#CFC50 PLAYOFF game preview (BC): Heavy hitters set to meet in QF’s

It’s that time again when the stakes get higher and higher with each round that a team makes it through the playoffs. This weekend marks the quarter-final matchups in BC and we are profiling two highly anticipated games in the AAA playoff scene. Terry Fox will look for the opportunity to dethrone the 2015 AAA Provincial champs, the Mt. Douglas Rams, who eliminated them from the 2015 playoffs and Vancouver College will be facing their traditional rival, the Notre Dame Jugglers.

Quarter-final #1 #CFC50 No. 8 Terry Fox Ravens vs. former #CFC50 Mt. Douglas

In the first matchup of quarter-final play, we find Terry Fox (7-0, 0-2) going up against 2015 AAA defending champions, the Mt. Douglas Rams (4-3, 3-0) [records include post-season play].

CFC has been profiling these two teams all season. While we have had a lot to say on the Mt. Doug side, we haven’t been able to comment much about Terry Fox other then they have obliterated almost every opponent in the Eastern conference that they have come up against. From the comparison below, we can assume that Terry Fox will be relying on a strong ground game, while Mt. Doug is going to let it fly through the air as much as possible. In speaking with both team’s head coaches, we find that both are highly confident in their own team and give their respect to their talented opponent.

We asked Terry Fox’s head coach, Martin McDonnell, how he feels his team is at this point in the post-season.

“Well, we are undefeated up to this point so we are obviously happy with how we have been doing. The biggest surprise is that we are playing Mt. D so early in the playoffs. They had a key injury (QB) and although we’re still a good team, they are even stronger when he is back which it sounds like he will be.”

And he will be, from what we have gathered. Mt. Douglas’ head coach, Mark Townsend, said that “last week was a big bounce back game for us in all facets of the game”. Kremler played last week and managed to get his team to the next round of the playoffs.

While Mt. Douglas will have addressed ball security on offense and “creating turnovers on defense” in practice this week, the Ravens will have been preparing for everything.

“We are just working hard to prepare for Mt. D as they are a very talented team and defending champs. We had a first round bye, but assumed that Mt. Doug would win so we’re trying to prepare for them” states Coach McDonnell.

Both teams are heading into this matchup with not too many injuries and while the rain and wet West Coast conditions hampered practice conditions, both teams also state that they have had pretty solid practices in preparation for this game.

Both teams are highly talented and will have to rely on that talent to stop any sort of offense. For Terry Fox, they will be looking to “keep the ball away from them and hopefully score more than them.” Coach McDonnell also adds “I don’t think we can stop them entirely, but we hope to slow them down and score ourselves, taking time off the clock”.

That’s a pretty solid statement, one that Coach Townsend responds with “We will not be able to stop them completely, but will try to limit their big plays.”

That being said, defensive players that Terry Fox will have to locate on every play would be Mt. Doug’s ATH #10, Josh Lucas, who will also have to be contained on offense.

“I think #10 is a very good corner and we don’t want to throw near him” says Coach McDonnell, while Coach Townsend simply replies that “They have no weaknesses on their defence…a very solid group of athletes.”

Mt. Douglas will look to contain Terry Fox RB/LB, #CFC100, Jeremie Kankolongo who “is a phenomenal football player.”

Keys to the game for Terry Fox will be the “battle in the trenches.” “Hopefully our O line can hold their own against a very good Mt. D d-line.”

Both teams will be looking to win the turnover battle.

In the end, we seem to always downplay heart and those intrinsic motivators that propel some players to step up to the plate and become the game changer or the TSN turning point, and we see other players not fully reach their potential. Playoffs bring out the competitors and the crybabies. We are going to, hopefully, only see one of those two types here. We are putting our bet on the competitors and can’t wait to see who comes out on top of this one.

Kickoff is at 3pm, Saturday, Nov. 18th at BC Place.

