PREVIEW: Football begins playoff push in Toronto

November 6, 2021

• The Matchup: Ottawa Gee-Gees (3-3, 3^rd in OUA East) at Toronto Varsity Blues (3-3, 2^nd in OUA East)
• Location: Varsity Stadium (Toronto, Ont.)
• Kickoff: 1:00 p.m.
• All-time series: Ottawa leads 26-18
• Last meeting: Ottawa 10, Toronto 11 – Sept. 18, 2021 at Varsity Stadium
• Broadcast: OUA.tv

The Gee-Gees football team will be aiming for its first playoff victory since 2014 when they travel to Varsity Stadium to take on the Toronto Varsity Blues.

The crucial OUA East semi-final matchup sees a pair of .500 schools square off as they begin the push for the Yates Cup. The game is being held in Toronto by virtue of the Varsity Blues 11-10 Week 1 victory over Ottawa, which served as the tiebreaker between the two teams.

OTTAWA GAME NOTES 

• Major Stat Leaders
  • Passing yards: Ben Maracle – 1,264
  • Rushing yards: J-P Cimankinda – 437
  • Receiving yards: Rodney Estime – 282
  • Tackles: James Peter – 35.5

• Winners of three of their last four, Ottawa is entering the playoffs on a high. Three first quarter touchdowns last week helped them defeat the Carleton Ravens by a 24-19 score.
• Quarterback Ben Maracle turned in his strongest performance of the year in the final regular season game, account for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing).
• Running back J-P Cimankinda has three 100-yard games to his credit this season, including a 133-yard outing in the Panda Game.
• The Gee-Gees have been prioritizing the rushing attack in recent games. Their 222 yards on 37 attempts last week was the second-highest total by an OUA East team this season.

TORONTO GAME NOTES

• Major Stat Leaders
  • Passing yards: Clay Sequeira – 1,088
  • Rushing yards: Adam Williams – 308
  • Receiving yards: Will Corby – 350
  • Tackles: James Greig – 37

• Toronto have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1995. None of the players who will be on the field Saturday were alive the last time Toronto played a postseason game.
• The Varsity Blues enjoyed their final regular season game, dismantling York 41-7.
• Malcolm Campbell has been a standout defensive player for Toronto this season. The veteran d-lineman has four sacks and 30 total tackles.