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For OAP fans, NC success has been a long time coming. However, this year seems to be the year. In their first season, OAP was knocked out of NC play in the third round. The following season, they were eliminated in the 4th round. This season, the Alphas are on the brink of something very special.

"Look at the teams are left, a bunch of our opponents did us some huge favours. We wanted to avoid the likes of NKDJ, cKs, Bordeaux, Rabbits among others and they have all bowed out of the competition. This puts us in a great situation" said manager Ryszard Brzeziński.

And he is right. Despite the Alpha's recent surge, going undefeated in 6 league games, they still find themselves a considerable number of points back of 4th with only a few games left, meaning their hopes at a Champions' League birth is slim to none. However, to earn a spot in the Cup Winner's Cup, the Alphas must merely make the top-4 of the National Cup. As this week's match is the final-8, a win and they're in. Plain and simple. But it gets better.

With HL Football and Kenora Stingers still kicking around the National Cup scene, their strong standing in the I.1 table will mean both are likely to compete in the Champions' League tournament next season. As you cannot participate in both, the Alphas have a strong case for CWC competition even if they lose, seeing as the first tie-breaker is top seed, which they hold. Thus the only way they will not participate is if all 3 teams lose, or if they lose and one of the other teams just mentioned drops out of Champion's League contention.

"We aren't going to go into Friday's game with the mentality that we are in. We must win to be in for sure. Plain and simple. OAP fans have been starved for a trophy. Being top seed, we want to bring that trophy home on our turf in front of 19,000+ faithful. That is our prime objective from here on out. We are healthy. We have some momentum from recent results, and we are determined. I pity thee who stand in our way" said Tyson Borden who is arguably the team's franchise player.

Of the teams OAP could face include none other than Aowyr's Wallaceburg Walking Dead.

"I'm not going to lie. Taking down some zombies is always fun. We'll get the team together for a little COD: Black Ops to practice slaughtering zombies. At the very least it will be tougher than beating Wallaceburg. I shouldn't trash talk, they have a good team. Lots of good stuff going on over there. But hey. Let's face it. It's Aowyr. He's got a new job. His got gamemaster status. He must have to turn sideways to fit through doors his head is so big. We must win otherwise it'll grow even more and he won't fit through doors at all. It's for the best you know" joked Nine-Toes Purdon.

OAP have a 25% chance of facing Wallaceburg. The other teams they could face include Shinodas, Alberta Pirates and puredangles (whom they defeated last game in league play 3-0). Closing out the top-8 are Bow Valley AFC, HL Football and Kenora Stingers as mentioned just prior. All teams will bring forth a good game as all are honourable opposition. The draw in a few hours will surely be on many fans in Guelph's mind throughout the day. Rumour has it facebook and Twitter are bracing for the mass of status updates/tweets depending on who OAP will face. It is simply pandemonium here in Guelph.

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