Calgary (CAMFA) Midget playoffs: Quarter Finals preview

Div 1
MAVERICKS – vs – STAMPS
In a match up of two of the most complete teams in CAMFA this past season, the Mavs will take on the Stamps in what should be an explosive game. The Mavs are lead by CAMFA MVP candidate Boston Rowe who has had a tremendous season.

The Mavs boast an impressive offensive unit that has shown they are able to score in many different ways. Defensively, the Mavs have been an aggressive unit that has been able to generate pressure and make several plays in the secondary. In order for the Mavs to win, AJ Statz, the Mavs most productive receiver in 2012, believes the Mavs “need to come out flying right from the start”. Statz goes on to say that the Mavs have “been a slow starting team this year especially offensively & the offense has been lucky the defense has played so well this year”. Statz feels that the Stamps “pass D is their weakness cuz in the Stamps vs Falcons game, the Falcons were able to move the ball down the field through the air which is what our O is built around”.

The Stamps enter this game coming off a disappointing loss to the Falcons which cost them a bye to the Semi Finals. The Stamps are lead by the dynamic Justin Keys who has consistently been productive all season long. The Stamps offensively rely heavily on their running game but are more then capable of opening up a game through the air. Defensively the Stamps have been solid all season long giving up the 4th fewest points in the league. For the Stamps to win, Justin Keys believes that the Stamps need to “develop a strong run game and then spread out the Mavs to utilize all of the Stamps weapons on offense”. Keys goes on to state that “the Mavs have a very strong passing game filled with many playmakers and an athletic quarterback in Boston but their run game has not been as efficient since the loss of Hugh Jones”. Furthermore, Keys feels that “although the Mavs defense is strong” Keys “believes that there defensive line is not as strong as previous years and there adjustments to the spread formation will cause problems”.
Prediction: Mavericks 21-17

FALCONS – vs – COWBOYS
With the 2nd highest scoring team facing the team with the second fewest points allowed something will have to give when the Falcons meet the Cowboys. The Falcons are coming off a huge win over the Stamps that ended a 2 game slide. The Falcons have relied all season on the great play of their Team MVP Chris Merchant and an excellent running game. While on defense, the linebacker unit has been consistent however they have been susceptible to the big play. Alex Cho, running back and receiver for the Falcons, feels that “since the Cowboys have such a big interior and Jakub Jakoubek at LB, the Falcons passing game has gotta really execute and try to get some big plays”. LB Kurtis Paley stated “what we need to do most is own the line of scrimmage and come out strong and fired up. Number 11 and 62 on the cowboys seem to be their strengths on offense so we need to watch them closely”. Cho goes on to say that the strength of the Cowboys “is probably there defense and size on the line while they’re weakness is their lack of offensive production”. Cho emphasizes that the Falcons “gotta play a real solid game to beat the Cowboys, they’re gonna be good”.
The Cowboys finished the season very well with 2 big wins over the Fire and Broncos to secure their spot in the Div 1 playoffs. The Cowboys best player all season has been DB Keanno Bentor who has been used all over the field including DB, as a returner and on offense where he scored a receiving TD in week 5. The heart of the Cowboys in 2012 has been their defense which has outscored their offense a few times this season. Offensively, the Cowboys will need to find a way to generate a spark and sustain drives to support their defense. Reyd Kessler, LB for the Cowboys, states that in order for the Cowboys to be successful they will need to “come out strong playing 4 quarters, move the ball and score points offensively and on D continue to play aggressively with no mistakes”. Kessler goes on to stress the importance of shutting down their top playmakers in Chris Merchant and RB Noah Muruve. With much respect, Keanno Bentor feels that the Falcons “are a well rounded football team with skilled players on both sides of the ball and they really don’t have much of a weakness.”
Prediction: Cowboys 15-7

Div 2
BRONCOS – vs – LIONS
Two evenly matched teams face off with a chance to salvage their seasons as the Broncos face the Lions. The Broncos come into this game as a team that showed glimpses of potential throughout the season but just couldn’t seam to get it together. Lead by RB Wyatt Paton, the Broncos will look to get their offense on track and get the most from their other offensive weapons in QB Bailey Wasdal and receiver Julien Barnett. Defensively, the unit has been very tough but have consistently broken down throughout the season giving up far too many points. QB Baily Wasdal states that “in order to beat the lions, the broncos need to have that confidence and need to believe in ourselves. Too many times we enter games already having given up, believe we’ve already lost before we begin the game”. Wasdal goes on to say that “the Lions strength is their determination and will to win”. Wasdal feels that the Lions “will come out hungry for their first win and ready to fight”. Furthermore, Wasdal believes that the “Lions weakness is their offense” stating that “our defense needs to have a great game and shut them down early. As long as we don’t let them get rolling then we hopefully wont have to score too many points to win”.
The Lions finished their turbulent season winless in spite of showing some great heart down the stretch. The Lions are now lead by their QB Levi Jackson and two very good receivers in James Berglund and Adel Boussenane. The offense has been decent however since the loss of Ryder Stone they have lacked that big play threat. Defensively, the unit flys to the ball and plays hard up front however often times it appears that there are assignment busts which has lead to the Lions giving up the 3rd most points in the league. According to receiver Adel Boussenane the Lions need to “play well in the first half and keep up the intensity later in the game”. Boussenane feels that “the Broncos greatest weakness is probably going to be their slow offence” while receiver James Berglund states that “the Broncos have a strong defense that we are going to have to prepare for and on offense they have a strong kicker who could be important in clutch situations along with a consistent passing threat”.
Prediction: Broncos 27-21

WILDCATS – vs – RAIDERS
Two underachieving teams face off in hopes of redemption as the Wildcats take on the Raiders. The Cats finished the season on a high note with a win over the Lions however throughout the season consistently fell short in games in which they competed exceptionally well until the end. The Cats offense was up and down in 2012 while the defense was lead consistently by great play from Misha Drury, Micah Teitz and Ryan Baker. For the Cats to win, QB Ben Kopczynski states that “we need to play together as a team. The D has been playing good but we need to spread them out on offense and complete passes to win”. In addition, DB Ryan Baker says “we need to tune up the special teams, keep doing our thing on defense with less missed turnover opportunities and have the offense score fast and stay calm”. Baker feels that “the biggest weakness on the Raiders would be the lack of depth they have on their bench” while Baker knows that the Cats need to be prepared for the Raiders running game stating that “keying Josh Duazo will be important”.
The Raiders completed their challenging season with the fewest points scored and most points allowed in CAMFA. One bright spot was running back Josh Duazo who was often time the Raiders main source of offensive production. Defensively, the Raiders struggled to keep any team in check in 2012. To win, RB Josh Duazo states that “we gotta mesh as a team and execute from the first kick off to the last whistle” in order to be successful. The Raiders will be in tough however if they can keep the Cats passing game in check they might be able to give themselves an opportunity to win.
Prediction: Wildcats 35-7