OVFL GAME PREVIEW: Grenadiers look to remain undefeated

The Kingston Grenadiers are heading into Week 2 on a high note.

After a convincing 37-7 win against the Cumberland Panthers, Head Coach Mark Magee said that, albeit a positive and rather commanding Week 1 showing, the team is still trying to establish its identity and “figure out who they are.”

Their upcoming opponents, the Metro Toronto Wildcats, are coming off a lopsided loss in which they suffered the most points against (50) of all teams in the OVFL Wettges Conference.

As far as a game plan goes, Magee was transparent in his response.

“We try to do our stuff. We watch what the defense does, what they’re trying to take away, and we try to counter-punch that; we choose plays based on the holes they leave us.”

The team will seemingly approach the game by how the other team plays and what their defense shows them. But judging by what the Grenadiers did in Week 1 and how well it worked, they shouldn’t be looking to change much.

Expect the team to be balanced on offense – that is, a fair mix of both the pass and the run. Against the Panthers, the Limestone District Club had a total of 503 yards on offence (216 in the air; 287 on the ground). On the other hand, the Wildcats let up a respectable 317 yards on defence. Although the Grenadiers had success, and will likely, as Magee suggested, have a fair mix of run and pass, it may not be as effective against a stingy Wildcats defence.

The Wildcats were particularly good against the run in Week 1 – only allowing a meager 61 yards. Against the pass, their struggles were a bit more prevalent, giving up 257 yards.

That’s why you should take note on Grenadiers’ Quarterback Tanner DeJong. The newly appointed starter had an impressive first game and Magee mentioned he hopes the fifth-year player can keep it up.

“I thought he played great [in Week 1]. We’re going to keep riding the hot hand if it’s hot.”

DeJong threw for 216 yards, completed 86 per cent of his passes, tossed for four touchdowns and also ran one in for a score.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Grenadiers stout front-seven will look to build on their dominant Week 1 performance as well. The defensive line alone, for instance, tallied up 41 of the 53 assisted tackles and nine of the fourteen solo tackles. For some perspective: the line accounted for 77 per cent of the assisted tackles and 64 per cent of the solos. And with the opposing Wildcats Starting Quarterback Bryan Smith throwing for only 38 yards and five picks last Saturday, the Grenadiers defence will likely have a field day.

As much as the odds are in the favour, though, Magee said that the team takes one play at a time and never values an opponent lightly.

“Everyone likes to win, but we got to keep at it … doesn’t matter who you play.”

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