Photo courtesy of First Frame Photography

The Hamilton Hurricanes have been a team on a destructive path since Week 1 of the season.    They set the tone early with blasting the defending Ontario Conference champion Windsor AKO Fratmen 51-12.

Since that victory the Hurricanes have rolled through the regular season outscoring their opposition 340-59.  Their 8-0 record is the first time in franchise history they have finished undefeated.

When dissecting the Hurricanes it’s hard to determine if the offence has been the leader of this team, or is it the defence?

Offensively they have scored an average of 42 points a game. Quarterback Jake Marquette has been unconscious completing 67% of his passes for 1,760 yards and a CJFL high 28 touchdowns.   As a matter of fact his 28 majors have been the most for the Hurricanes since head coach Jason Hayes connected for 32 in 1993.  Marquette has had the good fortune of throwing to the top two receivers in the Conference.  Keyshaun Jordan has been his favourite target leading the Conference with 33 receptions for 753 yards, averaging almost 23 yards a catch and has 15 touchdowns.  Angus Button has also been dangerous with 25 receptions for 543 yards and has eight majors.

On the ground the top seeded Hurricanes are led by Jayden Hyland and his 85 carries for 663 yards and three touchdowns.  He’s averaging 7.8 yards a carry.  Marquette has also done a very good job of moving the chains with his legs carrying the ball 23 times for 203 yards and has a touchdown.  Jevante Stanley has also been good gaining 266 yards on 14 carries and has scored a touchdown.

On the defensive side they have been equally dominant.  As a unit they have allowed just seven points a game and have three shutouts.    Zachary Hoffner has been simply outstanding making 28 tackles, he’s had 4.5 sacks and an interception.  Tom Zarafonaitis leads the team with six sacks while Brayden Hill has four interceptions including a pick-six.

Regardless of which facet of the game is better, one thing is for sure; the Hurricanes will be awfully tough to beat in the Ontario Conference playoffs.  They have home field advantage and will host the GTA Grizzlies in the semi-final on Saturday at 7:00pm.  During the regular season they met the Grizzlies just once and shut them out 26-0.

The Hurricanes are hoping to be the team that represents Ontario in the National Semi-Final game out in BC.  That game will determine who will travel to the Prairies for the 2018 Canadian Bowl on November 17th.   The Hurricanes last played in BC in 2010 when they traveled to Nanaimo to face the VI Raiders.