October 30, 2009
MARAUDERS, GEE-GEES BATTLE IN OUA FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL
HAMILTON, Ont. - The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football playoffs are upon us, as the No. 10 nationally-ranked McMaster Marauders (6-2) travel to our nation's capital to take on the No. 7 Ottawa Gee-Gees (6-2) in the OUA quarter-finals.
Having lost a number of key players at the end of last season and not playing each other in the regular season, these teams will be facing an entirely new competition. With the additions of running back Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.) to the Gee-Gees and Cody Lynch (Stoney Creek, Ont.) to the Marauders, there's no such thing as being too prepared.
When Josh Sacobie left the Gee-Gees last year, it was hard to imagine who would be able to fill his shoes as starting quarterback. Enter Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.). The now third-year quarterback was Ottawa's back-up QB last season in which he threw 22-of-40 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns, proving himself as the front runner for Sacobie's job.
Fast-forward to this weekend, when Sinopoli will lead his team into the OUA quarter-finals for the first time. No one is doubting his skills, as he sits third in OUA in passing yards with 2,084 and 11 touchdowns. After eight starts this season, Sinopoli knows what his team is capable of and will play to his teammates' strengths.
uOttawa has one of the strongest rushing games of the 2009-10 season, all thanks to Wilson-Ross. The first-year running back has had an exceptional inaugural season, landing second in OUA for rushing yards and turning out an impressive 111 attempts for 790 yards and six touchdowns. Wilson-Ross is a challenge, in and of himself and to every defensive line in the league.
Despite losing receiver Justin Wood-Roy at the end of the 2008-09 campaign, the Gee-Gees retained Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana), who played in the 2009 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) East-West Bowl and was a 2008 OUA second-team all-star. The fourth-year receiver is third in receiving in OUA with 37 receptions for 672 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ahead of him in the standings is teammate Steven Hughes (Ottawa), who has made his mark this season as he sits second in OUA receiving with 41 catches and 685 yards. The fourth-year receiver has only recorded two touchdowns but his receiving yards alone are enough to impress.
Unless McMaster has an outstanding defensive line and the interceptions to prove it, they'll be in trouble when Adjeitey and Hughes hit the field.
The defence is where Ottawa might suffer the most. It's one thing to get points on the board, which shouldn't be a problem for the Gee-Gees, but it's another thing to keep the other team off the scoreboard.
Statistically, Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.) could be the best Ottawa's got. He's third in OUA interceptions with a team-high four and has 23 solo tackles. Between Elliott and Lee Shaver (Ottawa), the Ottawa defence has the potential to present an offensive challenge, but according to Ottawa head coach Denis Piché, they'll have to step it up in this game.
"Lee and Chayce have done well, but they have been, at times, inconsistent although they've always come up big at the right time," Piché said. "We have to minimize the mistakes and be strong on the backhand. We're facing a team that will run the ball on you but you can't just focus on that. These guys can throw the football, they have and they will."
Ottawa has no problems trapping their opposing quarterback in the pocket, totalling 22 sacks as a team, making the Gee-Gees defence one for quarterbacks to be fearful of when in passing situations.
McMaster could struggle to materialize on offence, as Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.) hasn't experienced a playoff start in his Marauder career yet, but head coach Stefan Ptaszek has no doubts that Quinlan will prove to be a solid post-season quarterback.
"He's been tremendously poised in every situation we've put him in. He's learned some things through the regular season," Ptaszek said. "We'll get him his favourite throws early just to calm him down for some early success."
While most teams have one exceptional rusher, McMaster has been lucky enough to land two solid running backs, and, potentially, a third in time.
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.) and Joseph Nemet (Burlington, Ont.) have been reliable on the ground. Kozina has rushed for 720 yards on 116 attempts and two touchdowns, while Nemet has made 98 runs for 612 yards and one touchdown.
But it's not just Kozina and Nemet that the Gee-Gees should be on the lookout for.
"I think [Kozina and Nemet are] very talented kids and little No. 24 (receiver Matthew Peressini) for us is actually a little bit of a tailback himself," said Ptaszek. "It's tremendously difficult on defence to know what we're doing formationally and positionally when there's potentially three ball handlers in the game at any one time."
"The fact that they're sharing some of the load at that tailback spot, but then Kozina you'll find out on the slot a bit. It creates some headaches and keeps the defence off balance. All three kids can block, protect the QB, catch the rock and they can all carry the football very effectively."
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.) is going to be the force behind the Marauders' defence. The third-year linebacker has made 44 solo tackles and three sacks this season, as well as one 15-yard interception.
So while going up against a team that has such an intimidating offence, Ptaszek, like any proper coach, has a game plan and hopes to draw some confidence from last week's game against Guelph.
