Division 2: Championship Finals Preview
We are finally here, FlagPlus Football championship weekend. The Division 2 showdown sees two underdogs going at it for the right to be called champions, in the number six seed Silent Ticklers, and seventh-place Hard 8.
Neither team dominated in the regular season, but they were able to punch their ticket to the playoffs. As the saying goes, all you need is a chance. Both teams got theirs, and they have been knocking off heavyweights ever since.
The Silent Ticklers beat the number three seed in Camping Boutin, while Hard 8 took down the second place KGP Legends in the Quarterfinals.
In last Saturday’s Semifinals, the upsets continued to roll in, as the Silent Ticklers eliminated the division’s top-rated offense in Idaho Udapimps (45-30), while Hard 8 got past the Div. 2’s number one ranked defense in LeBrontourage (42-38).
All of this leads to tomorrow night’s showdown. Two veteran teams, a ton of big game experience, some players looking to add to their champions mantle, while others are trying to capture their first.
(7) Hard 8 versus (6) Silent Ticklers
Previous Meeting: Hard 8 (42-32) Week 13
In the first showdown, both Quarterbacks in Jordan Panetta and Jeff Rosenblatt were spectacular, as the former threw for five touchdowns, and the latter did one better with six.
Both passers got some help, as a pair of Receivers stole the show. The Silent Tickler’s Daniel Mancini had a team-high four catches for 47 yards and three TDs. Not to be outdone, was Nic Groppini, who led the way for Hard 8 with four receptions for 61 yards and three trips to the endzone as well.
To get revenge and get the win, the Silent Ticklers must find a way to generate stops. In the first game they struggle to do just that, as the 43 points they gave up were the most they surrendered this season. That contest however appears to be an outlier, as they finished with the fourth-ranked unit in the division. Since the playoffs started, the team has been even stingier, as they have clamped down on two powerful offenses in Camping Boutin and Idaho Udapimps. Just like those two teams, Hard 8 has their fair share of playmakers, the Silent Ticklers will need to slow them down as well.
On offense, Panetta will need to use the speed advantage of his Receivers to his benefit. Double moves, deep crossers, slants, go-routes, the QB will need to look for openings in the Hard 8 defense and attack them continuously.
For Hard 8 to complete the sweep and walk away with the championship, they will need to force turnovers once again. Panetta has been solid this post-season, as he has 11 touchdown passers and has completed nearly 77% of his passes. He did throw two interceptions versus Idaho Uadpimps in their Semifinal win. Those errors weren’t back-breakers, as the Silent Ticklers were able to create five takeaways of their own, but the two INTs still stand.
In order to force some turnovers, Hard 8 will need to jump routes, use their length with defenders like Sanders Armand, Anthony Brisebois, Paul Lapierre, and Gabriel-Charles Dabe-Champagne to get into passing lanes and create deflections.
On the other side of the ball, Rosenblatt will need to continue the solid play he has exhibited this post-season. The veteran gunslinger who has been experiencing a late-career renaissance the last few seasons, has 18 incompletions compared to 12 touchdown passes.
While he still does rely on Dabe-Champagne and Lapierre near the endzone due to their height and ability to create separation, Rosenblatt has done a good job of involving the rest of his Receivers as he marches the offense down the field.
Credit the QB for changing the narrative surrounding his career. He has gone from someone who couldn’t win the championship, to someone who’s team win in spite of him, to now, a major reason why his teams win it all. Well-deserved.
When looking at x-factors, I am going with Ben McMahon for the Silent Ticklers. The fastest player on the field has given his team’s offense a versatile weapon who can score from anywhere on the field. He has also seemingly brought a calming influence to a team that had routinely made crucial mistakes in crunch time the last several seasons.
For Hard 8, I am going with Jakob Sacksner. The most underrated player on the roster, he will be responsible for making sure that Panetta doesn’t utilize his legs and will also try to force the QB to get rid of the ball early. So far during the post-season, Sacksner has been picking up the sacks, with a division-leading three.
I am excited to call this game. Two veteran teams, who have been fighting their way to reach this point and have eliminated favourites along the way. I picked against both squads last week and I was wrong. I hate to have to choose only one winner here, but that is part of the job.
Hard 8 is the more talented team, but something feels different about this Silent Ticklers squad. They also have the chemistry, timing, and playoff experience on their side, as they have been together for several seasons, while the latter is mainly made up of recent additions the last few seasons.
Prediction: Silent Ticklers: (38-36)
Picks
Hard 8 vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers (My pick for Game of the Week)
Last Week: (0-2)
Playoffs: (4-2)
That is it for this week, and this season. Thank-you to everyone who reads my articles and listens to the podcast. It has been my pleasure to do both for you guys. I will be back doing it all over again in the Spring Season. Good luck to both teams tomorrow. Take care, and cheers.
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.