Division 1: Week 10 Preview with OneStop’s Michael Caparelli
Week 9 was quiet as only three games were played but it set up a lot for a huge anticipated Week 10 slate with 6 games being played. In Week 9, Vultures would win two games, one against The Infantry where the defence would pick off the great Kevin Wyeth 3 times and the other victory Thursday evening against OneStop. Fins Up would also win a thriller against Royaume Luminiare off a last play TD from Will Power to Michael Khazaka and a successful 2pt convert to win the game. EZW, OneStop, PartyCrashers, The Infantry and Royaume Luminiare all play twice in Week 10 so these games really matter for momentum and seeding. I’ll have my updated power rankings below but before that, I had a chance to ask OneStop QB Michael Caparelli some questions regarding his team and how he’s approaching a big Week 10 for his team.
Q&A with OneStop’s QB Michael Caparelli
With this being OneStop’s second season in FPF’s top 6v6 division, what’s been the biggest difference you’ve noticed playing at this level compared to other divisions in FPF?
The first thing that comes to mind is that there are no weak players in this division, everyone is good. As a result, there are very few "easy" matchups, every throw has to be timed perfectly and thrown accurately. Also, the attention to detail is ridiculous. Players in this div are so good at manipulating the clock, the first down line, etc. putting pressure on us to score on every drive.
You’re known as a QB who likes to push the tempo offensively, but the team has struggled to put up points lately. Is that mainly because the roster hasn’t been fully available, or is there more to it?
Because of the athletes we have, we've always been a team that likes to take shots. In div1 there are far less opportunities for that, and with the extended yardage needed for first downs, we are forced to have to be more efficient down-to-down. Being efficient on early downs and setting us up in good situations consistently is where I can drastically improve. We have so many great players that it's tempting to take shots, but being able to find ways to pick up smaller chunks on each play is much more valuable. When I can start being more consistent in that regard, the guys will have more easy opportunities to score points.
How has the addition of AJ helped the offence so far this season with his route running and reliable hands?
AJ is one of the best players in all of FPF, he is very difficult to guard in man and is extremely savvy in knowing where to sit in zones. That skillset, paired with his ability to make difficult contested catches makes him such a reliable target. Having that type of player makes the game so much simpler for me.
You’ve got two big games coming up in Week 10, starting with EZW. Since you haven’t faced them yet, how are you approaching that matchup?
EZW is a team we have faced a few times in the past. Jeremy White is one of the most underrated QBs in FPF and it's always a big challenge to go against him, he attacks the whole field effortlessly. Their team is always very smart on both sides of the ball, with athletes to be able to make game changing plays. Defensively, we will have to make them uncomfortable on early downs and get them off-schedule, when we do that our defense is incredible at converting those opportunities into picks. Offensively the focus will be on doing the opposite, trying to be efficient on early downs to keep the pressure on them.
Against The Infantry, you beat them in Week 1 without their starting QB. How do you expect your defence to approach Kevin Wyeth and that offence this time around?
Wyeth is the GOAT for a reason. He can put the ball anywhere on the field and can find the weakness in any coverage. We have to make him go to his 3rd and 4th reads consistently and try to complicate things for them a little more than we did in the first matchup.
As a QB coach, a lot of work happens behind the scenes. What’s something you do consistently to keep improving and compete with the best in the division?
Playing in this division allows us to compete against the best players which we love, but we don't do anything to prepare off the field. We remain competitive thanks to how much fun we truly have playing together and our ability to communicate and solve problems in game.
Who on OneStop might go a bit under the radar for other teams but is always doing their job week in and week out?
I think they all get overshadowed by each other. They can all be focal points offensively and great defensive players, they just sometimes appear lower in the stats because the ball gets shared pretty evenly. The first guy that comes to mind though is Jahnai Lewis. He is truly one of the top handful of players in all of FPF. Because of his instincts, athleticism, IQ, and selflessness, everyone that plays with him reaches the same conclusion. Charles Cossette is in the same boat, he can do everything on the field and is a great leader and teammate as well. Some other guys like Philippe Trudel, Mathis Pilon and Thomas Angelin are newer to FPF but are showing that they can already make big plays in the top division. Ryan McNally and AJ Zeppetelli are so consistent that they sometimes get overlooked as well.
Week 9 Power Rankings
1️⃣ PartyCrashers (4-0)
Last Week: -
PartyCrashers had the week off in Division 1 this past week. They go into Week 10 with two big matchups against EZW and Fins up this upcoming weekend. Two games where I expect them to win but not without these teams to push their limits.
2️⃣ Vultures (5-2)
Last Week: +2
Even though Anthony Brisebois was in California for the Team Canada camp, the Vultures defence would collect 4 INTs in two games in their wins over The Infantry and OneStop. QB Ben McMahon would throw 11 TD with 0 INTs and Kevin Donnet would lead the offence with 18 receptions along with 4 TDs during this past week. With only one game this upcoming week against Royaume Luminiare, I expect Vultures to build on this momentum.
3️⃣ Braves (3-3)
Last Week: -
Braves have an extended break and will only be back in action in Division 1 in Week 11. With a few players in California as well, will this break be what the squad needs to get back into their winning ways?
4️⃣ The Infantry (2-3)
Last Week: -2
I’m not too surprised with The Infantry losing to Vultures as I think they are closer in talent than what people may think but with 3 INTs by Wyeth, that’s what I’m more concerned with. The Infantry have a chance to get back on track with two games in Week 10 but cannot take either of them lightly or else they will be trending in the wrong direction at the worst time.
5️⃣ Fins Up (4-3)
Last Week: -
After a tough loss to EZW in Week 8, Fins Up would rebound with a climatic win over Royaume Luminiare in Week 9. With a big game against the undefeated PartyCrashers, can Fins Up rise to the occasion and cause havoc at the top of the table once again?
6️⃣ OneStop (1-4-1)
Last Week: -
It wasn’t a great game against Vultures on the defensive end but OneStop gets the chance to erase that with two games this week. Week 10 has a matchup against EZW then The Infantry. Will OneStop be able to get back momentum before playoffs?
7️⃣ EZW (1-3)
Last Week: -
Similarly to OneStop, EZW is looking to build momentum before playoffs. They did pick up their first win of the season in Week 8 against Fins Up. Playing in Week 10 against PartyCrashers and OneStop, can they too find a way to build on their first win this upcoming week?
8️⃣ Royaume Luminiare (1-3-1)
Last Week: -
A tough loss to Fins Up last week, Royaume Luminiare is facing The Infantry and Vultures this week. Can they find it within them to get back to their old ways and stop the red hot Vultures and upset The Infantry with how they have been playing as of late?