After over two weeks off in Division 1, we’re back for some postseason action. All 8 teams made the playoffs, so each team will have a chance to either prove their regular season success was not a fluke or show that all that matters is winning when it matters most.

We have one game being played tomorrow night, with #3 Vultures taking on #6 Fins Up. Since that’s the only game ahead of the weekend, I’ll be doing a full recap of that matchup. For the games this Saturday, I’ll have my previews ready ahead of those matchups.

I also got a chance to speak with a member from each team ahead of their game. Before we get into the preview, congrats to the All-Stars in Division 1. Here is the lineup below:

Division 1 All-Stars

Vultures vs Fins Up Preview

Previous matchup: Vultures def Fins Up 42-36 in Week 7

Speaking with DonnDre Borden of Fins Up

What is your team’s main focus when facing Ben McMahon in this playoff matchup, especially after he went 20/24 without an INT in your earlier matchup against Vultures?

Score, Ben is gonna be Ben, and he’s got some dogs on the team, if we can slow em down and get a turnover on D, great, but we gotta score on every opportunity. 

It’s been a much-improved season for you guys compared to Fall 2025. Even though you’re coming off three losses to end the regular season, what will be the driving force in pulling off a win in this playoff matchup?

Just play our game, and stay composed. We're all dogs and we all want it, just gotta limit mistakes and I think we’ll be fine.

Vultures have many two-way playmakers in Dan Mancini, Anthony Brisebois, and Sanders Armand. What is the best way for your team to use your speed and skills against them?

Yeah tbh I love playing guys like them, they’re good and they’re tough, raises the bar for sure, can’t be lacklustre against these guys cuz they’ll eat, so defensively we gotta stay disciplined, know our zones, know where we’re supposed to be and if it’s man go fkn get it. On offence I have all the faith in the world in Will and our guys so we just gotta do our thing. It should be fun. 

Congrats on being named an All-Star this season. You’ve made an impact on both sides of the ball all year. What momentum can you carry into this game, especially on defence against the Vultures’ offence?

Thank you, I appreciate it, uh just keep the energy up, be aggressive and capitalize on any mistakes Ben might make, not that he makes many, but you know if he throws a 50/50 ball on me or my side I gotta be the one to come down with it. But I think most importantly we gotta keep the energy up, the momentum flips in flag are unbelievable so energy up when we make great plays and stay level headed, calm and have amnesia when they make great plays.

Shoutout to all my guys! 

Will Power - DOG 

Joey Notaro - DOG 

Carl Achy - DOG

Manu Allard-Roy - DOG

Mr. Reliable Max Sadori - DOG 

IQ Simon Duschesne - DOG 

Mike Khazaka - fkn ANIMAL

Speaking with Daniel Mancini of Vultures

You guys got the best of Will Power and Fins Up in your regular season matchup, 42–36 in Week 7. What worked in that game that you hope to replicate in the playoff rematch?

Benny was on the money as he's been all year. He spread the ball around and we put up big points. Defensively we have a bunch of ballers, so we were able to be aggressive and go get 2 big turnovers.

A matchup against DonnDre Borden will be a test for you on both sides of the ball. What’s the strategy when he’s been a two-way force for Fins Up?

He's a great player, so I'm going to let our real DBs cover him so that hopefully I don't have to. Offensively Benny has great awareness so I'm sure he'll know where DonnDre is at all times.

Do you expect your team to use your physicality to get into their heads, given they have skillful, fast receivers such as Carl Achy and Joey Notaro?

I'm not one to be that likeable for referees so no comment on that one lol.

What is your prediction for how this game will go?

I'm definitely confident in our team, although these games are really hard coming off a long break. It's a great team on the other side so I'm sure it will be a high scoring game but hopefully we can get the W.

With that being said, this game should be a good one. As Mancini mentioned, the two turnovers by the Vultures defence were a key factor in that win. The matchup against Fins Up was the start of McMahon’s streak of perfect QB play, as he hasn’t thrown an INT since Week 4. On the contrary, Will has only had two games all season with 0 INTs. With the experience Power has, I expect him to go into this game more careful than ever.

Both teams have talented rosters, each with their own strengths. I don’t expect this game to get too chippy, but neither team will roll over the other. Will the speed of Fins Up’s receivers be able to get around the Vultures’ DBs? If Joey Notaro is rushing against McMahon, how much can he contain him? Will McMahon test Borden in this game? Will each team get a big performance outside of the big names? Can Vultures’ defence lock in when Fins Up are in the red zone, a situation where Power is known to find any gap to score?

All these questions will be answered tomorrow night. With that being said, I’m taking Vultures in this one. McMahon’s QB play this year has been incredible, earning him QB of the Year in D1. I believe the Vultures’ defence is stronger, and even if Power doesn’t throw an INT, I think they will generate more stops.

Fins Up can pull off the upset, but that will come down to how well their defence can contain McMahon through the air and on the ground, where he has 196 yards rushing. I believe this game will be high-scoring, similar to their regular season matchup.

Prediction: Vultures def. Fins Up 46–38

Closing Remarks

There we go with our article this week. Thanks to Dan and DonnDre for answering these questions ahead of their matchup. I’ll have the previews of the rest of the quarterfinals matchups Saturday. Remember to send your medical notes if required so you can be eligible for playoffs, and make sure your uniforms have numbers on the back. If you don’t agree with my take, I’m always open to hearing what you have to say, so don’t be shy and come talk to me. As always, if you didn’t get a chance to respond or want to be included in future pieces, you can reach me on Facebook or Instagram @keyoncyrus.