Tier 4: The Race For The Hardware

For the past few weeks, I’ve been covering each team and how they are doing at the mid-point of the season. With Week 9 starting tonight, we have under 3 weeks until the end of the regular season. The top teams are separating themselves from the pack and there is a plethora of teams fighting for a playoff berth. This week, I’ll be focusing on how the award races are shaping up as we near the end of the season. Before we check out the best individual players, let’s go check how my fantasy lineup fared last week.

QB: Dante Girardi (vs Show me your TDs)

➡️ Stats: 14/14 267yds, 7 TDs Total: 38.68 pts

WR: Martin Bergeron (vs Studz)

➡️ Stats: 2 rec, 35yds, 1x 1-pt convert Total: 6.50 pts

WR: Jeffrey Lefebvre (vs Flag Dealers)

➡️ Stats: 3 rec, 29yds, 1 TD, 1x 2-pt convert Total: 13.90 pts

Rusher: Alain Keb (vs Brewers)

➡️ Stats: N/A Total: N/A

DB: Vincent Richard (vs NoFlagsGiven)

➡️ Stats: 1 rec, 28yds, 2 tackles Total: 3.80 pts

DB: Neyshan Boisvert (vs Super Troopers)

➡️ Stats: no stats Total: 0.00 pts

Flex: Matteo Gerardi (vs Bend Don’t Break)

➡️ Stats: 3 rec, 16yds, 1 TD Total:10.60 pts

Flex: Amine Encina (vs Vice City)

➡️ Stats: DNP Total: DNP

Defence: Dragon Magique (vs Dog Walkers)

➡️ Stats: 3 sacks, 2 safeties, 2 INTs, 6 PDs, 1 TD Total: 20.00 pts

Team Total: 93.48 pts

Philippe Gélinas (7 games played)

➡️ 68.2% completion, 1608yds, 41 TDs, 1 INT, 2 SKs, 17 rushing yds

Mathew Yanakoulias (7 games played)

➡️ 66.4% completion, 1599yds, 39 TDs, 3 INTs, 7 SKs, 29 rushing yds

Nicolas Katerelos (7 games played)

➡️: 69.1% completion, 1551yds, 39 TDs, 3 INTs, 4 SKs, 37 rushing yds

Prediction: Philippe Gélinas

Each of these QBs have played amazing so far and have put their teams in positions to obtain a first round bye. By the end of the season, I do believe Gélinas will win QB of the Year and it’s his award to lose. With only 1 INT all season, which happened in the 1st game of the season, it’s extraordinary to pull that off. It shows that not only his receivers aren’t dropping any passes but Gélinas is also throwing with accuracy to avoid any turnovers. Gélinas also has a game played but as a forfeit win which would allow him to have more stats. For Katerelos, I think he will be the runner-up and I think his offence is the best in the division. With nearly 70% completion and helping his team score 28+pts every game, he is the driving force of his team’s offence. For Yanakoulias, he’s had a great season and is setting his team for a strong post-season run. I do think his higher sack total makes it a little harder but a strong season nevertheless.

Jonathan Bottazzi (8 games played)

➡️ 58 rec, 684yds, 17 TDs, 85.50yds/game, 1x 1pt convert

Ryan Vanslet (8 games played)

➡️ 37 rec, 699yds, 16 TDs, 87.38yds/game

Rayray Franklin (8 games played)

➡️ 33 rec, 515yds, 16 TDs, 64.38yds/game, 1x 2pt convert

Prediction: Jonathan Bottazzi

Three great receivers having special seasons for teams in similar range when you look at their post-season ranks at the moment. Franklin might not touch the ball as much as his competitors but his 16 TDs show that Ball Hawks look at him when they need a score. With only one game without scoring a TD, and one game with 1 TD, Franklin is constantly finding the endzone multiple times each game. The race I believe will come down between Vanslet and Bottazzi with the latter winning the award. I think this is a very close race and I can see either of these players edging the other in the next few weeks. Vanslet has scored in every game and is easily the more dangerous deep threat WR in the division. What I think also factors in is that Bottazzi is more consistent at getting the ball. Bottazzi has no game with less than 4 receptions and he also has scored in every game. Each receiver has a different style that they bring to their team but are equally as important for their respective teams to score points.