"[Ottawa] can score in a big hurry. Sinopoli is absolutely scary. He's a pocket passer that can gun-sling to the four concerns of the universe. Obviously we want to control the clock, keep their offence on the sideline and control the football. Last week, 300 yards rushing, no fumbles... was extremely encouraging."
But with both teams so evenly matched, it's hard to even determine a front runner. The big difference in this game, say both coaches, will be the players that don't always see regular playing time.
"Field position is the key to football. Special teams is one third of the game and we like to give a lot of attention to it, and we have all year. Big plays on special teams will dictate a lot of how the game is going to," Piché said. "Being in the playoffs and knowing how important this one is going to be with teams so evenly matched, there's no doubt special teams will have a big role to play this weekend."
Ottawa kicker Matthew Falvo (Welland, Ont.) has made a strong effort this season, making 17 of 22 field goals, good for third in OUA scoring. He averaged 35 yards per punt, with his longest going 53 yards.
Similarly, McMaster's Andy Waugh (Perth, Ont.) is just shy to meet Falvo's stats. The second-year kicker/punter averaged 34.3 yards per punt in the regular season and has completed nine of 11 attempted field goals.
Ptazsek admits that special teams is going to be a crucial part of the game and could very well be the reason one team outscores the other.
"It's not necessarily your starters, it's the other 21 guys on the roster that aren't starters that need to believe they can make a difference in the outcome of the game on special teams," Ptazsek said, echoing Piché's sentiment.
"If we can have a big play go our way on specials, with how evenly matched we are on offence and defence, that will impact the football game."
MCMASTER LEADERS
Passing
Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.)
89 completions, 153 attempts, 1,405 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.)
116 attempts, 720 yards and 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.)
31 receptions, 411 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.)
44 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception
Steve Cecchini (Thorold, Ont.)
28 solo tackles, 1 sack
Daniel Baronas (St. Catharines, Ont.)
21 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.)
144 completions, 249 attempts, 2,084 yards, 11 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.)
111 attempts, 790 yards, 6 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana)
37 receptions, 672 yards, 7 touchdowns
Defence
Mike Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.)
21 solo tackles, 2 sacks
Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.)
23 solo tackles, 4 interceptions
Tyler Sawyer (Metcalfe, Ont.)
24 solo tackles, 1 sack
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
Having lost a number of key players at the end of last season and not playing each other in the regular season, these teams will be facing an entirely new competition. With the additions of running back Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.) to the Gee-Gees and Cody Lynch (Stoney Creek, Ont.) to the Marauders, there's no such thing as being too prepared.
When Josh Sacobie left the Gee-Gees last year, it was hard to imagine who would be able to fill his shoes as starting quarterback. Enter Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.). The now third-year quarterback was Ottawa's back-up QB last season in which he threw 22-of-40 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns, proving himself as the front runner for Sacobie's job.
Fast-forward to this weekend, when Sinopoli will lead his team into the OUA quarter-finals for the first time. No one is doubting his skills, as he sits third in OUA in passing yards with 2,084 and 11 touchdowns. After eight starts this season, Sinopoli knows what his team is capable of and will play to his teammates' strengths.
uOttawa has one of the strongest rushing games of the 2009-10 season, all thanks to Wilson-Ross. The first-year running back has had an exceptional inaugural season, landing second in OUA for rushing yards and turning out an impressive 111 attempts for 790 yards and six touchdowns. Wilson-Ross is a challenge, in and of himself and to every defensive line in the league.
Despite losing receiver Justin Wood-Roy at the end of the 2008-09 campaign, the Gee-Gees retained Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana), who played in the 2009 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) East-West Bowl and was a 2008 OUA second-team all-star. The fourth-year receiver is third in receiving in OUA with 37 receptions for 672 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ahead of him in the standings is teammate Steven Hughes (Ottawa), who has made his mark this season as he sits second in OUA receiving with 41 catches and 685 yards. The fourth-year receiver has only recorded two touchdowns but his receiving yards alone are enough to impress.
Unless McMaster has an outstanding defensive line and the interceptions to prove it, they'll be in trouble when Adjeitey and Hughes hit the field.
The defence is where Ottawa might suffer the most. It's one thing to get points on the board, which shouldn't be a problem for the Gee-Gees, but it's another thing to keep the other team off the scoreboard.
Statistically, Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.) could be the best Ottawa's got. He's third in OUA interceptions with a team-high four and has 23 solo tackles. Between Elliott and Lee Shaver (Ottawa), the Ottawa defence has the potential to present an offensive challenge, but according to Ottawa head coach Denis Piché, they'll have to step it up in this game.
