Division 2: Semi-Finals Preview
Welcome to the Semi-Finals. After an exciting Quarterfinals that saw its fair share of upsets with both the number two and three seeds getting bounced, we are down to the final four teams that are fighting for the right to play for the Division B championship next weekend in Brossard.
(1) LeBrontourage versus (7) Hard 8
Previous Meeting: LeBrontourage (42-34) Week 10
The first matchup was a battle of the backups Quarterbacks, as both Jeff Rosenblatt and Phillip Pelletier missed the game. Despite missing their starters, the replacements in Emerson Peterkin and Paul Lapierre more than filled in for LeBrontourage and Hard 8 respectively, as the duo combined to throw for 11 touchdowns.
Both passers got help from their Receivers, as Charles Verreault and Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne of Hard 8 found the endzone twice. Not to outdone, LeBrontourage’s duo of Jeremy Murphy and Dante Sparagna were even more dominant as they scored three touchdowns each.
This game came down to turnovers, as Lapierre was intercepted twice by Defensive Captain Ahmed Boubacar. The Hall-of-Famer would also be sacked for a safety late in the second half.
Looking at tomorrow’s rematch, Hard 8 will have to protect the ball if they want to get the win. Assuming Rosenblatt is back in the saddle, he will have to continue his efficient play, as the five interceptions he threw this year were his lowest since he equalled that number two years ago.
On the other side of the ball Hard 8 will have to use the size advantage they have in their secondary with Sanders Armand, Paul Lapierre, Nicholas Groppini, and Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne. As a unit, they will have to force their opponents to become one-dimensional with their passing attack. In short, they will need to push LeBrontourage to have to rely on the underneath passing game to march the field.
For LeBrontourage to complete the sweep, they will need to make the Hard 8 defense miss tackles and create plays in space. That is the calling card of Sparagna, who is one of the quickest pass-catchers in FPF. Focusing early on the short and intermediate passing game will in turn open up the deep ball for the team that roster some of the best in the league at stretching out a defense in Emerson Peterkin, Jeremy Murphy, Ahmed Boubacar, and Coslens Clairveaux.
On defense, LeBrontourage will need to try and force at least one turnover. Every possession will matter, getting an extra one or two as they did last time could very well be the difference once again.
To setup tomorrow’s game, LeBrontourage blew out the number eight seed The Stoics (35-19). Hard 8 advanced as they knocked off the number two seeded KGP Legends (39-34). Two weeks after pulling off a huge upset, can they make it two in a row?
I think the rematch will be even better than the first meeting. LeBrontourage is the number one seed, but they have been feeling disrespected all year long. I think the disrespect ends here.
Prediction: LeBrontourage (36-32)
(6) Silent Ticklers versus (4) Idaho Udapimps
Previous Meeting: Silent Ticklers (34-28) Week 9
The first showdown turned into the Adam Rosen show, as the veteran Receiver put his team’s offense on his shoulders with a game-high three touchdowns to go along with two 2-point conversions.
Through no fault of their own, the victory for the Silent Ticklers should have an asterisk beside it, as Idaho Udapimps were without their tarting Quarterback in Brady O’Hanessian. Replacing him was the Starting Receiver turned QB Yvan Saloman, who was won championships as passer in the Co-Ed divisions.
The veteran did not disappoint as he had a strong game going 15 of 21 for 212 yards and four touchdown passes. His top target on the evening was James Nguyen, who led his team with 78 yards and two TDs.
For tomorrow’s rematch, the Silent Ticklers will need a more balanced attack. For as good as Rosen was in Week 9, the team must find a way to get more production out of All-Star Receiver in Daniel Mancini, along with Jack Antaki, Tysen Otis-Copeland, and Ben McMahon, all of whom can take over a game with their speed and big-play ability.
On the other side of the ball, the Silent Ticklers will need to take away the deep passing game of their opponents. The team has Receivers in James Nguyen, Manu Allard-Roy and Sam Anastasopoulos who can shred opposing defenses on short timing and intermediate routes, but the staple of this offense has been deep shots to the likes of Danick Coulombe, DonnDre Borden, Marvin Steinberg, and Justin White. Teams know its coming. Stopping it however is easier said than done.
For Idaho Udapimps to get the last laugh, they will need to once again contain Mancini. The Week 9 affair was only the fourth time this year that the elite pass-catcher who has nearly 1,000 catches and 350 touchdowns, was kept out of the endzone. Will it happen again tomorrow night?
On offense, assuming O’Hanessian is back, he will need to do what he does best, and that is make opposing defenses pick their poison. I talked about the team’s Receivers earlier, but part of what makes them so effective, is their QB’s ability to get everyone involved. You want to take away the deep ball, he will hurt you will hooks, slants, out routes and crossers over the middle. You start to cheat down to break up those timing patterns, and he will air the ball out and make you pay deep.
To punch their ticket to tomorrow’s showdown, Idaho Udapimps easily dismantled THE fifth seeded Bruins (30-12). The Silent Ticklers already pulled off one upset as they knocked off the number three seed Camping Boutin (40-28) in the Quarterfinals. I have said it numerous times, the Silent Ticklers have the talent to go all the way. Unfortunately, I think their Cinderella run stops here.
Prediction: Idaho Udapimps (35-28)
Picks
Hard 8 vs LeBrontourage – LeBrontourge (My pick for Game of the Week)
Silent Ticklers vs Idaho Udapimps – Idaho Udapimps
Last Week: (4-0)
Playoffs: (4-0)
That is it for this week. I will be back next week with my Finals preview. Congrats to all four teams on making it this far, and good luck tomorrow night!
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