CFC polled many coaches (14 in fact) from coast to coast to get their feedback and opinions
about who will win the Football Canada Cup, and specifically who will win on Day 1 (Sunday). Here are the results:
GAME 1: 10:00 AM SASKATCHEWAN VS. MANITOBA
A classic prairie showdown to start the tourney. Not quite the banjo bowl but this will prove to be a good classic game of fundamental football.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Neither of these teams will be the biggest teams at the tournament but it will still come down to defensive and offensive line play. Will Manitoba’s Evan Gill be able to disrupt the Sask running and passing attack? Will Sask’s undersize Defensive line be able to stop the running game of Manitoba?
PREDICTION: In what will be the lowest scoring game of the opening day, Saskatchewan will win by the slimmest of margins. Final Score 14 to 11 Saskatchewan
GAME 2: 1:30 PM NOVA SCOTIA VS. ALBERTA
Alberta will score points. Will Nova Scotia be able to score? Nova Scotia is the most prepared team in the tournament. They have played 3 exhibition games and have had numerous practices and preparation time and have been together as a team for 2 years. But do they have the depth of talent playing in Nova Scotia’s 17 Varsity High School programs to compete as a single province?
DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Alberta defensive line. If they dominate the game it will be a long day for the Nova Scotia offense and which will mean a long day for the Nova Scotia defense
PREDICTION: Final Score 24 to 7 Alberta
GAME 3: 4:30 PM ONTARIO WEST VS. QUEBEC
Quebec versus Ontario West. The football gods will look fondly upon this game. If you want to watch a game with great athletes, great coaches, drama, and a few intense moments, circle this one. These two teams have the largest amount of football players to draw from, and it will show with some great players showing off their talents on Raymond Field.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Quebec’s front seven versus the Offensive Line and Running backs of Team Ontario West. If the Offensive Line can open holes for Varga and company, and protect the pivot long enough to get the ball to Brett Weir and company, look for an Ontario West victory.
PREDICTION: This could end up being the game of the tournament. Quebec’s depth and experience and quarterbacks are the difference. Final Score 37 to 35 Quebec
GAME 4: 7:30 PM BRITISH COLUMBIA VS. ONTARIO EAST
The experience of Ontario East against the talent and enthusiasm of British Columbia. Great way to end the day of games with a battle of two highly respectable football areas. Ontario East returns last years U17 Offensive MVP Dallon Kuprowski and 2008 U17 Special Teams MVP Tyler Crapigna. BC has chosen to carry 4 Quarterbacks and 3 running backs. What do they have in store for us and Ontario East?
DIFFERENCE MAKERS: The coaching and playing experience of Ontario East. Many of the current players and coaches have participated in prior Football Canada Cups. One individual in particular is K/P Tyler Crapigna, who is participating in his 3rd FCC, and also participated in the Team World game versus Team USA. Team Ontario East returns only one starter from the front seven from last years gold medal winning team. If BC can take advantage of this look for a west coast love in.
PREDICTION: Ontario East wins on last minute Crapigna field goal. Final Score 19 to 17 Ontario East
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