Division C: Three-Team Race for 1st Heats Up
The battle for first place has turned into one of Division C’s most compelling storylines, with Beer Belly Brigade leading the way at (8-0) record. Trailing right behind them is The Commission at (7-1), and still within range is Jagerbomb at (6-2).
With Beer Belly Brigade, The Commission, and Jagerbomb all producing at a high level offensively, the top of the standings has become a race defined by pressure, execution, and of course, who can avoid a costly late season slip.
Let’s look at each team’s chances of finishing on top of the standings.
Beer Belly Brigade (8-0)
Beer Belly Brigade has set the pace with an undefeated record. They have 303 points scored, and only 177 allowed. Having the division’s top ranked offense and defense are the two biggest reasons why they are in first place. They are not just winning; they are controlling games on both sides of the ball. Their 126-point differential is the best of the three contenders, and if they keep defending at this level, they will be difficult to catch.
When you look at how they have won games, this squad has done it both via blowout, and in closely contested contests. Add that on to the fact that they team has been together for several seasons, so chemistry is not an issue.
The one thing they are lacking is championship experience, as Marc-André Lapointe is the only player on the team with a Finals win on his resume.
Beer Belly Brigade’s chances of going undefeated won’t be easy, as they play the two other contenders to close out the regular season, but just because it won’t be a walk in the park doesn’t mean they can’t do it.
The Commission (7-1)
The Commission remain the most immediate threat to Beer Belly Brigade, as they are only two points behind, and square off with them in the regular season finale for both teams.
When looking at the stats, both teams are eerily similar, as The Commission have scored nine points less and given up just 15 more offense than the Beer Belly Brigade. Yes, in case you were wondering, they trail them in point differential as well, with a 102 to 126 mark. Despite that, TC have shown enough balance to make the top seed nervous.
It is that ability to pull out close games that have been the key to the team’s success this year. This past Sunday against their biggest rival in Jagerbomb, The Commission used a strong second half defensive performance via interceptions by Hennessy Oraye and Hakim Kasbi-Filiatrault, and a late game-winning touchdown by Jean-Sebastien St-Arneault, to pull out the (31-26) victory.
The win for The Commission, gave them a little taste of revenge after Jagerbomb knocked them out in the opening round of the playoffs last summer. More importantly, it gave them sole possession of second place. The celebrations was short-lived as they will be taking on a tough fourth place The Hustlers squad tonight in Brossard. If TC wins, they will be tied for first with Beer Belly Brigade who are on a bye this week and return to action on August 3rd versus Jagerbomb.
This version of The Commission has talent. They are a different squad this year as only Matt Peacock, Hakim Kasbi-Filiatrault, and yours truly, remain from the usual core. While this team seemingly plays both up and down to their competition, they also are starting to develop the very same chemistry that defines teams like Beer Belly Brigade and the next team fighting for first.
Jagerbomb (6-2)
This talented and veteran team is coming off a tough loss to The Commission Sunday night in Laval. They had a solid first half as they went into the break with a (20-13) lead, but they fell apart offensively after the break, as they scored just once on their four drives.
For Jagerbomb, it was their second loss in their last three games, as they also fell (39-19) to The Peckers in Week 5. The timing of both losses isn’t ideal as they try to capture first place, but it isn’t time to sound the alarm just yet as it aims to make a championship run.
With veterans like Kevin Marcil, Jean-Felix Daloze, Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, and Laurent Foucault, this team won’t let a few late season defeats derail them from their ultimate goal.
The team closes the regular season with matchups against Big Fat Bats in Week 10, and Beer Belly Brigade in Week 11. Don’t let their (1-7) record fool you, the Big Fat Bats are a talented team, who can put up points on anyone, as evidenced by the fact that they are fifth in scoring. Jagerbomb will need to make sure they bring their A-game defensively (which is where they struggle most) if they want to avoid a third loss in their last four games.
What Could Decide First Place
The deciding factor may be defense. Beer Belly Brigade has allowed 177 points, The Commission has allowed 192, and Jagerbomb has allowed 255. All three teams can score, but the gap in points allowed explains why Beer Belly Brigade currently has the inside track. The Commission is close enough to pounce if Beer Belly Brigade slips, while Jagerbomb must tighten up defensively if they want to turn a strong offense into a first-place push.
That is what makes the stretch run so compelling. Beer Belly Brigade controls its own path, The Commission is close enough to apply real pressure, and Jagerbomb has enough firepower to make things uncomfortable if the teams ahead stumble. Every result now does double duty: it adds points to one team’s total, while applying pressure to the others.
Beer Belly Brigade, The Commission, and Jagerbomb have given the division a legitimate race for first place. If Beer Belly Brigade stays clean, first place is theirs to lose. If they slip, The Commission are positioned to strike, and Jagerbomb’s offense which has kept them in the conversation, will be waiting for any chance to turn the race into chaos.
My apologies for there being no Division C article until now. In all honesty, I didn’t want to write for the division I play in. I was hoping someone else would take it, but there are only three writers total and nearly 20 divisions to cover. I figured doing one now and ideally going forward, would be better than having no one write about Div. C at all. That being said, if someone reading this wants to write for any division (There are at least four others that have no writer) in English or in French, let either Ben McMahon or myself know.
Picks
The Commission vs The Hustlers – The Commission
Last Week: N/A
Regular Season: N/A
Upset Special: N/A
That is it for this week. I will be back this weekend with a preview of the Week 10 games that kickoff Saturday at Concordia. Good luck to everyone playing tonight and this weekend.
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.