By: Mike Still (@mikestill94)
Feature photo: Carter Kutzan and the Clansmen head to DMCI tomorrow looking to keep their record unblemished.
Vincent Massey Brandon and Daniel McIntyre both appeared in bowl games last year, with the Maroons taking home the CanadInns Bowl. Each school has continued their success this season, currently vying for a top two spot in their respective divisions. They both take part in games of the week this week.
Division 1: Vincent Massey Brandon (4-1) at Sisler (3-2), Friday at 4 p.m.
The stakes couldn’t be any higher this week for the Sisler Spartans, as they do battle with the Vikings who are just two points ahead of them in the standings.
Vincent Massey has been on a tear this season. Two weeks ago, they broke the school record for most division 1 wins and they’ve given up just six points since then.
Defensively, the team is led by two game-changing veterans in linebacker Jayden Engel and halfback Karanvir Gill. The former represented Team Manitoba at the Canada Cup this summer and has built off of that experience with 23 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a safety on the year. The latter has added 20 tackles as stable force in the secondary. Defensive end Kristjen Frederickson has provided the Vikings with a solid pass rush, contributing 19 tackles and three sacks.
Massey’s offence runs through 2018 Canada Cup members Gavin Reid (offensive line) and Zane Anderson (running back). Reid has great size and is the leader up front, while Anderson is a terror to bring down due to his 5’11, 231-pound frame. The former fullback carried the rock for over 200 yards against a stout Massey Winnipeg defence in week two and has 769 yards and 10 scores on the year.
The Spartans will counter offensively with an equally strong run game led by the division’s leading rusher Austin Balan. The University of Manitoba commit has 794 yards rushing and four scores so far this season, utilizing his tremendous speed and power to single-handedly take over games at times. Junior receiver Steven Koniuck is just as dangerous in the passing game due to his tremendous athleticism and sure hands. One of the fastest sprinters in the province, he has 359 yards and six touchdowns so far this season and has averaged a ridiculous 51.3 yards-per-catch. He’s also dangerous as a returner due to the previously mentioned speed.
While Balan has been a pivotal member of the Sisler offence, it’s his defensive play that earned him a scholarship to the U of M. He’s making a strong push for Defensive Player of the Year, with 52.5 tackles, three interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery so far. His range and closing speed are two reasons for his impressive statistics.
If the Spartans are going to be able to walk away with a win however, they’ll need defensive linemen such as Noah Cabral and Chris Grouette to continue playing at a high level in order to limit Anderson. Cabral has 28 tackles and three sacks so far in 2018, while Grouette has 23 tackles and a sack.
Division 2: Murdoch MacKay (5-0) at DMCI (3-2), Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Clansmen are the only team left that have won every game so far this season. They’ll look to continue their run against a well-rounded Maroons team that has kept the foot on the gas after last season’s bowl game win.
This game will be a battle of two of the top pivots in the division in Murdoch’s Carter Kutzan and DMCI’s Kieran Benson. The junior for the Clansmen is a threat to score with both his arm and legs, registering over 1100 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. Daniel Mac’s senior quarterback has thrown for 726 yards and seven scores on the year but was injured last week against in a 29-2 loss to West Kildonan. The Maroons had trouble moving the ball without their signal-caller in the lineup and his health will be the biggest storyline to pay attention to.
While these two squads are known for their QB’s, they also have some tremendous athletes in other critical positions. The Clansmen have been well-balanced on offence thanks to Preston (running back) and Christian Kull (receiver) as well as Luke Wood (receiver). The trio have combined for 1007 yards and 12 scores.
The Maroons have gotten solid contributions from three players who had excellent showings in last year’s CanadInns Bowl win, in running back Nathaniel King-Wilson, receiver Ethan Schnerch and defensive back Dee Eh. King-Wilson has paced the round game with 592 yards and four scores while Schnerch leads the team with 393 yards receiving. Defensively, Eh leads the squad with four interceptions.
Division 3: St. John’s (3-1) at Fort Frances (4-1), Friday at 4 p.m.
Two of the prime time players in division 3 will engage in a battle for first place on Friday.
This contest will come to how St. John’s and their hulking offensive line can protect senior pivot Myles Kakewash, who has thrown for 454 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
The Tigers will face their biggest test yet offensively against a playmaking Fort Frances defence that is led by linebackers Colten Allen, Kaden Kocuba and Wyatt Richards. The trio has combined for 52 tackles and six sacks in 2018 and will need to be just as solid against the stout offensive line from St. Johns.