PLAYOFF PREVIEW (ONT – OTTAWA): Knights, Coyotes battle for ‘AAA’ supremacy

The NCSSAA Tier 1 AAA championships will take place on Saturday at Carleton University. The St. Peter’s Knights and the St. Francis Xavier Coyotes will square off for the third time this year at 1:30.

The Knights and the Coyotes split the season series. The Knights won the first game by a score of 7-0 during the second week of the season, a game which had to be postponed due to the passing of Knights Coach Mike Heney. The Coyotes evened the series with a convincing 27-6 win three weeks ago.

“Both games against St.Pete’s were close hard fought  games in which each team came out victorious once. This is a great way to build rivalries against each other. It heightens the drama for the game knowing that we were the only team to beat St. Petes this year,”:said Coyotes Head Coach Mark Jennings.

The Knights come into the championship game as the top ranked team in the NCSSAA. They are 5-1 and have outscored their opponents 144-66. They will be looking to build on the momentum of their 49-6 thumping of St. Mark’s last Thursday.

The Coyotes finished second in the Tier 1 Division at 3-3. Their offence was less potent than the Knights, they scoring 84 points during the season. Their defence however, was slightly stingier than St. Peter’s giving up just 60 points all year. This is a game the Coyotes have been looking forward to all season.

“We have been hyping this game up all year. It is our final exam, we knew that all the hard work that we put in all year was to get us prepared for Saturday. The date has been circled on the calendar for a long time,” said Jennings

The Coyotes have some defensive players who are mobile and track down ball carriers very well. The Knights have been preparing to combat these player’s abilities by changing the style of tackle they’ll have to make.

“When you see people that flow to the ball you try to run away from them but they always catch up to you because they’re used to flowing to the ball. So sometimes you have to go right at these athletes. It’s very different for a defender to flow and get an angle then have someone come straight at them,” said Mick.

The Coyotes have a very skilled quarterback who was an all-star in the NCSSAA conference last season. His play will be crucial to their success.

Mick’s strategy to stop the Coyotes Quarterback will be the same that it has been all season. Try to get some hits and pressure on him. The only difference is that this time around the Knights will be showing blitz packages that they’ve been saving all year for this game.

The Coyotes will also have to deal with news packages from the Knights offence. More complex run and pass packages could throw a wrinkle at St. Fx’s stellar defensive unit.

“St. Pete’s always leaves you guessing what to expect and plan for come the Championship game. They usually come out with new offensive packages and plays that they haven’t shown all year. They are difficult to plan for. This game is just like every other game for us, if we play with emotion and intensity, we have the ability to be a very good team,” said Jennings.

Mick knows the game could come down to a few plays. The time for practice and learning has come and gone with the ending of the regular season.

“There could be five plays that define every game, but you just don’t know when they’re going to happen so you have to play every down like it’s that play,” said Mick.

The Knights will be looking to build on St. Peter’s lengthy history of success in all sports. A special ritual this week will ensure these victories are on the minds of the players come Saturday.

“We’ll walk down this hall, and down this hall is pictures of all the championship teams this school has ever had, not just in football. And we’ll say this is what you’re playing for, you’re getting this picture on this wall and it’s done via this game,” said Mick.

History won’t be the only thing on the Knights player’s minds as they take the field on Saturday. Their thoughts will also be focused on winning one for Coach Heney.

“Pre-game before we hit the field we always pray and we end the prayer with St. Peter pray for us and this year every time now it’s St. Peter and Coach Heney pray for us,” said Mick.