Inside the Redzone (D4) – Finals Recap

 

And then there was one! The Warriors have accomplished the perfect season and thus have joined some exclusive company (namely Young Guns, Wolverines and Dirty Birds). Some people might discredit their success by saying they didn’t belong in Division 4 so their perfect season is tainted. While I agree that they were far ahead of the competition, they still managed to beat the Triple Sixers twice and for that, they deserve to have such an honor. Therefore Warriors, while being stacked, should enjoy the spoils of the victory and be proud of their triumph. As for me, it is the second time in as many years that I have had the privilege of covering a perfect team. However, before I continue to shower the Warriors with praise, it is now time for the most glorious moment of the Winter 2010 Division 4 season.

 

STAR-AWARDS© IV

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

 

Strongest Arm – This award is handed out to a player who has a canon for an arm. Winner: Karim Chaoual – Triple Sixers

 

Best Scorekeeper – This award is handed out to the scorekeeper who best does his job. He is not influenced by players yelling in their 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

Most Improved Player – This award is handed out to the player who has shown tremendous improved throughout the season and is making a big impact on his team’s success. Winner: David Coolidge – Falcons

 

Most Improved Team – This award is handed out to the team that has drastically improved current or from previous seasons. Furthermore they make it very tough for their opponents to defeat them. Winner: BOOM! Goes The Dynamite

Best Leader – This award is handed out to a player who leads his team on and off the field. When things are tough, he takes it upon himself to carry the team on his back via action and words. His teammates look to him for inspiration and he never fails to deliver. Winner: Karim Chaoual – Triple Sixers

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 considered the “class clown” of FlagPlus Football but in a positive way. Either way, he keeps us entertained with his antics, something any league needs. Winner: Matthew Young – Time Bombs

 

Best General Manager/Coach – 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: Nicky McGuire – Warriors

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: Chris St-Francois – BOOM! Goes The Dynamite

Class Act award (Adi Sharma award) – 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: Edward Shoshan – BOOM! Goes The Dynamite

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: Jeff Chabot – Gators

 

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: Dean Demetrio – Warriors

Cinderella team – This award is given to the underdog team that excelled far beyond expectations. Winner: X-Men

Best Dresser (football gear) – This award is handed out to a player who puts on a show, with regards to his apparel. He will wear the best to show that he likes to look good while playing. Winner: Ben Joseph – Briscoe High Hawks (multiple time winner)

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: Pascal Tshilambo – Served With Ice

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: Norman Weekes – Warriors

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: Norman Weekes – Warriors

 

A few extra awards…

 

Best WEPL personality – This award is handed out to the WEPL member 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)

 

Best Team Name – This award is handed out to a team who has the best name, in terms of creativity. Winner: Served With Ice

 

The Moe Khan award – This award is handed out to Moe Khan. Winner: Moe Khan (4 in a row)

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

 

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

 

It was said all season that long their slow starts would come back to haunt them but it seems like they were neck-in-neck against Warriors at the half. However, they just couldn’t keep up in the second half with a very experienced and talented Warriors squad. On a side note, the Triple Sixers defense came to play but they just came up short offensively.

 

Triple Sixers have made it to the finals in two out of their first three seasons. So they should definitely hold their heads up high despite losing the finals. They are taking the next step by entering themselves into Division A in Spring 2010, albeit with a different roster. (Francis Vilaydeth will take some other Triple Sixer players into Division C under the name Terror Squad) and that should lead probably into Division 2 or 3 in Winter 2011. Hats off Karim Chaoual, Patrick Jerome, J.F Marcotte, Alexandre Giroux and the rest for another great season in FPF and see you all in Spring 2010.

 

Champions

 

I will now pay homage to the Warriors one last time. After a long season full of controversy, emotions and hard work, the Warriors are victorious without fail. There wasn’t any moment in the season where it might have looked bleak for them. It is also a celebration for a long time FPF veteran, Danny Roy who played many seasons with the Monarchs and one with Cowboys but was never crowned a champion. Furthermore, most of the Warriors players (formerly Trojan Knights) who came so close (semi finals losses in 2008 and 2009) in the past have now tasted the sweetness of ultimate prize. Sometimes it is worth the wait and I am sure they can attest to that.

 

All the credit in the world goes to Nicky McGuire who assembled the 2010 Warriors with great names such as Ryan Perry, Craig O’Brien and Danny Roy. Not once did Mr. McGuire worry about the chemistry of the team, because he made sure everyone had their proper roles. And last but not least, Norman Weekes finally played to his full potential. Despite the two interceptions in the finals, he put up enough points to secure the win and the playoff MVP; the latter was well deserved.

 

What’s next for Warriors? They will not be playing in the Spring 2010 season however Nicky McGuire has assured me that they’ll be back in Winter 2011 Spring, strong and intend to contend. He is already on the phones talking with some high caliber players so you better believe the Warriors are coming to win Division 3.

 

Another One In the Books

 

We have successfully witnessed another Division 4 season and as I mentioned before, the last two (2009 and 2010) had teams who exhibited perfection. More than that, there were no winless teams and quite a few surprises. Rookie teams made a big impact and made it clear they’ll be back next Winter with a vengeance. Served With Ice not only made the playoffs but won the first round and lost the second round by 1 point. X-Men and Gieuth made the playoffs; the former upset the heavily favored BOOM! Goes The Dynamite before losing to the eventual finalists while the latter lost the Division 4 champions.

 

It goes without saying that many teams felt that Division 4 would have had a more even playing field had Triple Sixers and Warriors been in a higher division. Well, next Winter 2011, Division 4 will be up for grabs and teams such as Gators, FOTC, Sharks, Marauders, Briscoe High Hawks, BOOM! Goes The Dynamite, Snookers and many more will battle it out. However I have the following question “Will we see perfection for a third straight season?” Only time will tell.

 

Closing Remarks

 

I want to thank all the players for constantly giving your opinions and suggestions throughout the season. I can never do my job without your help and support. We had an amazing season that saw many great moments. Congratulations to the Warriors for achieving something special and to Norman Weekes for finally reaching the next level. I will definitely see most of you in Spring 2010 as I’ll be covering Division C. 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