Early season surprise

Apple Creek Spartans undefeated after 3 games

 Agape, T.West, Olive also unbeaten but one will bite the dust as Agape and T-West clash Saturday night

Who saw this coming?

After barely competing in 2016, the Spartans have beaten Malton, Philadelphia and Toronto East in succession and are looking down on the rest of the league with an undefeated record. 

Joining the Spartans at the top of the Eastern Conference standings are Agape and Toronto West, all with a 3 and 0 won-lost record.

The Spartans received an early-season boost from QB Joel Knight who came over from the other Creek team, on hiatus in 2017. But with Knight expected to miss several upcoming games the question hanging over the Spartans is, have they built up enough of a cushion to make it to the championships playoff round.

Spartans hold the tie-breaker with East and Philadelphia. A Spartan victory over Kanisa on July 9 would guarantee them a coveted playoff spot.

In other Eastern conference developments Agape Avengers has done exactly as promised, running roughshod over opponents for a perfect start. Tired of getting close but not over the top, the Avengers pulled a Golden State Warriors and now field a stacked team bolstered by refugees from the folded Apple Creek Golden Apples.

Crossing over to the Avengers were Jason Knight, Toneil Knight, Charles Rock, Kemesha McLean, Ashley Docking, Natalie Christie. 

But that was not enough. Nathaniel Fray-Smith and Errol Evans left Kanisa for greener pastures, and so did Xavier Ellis who played for Spartans last year. This gives the Avengers no fewer than 11 league all-stars.

Avengers will test their high-flying squad against Toronto West Saturday night in the game of the week at Mississauga Valleys, 9.15 p.m.

Toronto West crosssed over into the Eastern Conference to balance out the numbers in 2017 and immediately found themselves in a dogfight.

The T-West Saints are playing for the first time without female QB and all-star Sasha Rampersad. In her place, they have drafted veteran Jay Steinberg to sling the pigskin. Saturday night will give Steinberg a real baptism of OYM football and provide fans with a early season preview of what could become an Eastern Division final in mid-August.

No slouches themselves, T-West Saints are a blend of veterans and at least eight first or second-year players.

In the West, Mt. Olive has won both games and have not tasted defeat since mid 2015. The defending champions, coming off a perfect season in 2016, play Mississauga on Sunday. Sauga (1-1) play Kanisa Saturday night at L'Amoreaux Park and then tangle with Olive at Applewood on Sunday.

 After losing their Redemption Bowl rematch on opening day, Woodbridge rebounded to beat Malton and Ghana. Ghana tripped up Malton but lost close games to Olive, East and Woodbridge to sit at 1-3.

Meadowvale and Malton are  the only win-less teams as we head into Week 4. Both teams hook up July 9 in a "can't miss" game.