This weekend, a berth in the OVFL Championship are on the line as rivals Ottawa Myers Riders take on the Cumberland Panthers in the junior varsity semifinals.
“We know Myers is going to be ready,” said Panthers Head Coach Warren Steeves. “We just have to go out there and play Panther football.”
The Panthers have been undefeated so far as they enjoyed an 8-0 regular season record. Last weekend in their first playoff game, they defeated the York-Simcoe Bucs 52-12.
In a previous game this season, the Panthers came out on top over the Myers Riders 49-32.
“The key was we executed on both sides of the ball and won the penalty battle,” noted Steeves.
For the Panthers, running back Baxter Balthazar has dominated the running game while receivers Nick Renaud, Dylan St. Pierre and Jamal Mavinga have been major contributors to the passing game.
Quarterback Pascal Roy Lapensee has been a leader on the team.
As for the Myers Riders, the team’s has been led by running back Jalla Lansanah.
“He’s going to be a weapon for them for sure,” said Steeves.
Steeves offered the key to the Panthers success lies in the importance of continuing to play a disciplined style of play that has worked for them throughout the season.
The Myers Riders had a regular season record of 7-1. Last weekend, the team defeated the Kingston Grenadiers 57-15 in their first playoff game.
Both teams will battle it out on Saturday at Millennium Field.
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