PASSING	CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	TD%	INT	INT%	SACK	YDS
	19	43	44.2	363	16.5	–	4	9.3	3	7	0	0
RUSHING	ATT	YDS	AVG/GME	AVG/ATT	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
	215	2883	411.85	13.41	–	41	0	0
RECEIVING	REC	YDS	AVG/GME	AVG/REC	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
	21	385	51.85	18.33	–	4	0	0
DEFENSIVE	TACK	SACK	FREC		INT	YDS	AVG	LNG
	347	11	8		8	45	5.63	40

 

PASSING	CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	TD%	INT	INT%	SACK	YDS
	69	146	47.3	928	61.87	–	8	5.5	6	4.1	9	0
RUSHING	ATT	YDS	AVG/GME	AVG/ATT	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
	199	1238	206.33	6.22	–	12	6	6
RECEIVING	REC	YDS	AVG/GME	AVG/REC	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
	69	927	154.5	13.43	–	8	1	1
DEFENSIVE	TACK	SACK	FREC		INT	YDS	AVG	LNG
	296	6	6		9	41	4.56	33

 

Quarter-final #2 #CFC50 Notre Dame Jugglers vs. #CFC50 Vancouver College Fighting Irish

In CFC’s second profiled game of the weekend in BC, we find traditional rivals, the Notre Dame Jugglers (5-1, 2-1), pitted up against the Vancouver College Fighting Irish (4-3, 2-1) [records include post-season play].

In this week’s preparation, it wasn’t too long ago that these two teams met. The result of that meeting was 21-7 for the Jugglers in regular season play.

“Our preparation has gone well, so far. Having just played Notre Dame 10 days ago, the schemes are fresh in our minds and we are edgy and ready to play because we lost. We are preparing for a very tough opponent, Notre Dame is loaded with talent.” said head coach Todd Bernett for Vancouver College.

While the Irish had only one week of turnaround, the Jugglers had a first round bye that allowed them some crucial rest time.

“We had a bye in the first round which was very beneficial for us to heal up some players and take a little time off of the grind of the sport” replied head coach, Rich Scott, of the Jugglers. “Practice has been enthusiastic, but there is still a lot of learning going on – players need to get constant repetition each day to minimize mistakes in the game.”

Up to this point, Coach Scott has been happy, overall, with the improvement of his team over the course of the season.

“The team has steadily improved throughout the year, and has overcome some key injuries to be competitive each week. Last week, in a pressure filled game, our kids stayed the course, and corrected mistakes, which made it a great TEAM win.”

Pressure is what the Western Conference is all about this year. For Vancouver College to put this one in the bag, they are going to have to exert some hercules type pressure on the Jugglers QB, and #CFC100, Steve Moretto, who has been having a phenomenal season.

“Their offense has the ability to be multi-dimensional, but they also have the best player in the province in Steve Moretto. So when all else fails, that ball in his hand is probably the best plan” says Coach Bernett.

The Jugglers, on the other hand, are aware that Vancouver College plays good team defense “so individually we have to just do our jobs”.

Offensively, for Vancouver to put points on the board, they will have to rely on the quarterback, Jacob Samuels to connect with as many of the Irish’s weapons as possible. RB Michael Le will have to be firing on all cylinders as will Alfre Dela Cruz and Isaish States who have proven to be the work horses of this team up to now.

It won’t be easy as Coach Bernett knows. “Defensively they play with good leverage and fly to the ball. So this is a tough team to deal with.”

VC is no joke either when it comes to trying to figure out how to beat this traditional powerhouse. Coach Scott understands that they will need to be fundamentally sound and tackle lights out.

“We need to tackle better, and take the physical game to them more. When we do those things, we have a way better chance of success.”

With all this in mind, the Irish will have to win the turnover battle and get off the field on 3rd down.

“Keys to us winning will be not turning the ball over, and getting off the field on 3rd down. Tackling will be the main element to get off on 3rd down, if we scheme them right we will have kids in position to make the tackle, we just have to finish the play.”

The biggest keys to the game for the Jugglers?

“Playing to win this game only is very important. Looking past VC will hurt us. We have been a one game at a time team all year, so we can’t afford to change that focus.” says Coach Scott.

One can only begin to imagine the planning and preparation that goes on for playoffs. But when all is said and done, and it’s kickoff, the fun begins and the chess match is on. Will Vancouver College’s game plan to contain the Jugglers rangy QB prevail or will the Jugglers continue their fairy tale season and blast past the Irish for a crack at becoming BC’s 2016 Provincial Champions?

Kickoff is Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8pm at BC place.

 

 

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