A busy Week 2 results in only one team being undefeated, that being All Day Everyday. Given they have only played once so far this season, they will attempt to continue that streak around the rest of the division who has suffered at least one loss so far. I wish I was able to watch the Week 2 games as there were quick a few good ones but I’ll be back next week when I return from vacation. The guys and girls still deserve some love so I’ll get into some headlines I’ve noticed in Week 2. 

Week 2 Headlines

Adjustment for Anthony Starke’s and The Woo’s

While I was leaving Marie-Victorin a week and a half ago after playing quarterback for my own team, Anthony Starke came up to me and asked if he could borrow my playbook. He explained that the only playbook he had access to was a 7v7 one from one of his female teammates. Even though I was leaving for vacation later that week and heading to my second game of the night, I told him he could borrow it.

Since then, The Woo's have gone 2-0, including a thriller later that same Monday night. Anthony jokingly told me afterwards that the playbook had some helpful concepts that his team was able to get comfortable with. Regardless of how much credit the playbook deserves, Anthony himself has looked much better over the last two games.

Part of that growth simply comes from familiarity. "I think it was a matter of building team chemistry and getting everyone on the same page," Anthony explained. "The first game didn't go our way, but since then the wheels have started rolling and we're feeling really great going forward."

The Woo's have plenty of talent around him as well. Princeton Cruikshank continues to be one of the team's biggest playmakers while Rafaella Rinaldi has once again shown why she's one of young rising FPF female players. Rafaella earned All-Star honours in Women C  last year and it's no surprise to see her making an impact in Co-Ed 3 as she leads all female players with 12 receptions. Anthony was quick to acknowledge her contributions, saying, "Rafaella obviously has been huge for us this season. I think it's pretty clear why she's a former All-Star."

What makes Anthony's season even more interesting is that he's taking on two new challenges at once. Not only is he playing Co-Ed, but he's also playing quarterback for the first time. The Starke family has produced several FPF players over the years, so seeing Anthony eventually take over behind center isn't all that surprising. Still, he admitted the position has given him a new appreciation for the game.

"Playing quarterback has given me a whole new appreciation for the game," he said. "You're responsible for getting everyone involved and making all the quick decisions. The feeling of leading the team down the field is unmatched. Quarterback has been a fun challenge, but I'm finding my stride and I'm ready for it."

As for the Co-Ed experience itself, Anthony has embraced it. "I get to play with and against incredible athletes all over the field," he said. "It's been a really fun experience getting to build chemistry with a new group of teammates and learning how to get the most out of everyone on the field."

While Rafaella receives much of the attention from opposing teams, Anthony made it clear that several other teammates deserve recognition as well. Lucia Stoica has made key plays on both sides of the ball early in the season, while Princeton continues to be one of Anthony's favourite targets. "Princeton is electric," Anthony said. "We've been friends for a long time and our bond is so close that I trust him to make a big play anytime on the field when it's needed most."

The Woo's now head into two important matchups against LysMoiLeFlag and Back That Pass Up. Despite already defeating LysMoiLeFlag once this season, Anthony isn't overlooking the rematch. "I've told some players on the team not to underestimate them just because we came out on top in our previous matchup," he said. "We didn't play perfectly and they're going to want revenge."

As for Back That Pass Up, Anthony knows the challenge will be different. "They seem to be a well-organized team with some great FPF veterans," he said. "Our team will be ready and looking forward to playing both these teams and hopefully going 2-0."

The Woo's are still very much a work in progress, but after watching them over the first few weeks, it's clear this team is improving quickly. Anthony summed it up best when talking about his roster: "As the season progresses, more people will start to realize that we're a serious team with some dangerous threats." Based on their recent play, that might happen sooner rather than later. For some comedy, check out the team’s Instagram page here!

Michael Scott’s Tots Outduels Back That Pass Up

While on vacation, I unfortunately missed the chance to watch what was arguably a matchup between the two best teams in Co-Ed 3. Both squads came down from Co-Ed 2 this season, so it wasn't surprising to see them deliver another thriller.

The last time these teams met was during the regular season last spring when Back That Pass Up edged Michael Scott's Tots 26-20. In that game, Jason Rossie threw one more touchdown pass than David De Andrade, and looking back, it almost felt like foreshadowing another classic between the two veteran quarterbacks.

This time around, both QBs were even better. Rossie and De Andrade each finished with 6 touchdown passes and, perhaps even more impressively, neither threw an interception. Jasmine Rossie found the end zone three times for Back That Pass Up, while Henry Dam matched her with three touchdowns of his own for Michael Scott's Tots.

With the offences putting on a clinic, it was fitting that the rushers eventually played a major role in deciding the game. Zackary Alberts-Gill, one of the most respected rushers in FPF history and the league's all-time sack leader, came up with key pressure in the second half. On the other side, Fabrice Pierre, who ran away with the Co-Ed 3 Rusher of the Year award last season after recording 19 sacks, also made his presence felt when his team needed him most.

Looking at the box score, it appeared Back That Pass Up had seized control late. Jasmine scored her third touchdown of the game with roughly a minute remaining, but the unsuccessful convert left the door open.

That's all David De Andrade needed.

He calmly led Michael Scott's Tots down the field, completing three straight passes on the final drive. The last completion found long-time friend Zack in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown. With the score level, Michael Scott's Tots converted the extra point and walked away with a dramatic one-point victory.

The regular-season schedule won't allow these teams to meet again before the playoffs, but considering the talent on both rosters and the quality of football they consistently produce, it would be far from surprising if this was only Chapter One of their rivalry this season.

Dakota Scott Running Award with Rusher of the Year Honours?

The young Dakota Scott might already be playing her way into elite territory. Through just three games, she has recorded 8 sacks. It really shouldn't come as a surprise either, considering Dakota finished with 9 sacks for Back That Pass Up in Co-Ed 2 last Spring.

Even though she spends part of her time wearing the black and white stripes as a referee, she's proven that referees can play football too. Phantom Troupe currently sits at 2-1, with their only loss coming against The Woo's this past Monday. While Vincent Bouliane gets a lot of deserved attention for his two-way ability and his presence near the top of several statistical categories, Dakota's impact has been just as important to the team's success.

Chelsea Britton is also off to a fantastic start and has been a key contributor on both sides of the ball. When you combine that offensive production with the defensive pressure Dakota consistently creates, it's easy to understand why Phantom Troupe has one of the strongest defences in the division so far.

What makes Dakota's start even more impressive is that she's already one sack away from matching her total from last Spring and we're only three games into the season. If she keeps rushing quarterbacks at this pace, a historic season is absolutely within reach.

For teams preparing to face Phantom Troupe in the coming weeks, Vincent and Chelsea may be the names that jump off the stat sheet, but don't overlook Dakota Scott. She's quickly becoming one of the most disruptive defenders in the division and a major reason why Phantom Troupe has started the season so strongly.

Closing Remarks

That's all for this week's article. A big thank you to Anthony for taking the time to answer a few questions and give some insight into his team early in the season.

Co-Ed 3 continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in FPF and after only a few weeks, several teams are already making strong cases as contenders. As always, if there's a player, team or storyline you'd like me to cover in future articles, don't hesitate to reach out to me at the fields or through Facebook and Instagram @keyoncyrus.