Ravens set to play first home game in the OPFL
The Essex Ravens are set to celebrate a milestone anniversary at home on Saturday as well as a new beginning.
The Ravens, who began operation in 1997, will celebrate the club’s 20th anniversary on Saturday when the team faces the Niagara Spears at 7 p.m. at University Stadium.
It’s Essex’s first home game in the Ontario Provincial Football League after moving over from the Ontario Varsity Football League.
“It’s exciting in both aspects,” said Ravens head coach Glen Mills, who said several members of the 1997 team will be introduced at halftime.
The OPFL is a combination of nine OVFL teams along with three from the Ontario Football Conference.
“We felt it was the best league for us,” Mills said. “Every weekend it’s a top calibre team. Just one big game after another.”
Unlike the OFVL, which played four downs, the new OPFL will play three downs.
“It’s about raising the calibre of play for our players,” Mills said. “About 95 per cent of our kids end up playing (Canadian university) and this is a better opportunity to get more reps and skills to get ready.”
The league is also tiered for AAA, AA and A competition. Essex plays at the highest tier in AAA, but also had to commit to junior and bantam clubs to play at that level.
“I think this will get kids better prepared,” Mills said.
HALLE REPLACED
Former University of Windsor Lancers sprinter Emilie Halle will not compete for Canada at next month’s International Federation of American Football’s Women’s World championship in British Columbia.
A defensive back and running back, the five-foot-five Halle, who plays for the Detroit Dark Angels, had earned a spot at a national tryout camp, knew the replacement was coming.
“I broke my leg two months ago at practice,” said Halle, who suffered a compound fracture of her tibia and fibula.
Despite the injury, Halle won’t miss any of the action.
“They’re, thankfully, still bringing me with them,” she said.
SWOSSAA SOCCER
The Holy Names Knights, Riverside Rebels and Cardinal Carter Cougars are headed to OFSAA after capturing SWOSSAA titles.
Holy Names won its fifthstraight SWOSSAA boys’ AAA title with a 5-2 win over Sarnia St. Patrick. Matthew Canzoneri had two goals while Paul DiMeo, Matteo Pizzuto and Jack Bordignon added single goals.
The Rebels earned the SWOSSAA boys’ AA title with a 2-1 win over Lambton Central Collegiate.
Cardinal Carter took the SWOSSAA boys’ A title with a 5-1 victory over Lambton-Kent. Thomas Siba scored three goals for the Cougars and Nico Gualtieri scored the other two.