Saturday at Huskies Stadium in the south end of Halifax, Saint Mary’s and Mount Allison will play the biggest game in the AUFC so far this season ( 2:00 Atlantic, webcast on www.live.haligonia.ca)
The Mounties and Huskies are in a three way tie with Acadia for first place, and as we approach the final eight days of regular season play, we still have no idea who will be hosting the Loney Bowl, and who will be travelling Nova Scotia’s highways to play a semi final game.
As we approach kick off at the stadium, we do know that the Huskies have gotten their swagger back after a horrific September. Led by potential Hec Creighton nominee Jahmeek Taylor, the Huskies have steam-rolled Acadia and Saint Francis Xavier the past three weeks, outscoring their opponents by a margin of 97 points.
On the other side of the field, the Mounties feature the best quarterback in the conference in Jake Hotchkiss, and the best player in Gary Ross. Furthermore, in what has been a wacky, turbulent season of AUS football, the Mount Allison has been the league’s most consistent team. If the Mounties had not been without the services of Ross in weeks five and six, they could easily be 5-1 and in the driver’s seat to host the Loney Bowl.
Certainly, the glamour match up of this game is Gary Ross vs. Jahmeek Taylor. Ross and Taylor are one-two in the conference in all purpose yards, with Ross having the higher average (191 ypg), while Taylor has more yards overall (1069). The two dynamic stars should provide a plethora of explosive plays that will keep the fans entertained throughout the contest.
The Huskies and Mounties are tied for first place in rush defence, each surrendering 107 yards per game, while the Huskies lead the conference in rushing offence with 163 ypg, followed by the Mounties with 143.
If the Mounties can build a productive running game, it should open things up for Hotchkiss (1373 yard passing this season) and Ross. If the Huskies can establish the run, Micah Brown may be able to pick apart the Mounties horrendous pass defence, ranked last in the conference.
With the Huskies regaining their traditional form this month, the Mounties may represent the conference’s last stand against Steve Sumurah’s troops who are getting more confident with each blowout win. A major key for the Mounties will be to withstand the initial assault of the fired up, athletically superior Huskies playing in front of a revved up home crowd thirsty for another rout.
If Saint Mary’s gets out to a big lead, ignited by big plays from Taylor, it could be a long afternoon for Mount Allison.
However, expect the Mounties to hang in there early and make the Huskies stand and fight. Gary Ross will possibly be making his final trip to Huskies Stadium, and he’ll be a force.
But in the end, the Huskies should prevail in a hard fought football game.
Final score; Saint Mary’s 37 Mount Allison 27.
Comments? Email us at sports@haligonia.ca. Follow us on twitter @haligoniasports and on Facebook.
