Division Co-Ed 5v5: Tuesday Night in Brossard
It is currently Week 9 in the Co-Ed 5v5 Division. With the games moving toward the business end of the schedule, this week’s slate brings two matchups tomorrow night in Brossard that will shakeup the standings and playoff positioning.
Touski versus The IG Team
This matchup features two teams going in opposite directions. The IG Team have won four straight games, while Touski has dropped three straight contests.
The IG Team’s key to success has been their defense. During their win streak, they have allowed only one team to crack the 30-point mark. That occurred during a (42-31) victory over Flag Moi D'quoi in Week 5. Taking the ball away has also been a focal point of the unit, as they have produced four interceptions and 12 turnovers on downs over that span.
One of those victories during that streak was a (40-0) victory over Touski. I was the scorekeeper for that game. Touski had no answer for the speed and length of their opponents. In their defense, the team was missing their starting Quarterback in Will Trottier, but all his presence would’ve done that night was make the final score a bit more competitive.
For Touski to get revenge, they will need to protect the ball. In the last meeting, replacement Quarterback Phil Pharand threw three interceptions, and the offense went 2 for 7 on fourth down attempts. It doesn’t matter if this were 20 on 20 football, doing that bad on the most important scenario in the game will always result in a loss.
Touski, must also try to field a consistent roster, which has been their biggest problem this season. Trottier played in their last contest, a (32-26) loss to Maple Syrup. Both he and Pharand suited up last night for the Braves 5 v 5 game vs Flag Moi L'Sac, so one would expect either one or both to be available tomorrow night.
The same is true for Anne-Frédérique Tardif. She was absent the first meeting, and the team missed her ability to tackle in the open field and aggressiveness in coverage.
For The IG Team to complete the sweep, they will need to do exactly what they did last time. Dial up exotic plays and use their speed and athleticism advantage to get open and create holes in the Touski defense.
The duo of Heidi Ocana Lynch and Sharlyn Vixamar made several plays on both sides of the ball and played a crucial role in the blowout, as their speed and attacking mindset made a huge impact. There is a chance that they might be joined by Victoria Bouchard, who also brings explosiveness and aggression to the field.
I don’t expect another 40-point beatdown, but with Touski still unable to field a consistent roster, I can’t trust them to knockoff who many believe is the true top team in the division.
The IG Team should come in looking to speed the game up. If they can generate early pressure, challenge Touski’s timing, and turn a defensive stop into a quick score, they can make Touski chase.
One team is looking to extend a win streak, and another aims to start their own. For Touski to do the latter, they need sustained offensive drives and multiple trips to the redzone. For The IG Team, they need disruptive defensive possessions and enough explosiveness on offense to prevent the game from becoming a slow, methodical grind.
I don’t expect another 40-point beatdown, but with Touski, I can’t trust them to knockoff who many believe is the true top team in the division, when we don’t know who will show up.
Activated versus Air Buds
Activated against Air Buds has an exciting feel. The former comes into the game winners of two straight and three out of their last four contests. The latter are currently sitting in first place with the number one defense and have won five in a row.
Air Buds won their previous meeting (33-24) in Week 6, on the shoulders of Emerson Peterkin and Constance Millaire, who combined to produce 17 catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
To get the win, Quarterback Ben McMahon, will need to play better. While he did throw four touchdowns in his first meeting, he completed a season-low in completion percentage 55.6%, passing yards 234, and a 124.1 QB Rating.
Tomorrow night the priority should be tempo and spacing. If the offense can make quick decisions, spread the field, and force Air Buds to communicate through motion and route combinations, they can control both the scoreboard and the pace of the game. They will also need to score more than the season-low 24 points they put up last time.
Air Buds need to make this uncomfortable. That means contesting first reads, tackling immediately after the catch, and turning the matchup into a possession battle instead of a track meet. They also must force Activated to become one-dimensional offensively by having them become over-reliant on the deep ball.
On offense, QB Jeff Rosenblatt must control the game with quick completions, while also mixing in deep shots to keep the Activated defense honest.
Two hot teams looking to keep their winning streaks alive as we creep closer to the post-season. I think Activated will score more points than they did in the first meeting, but I don’t think they will walk out with the win.
At this point in the season, the teams that handle pressure best usually separate themselves. Protecting the ball, defensive adjustments, decision-making, and execution especially in the redzone, will matter more than style points. If these four teams bring that level of sharpness, both matchups should deliver the kind of late season play that resembles playoff football.
Picks
The IG Team vs Touski – The IG Team
Activated vs Air Buds – Air Buds (My pick for Game of the Week)
Last Week: (1-1)
Regular Season: (4-4)
Upset Special: (0-2)
That is it for this week. Good luck to all the teams in their games this week.
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.