The Regular season has officially come to an end. It’s Showtime! It is now time for teams to play some mistake free football and win a championship. Both the 10 and 12-man divisions have some interesting match-ups and we should see some great football played in the next few weeks. It was a tight race between our NB high school football analysts throughout the regular season, and we expect to see much of the same as we enter the playoffs. Let’s start by seeing where they stand after the regular season and then we can move to a game by game breakdown.
Analysts’ Current Records
Pistol Pete: 53-14
Mister Freeze: 52-15
Coach Zen: 54-13
Let’s now break down the 12 man division semifinals.
(4) Fredericton Black Kats @ (1) Tantramar Titans
The Tantramar Titans have been unstoppable this season as they have outscored their opponents by a score of 275 to 8. They have been led by the consistent offensive play of their workhorse Running Back Oliver Longpre, who has been all over the field in every single game. And of course a defence that has shut down every offence it has faced. The Fredericton high Black Kats come into this game riding a 3 game winning streak and lots of momentum. They met in week 4 this season in Sackville with Tantramar winning that game 52-0. The Black kats should be a better opponent this time around.
The picks
Pistol Pete: “42-0 Titans”
Mister Freeze: “35-7 Titans”
Coach Zen: “49-0 Titans”
(3) Saint John Greyhounds @ (2) Riverview Royals
The Saint John Greyhounds come into this game being somewhat the surprise of this year’s 12-man division, as the word was before the season that we would likely not see them come playoff time. However, they have strung together a few impressive wins and find themselves in a very winnable situation as they face Logan Grossman’s Riverview Royals, who have a bit of a reputation for being upset in the playoffs. The Royals however have been solid offensively this season and are a team that can put up plenty of points. They met in week 5 this season with the Royals winning that contest 21-14. Another interesting stat is that the Royals have not beaten the Hounds in a playoff game since 2004. Since that victory, the Greyhounds have beat them in 3 playoff games in a row and winning once as a heavy underdog in 2005.
The Picks
Pistol Pete: “24-14 Hounds”
Mister Freeze: “21-14 Hounds”
Coach Zen: “28-21 Royals”
The 10 man division should be a battle all the way up to the Finals. Let’s see what our analysts think will happen in these games.
(4A) Ecole Sainte-Anne Castors @ (1A) Bernice McNaughton Highlanders
A rematch of a week 1 game which just happened to be the first game in history of the Castors football program is in store, and I think that this one should be much closer. Ecole Sainte-Anne was not expected to win a game this season but the Dynamic duo of the Tremblay brothers have really turned some heads. The BMHS Highlanders have been a very strong team this season having only 1 loss to the Harrison Trimble Trojans in week 5. The Highlanders salvaged a tie against the KVHS Crusaders that showcased how good this team can be when it wants to be. It`s the Cinderella story of #CastorsNation versus the Highlanders, it should be great.
The Picks
Pistol Pete: “21-20 Highlanders”
Mister Freeze: “28-21 Castors”
Coach Zen: “35-31 Highlanders”
(3A) Harrison Trimble Trojans @ (2A) Oromocto Blues
Harrison Trimble looks to avenge their previous match-up in week 3, when the Blues beat the Trojans 21-16 in Moncton. The Trojans head to Fredericton for this one in what should be a game that will come down to the wire. All eyes are on the Trojans as they have faced some criticism all year long, and what better way to silence them with a big road win. The Blues however are no easy task and are the favourite to take this contest.
The Picks
Pistol Pete: “21-7 Blues”
Mister Freeze: “21-14 Trojans”
Coach Zen: “28-24 Trimble”
(4B) Sussex Regional Sonics @ (1B) St. Stephen Spartans
The St. Stephen Spartans have been the force of the 10 man, division posting a perfect 7-0 record on the regular season and have outscored their opponents an impressive 329 to 36. The Sussex Sonics have exceeded expectations this year and will do their best to weather this storm on Saturday. These 2 teams met in week 3 when the Spartans beat the Sonics 49-0. We should see a closer game in this one. Let’s see what the experts think.
The Picks
Pistol Pete: “56-0 Spartans”
Mister Freeze: “42-0 Spartans”
Coach Zen: “49-0 Spartans”
(3B) St. Malachy’s Memorial Saints @ (2B) Kennebecasis Valley Crusaders
This one is easily the game of the week. The St. Malachy’s Memorial Saints had a disappointing 1-2 start to the season, but since then they have been an absolute force in the 10 man division. These teams met in week 3 as the Crusaders won that contest 31-6 in what was said to have been a “bad game” for the Saints. They get their shot at redemption this week and they are looking to take full advantage of that. The Crusaders have been business as usual this season as their only loss came to the first place St. Stephen Spartans. This will be a thriller folks.
The Picks
Pistol Pete: “35-21 Crusaders”
Mister Freeze: “35-28 St Macs”
Coach Zen: “35-34 Crusaders”
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