MIDGET 2010 POWER RANKINGS

[TheAnnointedOne]

A panel of Football experts and specialists have agreed on the following rankings for 2010:

MIDGET 2010 POWER RANKINGS


#1 LANGLEY STAMPEDERS - It's now or never for this team. The young and talented Stampeders suffered growing pains last year, but learned a lot about what it takes to be a winner in their losses against the Longhorns and the Redmen. Their crushing defeat at home at the hands of the Redmen had to be an eye opener and a major character builder for them. The Stampeders are on the verge of becoming a Championship team. Can they do it? The question lingers, do the coaches have what it takes to get them to the very top?

#2 NORTH SURREY BEARS - A model organization, the Bears have rebuilt from within their ranks and are now capable of becoming #1. Their large developmental roster from last year will provide dividends this year as many players have gained the experience and confidence necessary for the team to become a top contender. Losses such as Nitchie, Halicki, and Van Hoorn will be difficult to replace, but the young guys should step up. The big question mark for this team is at QB and it could decide their fate, with Decker gone, who will be the replacement?

#3 NANAIMO REDMEN (2009 VMFL Champions)- This is the leagues most classy organization from ballboys to President. Sportsmanship reigns in Redmenland, but so does mental toughness and competitive drive. The 7 players who made up the heart and soul of this team for three years are gone, but this team is RE-LOADING with an extremely talented group of 16 and 17 year olds. As well, there is no shortage of 18 year olds from local high school football programs. The question for the Redmen is, which players are going to take over the leadership role from their famous Group of Seven and get this team in contention for the Provincial championship.

#4 VICTORIA SPARTANS - Darkhorses for sure, but the rough and tough Spartans are ready to rumble. Their large roster last year suggests that they have a good number of 16 and 17 year olds to draw from. They will draw 18 year olds from Mt. Doug and Belmont secondaries, but as minor football thrives in Victoria, younger players with solid skills will come from the community programs. Expect great things from he Spartans in 2010. Our advice to the coaches, be cool headed and keep away from unnecessary penalties.

#5 CHILLIWACK GIANTS (2009 Provincial Champions) - This is a talented team with very good coaching, and over the last two years, has had an extremely strong offensive line (perhaps the best in MIdget or HS football in BC). Their previous success as Provincial Champions will ensure a large roster size with talent to develop for many years. The limited 18 year old roster will hurt them however, simply because it is not a factor which they needed to consider in past years. QB Parray and RB Hayden will add a lot of offensive punch if they return. Hopefully, the Giants will not lose a lot of their top 18 year olds to the Jr. Huskers. This team is capable of going a long, long ways.

#6 COQUITLAM FALCONS - This team didn't deserve to be out of the playoffs last year, but due to a complicated tie-breaking rule they found themselves eliminated by a team they didn't even play and who weren't as good. The great Jeff Cornwall is gone after 3 years of stellar play, but the new nucleus of young and determined players will have learned much from their association with him. Experience at playing the game is key, and these players who suffered much in 2009 are hungry and ready to take charge. No problem getting into the playoffs this year.

#7 CLOVERDALE BENGALS - This is a strong and proud organization capable of rebuilding and succeeding, but we believe they have a ways to go in 2010. Recruiting will provide slim pickings this year. Dunks is gone, as are the graduating high school stars brought in as recruits last year. Expect this team to squeak into the playoffs as they improve in each game through the regular season.

#8 KELOWNA SUN - The Midget Sun (2008 VCFL Champions) have always been competitive over recent years, but now face an upward climb for survival. Will they acquire enough 16-17 years olds to fill the void with the limited 18 year old roster in effect? Kelowna, and the Okanagan in general, have had good football programs and talent to draw from, so we are optimistic that they will field a team. However, not as strong as in previous years, as they adjust to the new limitations of their roster.

#9 SOUTH SURREY TITANS - The Titans did a great job rebuilding their team after a year's absence in 2008. We expect them to continue to grow in numbers over last year, but there will be some holes to fill. In particular, QB Bardua has aged out and is now with the VI Raiders. Finding a competent replacement at QB will help the Titans a lot in making their way up the standings. This team is not to be taken lightly.

#10 MISSION 9ERS - Some up-and-coming 16 year olds from Bantam should help this team in 2010. As well, the 9ERS will likely have a strong offensive line and good running backs. However, the reality is that in this new league they have a ways to go, so playoffs will be a question mark for 2010.

