The Sarwar Report (D1) – Finals Recap

 

They have finally accomplished the unthinkable and all that is left to say is: all aboard the Express! After defeating the Montreal’s Finest on the last play of the game, they knew they were only one win away from the ultimate prize in FPF. They did exactly that, by defeating the Expos in the finals. And who better to win playoff MVP than their leader, their heart and soul, their franchise player: Mr. Patrick Chénard. He played an interception free game and controlled the offense/clock quite well. SCC was unstoppable again and it appears no team has figured him out after having played 12 games in FPF (12 receptions, 177 yards and 5 touchdowns in two playoff games). I’ll talk a bit more about the Express later but now it is time for the moment everyone has waiting for since the beginning of the year:

 

STAR-AWARDS© IV

The votes are in so without further ado, allow me to present the winners for the Division 4 Winter 2010 season:

Best Scorekeeper – This award is handed out to the scorekeeper who does his job best. He is not influenced by players yelling in his ear or asking for extra added yards to their nightly total. He is calm, composed and accurate. Winner: Alexandre Porras

 

Best Zebra (best referee) – This award is handed out to the referee who best does his job. He is not influenced by players like Rostyn Castleton yelling in ear. He also makes sure no bias is exercised and the right call is made on every down. He is firm, authoritative and fair. He also brings a coin which is used before the game for the coin-toss. Winner: Leo Gervais

Best Entertainer – This award is handed out to the player who will make you jump out of your seats or cleats. He puts on a show on the field and very much so off the field. He is the “Sean Avery” of Division 1. He keeps us entertained with his antics, something every league requires. Winner: Frederic Dupuis – CLR Forces (especially in week 11 against Hurricanes)

 

Fastest Man – This award is handed out to a player who is just simply a rocket. He will use his jets whether he is in running with or without the ball. They say, “Speed Kills” and this player can do exactly that to his opponents. Winner: SCC – Express

Adriano Tassone award (Class Act) – This award is handed out to the player who best represents this league with regards to class. He respects everyone and makes sure that his demeanor is an example for the league to follow. He also brings a superior talent level to the game. Winner: Kevin Challenger – Montreal’s Finest

Best Hands – This award is handed out to a player who has hands like glue. In other words, whether the ball thrown at him might be a great one or a “duck”, he will catch it and make a play. Winner: SCC – Express

 

Best Route Runner – This award is handed out to a player who runs his route to perfection. Whether it is 5 yard hook or a post-corner, he knows how to run his pattern and find an opening. Other times, his router running will get others open as well. Winner: Andre Knights – Montreal’s Finest

Best General Manager – This award is handed out to a player who has put together the best team. He uses his persuasive skills to find the best players and motivates his team to make them play at their best. He makes sure everything runs smoothly on and off the field. Winner: Mathieu Thuot – Express

Best Trash Talker – This award is handed out to a player who can use his words to get inside of his opponent’s head which in effect puts his team at an advantage. Winner: Kishon Thompson – Montreal’s Finest

The Hulk award – This award is handed out to a player who is “jacked”. He simply is a beast and has accomplished it without an illegal substance. Winner: Akked Moore – Montreal’s Finest

 

Most Improved Team – This award is handed out to the team who has shown the most improvement from beginning of the season until the end. It can also be given to a team who has improved the most since Winter 2009 Division 1 season. Winner: Expos (especially after a 0-4 start)

 

Most Improved Player – This award is handed to the player who has show the most improvement from beginning of the season until the end. It can also be given to a player who has improved the most since last Winter 2009 Division 1 season. Winner: Patrick Chénard – Express

STARWAR of the year – This award is handed out to a player who is the ultimate football player with athleticism, football smarts and great leadership. Winner: SCC – Express

League MVP – This award is handed out to an all around best player who not only pushes himself to play better but also his teammates, possesses leadership and plays at a level that is extremely exciting to watch. Winner: SCC – Express

 

A few extra awards…

 

Best WEPL personality – This award is handed out to the host who best does his job. He is calm, cool and collected. He will be serious when needed and make wise cracks to lighten the mood. He is organized and is the glue that holds the show together. Winner: Moe Khan (especially since Daron wasn’t around and the haircut v 1.0 & 2.0)

 

The Moe Khan award – This award is handed out to Moe Khan. Winner: Moe Khan

Best Team Jerseys – This award is handed out to a team who has the best looking jerseys, hands down. Winner: CLR Forces

 

Best Writer – This award is handed out to that person who writes well for FlagPlus Football. His articles are entertaining, informative and keep you on the edge. Winner: John Patrick Mancini

 

**Thank you everyone for voting and congratulations to all the winners. **

 

Runner Up

 

Even though Expos were the second seed, I said it last week that they were not the favorites going into the finals, where they lost for the first time since January 2010. They have nothing to be ashamed of, given the fact they played together for the first time in FPF. Therefore, kudos to them for making the finals after starting 0-4. Although many people will have you believe they “called it” or rather they predicted the Expos would turn it around, only one word comes to mind, DUH! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that a team with Chad Byers throwing and Rochdi Benabdelkader, Paul Lapierre and Teddy Frenette on the receiving side can turn things around. The only reason they started off slow was because their full roster was never there and they had to build some chemistry. In any case, I do hope they return in Winter 2011 and give us another great season.

