Hey everyone, after these past few months of flag football, we are down to our final two teams who will play this Saturday evening at 7:45pm to crown a new Division 5B champion. On one side, we have the red-hot Deep Zone Penetrators squad who are playing with all heart. Their opponents, Catch & Flex, have relied on aggressive and calculated plays all season and it has led them to a finals appearance which is the first for many on the roster. Before we get into the finals preview where I also get the perspectives from the respective captains, let’s see how these teams advanced from their semifinals matchups.

Semifinals Recap

Catch & Flex Obliterate A Depleted McGill Swim Team 54-12

The score is not a typo. Catch & Flex laid a beatdown of my McGill Swim Team last weekend. It was unfortunate that my team found out throughout the week that players would be unavailable and we would only have 5 players able to suit up in the semifinals. Catch & Flex still had to play for a finals appearance and took full advantage. With a 20 point lead at the break, Catch & Flex didn’t stop there. They continued to pile up the score, showing no mercy on us and making a statement to whoever was going to face them in the finals that they are willing to do anything to win a championship. The game was chippy from beginning to end,but at the end of the day, Catch & Flex did what they needed to do to advance into the finals.

Deep Zone Penetrators strong defensive performance continues their run after a 20-12 victory 

The next semifinals matchup was quite different as both QBs weren’t able to generate too much offence. What made the difference was Deep Zone Penetrators defence was the better group in this matchup and made plays when it mattered most. When We Ain’t Done With the 90’s had an opportunity to tie the game, a tipped pass was caught by Yann Dika-Balotoken for an INT in the final minute, ending the season for the 90’s boys. After speaking with QB Jamie Ojeaha, he was impressed with his opponents saying “they are much better than we thought. They are way too good to be a Division 5B team.” Funny enough, when I spoke with QB Samuel Langlais regarding the championship game, I found out the majority of this team was made from the free agent tryouts before the season started. A great story for this group that we will get into later on this article.

Deep Zone Penetrators (8-5) vs CATCH & FLEX (9-4) Finals

These two teams have not played each other this season, which somehow makes this championship matchup even more interesting. Both teams have athletic playmakers all over the field and both groups arrive in the finals through very different journeys. Deep Zone Penetrators have been playing elimination football for nearly a month now while Catch & Flex had to survive the pressure of expectations after a strong regular season start.

A few weeks ago, Deep Zone Penetrators were one play away from missing the playoffs entirely. Now, they are one win away from a championship.

What makes this matchup fascinating is how opposite the paths have been. Deep Zone Penetrators nearly saw their season end on the final play of the regular season. Since then, they have knocked off Chomedey Chodes, upset Empereurs Retraités and found themselves in the finals after Bend Don’t Break forfeited their semifinal matchup. Catch & Flex, meanwhile, started the year looking like one of the best teams in the division before slowing down late in the regular season. Yet once playoffs started, they rediscovered their offensive rhythm at the perfect time.

And honestly, this feels like a true championship matchup because neither team got here by accident anymore.

A Red-Hot QB vs The Wildcard

At any point until last Saturday, I would have bet house money that Alex O’Neill would be the starting QB for Catch & Flex if they reached the finals. Instead, Alex will be out of the country and Jadon Francis will once again step into the biggest game of the season.

What makes this final so difficult to predict is that nobody truly knows what Catch & Flex will look like offensively over a full championship game with Francis at QB. Jadon Francis might simultaneously be the biggest question mark and biggest X-factor in this finals.

It’s a massive ask, but Jadon already proved in the wildcard round that he can handle pressure. Against Angry Birds, he needed only eight completions to throw for four touchdowns while adding 57 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He did throw two interceptions, but without his performance there is a strong chance Catch & Flex never even reaches this championship game.

Standly Williams made it clear the team still believes completely in Francis despite O’Neill’s absence: “Yes, unfortunately Alex won’t be present — but I believe in Jadon Francis. What he showed in his debut was legit. He played with confidence, moved the ball, and the group fed off it. We’re going to get this win for Alex.”

For Deep Zone Penetrators, Sam Langlais has elevated his play at exactly the right moment. What was already a solid regular season has turned into one of the best playoff QB stretches in the division. Sam has improved his completion percentage by nearly 10% during this run and has thrown only one interception over his last four games.

Langlais explained that the growth came naturally as the team finally started playing together consistently: “We are a team made mostly of tryout players, therefore we definitely had an adjustment period during the beginning of the season where we had to get used to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, especially myself as the QB.”

What makes Sam dangerous is how methodical he is with his legs. He averages nearly nine yards per carry and rarely runs without purpose. Sometimes it is to escape pressure, sometimes it is simply to make third and fourth down situations manageable. Against Catch & Flex, however, avoiding the ballhawks will be critical. Richie Mondesir and Muyiz Idris have consistently changed games defensively all season.

Still, Langlais believes the chemistry finally catching up to the talent has transformed the group: “We’ve always had the talent on our team, but I believe being able to keep the guys fresh in rotation has been an important part and a major difference from our regular season.”

Both Groups Have Talented Receiving Cores

I find both receiving cores extremely similar in terms of talent. Catch & Flex likely have the deeper overall group, but Deep Zone Penetrators counter with elite top-end production.

