Photo courtesy of AllSportMedia.ca

It’s Week in 9 across the CJFL as each team has now officially past the halfway point of the season.  

SATURDAY
 

Ontario Conference

St. Clair Saints @ Sault Ste. Marie Cougars – Saturday September 13, 1:00pm – Rocky Dipietro Field | WATCH HERE

The Saints continue to steamroll through the Conference with their defence completely shutting down the opposition.  In the five games they have won, only one team has scored over seven points.  The “D” has recorded two shutouts and allowed just one point in another game.   The newest team in the CJFL will try their hand as the Cougars welcome the Saints to the Sault after their six-hour bus trip.  The Cougars are coming off a heartbreaking loss on the game’s final play last week and will need to play a near perfect game to knock off the Saints.  It’s the only meeting of the season between these two teams.

Head-to-Head

Records: Saints 5-0 – Cougars 2-3
Avg Points For: Saints 62 – Cougars 35
Avg Points Allowed: Saints 7 – Cougars 21.2

Passing Leaders: Matt Guenette – 87 of 112 for 1321 yards, 20 touchdowns (Saints) – Grayson Weber – 36 of 78 for 519 yards, 4 touchdowns (Cougars)

Rushing Leaders: MJ Doyle-Marshall – 56 carries for 435 yards, 5 touchdowns (Saints) – Sam Mustapha – 55 carries for 640 yards and 6 touchdowns (Cougars)

Receiving Leaders: Cameron St. Park-Kitts – 34 receptions for 440 yards, 5 touchdowns (Saints) – Jadien Trudeau – 17 receptions for 141 yards (Cougars)

Leading Tacklers: Jaylin Burnett – 24 tackles (Saints) – Grant Mathewson – 22 tackles (Cougars)

Quinte Skyhawks @ Hamilton Hurricanes – Saturday September 13, 7:00pm – Hamilton Stadium (no live stream)

The Hurricanes and Skyhawks meet for a very important game on Saturday night with only two points separating them in the standings.   The game has even more importance because it’s the only meeting of the season between these two teams and the tiebreaker is at stake.  The Hurricanes will look to bounce back after having their three-game winning streak snapped last weekend, while the Skyhawks are coming off a bye week.  The ‘Canes will play two of their three final games at home this season, trying to take advantage of familiar surroundings.  The Skyhawks have won two straight but will play three of their in final four games on the road at places that are difficult to play in.

Head-to-Head

Records: Skyhawks 2-2 – Hurricanes 3-2
Avg Points For: Skyhawks14 – Hurricanes 25.4
Avg Points Allowed: Skyhawks 30 – Hurricanes 23

Passing Leaders: Wesley Graham – 32 of 53 for 324 yards and 1 touchdown (Skyhawks) – Kayrus Sam – 32 of 81 for 591 yards and 5 touchdowns (Hurricanes)

Rushing Leaders: Wesley Graham – 12 carries for 145 yards (Skyhawks) – Gianluca Muraca – 59 carries for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns (Hurricanes)

Receiving Leaders: Nathanial Iyanam – 8 receptions for 119 yards (Skyhawks) – Devin Quammie – 9 receptions for 220 yards, 2 touchdowns (Hurricanes)

Leading Tacklers: Ben Herder – 25 tackles (Skyhawks) – Hayden Pall – 20 tackles (Hurricanes)

BC Conference 

VI Raiders @ Langley Rams – Saturday September 13, 4:00pm – McLeod Stadium | WATCH HERE

They have identical records and will go head-to-head for the first time this season as the Raiders visit the Rams.  They meet again in the regular season finale.  The Raiders are coming off their bye week and are still looking for some consistency having lost three straight.   Speaking of consistency, the Rams are in the same boat after starting the season with two wins in their first three games, they have now lost three in a row dealing with the injury bug.  It’s their final home game of the year before finishing the season with three very difficult road games, including two trips to the island.

