PLAYOFF PREVIEW (ONT-Peel): Cardinals, CFC#30 Crusaders meet in playoffs

 

After each team dropped the last game of the regular season, both the Cardinals and Crusaders look to get back on track in the postseason.

Week 1 of the ROPSSAA playoffs also means the beginning of inter-league play in the Peel region. With a third-place finish in the North, St. Thomas Aquinas will travel to Mount Carmel (who finished second in ROPSSAA South) for the right to move on and take on the Ravens in the second week of the playoffs.

The Cardinals come into the playoffs having lost their last game to St. Roch at the Rogers Centre. Overall, the Cardinals had a decent regular season campaign finishing 3-2. Now Aquinas will look to prove to the rest of the league that they can play with the top tier talent in Peel with their upcoming match up against one of the nation’s best in Mount Carmel (CFC #30).

Against St. Roch, the Cardinals’ offence struggled to maintain consistency. As their playoff match up looms, there is no doubt the offence will be an area of focus for Head Coach of the Cardinals Matt Fitzpatrick.

The duel threat ability of Crusaders’ passing attack led by quarterback Alex Sutcliffe and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker will also be another focal point for the Cardinals. Last week the pair hooked up for two touchdowns in their loss to the Lorne Park Spartans.

The Mount Carmel Crusaders enter the post-season with a 4-1 record while also possessing a reputation as one of the best passing attacks in the region. The team started the season with four straight wins and entered their regular season undefeated before an intense battle with Lorne Park in Week 6 of the regular season. Now Mount Carmel will come into Week 1 of the playoffs looking to redeem themselves and regain the rhythm they utilized over the first five weeks of the regular season.

The Crusaders know in order to move on they must try to shut down the Cardinals’ rushing attack led by Jevante Stanley.

The Cardinals possess a 1-1 record on the road and will have to find success as the visiting team from this point forward. On the other hand, the Crusaders have a 2-1 record at home and will look to protect their home field once again.