POWER BOWL PREVIEW: Can the Trojans stop the perfect Blues?
- SportsKlub Staff
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Rick Grant Landscaping Blues chase perfection while Wagner Lawn Care Trojans look to add another chapter to decorated franchise history
The Sunshine Superwash Spring Football season began with six teams dreaming about a Power Bowl appearance. Now, only two remain.
On Sunday night at the West Orillia Sports Complex, the undefeated Rick Grant Landscaping Blues will take on the Wagner Lawn Care Trojans for the Orillia flag football championship in Power Bowl 39, a matchup featuring the league's highest-scoring offence against one of its stingiest defences.
For the Blues, it's an opportunity to complete one of the most dominant seasons in SportsKlub history. For the Trojans, it's a chance to spoil perfection and add another championship victory to one of the league's most iconic franchises.
History favours the Trojans
While the Blues enter the game as favourites, history belongs to the Trojans.
The Trojans hold a 2-1 advantage over the Blues in previous Power Bowl meetings.
The first three championship matchups came when the franchises were known as the Chiefs and Colts.
In Power Bowl 13, the Chiefs defeated the Colts 35-17 behind MVP James Evans.
One season later, the Chiefs again topped the Colts 42-17 in Power Bowl 14, with John Hammill earning MVP honours. The Colts finally broke through in Power Bowl 33, defeating the Chiefs 35-28. Matt Planta was named MVP after leading the Colts to the franchise's first championship victory over their longtime rivals.
Overall, the Trojans own a 10-12 record in Power Bowl appearances, while the Blues are just 2-9 all-time.
Blues dominated the regular season
If recent history matters more than ancient history, the edge belongs squarely to the Blues. They swept the season series, winning all three meetings.
Week 2: Blues 38, Trojans 13
Week 7: Blues 40, Trojans 26
Week 8: Blues 33, Trojans 26 (OT)
The Week 8 meeting may offer the best blueprint for Sunday's championship. The Trojans built a large lead early, but the undefeated Blues came all the way back and pushed the game to overtime, winning one of the most memorable games of the season.
The Blues finished the regular season 12-0, scoring 403 points while allowing just 245.
The Trojans finished 5-5-2, but their record may be misleading. They played some of their best football late in the season and entered the playoffs as one of Orillia flag football's hottest teams.
Offence: Blues bring the firepower
No team moved the ball more effectively than the Blues. They led the league with 5,465 offensive yards and 395 points while converting an incredible 51.5 per cent of their third downs.
Everyone else was far behind, but the Trojans ranked second in scoring with 297 points and fourth in total offence with 4,436 yards while converting 45.3 per cent of third downs.
The Blues' attack begins with quarterback Connor Woodbeck. Despite not earning an all-star selection, Woodbeck put together arguably the most productive quarterback season in the league. He threw for 1,795 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 414 receiving yards and five touchdown catches of his own.
When Woodbeck wasn't throwing touchdowns, there was a good chance he was finding Vince Pitines who led all Blues players with 1,197 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions, cementing himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in SportsKlub football.
The Blues also boast one of the league's most versatile stars in Matt Planta. The former Power Bowl MVP accumulated 555 passing yards, 589 receiving yards, 525 rushing yards, 12 receiving touchdowns and three rushing scores.
Andrew Billark quietly produced 784 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while Hayden Woodbeck added eight touchdown receptions of his own.
The Trojans counter with a balanced offence led by quarterback Oswell James.
James who threw for 1,769 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 757 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. His versatility allows the Trojans to attack defenses in multiple ways.
Tyler Hinds emerged as one of the league's breakout stars, finishing with 1,066 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, 558 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Mathieu Bolduc led the Trojans with 876 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Martin Cunningham added 467 receiving yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Defence: Trojans have the statistical edge
If the Blues own the offensive advantage, the Trojans have a compelling case on the defensive side of the ball.
The Trojans led the league in total defence, allowing just 4,060 yards all season.
The Blues ranked fourth, surrendering 4,851 yards.
The Trojans also ranked third in opponent third-down conversion percentage, allowing conversions on only 40 per cent of opportunities. Yet when it came to keeping opponents off the scoreboard, nobody matched the Blues.
The Blues allowed just 238 points all season, the fewest in the league by a wide margin. The Trojans ranked second at 269.
That creates one of the most fascinating storylines entering Power Bowl 39. The Trojans excel at limiting yardage and forcing difficult drives. The Blues excel at tightening up when it matters most and preventing touchdowns.
The X-factor
Championship games often come down to experience. James is the only Trojan player to make a Power Bowl appearance, falling short against the Augies last spring.
The Blues, meanwhile, are trying to finish what has been a storybook campaign.
They've already completed the first undefeated regular season in franchise history. One more victory would secure a perfect 14-0 season and place this Blues squad among the greatest teams SportsKlub has ever seen.
Vince Pitines is making his third consecutive Power Bowl trip to start his SportsKlub Football career, still seeking his fist victory. Matt Planta is 4-2 in Orillia flag football Power Bowl championship games.
Standing in their way is a Trojans team with a long championship pedigree and a history of rising to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
On paper, the Blues are the better team. History suggests the Trojans should never be counted out. That's what makes Power Bowl 39 so intriguing.
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