#11 WESTSIDE WARRIORS - The Warriors are indeed a mysterious team. Now the sole Midget team for the entire metropolis of Vancouver City, you would think they have it made. However, marketing and recruitment issues keep this team low in the standings. Analysts were unable find even one article written about the Midget Warriors in the local paper, and e-mails were not returned. The "sky is the limit" for the potential of this team, but organizational issues need to be resolved. Whether the Warriors make the playoffs or not is a "maybe", depending on the number of teams allowed into post season play.

#12 RICHMOND RAIDERS - The Raiders have beautiful Minoru Park and perhaps a few mythical South Richmond Raiders, but little else. Lot's of potential for a good Midget community team in Richmond, but help is required in marketing and PR through consultation with successful organizations such as Football Nanaimo. The Raiders will defeat the Longhorns this year.

#13. MAPLE RIDGE KNIGHTS - We were impressed with some of the things we saw from the Knights last year and really expect them to improve this year. The limited 18 year old rule, will however, set them back a bit in 2010 as they adjust, but expect improvements from the Knights every year.

#14 NORTH DELTA LONGHORNS - A perennial powerhouse, but as Roy Orbison would say, "It's Over" for 2010. There are 3 major reasons for this: 1) The Longhorns have failed miserably to develop talent from within their organization to feed the Midget team; 2) The 2010 high school graduating talent pool (18 year olds) is much weaker than in 2008 and 2009, so recruitment efforts will produce much slimmer results; 3) Most importantly, players like Hawkins, O'Neill, and Siddhu are gone, and you simply don't pick up players with this kind of talent and leadership qualities everyday who have been with your team from the beginning. Can you imagine the Longhorns in 2009 without these players? Hail to a great team of the past, but it's over. No playoffs this year!

#15 COWICHAN BULLDOGS - This is a great organization which has simply been unable to have success with their Midget program. The reason comes down to the players. Other than a very few stalwarts, work ethic and team commitment must be raised to a much higher level by the players. Players must attend practice - can't have only a total of 9 players at every practice. Workout, keep in shape. No forfeits. Get serious and ask yourself the question, "Am I a football player?" Attitude and mental toughness must improve, otherwise zero wins in 2010.

[footballdad2]

boy....i guess the longhorns and coachs should just pack it in now !!! all i can say people just wait !!

[footballdad2]

i think when some teams like "surrey,cloverdale.coqutlam,and langley " are sitting around and woundering were the players are that they thought they were going to get are not there they should stop woundering..

[JustWin]

Woundering? You must mean wondering...

[footballdad2]

not me....other teams will be !!!

[chaos]

Really TheAnnointedOne, please tell me who this panel of football experts and specialists are??

[Blue is the Colour]

Based on who's online now I'm guessing it was a combination of Google Bot, MSN Bot and Yahoo Bot!

[TheAnnointedOne]

Really TheAnnointedOne, please tell me who this panel of football experts and specialists are??

That shall remain a secret my friend Chaos, but tell me, do you agree with the rankings?

Do other experts out there agree or disagree with the rankings?

Note: I'm glad Chaos is not from Langley, that's why we felt comfortable giving them the #1 spot

[Blue is the Colour]

Here's how I see it:

*If a player I mention is not playing for the team listed please point it out and I will change it.

#1 NORTH DELTA LONGHORNS (2009 provincial semi finalists) - In the VMFL final every season since 2003. 4 VMFL titles and 4 Provincial titles. I doubt they would field a team if they didn't expect to win. The Longhorns are going to be the team to beat, not the league doormat. They return a few key players such as Uphal and Sharif at receiver (both senior bowl) and I don't think Coach Ettinger will have any trouble getting the studs to come to ND, poor graduating class or not. He's a master recruiter with few equals (maybe Roger Kelly and Ken Helps). In my opinion this year’s team will be even better then the one that went 10-0 last year, especially on offense. Underestimate them at your own risk. Strong pass game, killer run game, dominating defence. Another title this year and they tie the Bears for most provincial championships all time on 5 each. They can also set a new record by winning 5 in 7 seasons. It will take somebody really special to knock them off. Also, they won’t like being ranked second last by the annointed one. Hawkins, O'Neill and others will be missed, but I have a feeling they'll find some pretty good replacements...

