2nd-and-Short (Div D) – Week 1

Two-thirds of the way through Week 1 and we’ve already been treated to a tie, a 50-burger, comeback wins—and in some cases last-minute wins—and some upsets. To top it all off, I got to watch Peeze throw five interceptions in his first-ever Division E game at QB. Sunday, I don’t know how you can top that, but I hope you find a way.

Recap

Tomahawk Nightmare’s Nightmare

It really doesn’t get said enough: in FPF, more times than not it’s the little things that decide a game. Tomahawk Nightmare’s 28-26 loss to Tyrants on Thursday night was no different.

Tomahawk’s first half was one highlighted (or rather lowlighted) by a bobbled pass intercepted by Tyrants’ Steve Zambaras and a bobbled snap dropped in the end zone for a safety. Their first points didn’t come until QB Jean-François Marquis hit his receiver on a short post route right before halftime to cut a three-score deficit to 22-7.

Tomahawk rebounded in the second half to get within eight points late in the game as they faced a fourth and goal from the one-yard line on the game’s final play after Marquis misfired on the first three downs. But he was on target on the last, hitting his target on a rope to make it 28-26.

But in the end the hole they dug themselves in at the beginning of the game proved to be too great to overcome, as Marquis’s pass on the ensuing two-point conversion was knocked away at the goal line to guarantee the win for Tyrants–one that easily could’ve belonged to Tomahawk.

 

From Lynx to Lion

It was man versus animal on Thursday night. Man was six guys in grey jerseys. The animal they were trying to tame was a beast by the name of Nicolas Gendron-Vallée.

If it’s not clear yet, they failed–miserably.

The former Edouard-Montpetit receiver was virtually unstoppable against the Warriors defence, catching everything thrown his way, including two 40-yard bombs and a five-yard fingertip catch low and away from his body (without gloves, mind you,) for three of his five total touchdowns.

And yet, it wasn’t until a bad snap went over QB Cedric Sambour’s head and into the end zone for a safety that momentum shifted for good in the Rois Lions’ favour. It gave the Rois Lions a 34-26 lead minutes into the second half, one they would hold all the way to the end as they won by a final score of 52-38. 

 

#WeTheNorth; #The(Dirty)SouthIsThatWay

Featuring a first-time FPF QB and a wealth of newcomers to the league, the Dirty South thought they could march their way (pop-lock-and-drop their way?) into the Bell sports complex on Thursday night and take down one of last year’s Division D semifinalists in Week 1.

Les Affreux let them know real quick that Brossard is a South Dallas Swag-free zone.

After Dirty South QB David Polynice threw a deep bomb for a touchdown to start the game, it then quickly turned into a defensive battle (last dance reference, I promise), with Dirty South forcing two picks but having just 6 points to show for them, while Affreux themselves managed only 13 points by halftime.

Les Affreux were eventually able to pull ahead by two touchdowns late in the game thanks in part to some sloppy tackling by Dirty South. While Polynice was able to find the end zone one last time before the final five plays, Affreux veteran QB Mat Domon successfully moved the chains to clinch a 32-25 win. 

 

Sunday’s Forecast

Can’t Trap This

T.C.O. would’ve come into this season as a middle-of-the-pack team had they kept the same roster as last season.

With Doug McKernan at QB, they’re a new offence altogether. No, seriously, it’s like going from Kevin Kolb to Mike Vick, pro-style to backyard football. I’m pretty sure Mckernan’s most-called play is “everybody do whatever, I’m gonna run around and throw it to one of you, on one.”

It’s a style that works well in the lower divisions, where top-tier rushers don’t exactly fall from trees. Looking at Trapstars’ roster, I don’t see such a potential rusher–the player who led the team in sacks last season, Vincent Richard, had just three sharing the duties with a few other teammates, and he isn’t even on this season’s roster.

All to say, unless Trapstars find someone able to put the heat on McKernan play after play and keep him in the pocket, I think T.C.O. leave Lachine unscathed Sunday night.

 

Pardon My Spanish

I think this is going to be one of the closer games of this weekend, and not only because it features two 6-4 Division 5 teams. The addition of QB Gianfranco Ranaudo for Pardon My Swag is a great compensation for the loss of Shawn Mudrowsky and should give Los Banditos and their proud defence a tough challenge.

On the other side, the Banditos’ acquisition of Simon Lahaie, who has a perfect combination of hands, speed, and clutchness (you know what I mean), is among my favourite of the division.

But the addition of a true deep threat to the Bandito offence isn’t the main reason I think Los Banditos come out on top in this one–rather, it’s their defence.

Looking back at last season, PMS lived and died by Mudrowsky’s ability to connect with receiver of the season Jonathan Petard. When these two were hot, the result was beautiful (like when Petard caught five passes for 111 yards and three TDs in a 32-12 Week 2 win). When these two were off, the result was dreadful (like when Petard caught seven passes for just 47 yards and a single score in a 39-6 opening round playoff loss to Ghosts).

Shut down Petard, and you shut down just about all of PMS’ hopes of winning. Granted, that’s easier said than done. But that doesn’t mean it’s not doable, especially not considering the Banditos defence is one known for disrupting routes. 

 

Random Thoughts

-The Bell sports complex: the only indoor field where you also have to account for the wind.

-Congrats to Jagerbomb, for finally realizing Jagerbomb is spelled with one “G.”

-Hervey Mortel is tall. Like really tall.

-The lack of apostrophes next to the “N” in Grip n Rip bothers me more than it should.

-I didn’t think it was possible, but a QB worse than Simon Dagenais exists, and his name is Peeze.

 

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That’s all for today. Remember, I’m always available by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @JBlanchFPF. Be sure to check out the first Division D podcast when it debuts next week on www.theunclehood.com (the FPF Facebook wall should have the schedule). Good luck to all this weekend!