Division F: Ben Levy and the Rise of Aladeen FC
Another busy week in Division F saw several teams continue to separate themselves from the pack while others are still searching for answers. With many teams now reaching the halfway point of their season, the standings are beginning to paint a clearer picture of who the contenders are and who may need a strong second half to secure a playoff spot.
Some teams may already have the panic button nearby. Gamblers, Frenza's Bush and Sharknado are still searching for their first victory, while several one-win teams know there is little room for error moving forward. With more than a month remaining before the playoffs, there is still plenty of time for things to change, but every game is beginning to matter a little more.
Over the coming weeks, I'll be diving into my midseason reviews and award races. One player who is already forcing his way into those conversations is Ben Levy of Aladeen FC.
One team that certainly isn't worried about missing the playoffs right now is Aladeen FC.
At 5-1 and riding a three-game winning streak, Aladeen FC has quietly become one of the top teams in the division. Led by one of the stingiest defences in Division F, this group has quickly gone from an unfamiliar name to a legitimate contender. I reached out to Ben Levy, who is emerging as one of the frontrunners for Defensive Player of the Year, to talk about the team's success, his ability to create turnovers and why he believes Aladeen FC is only getting started.
Ben Levy Making Life Miserable for Opposing QBs
Before 2026, Levy had only completed one full season in FPF, playing with The Mighty Schmucks in 6B this past winter. That team put together a strong regular season before suffering an upset in its first playoff game.
For many players, FPF is about more than simply showing up and having fun. The goal is to compete and eventually win a championship. Levy admitted that the disappointing finish played a big role in bringing him back this season.
"What made me come back this year was obviously the disappointing result of last year, not getting the championship that I wanted," Levy explained. "My friend Ryan Siegel recruited a new team and we all agreed that we think we could compete. So that's what we're here to do."
Safe to say, Aladeen FC is doing exactly that.
Aladeen FC is currently riding a three-game winning streak and their defence has been a huge reason why. In those three victories, they have generated nine interceptions as a team. Levy alone has accounted for five of them.
Creating turnovers has become a habit throughout his football career and he believes it starts with understanding what opposing quarterbacks are trying to do.
"I think creating turnovers has always been one of my strong points," Levy said. "I find I have a really good eye for the ball. I tend to get a good read on what the other quarterback is thinking simply by looking at his eyes."
As impressive as Levy has been individually, he was quick to point toward defensive captain Julian Trunzo for much of the unit's success.
"The most important thing would be the systems that our defence runs," Levy added. "We have a great defensive coordinator and defensive captain in Julian Trunzo who gives opposing quarterbacks a bunch of different looks. They never know what we're going to be doing."
In the lower divisions, many teams rely heavily on Cover 2 or simple man coverage. The stronger defensive teams are often able to disguise coverages, rotate responsibilities and make quarterbacks uncomfortable. Aladeen FC has done exactly that all season. Allowing the second-fewest yards per game tells me opposing offences aren't just struggling to score against them. They are struggling to move the ball in general.
Three Words: Michael Del Grosso
While Levy's defensive play has helped fuel Aladeen FC's rise, he didn't hesitate when I asked him what has been the biggest reason behind the team's success.
His answer came immediately.
"The biggest reason for our team's success this far has been, I mean, simple. Three words. Michael Del Grosso."
Levy continued talking about the newest breakout player in Division F.
"Newcomer to FPF. I grew up with him. Always knew the talented player that he was. If you look at our first two games of the season, Game 1 was the first time playing together as a team and we still managed to pull out a victory in a bit of a sloppy way. Game 2, Michael Del Grosso wasn't present. Since then, he's got 11 touchdowns in his last three games. A big reason for our team's success."
Prior to this season, Del Grosso had only appeared in two FPF games. Since then, he has quickly become one of the breakout players in Division F.
After missing one of the team's first two games, Del Grosso has exploded for 11 touchdowns over his last three contests and currently sits near the top of the division in both touchdowns and sacks.
Levy wasn't done praising his teammate.
"That guy's a freak of nature. A force to be reckoned with. Remember the name. I'm sure you'll be seeing his name rise and rise in the rankings, in the stats and in higher divisions for future years to come. I wouldn't be surprised to see him leading the league in touchdowns by the end of the season."
I take pride in learning about players and teams that I may not know much about. With so many divisions and games happening every week, it's impossible to know everyone. Del Grosso is exactly the type of player that makes Division F fun to cover because new names can emerge every season and quickly make an impact.
Based on the way Levy talks about him, I think it's safe to say Del Grosso is a player I'll be making an effort to watch before the season is over.
More Than Just a Few Stars
As much attention as players like Levy and Del Grosso receive, football remains a team sport. Levy made sure to highlight several teammates who may not be filling up the stat sheet but are just as important to the team's success.
"We've got a couple hidden weapons up our sleeves. Guys like Greg Spun. Guys like Ryan Siegel. These are real athletes that haven't been showing up on the stat sheet yet, but you're definitely going to be seeing their names more and more to come."
Perhaps the biggest thing people don't know about Aladeen FC isn't a player or a statistic. It's the culture they've built.
Levy summed it up perfectly.
"I think people also gotta know that we bond over two real things in this world: our passion for football and our passion for General Aladeen."
And then came the quote that probably explains why this team has been so successful.
"We play for the man on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. I think that bond between us keeps us tightly formed and allows us to be great out there on the field."
Considering the man on the front of the jersey is General Aladeen himself, perhaps there is some truth to that. I won't question the methods. Whatever Aladeen FC is doing right now seems to be working.
It's hard to argue with the results.
At 5-1 and riding a three-game winning streak, Aladeen FC has quietly become one of the teams to beat in Division F. Whether it's the defensive schemes, the emergence of Michael Del Grosso, Ben Levy stealing passes from unsuspecting quarterbacks or simply the blessings of General Aladeen, this team continues to find ways to win.
With four games remaining and a matchup against Feu-Clé FJ on July 11th, they'll look to continue proving that their success is no fluke.
Closing Remarks
That's all for this week's article. First and foremost, I want to thank Ben Levy for taking the time to answer my questions and give some insight into what has made Aladeen FC one of the biggest success stories in Division F so far this season.
As we continue moving deeper into the summer, the season is only getting more interesting. Some teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack while others are searching for answers before the playoff race really starts to tighten. With bye weeks, vacations and roster changes around the corner, every game is becoming more important.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be taking a closer look at the division through my mid-season team reviews and award races, highlighting the players and teams who have stood out during the first half of the season.
As always, if you'd like your team, a teammate or even yourself to be featured in a future article, don't hesitate to reach out to me on the field or on social media. I always enjoy learning about players and teams that I may not be familiar with.
Good luck to everyone playing this week and I'll see you all back here soon for the mid-season reviews.
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