Head-to-Head

Records: Raiders 2-4 – Rams 2-4
Avg Points For: Raiders 19.1 – Rams 14.1
Avg Points Allowed: Raiders 23.8 – Rams 30.3

Passing Leaders: Brayden Jupe – 93 of 139 for 951 yards and 4 touchdowns (Raiders) - Palaina Hooper – 27 of 42 for 308 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rams)

Rushing Leaders: Rhonde Lyle – 70 carries for 380 yards and 2 touchdowns (Raiders) – Bruce Jones – 66 carries for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns (Rams)

Receiving Leaders: Parker Moscrip – 31 receptions for 368 yards (Raiders) – Tyson Galye – 6 receptions for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns (Rams)

Leading Tacklers: Max Shippam – 26 tackles (Raiders) – Sean Cullen – 24 tackles (Rams)

Valley Huskers @ Prince George Kodiaks – Saturday September 13, 6:00pm – Masich Stadium | WATCH HERE

Another very big game for the Kodiaks as they meet the Huskers for the first time this season trying to create space for themselves sitting in third in the standings.  They had their three-game winning streak snapped last week but are back at home for the Huskers just ahead of their bye week.  With three games to go on the schedule, two of them are against the Huskers and all three are against a team with a losing record.  The Huskers have played better as of late having won two of their last three.  They are entering must win territory with four games remaining on their schedule and are coming off the Cascade Cup victory, boosting their confidence for a late season push.

Head-to-Head

Records: Huskers 2-4 – Kodiaks 4-3
Avg Points For: Huskers 20.8 – Kodiaks 21.2
Avg Points Allowed; Huskers 25.8 – Kodiaks 26.4

Passing Leaders: Key’Shaun Dorsey – 58 of 122 for 865 yards and nine touchdowns (Huskers) – Sawyer Theissen – 92 of 165 for 1063 yards and 8 touchdowns (Kodiaks)

Rushing Leaders: Jawad Harb – 95 carries for 470 yards and 1 touchdown (Huskers) – Gavin Halvorson – 83 carries for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns (Kodiaks)

Receiving Leaders: Dhag Mora – 16 receptions for 230 yards and 1 touchdown (Huskers) – Ben Fehr – 24 receptions for 220 yards and 1 touchdown (Kodiaks) 

Leading Tacklers: Andy Ofosuhene – 28 tackles (Huskers) – Caiden Crow – 38 tackles (Kodiaks)

Westshore Rebels @ Okanagan Sun – Saturday September 13, 7:00pm – Apple Bowl | WATCH HERE

It’s the CJFL Game of the Week as the top two teams in the Conference meet for the final time this regular season after an instant classic on August 9th that the Sun came back and won.  This game features the top two offences against the top two defences in BC and two of the top four teams in the CJFL.  The Sun run game against the Rebels passing attack will be on display as they battle for first place.  A Sun win would clinch homefield advantage through the playoffs, while Rebels need to win by more than four points to take over first place.  Both starting quarterbacks are reigning Offensive Players of the Week.   Bottom line is the defences need to play better than they did in the first meeting and get pressure on the quarterback.

Head-to-Head

Records: Rebels 6-1 – Sun 7-0
Avg Points For: Rebels 42.8 – Sun 48.1
Avg Points Allowed: Rebels 16.2 – Sun 9.4

Passing Leaders: Gavin Session – 125 of 178 for 1855 yards and 20 touchdowns (Rebels) – Liam Kroeger – 122 of 181 for 1827 yards and 13 touchdowns (Sun)

Rushing Leaders: Carter Williams – 26 carries for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns (Rebels) – Gerren Hardisty – 129 carries for 834 yards and 7 touchdowns (Sun)

Receiving Leaders: Zion Brown – 40 receptions for 657 yards and 12 touchdowns (Rebels) – Jordayne Falconer – 22 receptions for 378 yards and 1 touchdown (Sun)

Leading Tacklers:  Isaiah Boutin – 24 tackles (Rebels) – Phil Palmarin – 19 tackles (Sun)

SUNDAY
 

Prairie Conference

Winnipeg Rifles @ Regina Thunder – Sunday September 14, 1:00pm – Leibel Field | WATCH HERE

With just two points separating them in the standings, this is a big game on Sunday and the first half of a home-and-home.  Both teams are coming off a loss that they suffered in the final few minutes of the game last week.  The Thunder dropped a three-point affair to their rivals coughing up a game winning drive late in the fourth quarter, while the Rifles gave up a big fourth quarter lead before a last second field goal secured their fate.  This game will feature two very good running backs if healthy, Peter Boersch and Kaiden Banfield can gobble up yards in a hurry when given the chance even though Banfield missed the game last week.  Both defences will be put to the test both on the ground and through the air.

