Every Team Is Still Alive

Every single team in this division has at least one win. No one is winless and no one is completely out of it which is cool. And with 14 of 19 teams making the playoffs this season it’s more about positioning considering right now there are 5 teams currently sitting at 2 wins. Of those 5 teams 3 of them are currently holding playoff spots. That leaves the remaining 2 teams that have 2 wins as well currently outside the playoffs. And here’s the crazy part: the bottom 3 teams, all with just 1 win each are only technically only 1 win behind 3 of the teams currently in a playoff spot. All that to say, literally any team in this very moment is 1-2 wins away and could still make and qualify for the playoffs which is very cool. This is the kind of division where you check the standings after every matchup because one result can move a team three spots.

EZFun (2-4), All Day EveryDay (2-6), McNuggies (1-5-1), Les Grands Chums (1-4), Party Mix (1-6) — they’re all within striking distance. The bottom three teams with one win are only one win behind five teams currently above them. That’s one upset that could completely flip the bracket. You don’t need a five-game winning streak in this division. You need the right two-week stretch at the right time.

The Contenders at the Top

Back That Pass Up (5-2) has scored 211 points but allowed 183 — they’re winning, but games are competitive. Michael Scott’s Tots are 5-3 despite having a very close point differential at +7 which tells you they’ve survived a few close ones. Mixtologue (4-1) and We Thought They Were Snacks (4-1) both look more dangerous with stronger point differentials. Mavericks are 4-3 and have scored 231 points — third in the division.

Kamikaze and the One-Point Story (Again)

If you’ve followed Kamikaze, this part sounds familiar. Last season, they found themselves in multiple one-point games. This season the same script. They just dropped a 47-46 game to Michael Scott’s Tots, another one-point loss. Gabriel Lemonde stepped in at quarterback and went 18 for 25 for 259 yards and 7 touchdowns with zero interceptions.

Alec Grégoire had 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. Constance Millaire added 55 yards and a score. Jean-Sébastien St-Arneault scored twice. The offense produced.

On the other side, David De Andrade matched that with 7 touchdowns of his own for Michael Scott’s Tots. Kenny Boutilier had 88 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jennifer Pérusse added 87 yards and 2 scores. It was truly a back and forth shootout.

The question now becomes the quarterback situation moving forward for Kamikaze. Effee Petrone was at the game and played but Lemonde was the one throwing the passes. Are they making a permanent switch or is it situational? Personally I’d like to see Effee continue building confidence as a younger quarterback and keep growing. Development takes reps but after a 7-touchdown performance from Lemonde, it’s not an easy team decision. Either way, Kamikaze is not an easy out for any team.

Venom: Youth Meets Experience

Venom has been efficient and steady. They’ve scored 226 points and allowed 152, good for a +74 differential. Paul Lapierre has been exactly what you want from a veteran QB — 1,082 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, only 2 interceptions, and a 109.3 QB rating.

Heidi Ocana Lynch has been the big play presence. She’s sitting at 271 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns through six games, averaging nearly 16 yards per catch. When Venom needs a spark, she’s often the one finishing drives. Defensively, Daniel Lomboto is second in the division with 6 interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. He is creating turnovers, helping Venom's offense stay on the field longer and putting up points.

Venom opened the season 4-0 before dropping their first game to Les Woo’s but they’ve since gone 2-0 after the loss including taking down the #1 ranked Block Party. A true mix of younger athletes and experienced veterans and that balance shows up in how they play. Having someone like Paul Lapierre involved adds as a longtime FPF veteran and Vanier Cheetahs flag coach, he brings experience that matters in tight games — adjustments, clock management, situational awareness. Those little edges that don’t show up in the stat sheet but decide games late.

Q&A with Heidi Ocana Lynch

On the field, Heidi Ocana Lynch has been a major part of Venom’s early success. She’s arguably having the best start to a season in her FPF career. She’s not just accumulating stats; she’s becoming a consistent difference maker. There’s a real confidence in the way she’s playing right now, and she took some time to answer a few questions.

Getting Started in Flag

Tell us a little about your flag football and overall athletic background. How did you get into the sport? “I started playing flag football in 2022 at Vanier. I had never played before but I was always interested in the sport. My coaches saw my potential and helped me develop myself as a player to get me where i am today.”

Pregame Routine

What’s your pregame song right now? “Right now I would say that my pregame song is Hours in Silence by Drake.”

Coffee before games yes or no? And if yes what’s the order? “Yes of course. My go to is always a caramel iced coffee.”

Chemistry and Confidence

You’re having a great season, leading the team with 271 yards and 8 touchdowns. What feels different for you this season? “This season Paul and I have been able to build trust and good chemistry on the field. It’s our second season playing together and i’m really happy with the progress we’ve made.”

Locker Room Energy

Who’s the funniest person on your team? “The funniest one on the team is Lamine. He’s always cracking jokes on the sideline and always bringing good energy on the field.”

The Team Identity

Venom is a mix of younger talent and experienced veterans. How does that balance shape the identity of this team? “We have very good athletes on our team. Paul and Donald definitely have more experience and it reflects on the quality and consistency of their play. The younger players bring speed and talent as well. We definitely have good team chemistry, we are all friends and we’re always pushing each other to be better.”

Responding to Adversity

After starting 4–0 and then taking your first loss, what’s the mindset heading into this next game? “Honestly we’re not letting that loss get to our heads. it gave us more motivation to perform better. We’re going to learn from our mistakes and keep playing the best we can every game.”

Unsung Heroes

Who on Venom deserves more recognition right now, and why? “Everyone is doing amazing on the team but honestly I think Jason and Daniel have been really good assets especially on defense. Jason is a really good rusher and he’s currently leading with 7 sacks. Daniel is also a key player on defense, consistently making big stops and getting many interceptions.”