OYMFL REMIX AS TOP TEAMS GET REMATCH
There’s redemption and then there’s revenge.
A remake and a replay.
And it all adds up to second chances – which is what many teams have as the OYMFL regular season gives way to the playoffs, starting Saturday night at Valleys when Kanisa gets a second kick at the Saints from T-West.
Three of the four playoff games on Sunday are re-matches of recent contests. Mount Olive took it to Perth on the last day of the regular season and, what do you know, both teams get a rematch on Sunday at Gordon Graydon, with the loser done for the season.
Apple Creek (4-4) got out of the blocks real fast this season but ran out of steam, sputtering at the end when Toronto East relegated the Golden Apples to the last seed in the playoffs, on the last week of the regular season. Creek doesn’t have to wait long for revenge as both teams meet in the first round of the playoffs, at Woburn Sunday at 10.
Kanisa Conquerors (4-4) did not do much conquering during the season, ending with a disappointing 4-4 win-loss record. So maybe the playoffs is time for the Conquerors to hit the reset button.
Their matchup comes two weeks after T-West (6-2) beat Kanisa, despite scoring just one offensive touchdown. Andrew Brimpong did the trick with not one, but two TDs of more than 100 yards – one a pick 6 and the other a kick return.
Apart from those two bursts of Brimpong brilliance, Kanisa more than held their own against the Saints and should be chomping at the bits to get a second crack at the Saints. The playoffs have a way of re-energizing a team. A win against the Saints may be all the Conquerors need to inject confidence and turn around a disappointing season so far.
Perth (5-3) vs Olive (5-3) promises to be a slugfest between two tough defences and top-scoring offences. Only T-West scored more points than these two.
The defending champions from Olive beat Perth 19-7 on the final week of the season but Perth’s ace in the hole, QB Leon Perry, was hobbled. If Perry is back to health on Sunday, Perth could end the reign of the champions. It would be a fitting turnaround after Olive beat Perth in the playoffs last year to march to the championship game.
Perth’s defence is anchored by Isaiah Shikongo and Gabe Kiameso with 5 interceptions between them. Their offence presents numerous options, include 3 or 4 women (led by Kadesha King-Nibbs and Tracy Evans) who are a handful to guard.
But Olive, after a championship hangover, is clicking again. League MVP Karl Brown still has Cleon Holmes and Petagaye McIntosh as targets plus newcomers Ty Edwards and Sean Shepherd.
The Eastern matchups are not as promising, but don’t sleep on these contests. Toronto East (7-1) has been the class of the league all season and should beat Apple Creek, who has laboured all year without number one QB Joel Knight.
East’s defence is stingy – the only team to give up fewer than 100 points this season. And its offence received a major jolt with the addition of Nathaniel Pinto. Meanwhile, their girls continue to be elite, with all-stars Jasmine Phipps and Amanda Davidson leading the charge.
A Creek victory would be a major upset. And it will take a stellar defensive performance from Jason Knight, tied for the league in interceptions with 4. (Brimpong and Woodbridge’s Stevie Williams also have 4 picks). Knight returned two of his picks for score.
The second contest at Woburn pits Philadelphia (4-4) against new team Downsview (5-3). Only diehard fans of the Rolling Thunder expect to knock off the Dawgs from Downsview but the hungry kids from Downsview will show up and ball.
One exciting story for the team of Brotherly Love is the emergence of Mark Perrin as a speed receiver. Just getting on the field is a miracle for the player, following a catastrophic car accident. Yet, there he is, out there, catching touchdowns and inspiring his team.
Finally, the real redemption occurs Sunday at Gordon Graydon when Malton meets Meadowvale in the Redemption Bowl, the consolation final.
Woodbridge was slated to face the winner of this game for the trophy, but have closed shop for the season and will not play the consolation round. This means that Malton gets a chance to avoid the doughnut of a season, having ended the regular season 0-8.
Their last game was a close lost to 13-7 loss to Meadowvale, giving the Power their only win of the season. Now, Malton gets another chance at a win, and with it, the ultimate redemption in the Redemption Bowl trophy, the OYMFL consolation prize.
Games this weekend are:
Saturday Night at Mississauga Valleys, Quarter-finals
9.15 pm – Kanisa (4-4) vs Toronto West (6-2).
Sunday at Woburn Collegiate, Quarterfinals
10 am – Apple Creek (4-4) vs Toronto East (7-1)
11.30 pm – Downsview (5-3) vs Philadephia (4-4)
Sunday at Gordon Graydon, Quarterfinals
10 am — Perth (5-3) vs Mount Olive (5-3)
11.30 am — Malton (0-8) vs Meadowvale (1-7) for the Redemption Bowl