#CFCOVFL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Ravens “playing good football right now”

The varsity Essex Ravens have been a tough team to beat this season in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).

Standing atop the Adam Conference and second in the league (behind only the Myers Raiders), the Ravens went 7-1 during the 2015 regular season.

The one loss came in Week1 to the Niagara Spears.  Since then, the Ravens have only played better. Last weekend, the Ravens won their quarterfinal game against the Cambridge Lions 45-20.

“I believe we are playing very good football right now,” said Ravens head coach Glen Mills, “Last game, we were physical and ran well but did not finish our drives in the red zone.”

“We have steadily improved throughout the season and I am looking forward to Saturdays game.”

This Saturday (August 8th), the Ravens will play in the Adam Conference final against the London Jr. Mustangs. The Ravens will try to
continue their playoff run and earn a place in the OVFL championship game the following weekend (August 15th) against either the Ottawa Myers Riders or Kingston Grenadiers.

Mills believes that the Ravens have what it takes to win the championship this year. His delivered a specific message to the players.

“We have to play fast and physical,” said Mills.  “We have to execute and we have to be disciplined.”

“If we do that we are a tough team to beat.”

Their opponents, the London Jr. Mustangs, come into this game with an 8-2 record.

In Week 3 of the OVFL season, the Ravens edged the Jr Mustangs 45-43.

“I thought offensively we played well,” added Mills about the Ravens Week 3 performance. “But I felt defensively we game up too many big plays.”

Mills believes that the Mustangs main threat is their running game.

“Running back Cole Kussmann is a big threat with 22 touchdowns this season complimented by their very good offensive line,” said Mills.

The Ravens will also have to watch #CFC100  quarterback Tristan Arndt.

“Tristan does not force the ball,” Mills said “In order to shut him down, we need to get to him quickly.”

In order to earn an appearance in the OVFL Championship final for the second straight year, the Ravens need to do one thing.

“We need to execute and stay away from penalties,” said Mills. “If we do that, we will be fine.”

Although Mills and the Ravens know how important this game is, there is one goal that they want to achieve on the field.

“The game is for the kids,” Mills added “If they come in and play hard every down and leave it all on the field, that is all we can ask of them.”

The Ravens will be the upper seed heading into Saturday’s game and will have home field advantage at the University of Windsor Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is 7pm.
 

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