ONT (LOSSA) preview Titans vs Trojans: Titans look to clinch 2nd with win

Holy Trinity is coming off a crushing loss and Pickering is coming off a win heading into the Friday showdown  between two teams still in the hunt for second place in LOSSA (St. Marys is the overwhelming favourite for first place). The first and second place will get a much needed bye week in a condensed LOSSA playoff system that sees all three playoff games happen in a span of nine days. The Titans could clinch it outright with a win in Pickering. The Trojans would have to beat Holy Trinity by more than 15 and win their season finale against St. Stephens to get the bye.

The Titans will be looking to reassert themselves after a tough loss at home that ruined their hopes of a perfect season. The offence more than anyone will be trying for an energizing performance after being held out of the end zone last week for the first time this season. Holy Trinity’s offence had problems dealing with the size of a very large Monarchs team. Pickering is not as big so controlling the trenches may not pose the same problem. The Titans offence needs to start fast and not let off the pedal until the clock hits zero. The passing attack has been working thus far for the Titans so look for the Titans to attack the air first. That being said the Titans must find consistent success on the ground  to make a deep run into LOSSA or even OFSAA. Holy Trinity’s run game has shown  flashes with slot back runs but they must get back to consistently being able to grind out tough yards up the middle to make defences honest.

For Pickering a fast start would be great but then again when would it not be. Nothing should come easy for Pickering against the third ranked defence in LOSSA. This may look like a mismatch with the 7th ranked offence going against the 3rd ranked defence but the score may be closer than one would think. Most of the players from the undefeated junior Metro Bowl team have moved up to senior and bring with them a wealth of speed. Though they may not have necessarily shown it, this offence can be potent, as the saying goes “speed kills”.

If both teams play out the way they look on paper, than Holy Trinity is probably the safe pick. After the loss suffered last week the Titans are able to head into this week with renewed focus, focusing on one win, not all of them like before the loss. Add in the bye week they could win and the Titans should be very motivated to come back to Courtice with a solid win. However this is high school football  and once the helmets go on, all stats predictions and criticisms are irrelevant and all that matters is the win.