"Lee and Chayce have done well, but they have been, at times, inconsistent although they've always come up big at the right time," Piché said. "We have to minimize the mistakes and be strong on the backhand. We're facing a team that will run the ball on you but you can't just focus on that. These guys can throw the football, they have and they will."
Ottawa has no problems trapping their opposing quarterback in the pocket, totalling 22 sacks as a team, making the Gee-Gees defence one for quarterbacks to be fearful of when in passing situations.
McMaster could struggle to materialize on offence, as Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.) hasn't experienced a playoff start in his Marauder career yet, but head coach Stefan Ptaszek has no doubts that Quinlan will prove to be a solid post-season quarterback.
"He's been tremendously poised in every situation we've put him in. He's learned some things through the regular season," Ptaszek said. "We'll get him his favourite throws early just to calm him down for some early success."
While most teams have one exceptional rusher, McMaster has been lucky enough to land two solid running backs, and, potentially, a third in time.
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.) and Joseph Nemet (Burlington, Ont.) have been reliable on the ground. Kozina has rushed for 720 yards on 116 attempts and two touchdowns, while Nemet has made 98 runs for 612 yards and one touchdown.
But it's not just Kozina and Nemet that the Gee-Gees should be on the lookout for.
"I think [Kozina and Nemet are] very talented kids and little No. 24 (receiver Matthew Peressini) for us is actually a little bit of a tailback himself," said Ptaszek. "It's tremendously difficult on defence to know what we're doing formationally and positionally when there's potentially three ball handlers in the game at any one time."
"The fact that they're sharing some of the load at that tailback spot, but then Kozina you'll find out on the slot a bit. It creates some headaches and keeps the defence off balance. All three kids can block, protect the QB, catch the rock and they can all carry the football very effectively."
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.) is going to be the force behind the Marauders' defence. The third-year linebacker has made 44 solo tackles and three sacks this season, as well as one 15-yard interception.
So while going up against a team that has such an intimidating offence, Ptaszek, like any proper coach, has a game plan and hopes to draw some confidence from last week's game against Guelph.
"[Ottawa] can score in a big hurry. Sinopoli is absolutely scary. He's a pocket passer that can gun-sling to the four concerns of the universe. Obviously we want to control the clock, keep their offence on the sideline and control the football. Last week, 300 yards rushing, no fumbles... was extremely encouraging."
But with both teams so evenly matched, it's hard to even determine a front runner. The big difference in this game, say both coaches, will be the players that don't always see regular playing time.
"Field position is the key to football. Special teams is one third of the game and we like to give a lot of attention to it, and we have all year. Big plays on special teams will dictate a lot of how the game is going to," Piché said. "Being in the playoffs and knowing how important this one is going to be with teams so evenly matched, there's no doubt special teams will have a big role to play this weekend."
Ottawa kicker Matthew Falvo (Welland, Ont.) has made a strong effort this season, making 17 of 22 field goals, good for third in OUA scoring. He averaged 35 yards per punt, with his longest going 53 yards.
Similarly, McMaster's Andy Waugh (Perth, Ont.) is just shy to meet Falvo's stats. The second-year kicker/punter averaged 34.3 yards per punt in the regular season and has completed nine of 11 attempted field goals.
Ptazsek admits that special teams is going to be a crucial part of the game and could very well be the reason one team outscores the other.
"It's not necessarily your starters, it's the other 21 guys on the roster that aren't starters that need to believe they can make a difference in the outcome of the game on special teams," Ptazsek said, echoing Piché's sentiment.
"If we can have a big play go our way on specials, with how evenly matched we are on offence and defence, that will impact the football game."
MCMASTER LEADERS
Passing
Kyle Quinlan (South Woodslee, Ont.)
89 completions, 153 attempts, 1,405 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ont.)
116 attempts, 720 yards and 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Matthew Peressini (Hannon, Ont.)
31 receptions, 411 yards, 4 touchdowns
Defence
Ryan Chmielewski (St. Catharines, Ont.)
44 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception
Steve Cecchini (Thorold, Ont.)
28 solo tackles, 1 sack
Daniel Baronas (St. Catharines, Ont.)
21 solo tackles, 2 interceptions
OTTAWA LEADERS
Passing
Brad Sinopoli (Peterborough, Ont.)
144 completions, 249 attempts, 2,084 yards, 11 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Rushing
Jordan Wilson-Ross (Alliston, Ont.)
111 attempts, 790 yards, 6 touchdowns
Receiving
Cyril Adjeitey (Ghana)
37 receptions, 672 yards, 7 touchdowns
Defence
Mike Cornell (Hamilton, Ont.)
21 solo tackles, 2 sacks
Chayce Elliott (Burnaby, B.C.)
23 solo tackles, 4 interceptions
Tyler Sawyer (Metcalfe, Ont.)
24 solo tackles, 1 sack
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