#2 LANGLEY STAMPEDERS (2009 provincial quarter finalists) - Made the VMFL semi finals with only three 18 year olds. Scott Charles (star/senior bowls) at DB is the star of what I expect to be a very strong defence. Even in heavy loses to the Redmen and Longhorns last year the defence played very well for large portions of the game. Jeremy Filipek (star/senior bowls) is a quality receiver and I expect him to have a breakout season. If McMurphy (bantam star bowl) joins the backfield at RB, they will be even better. They should also be strong along the line. Coach Shane and his staff have built this team over several seasons and I have no doubt the players can perform at a very high level (as they proved in bantam). They have so much going for them, but only time will tell if they have enough to KO the mighty Longhorns.

#3 NANAIMO REDMEN (2009 VMFL champions/2009 provincial finalists) – Coach Sean Roden and the rest of the Redmen staff have done a fantastic job turning Nanaimo into one of the premier teams in BC. They turned heads when a long Cole Sampson field goal helped them edge ND 3-0 in the VMFL title game but came up short a week later against Chilliwack. Losing him will be tough on both defence and special teams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwyiq2eQtPA The best kicker in the province will be hard to replace. To put that video in perspective, he hit a 61 yard field goal. The CFL record is 62 and the NFL record is 63. They also lose Alex Beaudoin at QB who had a huge arm and could roll out with speed and still deliver a good ball. Whitman Tomusiak, Jimi Parmar and Lukas Miner are also gone I believe and they will be missed. On the plus side, winning the VMFL title should give them a nice recruiting boost. With several top bantams moving up this year and bunch of senior bowl players return including Ash Gayat and Zack Henderson at receiver, and Brendan Lattimer at DB I expect them to go 8-2 or better in the regular season, and make a deep run into the playoffs.

#4 CHILLIWACK GIANTS (2009 undefeated VCFL champions/2009 undefeated provincial champions) From what I hear this is the last season for Coach Suresh and I’m sure he would love to go out with a bang. For that to happen the Giants will have to cope with the loss of several key men. Tyler Oldendorf (2009 Senior bowl top lineman) was a force at tackle. Matt Van Geel will leave a hole in the backfield. The defence that was so good last year will be hard pressed to replace Arie Nakagawa at linebacker. Fast, technically superb and with a great ability to read the play. By far the best linebacker in the province. Fortunately they return something like 6 senior bowl players. Dan Apperloo (2010 senior bowl top lineman) as well as Cody Parray at QB will help the offense. Josh Hayden is an incredibly agile back who will break some ankles this year. With the addition of Steven Porcina from bantam they should have one of the better run games around. I would expect them to make the semi finals, but they will need to improve the pass defence if they want to win it all.

#5 NORTH SURREY BEARS (2009 provincial quarter finalists) I think this team could easily challenge the top four, but I’ll put them at #5 for now. They lost Nitchie, Halicki, Van Hoorn, Decker etc. and I’m interested to see who fills the void. With Coach Connelly gone, some star names moving on and bantams moving up, they may be have a clunky to start the season but with strong talent throughout they will come good by the later stages.

[Blue is the Colour]

I'll run down the rest of the teams when I have more time.

[LangleyCNiedjalski]

Just a couple things, Sharif Ali who played for ND last year is quite possibly going to play for SFU next year and Jeremy Filipek for Langley might not be playing this year.

[Blue is the Colour]

thanks for pointing that out, now I can't seem to edit the page lol....

[TheAnnointedOne]

thanks for pointing that out, now I can't seem to edit the page lol....

Yes, I just checked with the Admin and you can only makes edits within a few minutes of sending your post. I made a couple of errors as well e.g. South Richmond Raiders should read South Richmond Roughriders.

Blue, I think you may be giving ND too much credit - the loss of Sharif is huge.

[footballdad2]

sharif is going to sfu but will play for the longhorns this year.already signed up and practiceing.

[Blue is the Colour]

any news on a certain other SFU player who may or may not be going to ND?

[4ever-a-Giant]

i heard that Dan Apperloo (or applejuice) will be playing for UBC this year and not Chilliwack

[Blue is the Colour]

That's weird, I heard just recently he decided to stay with the Giants. How reliable is your source?

[chaos]

I heard from a guy who was talking to someone that kew of a guy that may have been related to someone in the know and told me that TheAnnointedOne is actually Cowboy who went to typing school and learned how to spell.

[ninermidgetcoach]

That's weird, I heard just recently he decided to stay with the Giants. How reliable is your source?

no...i definately heard yesterday that he is going to ubc.

[Blue is the Colour]

ok lol I'll take your word for it. Either way Chilly will still be strong on the line and I would still have them at #4.