Week four in Ontario summer football action featured a couple of key top ten battles that figured to be back and forth, to the wire affairs. One went according to plan, the other….not so much. In London the 2nd ranked Spears scored in the dying seconds as Blair Robertson hit Austin Pilato to lift the visitors to a 43-40 win. The loss results in London dropping to 2-2 on the season and out of the top ten, but something tells me they will back in the mix. After opening the season 2-0, the ‘Stangs have lost their last two games by a total of 5 points otherwise they would be unbeaten and in the top three.
In the week’s other #CFC10 showdown the 4th ranked Sault Ste. Marie Sabercats hosted #6 Essex in the Sabercats biggest game in years. The Sault was looking to make an early season statement and justify their high ranking…..unfortunately they accomplished neither. The Ravens defense had three interceptions housing one, while offensively Essex showed their balance passing for 172 yards and rushing for 178 en route to a 35-7 pasting of the Sabercats. With the big loss, the Sault tumbles several spots and out of the top five.
With half the schedule behind us, here are the #CFC10 Summer rankings for the midway point of the 2015 schedule.
VARSITY (UNDER 20) TOP TEN RANKINGS – WEEK 5 (previous week’s ranking in parenthesis)
1) HAMILTON HURRICANES (1) 3-0 OFC (did not play) The Hurricanes had the week off to prepare for Guelph. Bad news for Guelph. Next up: Guelph
2) NIAGARA SPEARS (2) 3-0 OVFL (won 43-40 vs. London) The Spears remain undefeated…..barely. In what many anticipated would be a close shootout, the Spears-Mustangs clash lived up to the billing. Receiver Jack Gelbart led the way with two scores and 126 yards on nine catches while Cam MacDonald added 102 yards rushing on 17 carries. The Spears have been tested each week and have prevailed, but their is no time to rest as a colossal top 5 battle with Cambridge looms big. Next up: vs. #4 Cambridge
3) OTTAWA MYERS RIDERS (3) 3-0 OVFL (did not play) Next up: Oshawa
4) CAMBRIDGE LIONS (5) 3-0 OVFL (did not play) The bye couldn’t have come at a better time as the Lions are getting ready for a potential top five slugfest with the second ranked Niagara Spears. Next up: #2 Niagara
5) ESSEX RAVENS (6) 3-1 OVFL (won 35-7 vs. SSM) QB Anthony Bontorin is underrated due to a lack of crazy, gaudy stats, but make no mistake about it he’s one of the leagues best and most efficient. In last weekend’s win he completed 70% of his passes spreading the ball around to seven different receivers, . Next up: Hamilton Ironmen
6) BURLINGTON STAMPEDERS (7) 2-0 OFC (did not play) Game against Brantford postponed to a later date. Back-to-back bye weeks can either be a good thing or a bad thing. Next up: Forest City
7) PETERBOROUGH WOLVERINES (9) 3-0 OFC (won 65-3 vs. Nipissing) So far the Wolverines look like the class of the OFC North, winning their first three and outscoring opponents 150-17 in the process. Next up: North Halton
8) SAULT STE. MARIE SABERCATS (4) 3-1 OVFL (lost 35-7 vs. Essex) The Sabercats lost the turnover battle for the first time this season. The result? Their first loss of the season. The lopsided loss has the Sabercats falling four spots to #8, unfortunately it doesn’t get any easier with London coming to town next weekend. Next up: London
9) TORONTO JR. ARGOS (10) 3-0 OFC (won 13-12 vs. Oakville) Not impressive, but the Junior Argos keep on winning and move up a slot. Big test in the form of Sudbury next week. Next up: Sudbury
10) KINGSTON GRENADIERS (NR) 3-1 OVFL (won 21-14 vs. York Simcoe) The Grenadiers win a close one and debut in the ten slot. Next up: Markham
***Honourable Mention*** Brantford Bisons (OFC), London Jr. Mustangs (OVFL), Guelph Gryphons (OVFL), Cumberland Panthers (OVFL)
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