35+ Week 3 in Review

Week #3 has come and gone.  Let’s take a quick peak at what was and also spend some time looking at what might be.  If I knew what would really happen I would have won the 6/49 long ago!

This past week saw our first inter-division play and the Draft Division did a great job of holding their own with the Tier 1 teams.  While all games ended up being decided by more than one score, they were fun to watch.

What did we learn?

• – Eugene McLaren is one elusive individual. He drove the Spitfire D nuts all night by buying just enough time to allow receivers to find a crease.  From the bench it did look like the same crease time and again but still.
• – Rob “I can do everything” Allen just loves the narrow field in Kirkland. It seems like he can stretch his arms out wide and touch both sidelines.  He continues to make life no fun for opposing QBs.  Quite happy not to have to try and throw over him this season.
• – Looks like teams have forgotten the Craig O’Brien has great hands. He finished second for Monster Gym last season in receptions and is on pace to do so for Monster Jim this season.
• – Lonnie Johnson was back at the helm for FPF this week after letting his brother toss the ball last week.
• – How important is the Center position? Just ask Paramount.  They went head to head with the Spitfire until Dave Allen got a booboo…ok he almost lost a finger on his throwing hand…and his replacement thought that he was an NFL long snapper in punt formation!

 

What did we not learn?

• – Not sure that Polvige are complaining but I do not think that they would normally hold the GOXM to 6 points if Guatama was there.
• – Is Jordan Rossie the missing link for the Pacemakers? Their offence really looks out of sync thus far.  While brother Jason has great moves at the QB spot, you are not going to win championships by running the ball (unless you are Theo Ojeaha)

 

Week 3 Recap

Let’s take a look at what happened.

 

O.A.S. 39 over the Relics 20 (The ORIGIN BOWL)

In a battle between namesakes this one was not really close.  O.A.S. jumped out to a big lead and then throttled down (IMO) allowing the Relics to make it a competitive second half.  It was nice to see Shane Williams back on the field, returning after a 3-year absence due to a serious neck injury.  He showed that he can still move by taking an intermediate pass from Cory Pecker and going the distance showing a few moves along the way.  A nice Joel Shahrabari INT was the only real blemish on the night for Cory Pecker as he looked quite comfortable.

 

Spitfire 41 over Paramount 30

The score for this game was quite deceptive as the teams traded TDs all game.  As stated earlier, Eugene McLaren used his mobility to buy his receivers enough time to find holes in the Spitfire defence.  He was held in check, overall, by Andrew Adams and finished with no rushing yardage.  On the other side of the ball, Carmine Pollice did a good job of spreading the ball around as 4 receivers had 4 or more catches and 4 found the end zone.  The key turning point was a late game injury to Dave Allen resulting in a change at the center position for Paramount.  A bad snap resulted in a punt to mid-field, as the ball was within the 10-yard line.  Holding a 1-point lead, the Spitfire drove down, scored, and Don Shepherd hauled in the 2 point convert to hand the ‘Fire that important 9-point cushion.  Yet another bad snap resulted in a safety and that was game.

 

Monster Jim 42 over FPF 27

Andy Peterkin looked good in this one using both his legs and arm to carve up the FPF defence.  Andy finished the night as the top yardage QB with 232 yards passing and then adding another 51 yards on the ground.  He did a great job spreading the ball around as 6 different players found the end zone for the Men in Black.  On the flip side, Tim O’Hara was the POTG as he finished with 92 receiving yards to finish as the top receiver on the night.  Not to be a one trick pony he also had 6 tackles to finish as the top flagger as well (tied with several others).

 

Polvige 16 over the GOXM 6

Just when we thought that a competitive match would be held, the GOXM show up without their QB.  While Shane Williams looked good in his 2019 debut, brother Wade did not fare so well in his 2019 QB debut.  Never easy to step into the pivot spot and the Polvige defence have some BIG bodies who can truly clog up the short passing lanes on the narrow field at Kirkland.  Not a good combination.  Wade did show off his athleticism with multiple long runs, including his team’s only TD.  Jon Moodie got his team into the WIN column but the GOXM defence did make him work for hit as they pilfered 3 balls while sacking him once.

 

JMJ 38 over the Pacemakers 12

The JMJ express continues to roll as they joined O.A.S. as the only 3-0 teams in the Division as they rolled over the Pacemakers.  Stephen Harripersaud continues to impress with his efficiency finishing the night 14-18 with 5 TDs.  Short fields do help!  Otis Armstrong made the most of his 2 receptions as he found the end zone both times.  If you read my opening article you are already aware that the JMJ defence would be led by Rob “I can do everything” Allen and Kevin Kousaie.  Well Rob had 2 INTs and Kevin had 2 Sacks.  Jason Rossie did accumulate 55 yards on the ground but, I cannot say this often enough, you are not going to win championships on the ground.

 

Now that we are up to date…let’s take a quick look at this Thursday’s action.  A 3-2 week evens me at 6-6 for the season thus far.  IN other words, I have little real clue as to what will happen.

 

Monster Jim take on O.A.S. (Game of the Week #1)

This should be the proverbial game of the week as both teams come into this one undefeated (MJ have a tie on the books).  The O.A.S. offence has looked darn near unstoppable so far and the MJ defence is tops in the tier, so something has to give.  I really don’t thing that O.A.S. have anyone who can stay with Andy from a Rusher perspective and that, in my mind, will be the difference in this one.  MJ for the win.

 

Spitfire host the Oldpack

Fresh off their bye week the Oldpack look to get things going against a grumpy Spitfire team.  Frustrated by their performance against Paramount this past week I am expecting a much better effort from the Spitfire defence.  Pascal Murray will have something to say about that as he currently leads the division in pass yards per game.  This should be a great match up.  As always, I am picking the Spitfire to win.

 

The Relics match up with the Pacemakers

Mobile vs Pocket.  We have a definite contrast in QB styles in this game.  While Jeff Rosenblatt can move in the pocket, on his best day I would hesitate to compare his mobility to that of Jason Rossie.  Having said that, thus far he seems to look much better throwing the ball than Jason.  My head says Relics while my heart says Pacemakers.  I wish I knew which roster would show up this week.  Pacemakers with the W.

 

FPF match up with Polvige

After getting themselves into the win column last week, Polvige now find themselves facing an FPF that is still looking for answers at the bottom of an empty beer glass.  Lonnie Johnson finds himself with an 0-3 record (yes, his brother was QB for a game) in the Division and 1-6 for 2019 thus far.  Knowing him the way I do, he is going to finally make another team pay for his frustrations.  I have a feeling that Polvige will be that team.  Polvige have also underwhelmed thus far (I blame the yellow gloves that Jon Moodie is wearing) and are simply not moving the ball well enough to keep FPF from finally lighting things up.  I really think that FPF run away with this one…Domenic Tosi will be the X-Factor

 

JMJ host Paramount (Game of the Week #2)

Eugene McLaren is the real deal at QB and now gets to face Kevin Kousaie, who is really making a name for himself at the Rush position.  Stephen Harripersaud is no longer a surprise and has been incredibly effective this season.  So where does that leave us?  This game is going to come down to the Allen Brothers.  Will Dave be effective in his attempt to return from injury.  His replacement was the difference in their loss last week to the Spitfire.  Will Rob Allen get a chance to get anywhere near the ball on defence?  Should be an interesting game indeed.  JMJ for the WIN.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the field…and the pub afterwards!