Three weeks into the season, the contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pack across both the 12-A-Side and 9-A-Side divisions. With several teams still unbeaten and key matchups on deck this week, the race for playoff positioning is heating up.
12-A-Side AAA East: Trojans Set the Pace
The Harrison Trimble Trojans remain the team to beat in Pool AAA East after a dominant 43-0 victory over the Mathieu-Martin Matadors. Harrison Trimble sits atop the standings at 3-0 with an eye-popping plus-116 point differential, having outscored opponents 131-15.
The biggest showdown of Week 4 comes Thursday night when the Trojans host the equally dangerous Riverview Royals. Riverview improved to 2-0 with a convincing 56-13 win over the Tantramar Regional Titans and has piled up 105 points in just two games. Something will have to give when two of the province’s hottest clubs meet.
The Moncton Purple Knights continued their winning ways Friday, edging L’Odyssee 6-3 in a defensive battle. At 2-0, Moncton remains unbeaten and will look to keep pace with the division leaders when they host the Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders this week.
Meanwhile, L’Odyssee and Mathieu-Martin meet Thursday in what could be a pivotal contest for playoff positioning. The Olympiens enter at 1-2, while the Matadors are still searching for their first win.
AAA East Standings
- Harrison Trimble (3-0, 6 pts)
- Moncton Purple Knights (2-0, 4 pts)
- Riverview Royals (2-0, 4 pts)
- L’Odyssee (1-2, 2 pts)
The top four teams currently occupy playoff positions.
12-A-Side AAA Southwest: Greyhounds Rolling
If any team has looked more dominant than Harrison Trimble so far, it may be the Saint John Greyhounds.
The Greyhounds improved to 3-0 with a 37-0 shutout of the Fredericton Black Kats, pushing their season total to 149 points scored while surrendering just seven. Their plus-142 differential leads the province.
Not far behind are the St. Malachy’s Memorial Saints, who crushed Oromocto 58-6 to also improve to 3-0. With 102 points scored and only 35 allowed, the Saints continue to make a strong case as championship contenders.
The Kennebecasis Valley Blue Knights strengthened their playoff position with a 24-0 victory over Leo Hayes, improving to 2-1 and sitting alone in third place.
AAA Southwest Standings
- Saint John Greyhounds (3-0, 6 pts)
- St. Malachy’s Memorial Saints (3-0, 6 pts)
- Kennebecasis Valley Blue Knights (2-1, 4 pts)
- Leo Hayes Lions (1-2, 2 pts)
At the moment, those four clubs occupy the playoff spots.
9-A-Side: Tommies and Redhawks Locked in First-Place Battle
The race atop the 9-A-Side division may be the most competitive in the province.
The James M. Hill Tommies stayed unbeaten with a 48-34 win over Harbour View in one of the week’s most entertaining matchups. Despite the loss, Harbour View showed it can score with the division’s elite.
The Rothesay Redhawks matched James M. Hill’s perfect record by defeating Hampton 37-7. Both teams sit at 3-0 with six points and appear destined for a collision later in the season.
The St. Stephen Spartans posted an impressive 66-33 victory over École Louis-J.-Robichaud, maintaining their spot near the top at 2-1.
The Simonds Seabees earned their first win of the season in convincing fashion, blanking École Sainte-Anne 41-0.
9-A-Side Standings
- James M. Hill Tommies (3-0, 6 pts)
- Rothesay Redhawks (3-0, 6 pts)
- St. Stephen Spartans (2-1, 4 pts)
- Harbour View Vikings (2-1, 4 pts)
Those four teams currently lead the playoff race, though several clubs remain within striking distance.
Week 4 Games to Watch
Riverview Royals at Harrison Trimble Trojans
Thursday, Oct. 1 The marquee matchup of the week. Both teams are unbeaten, both average more than 40 points per game, and first place in the East could be on the line.
L’Odyssee Olympiens at Mathieu-Martin Matadors
Thursday, Oct. 1 A critical contest between teams battling to stay in the playoff picture.
Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders at Moncton Purple Knights
Friday, Oct. 2 Moncton looks to stay perfect, while the Highlanders chase their first victory.
Simonds Seabees at Harbour View Vikings
Friday, Oct. 2 An intriguing 9-man matchup after Simonds’ breakthrough win and Harbour View’s strong showing against James M. Hill.
St. Stephen Spartans at Hampton Huskies
Saturday, Oct. 3 The Spartans can keep pressure on the division leaders, while Hampton seeks its first victory.
By the Numbers
- Most points scored (12-man): Saint John Greyhounds (149)
- Fewest points allowed (12-man): Saint John Greyhounds (7)
- Highest-scoring 9-man team: James M. Hill Tommies (139)
- Biggest Week 3 victory: St. Malachy’s 58-6 over Oromocto
- Closest Week 3 game: Moncton 6, L’Odyssee 3
With unbeaten records on the line, playoff races beginning to take shape, and a potential East Division heavyweight clash between Riverview and Harrison Trimble, Week 4 could be the most important week of the season so far.
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