Division C: Winless, But Not Out

We have officially reached the quarter point of the regular season. Of the fourteen games that took place in Week 3, ten of them were one-score games. This speaks to the talent and competitive balance of Division C. This is also proven true in the standings, where there are only five winless teams, and one of them the Killer Rays, has a tie on their record.

With the midway point of the year just around the corner, it isn’t time to panic yet for those teams, but time is of the essence when it comes to finding their identity, establishing some rhythm and consistency, and most importantly stacking some wins together, as the losses that occur now can come back to bite you down the stretch when you’re trying to claim one of the final playoff spots.

In this week’s article I will look at the five teams who remain winless, and what they can do to reverse their fortunes.

Killer Rays (0-2-1)

This team has the look of a squad that is solid in the lower divisions but has trouble in higher ones. Look no further than the (2-8) record they had last Spring Season in Div. C compared to the (8-2) mark they recorded in Div. 4B, but I digress.

They started off the regular season with a heart-breaking 3-point loss (27-24) to Les Petites Carottes, that saw the Killer Rays fail to convert on 4^th and 1 with less than a minute to five plays, ad then not be able to generate a stop on defense.

Last Sunday at Laval things got off to an even worse start, as they were beat down by the Rico Ryders (54-18) in a game that was done at halftime as they trailed (36-6).

Later that evening however the tide seemed to turn as they were involved in a heavyweight fight with The Penetrators, that saw both teams traded touchdowns in a three-play span with a minute to five plays remaining. After each side failed in their conversion attempt, they settled for the one-point tie (32-32).

Looking at the Killer Rays, they have experience and playmakers. Their offense has been their biggest problem however, as they have only scored more than 25 points once, and they have failed repeatedly to score late when given the opportunity to win the game.

The team’s next three games are winnable, put they must find a way to execute better offensively, and use their size advantage at Receiver, especially tomorrow against the next team on the list in Never Overtime.

Next three opponents: Never Overtime, Jagerbomb Friends with Danny

Never Overtime (0-3)

When you look at their roster, with names like Laurent Charles, Mack Dessources, and the underrated Rhami Aboud, you would think that their defense would be carrying their end of the bargain, but through three games, it has been their Achilles’ heel, as the unit has given up an average of 36 points a game.

If you read between the lines, you will see that it is actually the team’s offense that has been the biggest reason for their struggles, as they are 1 for 8 on fourth down attempts, and Quarterback Ryan Kharouf, who struggled in Tier 2 of the FPF Cup with interceptions last fall while playing for Still C.R.A (he threw 17), has already tossed seven this season.

Turnovers are the biggest key to their turnaround. If they can protect the ball, they will give themselves a fighting chance, and allow them to not give extra possession to their opponents, which has burned them time and time again so far this year.

Next Three Opponents:  Killer Rays, Rico Ryders, Big Fat Bats

Air Laval (0-2)

This team is led by the three-headed monster in three-time All-Star Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne, along with former McGill Redbirds in Charles Cossette and Emile Taillefer.

Through two games, this team has shown that they need to tighten up defensively, as they have given up a total of 86 points, which averages out to 43 PPG.

Air Laval will first need to figure how to produce turnovers, as they only have one interception so far, made by Dabe Champagne. The team will also need to find a way to tighten up their coverage to allow the rush to get home, as they have yet to record a sack. Finally, they will need to get off the field on fourth down, as they have allowed teams to go 4 for 7 against them in that area.

Offensively, this team is firing on all cylinders, as they average 35 points a game. That unit will have to continue to do the heavy lifting while it waits for their defense to catch up. Hopefully the wait won’t be long, as they have winnable games the next few weeks. The question that needs to be asked is can they get enough stops to win them?

Next Three Opponents: Pacemakers, Trapstars, Backfield Penetration

Nighthawks (0-3)

This team is deep and has explosive players at all levels. The only thing they are lacking is consistently good Quarterback play. The team’s current pivot is Fabrice Robillard. He is a Receiver playing QB because of a knee injury. I understand wanting to play, but they have a better option in two-way threat Marc Antoine Martin.

I score kept their game last Sunday versus Les Petites Carottes. The Nighthawks were down (12-6) at the half before storming back to make it a 1-point contest on the final play of the game, as Robillard connected on a 38-yard TD to Stefano De Seta. Going for the 1-point conversion to force OT, the QB mishandled the ball and threw an errant pass that landed three yards in front of his target to end the game.

That play embodied the entire game, as Robillard would make some big throws including the one to setup the convo attempt, but he would miss several others, and badly, especially on a pick-six to Defensive Back Xavier Brault.

Credit to Robillard on playing through an injury that is clearly limiting him, but Martin, at least presently, gives them the best chance to win. The veteran threw two passes in the game, connecting on one for a 40-yard TD to Reginald Prophete.

Just my opinion, but if Robillard’s knee is good enough to run plant, and throw, perhaps he could come in as a redzone threat at Receiver, given his height advantage over most defenders.

Regardless of who plays QB, this team faces some tough competition over the next two weeks. The Nighthawks will need to show up on both sides of the ball for the entire game if they want to have any chance of getting into the win column. The same thing will apply when they take on the next squad on the list, in Team Ruthless.

Next Three Opponents: Backfield Penetration, West Island Boys Team Ruthless

Team Ruthless (0-3)

This team is young, as every single player is under the age of 25. They are also inexperienced, as the entire roster is made up of rookies.  

This team does not lack athleticism and speed, but inexperience and offensive troubles are the two main things that are standing in their way right now. Their play-calling is limited and easy to read, and Quarterback Philippe Corbeil, relies too much on those previously mentioned attributes to make plays.

I played these guys in Week, 2, and I saw that they have talent, but they need experience, and an opportunity to figure out what works for them and doesn’t on both sides of the ball. Luckily for them, they are getting a chance to do both right now.

This is a classic case of a new team that signs up to FPF, looks at all the divisions that are offered and figures the midway point would be best for their first season. It happens every year. This is a good group of guys, who I think will learn from their mistake, and use it as an opportunity to get better down the road. Until then, hopefully building confidence, chemistry, and putting a win or two together will happen sooner than later.

Next Three Opponents: Win Diesel, West Island Boys, Rico Ryders

Picks

The Commission vs Fins Up – N/A

West Island Boy vs Les Petites Carottes – West Island Boys.

Mengoose vs Big Fat Bats – Big Fat Bats

Never Overtime vs Killer Rays – Never Overtime

Backfield Penetration vs Jagerbomb – Backfield Penetration (Upset Special #1)

Win Diesel vs Rico Ryders – Rico Ryders

Trinity vs Idaho Udapimps – Trinity

Bleue Dry vs WAREHOUSE – Bleue Dry

Win Diesel vs Team Ruthless – Win Diesel

Trapstars vs The Penetrators – Trapstars

Les Renards Vifs vs Fins Up – Fins Up (My pick for Game of the Week)

Nighthawks vs Backfield Penetration – Backfield Penetration

Air Laval vs Pacemakers – Air Laval (Upset Special #2)

Last Week: (11-2-1)

Regular Season: (20-5-1)

Upset Special: (2-1)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games tomorrow and this week!

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.