Alex Porras: “Update from the Q” (Semi-finals Edition)

CNDF Notre-Dame (7-3): 276 PF / 225 PA / +51

Unavailable, Injured or Questionable: Manuel St-Aubin (RB), Nicholas Plourde (DB), Christophe Poulin-Lapierre (LB), Joseph Poirier-Couture (OL), Nicolas Guay (OL)

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Vieux Montréal Spartiates (8-3): 299 PF / 183 PA / +116

Unavailable, Injured or Questionable: Ethan Makonzo (LB), Michael Craig (RB), CFC 100 Mike Brian Lusikila (RB), Raphaël Muntu (DB), Ouissam Akhrif (DB), David MacDonald (DB), Maxime Champagne (OL), Argenis Jesus Francisco (OL)

The time has come for the Notre-Dame to show the football world what their team is capable of. On the heels of their best season since joining the RSEQ’s top CEGEP Division, the gargoyles could take advantage of an unprecedented star alignment. Bucket fulls of veteran presence on defense, an uncanningly dominant running back in Alexis Côté and the quarterback with the second-best quarterback rating in the league (CFC 100 Samuel Chénard) are currently contributing to a perfect storm. Can they keep making it rain?

Although they’ve elevated their play of late, the Spartiates’ biggest threat remains themselves. If they are to reach the Bol D’Or finals for the 16th time in the last 19 seasons, they’ll need to stay clear of mental mistakes, lack of discipline and costly turnovers. With the presence of CFC 100 running back Mike Brian Lusikila still uncertain, it’ll be up to budding superstar Édouard Montemiglio to carry the load on the ground while a greatly improved Frédéric Paquette-Perrault mans the aerial assault. Favorites despite their opponent’s higher ranking in the standings, the Spartiates will be looking to add to their school’s already prestigious resume.

Previous Matchup: Vieux Montréal 36 – CNDF 27 (Week 4)

Prediction: CNDF 24 – Vieux Montréal 32

Cougars Lennox

Photo Credit: Alain Robitaille

Vanier Cheetahs (9-1): 301 PF / 160 PA / +141

Unavailable, Injured or Questionable: Wade Cyr (OL/DL), Mathieu Boucher-Paiment (OL), Daniel Verrillo (OL), Insixiengmay, Yutthakaneleuth (RB), Khalil Kerr (RB)

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Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars (7-4): 401 PF / 253 PA / +148

Unavailable, Injured or Questionable: Jacob Nutbrown (DB), Justin François (DB), CFC 100 Cédric Lussier-Roy (LB), Jérémie Gagnon-Chénier (DL)

While all the other Division 1 teams had an experienced player at quarterback, the Cheetahs felt comfortable enough in handing the gig over to rookie Dimitrios Sinodinos this season. Their gamble has proved worth it up until now, with their prized freshman posting the best interception to pass attempt ratio in the league as well as the top touchdown to interception ratio. Avoiding interceptions will once again be key if the Cheetahs want to make their sixth Bol D’Or appearance in ten years. Defensively, the goal will be to keep a lid on the Cougars’ aerial attack. A lack of air production would force their opponents to rely heavily on their ground troops which weren’t particularly dominant the last time the two felines crossed paths.

After coming so close six weeks ago, the Cougars will want to prove they have what it takes to bring down the regular season’s top performer. A dominant offensive showing will obviously be paramount in sealing the win. A minimum of 30 points is what they’ll be looking for since they lost all four matchups in which they failed to reach that plateau. Luckily for them, tools are not what they lack in order to achieve their short term objectives. On defense, the task will be fairly straightforward: get Dimitrios Sinodinos off his game. Suffice to say that week seven’s underwhelming performance of 1 sack and 0 interceptions will need to be improved upon.

Previous Matchup: Vanier 23 – Champlain-Lennoxville 16 – OT (Week 7)

Prediction: Vanier 24 – Champlain-Lennoxville 17

Lead Photo Credit: Florence Pin

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