TIER 2: Quarter-Final Preview

The Tier 2 Fall Season playoffs are here. The number one seed and number two seed in Idaho Udapimps, and Camping Boutin respectively, have earned the First-Round bye. For the other four teams that qualified, the action kicks off with the Quarter-Final Round tonight, where we’ll see Flag Slayer Corp versus Les Verges Folles in St. Laurent, and KGP Origins against Hard 8 at Papineau.

The first meeting came down to a defensive stop, as Flag Slayer Corp caused their opponents to turn the ball over on downs to end the game. Conversions also played a huge role in the outcome, as Flag Slayer Corp recorded two 1-point convos, to just one for Les Verges Folles.

In the second meeting, another defensive stop would decide the game. After Les Verges Folles forced a turnover on downs deep in their own territory, they gave the ball back to their offense, with one play remaining.

Quarterback Jules Regimbald would connect on a 44-yard pass to Guillaume Beland. Inches away from a walk-off TD, the Receiver would get stopped just short of the goaline, as Defensive Back Karim Madji tackled Beland just short of the endzone to end an exciting game.

To complete the sweep, Flag Slayer Corp will need to do two things. First, they must slow down Beland. The future Olympian who missed the first meeting, made up for it with a dominant performance in the second, as he led all players with four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

The unit must also make sure to throw off the timing of QB Jules Regimbald and force him to throw the ball into tight windows. Some of that will involve switching the coverage post snap. Another way to do that is to play zone, and have their speedy defenders in Jizreel Botat, Jeffrey Lubin, and Madji shoot routes to try and create turnovers.

On the other side of the ball, Quarterback Ryan Kharouf, will need to complete more passes. While he was solid going 18 of 36 for 225 yards and five touchdowns, he left a few passes on the field. The veteran passer averages a Tier 2-high 12.8 yards per pass, but he should focus more on higher percentage shorter throws to move the chains and put his offense in more favourable positions on third and fourth down.

To prevent the sweep and get the last laugh, Les Verges Folles will need to ride the momentum that sees them enter the playoffs winners of four of their last five games (4-0-1). Over the span, the team has played impeccable defense. The unit has held opponents to an average of 24 points per game, and in the process has forced nine interceptions and three sacks.

A big part in keeping up their solid play on that side of the ball will revolve around stopping Nirosh Suresh. In the last meeting, the tough and speedy Receiver shredded the Les Verges Folles defense to the tune of six receptions for 89 yards and three TDs.

Both teams have lesser-known players who are craving the big stage to make an impact. For Les Verges Folles, the trio of Nassim Ouadhi, Nicolas Prince, and Thomas-Charles Paradis, have been making plays all season, and have played an important role in getting the team to the playoffs. For Flag Slayer Corp, the same thing applies for guys like Sacha Saint-Amand, Jean-Samuel Cournoyer, and Lubin. Expect the latter group of players to make a statement tonight as well tonight.

I think the Quarterback matchup between Regimbald and Kharouf will be fun. Both guys are athletic, have strong arms, love to air it out, but will also throw the occasional questionable pass. Whichever QB protects the ball while taking more chances, will most likely get the win.

The potential matchup between Suresh and Beland promises to be just as exciting. Both guys are physical, clutch, and can both score from anywhere on the field, as well as stop your best player from doing the same. Whoever gets the edge here, can potentially lead their team to victory.

I expect this to be a fast, physical, and exciting game. One of the hardest things to do in sports is beat a team three times in a season. This is truly a pick’ em game, but I can’t ignore the fact that Flag Slayer Corp comes into tonight losers of three in a row, while Les Verges Folles have gone (4-0-1) in their last five. I am going with the team that is playing better football right now.

The first meeting was a blowout. Hard 8 was up (20-6) at halftime, before taking their foot of the gas after the break, as both teams put up two touchdowns.

One of the main reasons why the game was close was turnovers. KGP Origins Quarterback Phil Cutler was intercepted three times, including twice by Ahmed Boubacar, who returned one of them for a touchdown.

The second meeting saw a reversal of fortunes as KGP Origins jumped out to an identical (20-6) lead at the break, only for both teams to score twice once again in the second half.

In the rematch, Cutler cleaned up his mistakes, as he only threw one INT. He also recorded an additional TD than he did in the previous meeting throwing four, compared to three.

Filling in for an absent Jeff Rosenblatt at QB, FPF Hall of Famer Paul Lapierre, put up a respectable passing line going 12 of 31 for 127 yards along with three TDs and one 1 INT, but his inability to connect with Receivers in Sanders Armand and Felix Clairmont (zero catches on eight targets) played a role in the outcome in the game.

On offense, Rosenblatt must use the size disparity between his Receivers and the KGP Origins Defensive Backs. With targets in Sanders Armand, Paul Lapierre, Felix Clairemont, Adam Malinoff, and Ahmed Boubacar, Hard 8 has a massive height advantage one-on-one against shorter defenders (by comparison) in Jonathan Acker, Jonathan Garfinkle, Dylan Garber, Will Sebag and Mathieu Lepage. All those players especially Lepage and Sebag, are solid defenders, but they can’t match the size and athleticism that Hard 8 has.

On defense, Hard 8 must make Cutler and his offense become one-dimensional. Taking away the short passing game and timing routes that are central to KGP Origins’ success and forcing them to be over-reliant on the deep ball will be crucial. Cutler is a different QB when he must rely on the deep ball to move the unit. That plays perfectly into the hands on Hard 8, who have length all over their defense and can sit back and try to get their hands on deep passes they know will be coming their way.

For KGP Origins to advance, they will need to bait Rosenblatt into bad throws. A key to doing that will be to take away the middle of the field where the veteran passer often looks to connect with Lapierre, Armand, and Jakob Sacksner. Having Gabe D’Amico-Mazza at Rusher where he can use his length to take away passing lanes, would help that cause.

The KGP Origins defense will also need to limit the damage of arguably the best Receiver in Tier 2, in Daniel Mancini. That job will be left to either Lepage, or Sebag. Both defenders are fast long, and can cover, but going up against Mancini is a different task. He has great hands and runs some of the best routes you will see out of anyone in FPF. He led his team in catches, yards, and touchdowns. In two games versus tonight’s opponents, he put up 17 grabs for 169 yards and three TDs. They need to find a way to slow him down.

On offense, Cutler will need to use the chemistry and timing he has with his long-time teammates to find balance on offense. Let the short passing game open the deep ball, and vice versa. Leapge is great at getting deep, the offense must be selective on when they choose to send him there.

Both teams will need to play a full game if they want to win the rubber match. Taking your foot off the gas, or not showing up until the second half will get you beat as both sides have already shown. In the playoffs, it will send you home.

I think Hard 8 is the better team. They have more playmakers, and the number two-ranked defense in Tier 2.  With their full squad expected to be present tonight, I expect them to advance.

Flag Slayer Corp vs Les Verges Folles – Les Verges Folles(My pick for Game of the Week)

Hard 8 vs KGP Origins – Hard 8

That is it for this week. I will be back this weekend with a Tier 2 Semi-Finals preview. Good luck to all four teams tonight.

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.