Week 1 OSFL: Essex vs. Oshawa U18 Top Performers
I attended the Essex versus Oshawa week one matchup and even though the score was 31-0, both teams had some big plays and star players show up for the game. Here are 4 standouts from the game. Liam Havinga HEIGHT…
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Continue ReadingI attended the Essex versus Oshawa week one matchup and even though the score was 31-0, both teams had some big plays and star players show up for the game. Here are 4 standouts from the game.
Liam Havinga
Liam Havinga
Liam Havinga had a phenomenal game where he broke down the Oshawa defence and picked up over 150 yards and a touchdown. His mix of speed and athleticism allowed him to create space on short routes, where he did the most damage. He was really good at breaking down a zone defence and finding soft spots in the coverage, which allowed him to make non-contested catches. At 6’1″ and 180 pounds, he was still able to make those tough coverage catches. Liam Havinga has all the skill and talent to dominate at the next level.
Nate Cowie-Thomson
Nate Cowie-Thomson
Nate was very impressive to watch this game. He had some flashes when I watched him in the off-season, but this weekend he showed up in a bigger way. Even with Nate’s 6’3″ and 190 pound frame, he is still able to stop and go like he is a 5’11” WR. The best part about Nate’s game, is his ability to attack the ball when it’s passed to him. He will never wait for it, and instead, he will come back and reach out for the football, which then lowers the odds of a DB, jumping the route, and picking his QB off. Nate will be heading to Carlton next season, where he will continue to strive.
Lex McGarity
Lex McGarity
Lex is the type of quarterback that every team should want to have, as he can beat teams with his arm and with his legs. Lex is also so comfortable in the pocket, and when the pocket starts to cave in, he will step up and make a throw, even if that means he might take a hit in the act of doing so. His pocket presence is not something you frequently see in young quarterbacks. Lex’s ability to read his progressions at a fast rate was also very impressive to watch. If you’re a school looking for a QB who is fairly polished coming out of high school, he is your guy to get.
Quinn O’Donoghue
Quinn O’Donoghue
Quinn O’Donoghue was the focal point of the Oshawa Hawkeyes passing playbook. His route running is very define and sharp, which allows him to keep his speed out of breaks and collect yards after a catch. Quinn’s speed was utilized in the playbook, as he had screens and jet sweeps designed specifically for him however, it did not always pop due to the fact that some of his receivers did not block. Even with Quinn’s smaller stature, he is still able to compete against some of the best competition in the OSFL. Quinn is someon you want to keep your eyes on this OSFL season.