With a minimal loss of finishing players on each team, we bet that the feeling of revenge will be high on the part of the Carabins, since the last time the visitors from Montreal came to Quebec they left empty-handed after losing the Dunsmore Cup on a red during the last play of the game. A powerful motivator.
Laval is not left out, as the players will only have to look at the more than 18,000 spectators to find energy. With two dominant teams from the start of the season, two top-notch quarterbacks and tight defenses, everything is set for a solid show.
Le Soleil spoke with the coaches of the two teams, Marco Iadeluca and Glen Constantin, to find out the vision of the two drivers for the match at the Telus stadium, on Sunday at 1 p.m.
No visitor complex
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Everything is going well in Montreal since the start of the 2023 season and the Carabins also took advantage of an additional week of rest for their preparation against the Reds and Gold. A luxury that pleases the blues coach, Marco Iadeluca.
“It allows us to treat ailments and is a healthy team that will be presented at the PEPS. The only drawback is that you will have to remove the rust at the beginning of the match. As we were playing good football, that’s the downside of having to stop a week before playing. »
Although the driver is aware that his team is not necessarily the favorite to win, he is still very confident. “When you win a championship, you are the team to beat. This will allow us to know where we stand in relation to Laval. This is a team with a lot of depth and knows how to win. However, our boys love playing in Quebec. No one is intimidated by the idea of ​​showing up at Telus Stadium and scoring a big win. »
For Iadeluca, his training will have to specifically monitor two players on the opposing team.
“It is the return of catcher Kevin Mital and he is a great player. You have to know where he is on the field at all times and not just near the end zone. We shouldn’t put all our attention on him either since they have other dangerous players on the field offensively and Arnaud Desjardins is very solid as a quarterback. Defensively, there is no doubt that the cornerstone is Jean-William Rouleau. He directs traffic and is a very good player. »
Iadeluca ends the interview by mentioning that he sees this match as a test and an opportunity to progress in his training. He points out that he doesn’t see it as an opportunity to get revenge for last year’s Dunsmore Cup failure.
MONTREAL CARBINES
- Record: 2-0, 2nd place
- Last game: 43-12 victory against Concordia
- Points for: 86
- Points against: 23
- Average offensive yards per game: 480.5
- Average yards allowed per game: 294.5
Rouge et Or excited by the challenge
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Coach Glen Constantin was very jovial when talking about the duel against Laval’s great rival, although he knows that the task will not be easy.
“The most important part of the year, a full stadium and an excellent lineup that will be in front of us. There is nothing you don’t like and it is the fans who will be the big winners. »
The experienced driver, however, assures that his team must be able to control opposing quarterback Jonathan Sénécal to be successful.
“You can never completely stop dominant players and everything goes through him offensively in Montreal. He is a constant threat and has a good offensive arsenal with his group of receivers. However, I believe we have an experienced tertiary who can meet this challenge well. It will be a very good confrontation. »
The coach was obviously happy to have the return of his star receiver Kevin Mital.
“I am happy and his absence gave others the opportunity to stand out. He is still a special player, but no one is irreplaceable. »
Constantin also believes the special teams battle will be crucial for this game.
“There are 24 good athletes in every rep and that aspect of the game excites me for this game. Both teams have good kickers and it will be exciting to see who has the best one. »
As usually happens between the two teams, the coach expects another very close match.
“Possibly four or five games will determine what is at stake in the match. We will also have to win the turnover battle to have any hope of winning. »
LAVAL RED AND GOLD
- Record: 2-0, 1st place
- Last game: 48-7 win against McGill
- Points for: 85
- Points against: 21
- Average offensive yards per game: 403.5
- Average yards allowed per game: 292.5
