One of the greatest aspects of summer football in both the OVFL and the OFC is the competitiveness across the board at each level in each division. With such balance it means no easing into the schedule, as teams “hit the ground running” to kick off the 2015 season. With meaningful early season clashes, the varsity level promises to be interesting as quite a few teams will be faced with replacing veteran stars at the key positions. 2015 has to mark one of the biggest turnovers at the QB position in a long time.
Gone are veteran provincial team stars James Roberts with the OVFL’s Cambridge Lions and 2014 CFC 100 Nate Hobbs with the Mississauga Warriors, also from the OVFL. The Huronia Stallions will try and replace three year starter and OFC allstar Adam Zussino, Myers will replace record setting Matt Duffy and the list goes on. How the new class of QBs develop will be key to many teams success as early season wins and losses will loom large in the latter stages of the season with playoff spots on the line.
One of the pivots returning back is CFC 100 Liam Putt of the OFC’s Hamilton Hurricanes,
The focus this weekend is definitely on a couple of early opening week clashes in the OVFL featuring top 10 combatants. Shaking off the slumber from winter here are the varsity “previews and predictions” for week one.
KEY WEEK 1 VARSITY MATCH-UPS:
#8 MISSISSAUGA WARRIORS (0-0) @ LONDON JR MUSTANGS Sat. May 23rd TD Stadium 20h15
The Match-up: Replacing QB 2014 CFC 100 Nate Hobbs (now at Queen’s) would be a daunting task for most teams, and the Warriors are no different. The transition however may be a lot smoother than anyone could hope for as waiting in the wings is JV starter and 2014 Team Ontario pivot Kevin John. John is a multipurpose threat who can pressure a defense with both his arm and legs and causes defensive coordinators nightmares. Defensively the Warriors boast an athletic bunch that can swarm to the ball in a hurry.
2014 served as a bit of a disappointment for the Jr ‘Stangs as they fell to .500, only two years removed from their 2012 undefeated season and OVFL crown. The offseason was a prosperous one for London as they improved with key additions which included defensive end Cam Bailey and QB Tristan Arndt. London boasts one of (if not the best) offensive fronts in the OVFL. Big, strong and experienced it’s up front where the tone will be set and just look at the Essex Ravens from last year as proof of this. The Ravens had various rushers go over the century mark on a weekly basis and this was a testament to the domination of the O-line. This Mustang group may be just as good.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Warriors have the athletes to make a lot of noise during the 2015 campaign. With changes at some key positions, look for the Warriors to get stronger as the season progresses and they gel. In the early season the defenses tend to come together sooner and both teams look solid. The difference in week one may very well be the Mustangs offensive line as the ‘Stangs should be able to keep it relatively simple and pound the rock as they hit their stride. Look for London to control the ball and the pace and although John has the look of a future star, there will be a learning curve. The ability to take up chunks of yardage and time on the ground will be the key in this week one Jr Mustang win.
FINAL SCORE: JR MUSTANGS 35 WARRIORS 22
#2 ESSEX RAVENS (0-0) @ NIAGARA SPEARS (0-0) Sat. May 23rd Kiwanis Field 20h00
The Match-up: The Ravens came into 2014 as the number one ranked team in the province and fell in week one to the Niagara Spears, this season the Ravens have some new faces but come in ranked 2nd….will history repeat itself? Veteran players like QB Riley McCabe and Sir Winston Churchill product defensive linemen Lukas Brennan should help take the Spears to the postseason and a potential long run.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Ravens will have a bit of a different look, but will be able to run the ball with the same prowess as over the last few seasons. This game should be a dandy early season match-up and a potential playoff preview as well. Truly a coin toss, the Ravens get revenge for last season.
FINAL SCORE: RAVENS 26 SPEARS 24
#5 SSM SABERCATS (0-0) @ HAMILTON IRONMEN (0-0) Sat. May 23rd McMaster U 16h00
The Match-up: The Sabercats defense will cause problems for a lot of teams all season long. Their highest CFC preseason ranking ever, the fifth ranked Sabercats need to show they can win on the road and will try to do so against an improved Hamilton squad.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Sabercats have returners on both sides of the ball, with an abundance on the defensive side. Last year the defense rose to the top of the OVFL and should only be stronger in 2015. Look for a particularly stingy week one offering by the SSM defense, as the Sabercats show they can win on the road in 2015.
FINAL SCORE: SABERCATS 25 IRONMEN 10
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