2nd-and-Short (Div 4) – Playoffs Week 3

Two rounds down, two more to go. Only eight teams remain in the race to be crowned Division 4 champion, and interestingly enough, five of them finished either first or second in their respective subdivision. It seems as though the absence of byes in the playoffs this year have been beneficial, not detrimental, to the division’s top seeds. Not that we should read too much into all that—this is the playoffs after all, home of where anything can happen.

 

Recap

La Sauce 27, Lockdown 8

It started better than Lockdown could’ve imagined: a sack in the endzone of QB François Raymond on the game’s opening play, giving them two points and essentially an extra possession. But they did nothing on that ensuing possession while La Sauce answered with a touchdown and added two more to make it 21-2 by halftime. As usual, the La Sauce defence was an immoveable object, giving nothing deep and swarming to the ball on short plays. In an offensive league, it’s great to see a dominant defence making it deep into the playoffs.

 

Six Fast Guys Plus Ryan 50, Outlaws 31

Outlaws came prepared to their rematch against 6+R, having filmed their Week 9 53-30 loss to them. But the script of this past weekend’s game ended up being very much like that regular season one: each side making the other fight for every inch in the first half, one defensive stop and ensuing touchdown by 6+R blowing the game wide open to start the second half.

 

BearSkins 24, 69ers 20

It was the Sacha Papich-Marco Bertoldi Show for the second night in a row as the pair combined for 10 catches for 166 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday night. On the other side, 69ers were fortunate enough to win despite turning the ball over more than their opponents in recent weeks, but that luck ran out this time around, with QB Shea Harbour’s two interceptions proving to be game-changers. 

 

Sea Assassins 66, ZOO 45

Sea Assassins were literally unstoppable over the weekend, scoring on each one of their drives—10 in total—from start to finish. The fact they allowed their most points against in a single game this season to a team that hadn’t hit the 40-point mark all season doesn’t bode very well with better offences left in the playoff race. But I’m sure Daniel Lazzara and the boys are resting easy knowing they can score at will.

 

Predators 42, Kingdom 13

Kingdom had Predators feeling the heat early on in this one, but an interception on a poor throw by Adam Sinagra proved costly as it allowed opposing QB James Floreani to drive the field and give his side a 19-13 halftime lead. Kingdom did well to shut down Mathieu Brunet, holding him to just 22 yards on two receptions, but Predators sent future teams a reminder that they’re more than one player, dividing six touchdowns among three different wideouts. 

 

57 52, The Family 26

I was frustrated watching this game—I can only imagine what the Family felt when they were playing it. Jeremie Mongeon-Duby could really do anything he wanted, and you knew it was going to work somehow. When he decided to stay in the pocket, he threw a perfect strike to his receiver in the endzone. When he decided to buy some time, he did, for seemingly half an hour, before finding his receiver for a touchdown. When he decided to run, he did–just enough for a first down. The game was over by halftime. 

 

Team Ethnik 38, Healthy Scratches 18

You gotta love a team coming together at the right time. Team Ethnik have seemingly improved every week in the latter part of the season, and it culminated in a big win over the weekend. Superb rushing by Vladir Boursiquot led to a flustered Anthony Vendrame all game long, while one particularly great throw by Team Ethnik’s Angelo Garofalo right before halftime saw a 12-14 deficit turn into an 18-14 halftime lead, and all the momentum they would need to keep their cinderella run alive. 

 

Two and a Half Dans 19, Lynx 18

You can throw for all the yards you want, you’re not going to win a game with four interceptions. Defence was the theme in this one, much like the first time these two teams met. But unlike that first meeting, when Lynx had the luxury of a two-score lead to give them a nice cushion to cruise to victory, this past week’s game saw each team manage just six points each by halftime. The defensive struggle continued into the second half, and unfortunately for Lynx, one missed conversion proved to be the difference. 

 

Predictions

 

Predators vs Two and a Half Dans

I like that THD were able to not only hold Lynx to 18 points, but get four interceptions off a quarterback who threw seven all season. What I don’t like is the fact that despite those four interceptions, they managed only three scoring drives in the entire game. You can’t do that against a team like Predators and expect to win. If THD are to leave the field as victors this weekend, they’ll need to capitalize on James Floreani’s every mistake, because this isn’t a guy who makes many. If THD are able to do so, and do so early, they have a chance. That doesn’t mean I think it’ll happen, however. 

 

La Sauce vs BearSkins

You know BearSkins are set for at least one deep touchdown to receiver Aleksandr Papich. But what about the rest of the game? La Sauce have proven time and time again that they’re a ferocious defence with a relentless motor. BearSkins QB Neil Etinson has been able to surprise teams with his deceptive mobility, but that won’t be of much help outside of the first few plays this time around. He’ll need to make every throw a perfect throw, and even then it’s not like François Raymond doesn’t know how to make plays. BearSkins have a chance, but it’s a slim one. 

 

Sea Assassins vs Six Fast Guys Plus Ryan (N/A)

We all know what happened the last time these two teams met: an ass (get it?) whoopin’. But unlike that first game, 6+R should have the full roster present this weekend, and know what’s coming this time around. The question remains: can they stop it?  

 

57 vs Team Ethnik

As much as I would love to see Team Ethnik win this one, I can’t bring myself to predict that they’ll do so this week. It’s David versus Goliath, and David is as strong as he is quick in this case. The Pilon brothers will be a lot to handle for Team Ethnik, and the best they can hope to do is slow them down. The only way I can see Ethnik coming out on top is if Boursiquot is able to keep Mongeon-Duby in the pocket and force him to throw early than he’d like—Mongeon-Duby makes his money with his legs. One thing’s for sure, this one figures to be one hell of a chess match between rusher and QB.  

 

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That brings this week’s edition of 2nd-and-Short to an end. As always, you can reach me by email at [email protected] and on Twitter @JBlanchFPF. Good luck to all this weekend!