OVFL SEASON PREVIEW: JV Hawkeyes look to avenge conference final exit

Kickoff is only days away!

With the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) set to begin soon, CanadaFootballChat.com (CFC) is previewing some of the teams that will be competing this season.

In this installment, CFC reporter Chris Zorbas previews the junior varsity Oshawa Hawkeyes.

This year’s junior varsity (JV) Oshawa Hawkeye’s team does not resemble the team that lost to the Ottawa-Myers Riders in last year’s Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) playoffs.

They look a little more like the bantam squad that lost to the Durham West Dolphins in the Conference Finals. The coaching staff is the same from that bantam team a year ago, and have that game circled on their calendar.

Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, they must wait until week eight for their chance at revenge. For the returning JV players, though, they’ll get their chance at the Riders earlier in the season with a June 18th trip to Ottawa looming.

The Hawkeyes, though lacking experience together do have a wealth of playoff and big game experience among them. As previously mentioned a vast majority of the players on the team have won playoff games which is something that can make a big difference late in the season or late in games.

This year’s Oshawa team boasts a unique combination of athleticism and size, especially on defense where the linebacking core should be a force of quickness and physicality. Up front the defensive line looks primed to be productive with a group of versatile starters as quality depth.

The offense, led by quarterback Grant Campbell will look to lean on a big offensive line to keep Campbell upright and open some holes for a bruising rushing attack.

With this year’s coaching staff it’s not unrealistic to expect a deep run into the playoffs or even a championship.

The Hawkeyes’ season kicks off May 21st at Metro Toronto from York Univeristy.

May 21 2016

5:00 PM

Metro Toronto Wildcats

York University

May 28 2016

4:00 PM

Toronto Thunder

Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex

Jun 04 2016

4:00 PM

Kingston Grenadiers

Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex

Jun 11 2016

3:00 PM

York Region Lions

St. Maximillian Kolbe HighSchool

Jun 18 2016

2:45 PM

Myers Riders

Beckwith Recreation Complex

Jun 25 2016

1:00 PM

Sault Ste Marie Sabercats

Superior Heights Collegiate

Jul 02 2016

4:00 PM

Metro Toronto Wildcats

Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex

Jul 09 2016

4:00 PM

Durham West Dolphins

Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex