The War Room (D3) – Divisional Round

 

The first round of the playoffs is always a tedious stage. The perennial powers have enormous pressure to follow through on their regular season success, while the underdogs and Cinderella stories search for their happy ending (get your mind out the gutter).

 

Here are some of my observations from the “Sweet Sixteen”:

 

– The biggest surprise of the first round must be the Lazy Boys losing out to the AMB Eagles. I know the Lazy boys are feeling this loss, as they were outstanding during the regular season, but somehow fell apart defensively when it mattered most. I really did expect big things from the Lazy Boys and this result leaves me disappointed to say the least. I personally respect many of their players and fully expect them to return with an enormous chip on their shoulder.

 

– The U had a chance to beat the Rude Bwoys in the late moments of the game, only to let their championship dreams slips through their hands in the end zone. Anytime you lose in this fashion, you can’t help but think “what if?”. I would suggest using this season as a learning experience and come back more focused/dedicated in the following seasons.

 

– From the recent rumblings on the Facebook walls, I’m not sure as to what transpired on the Top Sauce team this season. Whatever inner conflicts took place, I expect them to regroup (perhaps with a new look roster) and continue to progress towards an upper echelon D3 team.

 

Primetime were valiant in their effort to knock off DK. Emotions may have overcome them in the end, but they can hold their heads high with this loss. They took an experienced squad to the limit and just fell short at the end. Primetime will be a force to be reckoned with in a few seasons.

 

Sandlot Saints and VR6 lose to the D-Boys and Ducks. In other news, the sky is still blue and water is still wet. Better luck next season, gentlemen.

 

VPC obliterates the GPK defence (or lack thereof). Same old story for GPK: fast out the gates and heartbreak down the stretch. They are a talented group of individuals who have yet to fully grasp the intricacies of the FPF defence. This loss can rest solely on the shoulders of their defence, as their offense did more than enough to win. But I’m sure that won’t make anyone feel better, including certain QBs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now on to the Elite Eight Matchups:

 

The “Avian” Bowl: Ducks vs AMB Eagles

 

This game is truly a treat. The Ducks have an efficient and organized team. They have two very good QBs and some up and coming stars at WR. The have great chemistry and play well together as a unit. Meanwhile, the Eagles are chaotic on the field. Hardly efficient, yet overpower their opponents with raw talent and unbelievable skill. They rely on their god given talents to win them games (and up to this point, it has worked). This matchup is very difficult to decipher. They have two very different styles, and its honestly probably the hardest matchup the Ducks will get in their conference.

 

Key Matchups to the Game:

 

Mikhail Davidson vs Godfrey Abu: Who will step up to the center stage and lead their team to glory? Both superstars are very soft spoken and don’t get the credit they fully deserve. Both players are instrumental to their team’s success. Whoever wins this individual struggle will move on to the final four.

 

Prediction:

AMB Eagles 30- Ducks 26: Well for some reason, the aggressive nature of the AMB Eagles and their overall thirst for victory shall outperform the confident and calculated Ducks. Granted, the Ducks could emerge as the winner but something has me believing in the Eagles.

 

 

The “We play in D1 but tried Qb in D3” bowl: DK vs VPC

 

The red hot VPC don’t seam to give a damn who they play. Robbie Robinson is just toying with his opponents on both sides of the ball. Plainly put, they are a team on a mission. DK have a top flight game manager in Rochdi Benabdelkader. His experience with X’s and O’s are unparalleled in division three. He has much less razzle dazzle than his counterpart, but will matriculate the ball downfield nonetheless. Recent events suggest DK will be severely overmatched in this game, given the streak VPC is on. It will be a true test to the psyche of DK to mount an admirable defense.

 

Key Matchup to the Game:

 

Rochdi Benabdelkader vs VPC defence: Can Rochdi slow down the pace of the game and play “keep away” from the red hot VPC attack. Well that will be the goal of this game. Keep the ball far away from the VPC safeties and exploit the short flats in order to make small but reliable gains. Jamal Pierre will need to stir up his usual bag of emotions to pull out this win and all-star rusher Brandon Pierre will need to come up big when it matters most.

 

Prediction:

VPC 33 – DK 18: Sorry men, I have very little faith in your ability to stop VPC’s balanced attack, You barely made it through to this round, and I guess it’s just not your time to shine.

 

 

The “Dirty South” Bowl: Rude Bwoys vs Big TDs

 

This is a conference B, South division matchup which should have taken place during the season. For whatever reason, destiny has brought these teams together on a collision course for playoff supremacy. Both teams are filled with well known characters and emerging stars. The Rude Bwoys caught a break when the U foiled their own chances of winning last week’s game. Meanwhile the Big TDs were business as usual in disposing of Top Sauce. This matchup has all the makings of a classic finish.

 

Key Matchup to the game:

J. Springer vs the Rude Bwoys defence: the RB play a solid mixture of coverages. They get support from all facets of their roster, from the rush to the deep help. Springer will attempt to buy time with his feet as he tries to find his slot receivers in the flats. If the Rude Bwoys fail to cover the front zones effectively, this may be their last game of the season.

 

Prediction;

Rude Bwoys 20 – Big TDs 19 This game will fall on the shoulders of both squads’ defences. Whoever wins the turnover battle shall triumph and advance. I’ve got this sneaking suspicion that the Big TDs might be buying into their own hype slightly (and that usually spells disaster for them). Expect a tight game.

 

The “Déjà vu” Bowl: Dirty Birds vs D-Boys

 

This is “sort of” a rematch from the spring playoff game, which pitted a powerful Gino DiFazio squad against the underdog Dirty Birds. It really is the old cliché of “David vs Goliath”, as the D-Boys have a deep and well balanced all star roster. The Dirty Birds shall counter with their usual swagger and chemistry. The Dirty Birds are well aware of what the “Emperor” can achieve if he gets hot. Thus the game plan must be stick to the basics.

 

Key Matchups to the game:

Marc Champagne vs Jon Young: this is an intriguing safety vs Qb matchup. Jon enjoys the deep ball, while Marc enjoys picking off the deep ball. See how this becomes an issue? Very well, if Jon can neutralize Marc by using yours truly (me) as a deep ball decoy, he might be able to gain some yards underneath. If he attempts anything different, expect varying results.

 

Prediction:

C’mon Man, you really think I can call my own playoff game at this stage….

Castleton’s Random thoughts of the week:

 

1. All Star snubs: nobody cares but you and your insecure ego, get over it.

2. Award winners/Losers: please refer to #1

3. Kings vs Click Clack: this game is a huge trap game for Click Clack. The Kings are hot and Rehan would like nothing more than to watch the Giants fans go home for the season. Let that motivate you, Mr Kamel.

4. Triple Sixers: they looked very beatable in the first half vs Venom. Jon Brown looked poised back there and very encouraged by his recent improvement at QB. Now only if your receivers weren’t so busy imitating Braylon Edwards.

5. Spring season: the Shockers are looking for a challenge in division A, anyone care to oblige?

6. Express: Congrats gentlemen for holding your own in Div 1 and for playing at such a high level. You should be a great example to all division 2 teams who dodge the upper division.

7. Reminder: May I remind some of you that even if your team is in the process of getting eliminated and you choose to act like juvenile delinquent, your behaviour at the end of your playoff game may result in suspension in future seasons.

 

 

Quote of the week:

 

“Guys stop complaining bout the all-star game, a case can be made for each and every one of you.. Fact is: places are limited. You want to give the all-star committee no choice, than just finish 1st overall if stats are what you are looking for. I much rather finish 1st in the standings” – Karim Binette, all world corner and defending Div 1 and Div A Champion