FPF Fall Week 10

Starting tonight, we have five games left in the FlagPlus Football Tier 2 regular season. We have a pair of big matchups scheduled to place over the next two days. They are (1-7) Mangoose versus (6-3) Camping Boutin tomorrow in St. Laurent, and (4-5) KGP Origins taking on (4-4) Les Verges Folles tonight in Chateauguay.

The top six teams in the playoff race are already set, as Idaho Udapimps, Camping Boutin, Hard 8, Les Verges Folles, Flag Slayer Corp, and KGP Origins have solidified their spot in the dance. 

Mangoose sits on the outside looking in. Despite their inability to qualify for the playoffs, the veteran squad has the chance to play spoiler, with games remaining against Camping Boutin tomorrow night, and Flag Slayer Corp next Sunday.

Unlike last night’s UFC 322 co-main events, these two games promise to deliver some entertainment. 

When looking at tomorrow’s matchup, it features two teams that are struggling. Mangoose, has lost four in a row. While they did surpass 24 points for the first time since Week 5, the team’s offense continues to be their biggest problem, as they have failed to crack the 30-point plateau in every game since the second half of the season and are currently the lowest scoring team in Tier 2.  

The lack of scoring has been most evident when you look at the results. During the first half of the season, Mangoose lost to Idaho Udapimps, KGP Origins, and Camping Boutin, by a combined eight points. Their lone win (30-0) over Hard 8 was due to a roster violation. The game was played and Hard 8 won (36-29) before the mistake was found, but the standings still reflect a win. That was still a one-possession game. The team’s only blowout loss came in Week 6 to Idaho Udapimps (56-24). Since then, the team has put up 18, 18, and 28 points. Not exactly the Los Angeles Rams here. 

Camping Boutin comes into tomorrow’s game losers of two straight, and three out of their last five games overall. Unlike Mangoose, the main source of their problems rest on the other side of the ball. Defensively, the team has surrendered a combined 125 points over their last three games, including a season-high 57 this past Monday against Hard 8.    

When looking at the current playoff picture, Camping Boutin sits in second, they are tied for points with first place Idaho Udapimps, as both teams have 12, but the latter won the head-to-head matchup (42-40) in Week 5, so they have the tiebreaker. 

Something else to keep in mind, is that Idaho Udapimps also has a game in-hand with two regular season games left. Essentially, to finish in the top spot, Camping Boutin must win tomorrow, and hope that Idaho Udapimps loses their final two contests versus Flag Salyer Corp and then Les Verges Folles, who both sit at (4-4). 

Looking at tonight’s matchup, this is anything but an immovable force versus resistible object type of showdown. The question that needs to be asked is can Mangoose find some offense against a team is not firing on all cylinders defensively, or will the Camping Boutin defense be able to get back on track and continue the drought that their opponents are experiencing offensively?

I expect this to be an entertaining game. Camping Boutin are clearly the better team, but with no pressure on Mangoose, I could see them electing to let it all hang out, and not be afraid to take risks. Playing the role of spoiler is something this team has embraced, and they will look to do their part to keep their opponents out of first place. 

In a matchup of two teams who have already secured a playoff spot, we will see Les Verges Folles taking on KGP Origins. Both teams are tied with eight points, and sit in a three-way tie for fourth place with Flag Slayer Corp. This isn’t the first meeting between either side, as they squared off in a Week 6 affair, that saw LVF walk away with a (40-25) win. 

The meeting was a tale of two halves, as KGP led (19-18) at halftime, but then were dominated after the break, getting outscored (22-6).

Turnovers played a key role in the second half result, as KGP Origins Quarterback Phil Cutler threw two interceptions, and was sacked for a safety due to a bad snap into the endzone by Snapper Julien Paiement. 

Unlike his counterpart, Les Verges Folles QB Jules Regimbald protected the ball in the contest, on the way to throwing five touchdown passes, and ran for another on an 18-yard scramble in the second half. The former College Jean-Eudes pivot connected on TD passes to Francois Rocheleau, Nicolas Prince, Philippe Mathiew, and a game-high two to Vincent Morissette.

After losing to Idaho Udapinmps (32-29) one week later, Les Verges Folles, has rattled off three straight wins. KGP Origins, have been nearly as impressive, winning two of their last three games since the Week 6 meeting with tonight’s opponents.

I expect tonight’s showdown to be closer. One reason for that is the absence of Rocheleau. The Team Canada member and future Olympian is a sub, and the Week 6 meeting was the only game he has played for Les Verges Folles so far this year. Missing him in the lineup makes a huge difference, as he is a playmaker who not only do some people think is the best Receiver currently in FPF but is also someone who opens things up for his teammates due to the attention that he gets in coverage. 

The other reason why I think tonight’s game will be close is because of Cutler. The veteran passer has picked up his play since the first meeting. Look no further than his performance last Sunday versus Camping Boutin, where he threw six touchdown passes, and finished the game with a season-high 71% completion percentage on 22 of 31 passing for 224 yards in his team’s (40-18) victory.

Les Verges Folles vs KGP Origins – KGP Origins (My pick for Game of the Week)

Camping Boutin vs Mangoose – Mangoose (Upset Special) 

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Montreal Alouettes – Riders 

That is it for this time out. Good luck to everyone in their games tonight and tomorrow.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.