Mariners need upset to make football playoffs
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Updated: November 03, 2009 11:58 AM
Prior to his football team kicking off its inaugural season at the triple-A level, Earl Marriott Mariners coach Michael Mackay-Dunn said making the playoffs would be "an incredible achievement" for his underdog squad.
And though optimistic as always, the veteran coach conceded that the chance of winless regular season was possible, if not ideal.
But now, with one regular season game left – Friday night in New Westminster against the No. 2-ranked Hyacks – the Mariners not only have that elusive first win, they also have an outside shot at a playoff spot, although it would take a David vs. Goliath-like upset to do it.
In order to qualify among the top four teams in B.C.'s six-team Western Conference, the Mariners would need to beat the Hyacks, who've been one of the province's top teams all season.
EMS would also need the Carson Graham Eagles to lose this week to sixth-place West Vancouver, which is 0-4 on the year.
The Mariners and Eagles are currently tied for fourth place with identical 1-3 records, but the Eagles own the tie-breaker after a 55-33 victory over the Mariners last week.
The Mariners one 'W' of the season came Oct. 23 at South Meridian Elementary – the team's only home game this season, due to field renovations at Earl Marriott – when they defeated West Van 9-8 in a defensive battle.
Had the Mariners' plus/minus (points-scored and points-allowed) been better, they would be in position to grab one of the at-large "wildcard" playoff spots, but that isn't in the cards, Mackay-Dunn said.
"We needed to score more points against West Van to be closer," he said.
Through four games, the Mariners have scored 70 points but have allowed 164 – second in the province.
However slim their post-season chances may be, Mackay-Dunn was happy to have made it through the first triple-A season after playing previously at the AA level.
"With the crazy season we've had – with all our injuries and everything – we're glad to have just survived," he said.
"You just kind of say, 'Thank God it's over' and we made it through. It was tough."
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