 53.6 percent (30 completions in 56 attempts for 371 total passing yards).

In the Bremner Bowl last week, running back/defensive back Matt Ryan and running back Lucas Forsey played key roles in the win for the Cheetahs against Sackville High Kingfishers. Both players will factor into the Cheetahs success on the field.

As for the Cheetahs defense, the one to watch for is linebacker Dustin MacCallum who has 11 solo tackles and assisted on 13 tackles. He also has 206 all purpose yards and 73 rushing yards on 20 runs and 1 touchdown on the season. For receiving yards, MacCallum 53 yards on five catches. Linebackers Mike Donovan, Taylor MacDonald and Makenzie Fox will be looked upon to contribute on defense.

The injury bug has hit teams in the NSSAF, and the Cheetahs are no exception. McPherson says the team will look to this as a positive.

“Like most teams at the midpoint of the season, we are battling through a few injuries, but this gives other guys an opportunity to step up and enjoy some more field time,” adds McPherson.

As for the Phoenix, defensive end Max Fitzgerald is coming into this game on the heels of a superb performance against the Cobequid Cougars in the Turkey Bowl. He had a punt block, a sack and a fake field goal touchdown reception.

Fitzgerald and defensive end Jordan Redding will be counted upon to stop the Cheetahs offense from getting anything going on the field. Also look for Drew MacDonald and Chris Folkins, who are both also coming off strong showings in the bowl game to factor into the Phoenix’s defensive game plan execution.

On offense, Phoenix quarterback Derek Brown and wide receiver A’dre Fraser will continue their magic in the hopes of stifling the Cheetahs defense. Running back Ryan Kublek and Ian Miller will try to expose and creates cracks in the opponents’ defensive line.

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