Tallec Baptiste continues to be one of the biggest matchup nightmares in the division while Eliott Bourque has maintained his role as the primary deep threat after leading the team in receiving yards during the regular season. But the biggest development throughout these playoffs may actually be Charle-Étienne Boyer. His role offensively has expanded significantly and he has nearly matched his regular season production already.

And honestly, I believe Boyer could quietly become the X-factor of this championship game. With so much defensive attention expected toward Baptiste and Bourque, Boyer could be the player that ends up breaking the game open with a huge momentum play.

Langlais kept emphasizing that the team identity is built around simplicity and trust: “Even though I felt the unshakable confidence in the team from the beginning of the playoffs, we knew coming in we were gonna be the underdawgs. As for our identity, I’d say we simply like to keep it easy and have fun. Anyone that sees us play will see us cracking jokes, even during plays.”

And honestly, that confidence has become contagious.

For Catch & Flex, captain Standly Williams and Richie Mondesir continue to lead the offence emotionally and physically, but Dallas Odom has quietly become one of the biggest playoff X-factors in the division. Fresh off his Fall 2025 championship experience with Uncle Rico’s Ryders, Odom currently leads Catch & Flex with five playoff touchdowns.

Watching Richie Mondesir live, his impact goes beyond statistics because he constantly controls the energy of the game on both sides of the ball. Whether it’s a huge catch, a defensive stop or simply bringing emotion to the huddle, his presence is felt nearly every snap.

Muyiz Idris and Elijah Dupuy continue to provide versatility offensively despite their major defensive responsibilities as well. Standly also expects his leaders to embrace the physicality and emotion of the matchup: “Muyiz, Richie, Elijah… those guys are ready for war. Those are competitors and they live for games like this.”

One thing Standly repeatedly emphasized was emotional discipline. “Honestly if we manage our emotions from the first snap, we control the tempo, the spacing, and the decision-making. That’s how championship teams start games.”

That may honestly become one of the deciding factors of this entire championship.

Will The Defence Win One Of These Teams A Championship?

Both defences have already delivered season-saving moments during these playoffs.

Catch & Flex stopped Angry Birds on a crucial two-point conversion attempt in the final minute and then sealed the semifinal victory against Chateauguay Community College with a game-ending interception by Muyiz Idris.

Deep Zone Penetrators, meanwhile, frustrated Chomedey Chodes throughout the wildcard round before forcing the usually careful Jamie Ojeaha into two interceptions in the semifinals, including the game-sealing pick in the final minute.

The biggest X-factor defensively may be Elijah Dupuy. His 16 sacks in 12 games — including six during these playoffs have completely changed games for Catch & Flex. Against a mobile quarterback like Langlais, Dupuy’s ability to either contain or pressure the pocket could completely decide the flow of this game.

Standly made it clear that slowing down Deep Zone Penetrators is less about fear and more about discipline: “Those guys flip games fast, but you don’t stop explosiveness by playing scared. It’s discipline — stay sound, communicate, trust your matchups. Make them earn everything.”

Expect both sidelines to be loud throughout the game because both teams feed heavily off emotion and momentum swings.

On the other side, Deep Zone Penetrators do not necessarily rely on sacks but instead on collective pressure and athleticism. They still have zero sacks this postseason, but that statistic does not fully reflect how active they have been defensively.

Langlais also made it clear there will be no major defensive adjustments despite O’Neill missing the game: “There will be no changes in our preparation. I have full confidence in my guys on the defensive side being able to go toe to toe with anybody.”

My verdict

I probably watched this division more than any other this season, both as a player and covering it throughout the year, and this finals matchup genuinely feels difficult to predict because both teams have reasons to believe this is their moment.

For Catch & Flex, the biggest battle may honestly be emotional control. When they are locked in emotionally, they can overwhelm teams with speed, athleticism and momentum. But when frustration starts creeping in, things can spiral quickly. Against a confident Deep Zone Penetrators team that will not back down physically or mentally, that discipline becomes critical.

Deep Zone Penetrators, meanwhile, have embraced the underdog role completely. Langlais described the team identity perfectly: “We knew coming in we were gonna be the underdawgs… we simply like to keep it easy and have fun.”

Watching them these playoffs, you can genuinely feel that looseness and confidence.

I still think Catch & Flex have the best individual player in this matchup in Richie Mondesir because of his impact on both sides of the football and his leadership throughout the season. But with O’Neill unavailable, the pace and structure of this game feels like it naturally leans toward Deep Zone Penetrators’ style.

This game will likely be close, physical and lower scoring than people expect. Jadon Francis will absolutely make plays with both his arm and legs, but I believe the chemistry, momentum and confidence Deep Zone Penetrators have built during this playoff run will ultimately carry them over the finish line.

Deep Zone Penetrators have spent the last month surviving elimination football. At this point, it almost feels like every high-pressure moment has only made them more dangerous. A few weeks ago their season was nearly over on the final play of the regular season. Now, they are one win away from completing one of the best Cinderella runs of the Winter 2026 season.

Prediction: Deep Zone Penetrators def Catch & Flex 25-18

Closing Remarks

There you go 5B with my final article this season. It’s been a pleasure to cover you guys over the season and played against many of you throughout the past few months. I encourage you to reach out this Saturday evening in Brossard to catch the finals between Deep Zone Penetrators and catch & Flex or watch the game on the livestream on Youtube! 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.