 

Champions

 

Whoever I speak with has the same thing to say about the Express, they took the road less traveled in FPF and earned a well-deserved championship. Here are some of the comments:

“Good job Express! You guys have come a long way since entering the league in D2 … you guys did it the way it’s supposed to be done!” – Richard Shefteshy

“Good job Express! You guys have come a long way since entering the league in D2 … you guys did it the way it’s supposed to be done!” – Richard Shefteshy “I just wanted to give props to the Express. Jay from the Canes and I were talking about how when no one wanted to stay up in D1, The Express did. They took their beatings and kept slugging away and now have a chance to win it all. Great job guys!” – Rick Nincheri

“Classic FPF story. Move up, take the lumps and look at them now. Also, they could have easily said “we were Cinderella in D2, we still belong there”. But no, they beefed the team up even more and can reach the pinnacle of FPF this weekend.” – Paul Kamel

 

“FlagPlus Football needs more teams like Express who always took the high road. They work hard every season and win the right way. Who can forget their 2008 Division 2 championship run in which they took out the then undefeated Demons. Patrick Chénard has shown everyone that all it takes is hard work, a little bit of connections and you could be the best. We couldn’t ask for a better Division 1 championship team.” – Rehan Sarwar

 

It seems Patrick Chénard and Mathieu Thuot took a page out of Moe Khan’s book. After a quick first round exit from the Winter 2009 playoffs, Chénard and Thuot used the off-season to add some vital pieces to the Express roster (similar to Moe Khan building the Winter 2009 Montreal’s Finest after an embarrassing loss in the Winter 2008 finals). Gabriel Côté was a good addition because he added depth to the receiving core (not to forget a Kevin Challenger like catch against Montreal’s Finest, how ironic) as was JF Marquis, who solidified the defense. The biggest addition was SCC, who not only helped the Express to their first Division 1 title but took the league by storm. He won the receiver of the year, made the All-Star team, set the record for most receiving touchdowns in one season and most important is the STARWAR of the year. Then there are the regulars such as Mathieu Thuot, Bruno Collette, Nicholas Arsenault-Hum and the corner of the defense, Andrija Zecevic. It was a perfect mixture of experience, talent, speed, aggressiveness and clutchness! In the end, everything worked out as it was supposed to and Patrick Chénard deserves a lot of credit for not only putting together most of the team together but also being their leader in every aspect.

 

But let us not forget who deserves the most credit for the Express winning the championship. No it is not Patrick Chénard, SCC, Gabriel Côté or even Mathieu Thuot but rather, the CLR Forces for defeating the Hurricanes in the last game of the regular season. Nevertheless one last time, I would like to congratulate the Express for a hard-fought season. You guys deserve all the glory and all the credit. You have a long off-season to bask it all in and FPF definitely cannot wait until you start your journey to defend the Division 1 title in Winter 2011. Remember, it’s a whole new challenge when the target is on your back as it will be in 2011!

 

Best One Ever?

 

I think it goes without saying that the 2010 Winter Division 1 season has been the best one yet. Sure, last year’s finale saw a great ending between Montreal’s Finest and Hurricanes, however, let’s just look at what transpired this season:

 

• Hurricanes finished below .500, missed the playoffs and folded as a team

 

• Expos started 0-4 and then didn’t lose until the finals

 

• Rainmakers showed great character by making playoffs in a tough Division 1 and lost to the Expos by 1 point in the playoffs

 

• CLR Forces defeated the Hurricanes twice, the second win knocking the Hurricanes out of the playoffs

 

• Express upset the 9-1 Montreal’s Finest in the semi-finals

 

• Express win the championship in only their second season in Division 1

 

• SCC sets the single season record in touchdown receptions with 27

 

• Patrick Chénard elevates his game to the next level. He wins two-way player of the year, playoff MVP and the Division 1 championship

 

So there is no doubt in my mind that this was the best Division 1 season ever. But what does Winter 2011 have in store? Well, we know for certain that five teams will return (Express, Expos, Montreal’s Finest, Rainmakers, CLR Forces). Although six was the perfect number of teams this season and was the main reason behind the parity in the Winter 2010 Division 1, I believe that if three more teams can make the jump up from Division 2, the parity will still be there. A few weeks ago, I wrote in detail about what teams can make the jump up to Division 1 and in doing so will create a more balanced Division 1. Regardless, all current Division 1 teams will definitely work hard in the off-season and will come back strong as the Express did in Winter 2010. Express have set a new standard and I look for CLR Forces and Rainmakers to follow suit in 2011.

 

As for me, once again, I have had the honor of covering such an eventful season and wish my coverage was extensive. Let’s not forget that I was the first one to coin the term “SCC” and it caught on like wildfire (thank you very much). Since there is no Division 1 in Spring, I will be back in Winter 2011 because Division 1 demands the very best and yours truly is the perfect man for the job. So one last time, I would like say congratulations to the Express for a great season and a well deserved championship. Also thanks to all players and fans for your feedback, comments and suggestions throughout the season. It has been a great pleasure and I look forward to seeing you some of you in Spring and the rest next year. So good bye, farewell and I’ll leave you with the following quote:

 

“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.” – Vince Lombardi