Anthony Moustache (8 games played)

➡️ 16 TKLs, 10 INTs, 3 PDs

Charles Mimeault (5 games played)

➡️ 14 TKLs, 6 INTs, 7 PDs, 2 TDs

Nicolas Fon (7 games played)

➡️ 12 TKLs, 6 INTs, 4 Sks, 6 PDs

Thierry Levasseur (7 games played)

➡️ 5 TKLs, 14 SKs, 2 PDs

Prediction: Anthony Moustache

My favorite award and as a former winner of DPOY, I know how much these players take pride on this side of the ball. I want to shoutout to Fon who has played the most complete defensive game all season. Doing it all, he’s tied for 2nd in INTs, 21st in SKs and 6th in PDs, no matter where he’s playing for Bible Study, he’s going to make a play. Levasseur is easily the rusher of the year if there was that award (maybe it will be introduced soon?🤔) Being on pace for 20 SKs on the season isn’t an easy feat but is easily a bright spot for his team who are fighting for their playoff lives. I don’t think he will win DPOY but surely an All-Star appearance for a great season. It’s no surprise that the battle for DPOY is for the season’s best ballhawks. The wondering question of if Mimeault played more games, would he have won the award or built himself a better case? Each of these two players have been the engine of their team’s defences when on the field. I think the consistency of Moustache will win him his 1st DPOY. I’ve had the pleasure to watch Moustache play all season and it is rare that he gets beat with his high IQ and ability to get INTs as a deep safety or jumping a quick slant. 

Ryan Vanslet (8 games played)

➡️ Offence: 37 rec, 699yds, 16 TDs, 87.38yds/game 

➡️Defence: 20 TKLs, 4 INTs, 3 PDs, 1 TD

Kevin Marcil (7 games played)

➡️ Offence: 40 rec, 589 yds, 13 TDs, 84.14yds/game, 5x 1pt converts

➡️ Defence: 20 TKLs, 5 INTs, 4 PDs

McRodly JeanMarie (9 games played)

➡️ Offence: 56.5% completion, 38 TDs, 10 INTs, 11 SKs, 238 rushing yds, 1 TD

➡️ Defence: 23 TKLs, 5 INTs, 4 PDs, 2 TDs

Prediction: McRodly JeanMarie

I would say this is the best award as it shows the contribution on both sides of the ball. Tier 4 is tough as with 33 teams, it makes it harder for players to stand out on one side of the ball, let alone both sides. With that being said, I think my nominations were very deserving and not only the stats will prove it but their skills if you were able to watch any of these three players at any point this season. Marcil was a player who I figured by the end of the season would be in talks for WR of the Year. He isn’t as dominant as the other competitors but still a great offensive season can go together with a strong defence for a better award. Marcil is a great receiver and even though Voodoo is struggling, Marcil’s two-way ability is strong and will not go unnoticed. Being tied for 5th in INTs and barely missing out on being the top WR, he brings it all. For this award, it’s a two man race from players in different situations. My runner-up in WR of the Year in Vanslet for Sophomore XL Exchange Students against the two-way engine in  QB McRodly JeanMarie for Reborn Prospects. Vanslet’s offensive stats are strong but being able to lead the division in yards and also being a defensive anchor and great partner for Anthony Moustache on the backend says a lot. I do think you can make an argument for either JeanMarie or Vanslet but I will be going with the former to win the award. JeanMarie doesn’t have the amazing stats like the other QBs but he has very good stats. He will probably finish with over 40 TDs thrown and currently with 5 INTs along with 2 pick-6s on defence, it’s tough to go against the QB who makes his team better on both sides nearly every play. Vanslet can win this award if he gets a few more INTs and continues his strong offensive output in the last 2 games but whoever wins the award will be more than deserving. 

QB: Tyler Cousins (vs Team Ethnik)

WR: Rocco Christiano (vs Sour Puss)

WR: Samuel Deland (vs Voodoo)

Rusher: Alex Forgione (vs Brewers)

DB: Pierre-Olivier Beaulne Lefebvre (vs Monstars)

DB: Nicolas-Emmanuel Pierre (vs Bible Study)

Two-way: Peter Bakopanos (vs FC Bing)

Two-way: Jake Applebaum (vs Vice City)

Defence: Briscoe Hawks (vs Sans Pression)

Thanks for reading this week’s article ahead of the games for Week 9. With playoffs slowly approaching, get your 5 games played or your medical notes sent to the league so you are playoff eligible. If you haven’t watched the newest episode of the FPF weekly podcast 1st & Goal on YouTube; hosted by Brent Bodkin and Quaysie Gordon Maule. Thanks for reading this week’s article and if you have suggestions or comments, mention them below or you can always message me on Facebook or Instagram!