Head-to-Head

Records: Rifles 2-2 Thunder 3-1
Avg Points For: Rifles 36- Thunder 37.2
Avg Points Allowed: Rifles 25.7 – Thunder 15.5

Passing Leaders: Riley Element – 75 of 128 for 1097 yards and 6 touchdowns (Rifles) – Adam Mosher – 49 of 92 for 628 yards and 7 touchdowns (Thunder)

Rushing Leaders: Kaiden Benfield – 54 carries for 248 yards and 5 touchdowns (Rifles) Peter Boersch – 100 carries for 786 yards and 3 touchdowns (Thunder)

Receiving Leaders: Cole Davies – 18 receptions for 312 yards and 1 touchdown (Rifles) – Ben Walz – 16 receptions for 177 yards and 1 touchdown (Thunder) 

Leading Tacklers:  Kyler Banfield – 26 tackles (Rifles) – Kenten Effa- 16 tackles (Thunder)

Saskatoon Hilltops @ Calgary Colts – Sunday September 14, 1:00pm – Shouldice Park | WATCH HERE

The Hilltops moved into first place after their thrilling win last week and will look to build upon their momentum.  Their defence was outstanding last weekend and their offence did just enough to get the win.  Their running attack with David Collins is starting to heat up but their passing game hasn’t really been a factor yet this year.  Defensively they are solid helping them to win three straight games.  The Colts meanwhile have won two straight and are coming off a thriller of their own, kicking a game winning field goal with under a minute to play last week.  Zion Brown-Dogbe continues to be an impact player and will need to chew up yards against the Hilltops in order for success.  Defensively they need to be better holding teams down, allowing the second most points in the Conference and will have a tall task this weekend.

Head-to-Head

Records: Hilltops 3-1 – Colts 2-2
Avg Points For: Hilltops 29.2 – Colts 21.2
Avg Points Allowed: Hilltops 16.7 – Colts 30.2

Passing Leaders: Hayden McMahon – 28 of 54 for 376 yards and 2 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Julian Harries – 24 of 48 for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns (Colts)

Rushing Leaders: David Collins – 73 carries for 562 yards and 6 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Zion Brown-Dogbe – 63 carries for 446 yards and 2 touchdowns (Colts)

Receiving Leaders: Isaiah Vallderuten – 7 receptions for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns (Hilltops) – Zion Brown-Dogbe – 12 receptions for 175 yards and 1 touchdown (Colts)

Leading Tacklers: Isaac Michayluk – 17 tackles (Hilltops) – Drew McAsey – 19 tackles (Colts)

Edmonton Wildcats @ Edmonton Huskies – Sunday September 14, 1:00pm – JP Bowl | WATCH HERE

These two teams meet for the second time in as many weeks in the “City of Champions.”  Last week the Huskies held on for a four-point win despite a surge by the Wildcats in the second half.  Both teams are trying to find consistency and put points on the board to give their defences a break.   These two have identical records but find themselves on the outside looking in at the playoff picture as the schedule flips to the second half.

Head-to-Head

Records: Wildcats 1-3 – Huskies 1-3
Avg Points For: Wildcats 23.5 – Huskies 13.2
Avg Points Allowed: Wildcats 26.2 – Huskies 38.5

Passing Leaders: Marcos Soltero – 71 of 111 for 881 yards and 3 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Jackson Harnett – 25 of 39 for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns (Huskies)

Rushing Leaders: Niko Parrott – 27 carries for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Aaron Demerchant – 30 carries for 190 yards (Huskies)

Receiving Leaders: Jacob St. Hilaire – 21 receptions for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns (Wildcats) – Meshach Imanzenobe – 17 receptions for 233 yards and 1 touchdown (Huskies)

Leading Tacklers: Ethan Speedy – 15 tackles (Wildcats) – Kaige Houle – 25 tackles (Huskies)