Division 2: Quarterfinals Preview

After a four-month wait, the playoffs are finally here, with the Quarterfinals. Congrats to all eight teams that qualified for the dance. To Party Crashers, Flag Slayer Corp, Les Verges Folles, and Shot O’clock, thank-you guys for playing this season. Better luck nest year.

Matchups:

(1)LeBrontourage versus (8) The Stoics

Previous Meeting: LeBrontourage (42-20) Week 8

The first meeting was a one-sided affair, as LeBrontourage used a dominant first half that saw them jump out to a (22-6) lead, before The Stoics who looked asleep at the wheel, woke up in the second half a made the game a little closer after the break.

For the top seed to advance, LeBrontourage will need to have a repeat performance of the first half, as they dominated time of possession with Quarterback Phillip Pelletier going 13 of 18, as he mixed up deep shots with safer throws within five yards of the line of scrimmage.  

The team must also generate turnovers as they did last time with two. Taking away the short and intermediate timing routes that are a staple of Quarterback Chris Rivest’s offense is a must in the rematch, as they need to make the veteran passer become one-dimensional.

For The Stoics to get revenge, they must get off to a better start. While they ran only two less plays than their opponents, the team’s offense was stagnant, and they couldn’t generate much momentum.

This matchup has a lot of explosive playmakers and big-time names in James Drysdale, Ahmed Boubacar, Mike Pierrecin, Jeremy Murphy, Emerson Peterkin, Dante Sparagna, and Edouard Leroux. I expect a much closer game this time around, but I think the result stays the same.

Prediction: LeBrontourage (35-28)

(7) Hard 8 versus (2) KGP Legends

Previous Meetings: KGP Legends (39-34) Week 7

In the Week 7 affair, a late touchdown by Receiver Jonathan Garfinkle gave KGP Legends the 5-point lead. The Hard 8 offense had a chance to reply, but a late defensive stand by the favourites saw them walk out of Laval with the win.

In the rematch, the key for KGP Legends to pull off the sweep will be to rely once again on their ability to deliver a whole team performance. In the first game, there were no passengers on this squad. From Ariel Librati’s three touchdowns, a 30-yard TD by Brenden Parm to kickoff the second half, to the team’s defense that limited opposing QB Jeff Rosenblatt to only two completions on five attempts during the game’s final drive, all seven players who suited up for the KGP Legends did their part to ensure they hung on to the win.

For Hard 8 to get the last laugh, they will first and foremost need to field a complete roster. In Week, 7 they had to rely on several subs, as the trio of Anthony Brseibois, Kreig Yeh, and Jakob Sacksner all missed the game. Assuming they show up, they will give this team key depth that was missing last time.

The second thing Hard 8 must do is get off the field on fourth down. In the first meeting, they allowed their opponents to go 4 for 4 in the game’s most important situation.   

I think the rematch will be as close as the first game. With a full roster however, I give Hard 8 the slight edge.

Prediction: Hard 8 (38-36)

(3) Camping Boutin versus (6) Silent Ticklers

Previous Meeting: Camping Boutin (38-20) Week 2

The first meeting was a blowout, but both teams looked anything but sharp in what was the first game of the year for each side. Turnovers, sloppy play, and missed opportunities defined the January showdown.

For Camping Boutin to advance, they will need to stick to the same script they always do. That is one where they get impact plays out of everyone on their roster. A huge deep touchdown by Marvin Renaud, a clutch catch over the middle by Victor Boutin, or a first down picked up by the yards after catch created by Denis Martel, this team always come up with a play when they need it most.

Quarterback Marc-Andre Reeves is the maestro behind it all, as he buys time for someone to make a play, and forces opposing defenses to pick their poison.

For the Silent Ticklers to pull off the upset, they will need someone other than Adam Rosen to step up. In he first meeting the two-way threat carried the whole team on his back as he recorded all three of their touchdowns. The team will need their top-end players in Daniel Mancini, Ben McMahon, Tanner Burrell, and Jack Antaki to step up and make some momentum-changing plays.

The Silent Ticklers will also need Rusher Mike Zenobi to disrupt Reeves’ rhythm and force him into some hurried throws while he is rolling out. The 12-year veteran who has 129 career sacks, was held off the stat sheet the in Week 2. That can’t happen again this time around.

I expect that the veteran resolve of the Silent Ticklers will be able to keep this game close. I think it will be tight enough to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Silent Ticklers (33-32)

(4) Idaho Udapimps versus (5) Bruins

Previous Meeting: Idaho Udapimps (42-40) Week 10

The last meeting took place in early March, but it feels like it happened nearly a decade ago, as the Bruins who lost by two, would go on to lose three of their next four games after that to close out the regular season.   

The team’s freefall can be blamed on a slew of problems. A leaky defense, a sputtering offense, no consistency, too many mistakes, you name it. The issues and losses keep on piling up.

What makes the slide so maddening, is the fact that this team has just as much talent as any other team in the division with names like Rocco Christiano, Juwan Edhill and Joey Corcoran among others. They also have experience on their side as well. Despite all of that, they can’t get past any other their issues, and it just feels like a team waiting to be put out of its misery.  

Idaho Udapimps look like the complete opposite. Since the Week 10 showdown, they have won three out of their last four and are firing on all cylinders to start the playoffs.

This team is a true contender. They have the championships to prove it, and the firepower to make it happen again. Barring a complete collapse, I don’t see them having any issues advancing to the next round.

Prediction: Idaho Udapimps (40-20)

Picks

LeBrontourage vs The Stoics – LeBrontourage

KGP Legends vs Hard 8 – Hard 8 (Upset Special #1)

Camping Boutin vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers (Upset Special #2)

Idaho Udapmips vs Bruins – Idaho Udapimps

That is it for this week. I will be back next time out with my Semi-Finals preview. Good luck to everybody in their games tonight!