Jonathan Sénécal remains a formidable quarterback and a constant threat to run with the ball. (Peter McCabe/Canadian Press Archives)
1. Arnaud Desjardins vs Jonathan Sénécal: Against all expectations, Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins plays better football than his Carabins counterpart. The Laval pivot is dominant with the best percentage of completed passes in the country. It’s not like Sénécal is having a bad season, but he is behind his opponent in the main statistical categories. Let’s bet, however, that whoever commits the most turnovers on Saturday will probably lose this duel.
Lucas Bertet-Dembele is a considerable asset this season for the Montreal offense. (Jean Roy/Archives La Tribune)
2. Kalenga Muganda vs Lucas Bertet-Dembele: Both ball carriers are dynamic for their respective teams. In his first game as a starter last week, Muganda broke the 100-yard rushing plateau. He could be the solution to keeping Montreal’s explosive attack on the bench. For the speedy Carabins carrier, he seems to have the gift of making a very long run in each game with his solid average of 8.9 yards per carry. He had also found the end zone in Quebec.
Felipe Forteza’s 54-yard kick of a lifetime gave the Rouge et Or a 23-22 victory. (Mathieu Belanger/Rouge et Or)
3. Felipe Forteza/Émile Choquet vs Philippe Boyer: The Rouge et Or still hesitated to use two kickers for this important meeting. Forteza had the last word in the first match with a historic placement. For his part, Boyer played a strong match and he has been consistent like clockwork since the start of the season. He is the best kicker in the RSEQ and should have a huge impact in this game.
4. Olivier Cool versus the Montreal tertiary: Nobody has been able to stop the Rouge et Or receiver this season. He already has eight touchdowns to his name this season and dominates the individual aerial statistics in the RSEQ. Denis Touchette’s defense, however, has the tools it takes to slow down the young pass catcher. A big test at CEPSUM where few have had offensive success against the Carabins.
5. Enrique Jaimes Leclair vs. the Rouge et Or tertiary: Jaimes Leclair is Jonathan Sénécal’s favorite target this season with a good aerial production average of 78.2 yards per game. He will have to face the best defensive aerial coverage. The Laval covers are tight and waterproof. Who will have the best?
