Food For Thought (D4) – Week 7

 

A feeling of unease starts to creep upon unsuspecting teams as the playoffs zoom slowly into their players’ mind frame. With stakes stacking higher every week, I have decided to take some pressure of the big names and recognise the best role players in Division 4.

Week in and week out, these players are relied upon to excel in a specific facet of their team’s game. Be it rushing, snapping, covering the weak side or providing room for the top receiver, these unknown stalwarts are the consummate team players.

 

Alex “Peelz” Bouchard, Rusher – MONGOOSE

While most rushers are small and skinny, relying primarily on their foot speed, Alex is an obvious exception. With his large frame and his long arms, “Peelz” is a scary sight for any opposing quarterback. His 8 passes defended (he has at least one in 6 of his 7 games played) alienate him from all other rushers. Part of one of the best defensive squads in Division 4, Alex is one of the main reasons opposing QBs average a horrible 59.5 passer rating against his team this season.

 

Justin Hétu, Receiver – RAMS

On a team that is desperate for offensive talent, Justin is definitely standing out. While his teammate Gino Conforti is the team leader for catches, Justin has shown a flair for the end zone. Of all 23 Rams TD passes, he has caught 11; the second best total in the league. His diminutive size does not seem to impede him as he has shown that he can outplay taller defenders with his quick feet and sound route-running.

 

Chris Rosen, Receiver – LONGHORNS

While the first word that comes to mind when watching the Longhorns play is “experience”, their best player may very well be a FPF rookie. Chris Rosen (who has the distinct look of a seasoned veteran) is having a tremendous offensive season. Playing for the best offense in Division 4, his numbers might be even higher on a less talented team. On pace for 550+ yards and 15 TDs, Rosen is the cog that was missing for his team’s engine to finally switch into 5th gear.

 

Jeff Brown, Receiver/ Coach/ Mastermind – KLUDGIES

If you are looking for a game plan to thwart the Gators or the X-Men, I suggest you look for Jeff Brown since he seems to have his previous opponents all figured out. Perhaps one of the finest minds in the division, Brown has learned from some of the best players in FPF history including Rochdi Benabdelkader and Paul Lapierre. While his statistics show him as the receiver with the most catches this season, his contribution to the Kludgies goes far beyond that of his sure hands. Jeff Brown may very well be the best center in all of Division 4.

 

Patrice Blouin, Defensive specialist – JETS

Playing on one of the most underrated squads in the league, Patrice Blouin has the experience, the ability and the grit to perform at all defensive positions. Known as an unparalleled rusher, he stepped out of his comfort zone this season to lead the Jets’ defense. One of the most important players on his team, Patrice has asserted himself as one of the 10 best defenders in Division 4.

 

 

After 7 weeks, here is a look at the playoff picture as well as the different teams’ current streaks:

 

Conference A

1. Top Guns (6-1) – W5

2. Gators (5-1-1) – T1

3. Jets (5-2) – W3

4. Park-X Streets (5-2) – L1

5. Monstars (5-2) – W3

6. Mongoose (5-2) – L1

7. Maximum Carnage (5-2) – W1

8. Razorbacks (4-3) – W1

——————————–

9. Run’n’ Wild (4-3) – W4

10. Lobster Dinner (3-2-2) – T1

11. Primetime (3-4) – L4

 

While the first seven playoff berths should not move too much from now till week 10, four teams are poised to pounce on the 8th and final playoff spot. The most important game for all these teams is the Week 9 matchup between Lobster Dinner and Run’n’ Wild. If Lobster wins it, they will most likely finish 8th. If they don’t Run’n’ Wild will most likely take it. A third possible scenario would be that Primetime wins all their remaining games including a potential nail-biter against Mongoose to qualify. However, after 4 straight losses, the odds are stacking higher and higher against them.

Conference B

1. The Family (7-0) – W7

2. Longhorns (6-1) – W2

3. Patriotes (5-2) – W3

4. Sphinx (5-2) – L1

5. Hard Knocks (5-2) – L1

6. X-Men (5-2) – W2

7. The Commission (4-3) – W3

8. Kludgies (4-3) – W3

——————————–

9. Those Guys (3-4) – W1

10. Barbarianz Squad (2-4-1) – L3

11. Sharks (2-5) – L2

Surprisingly, in Conference B, the 8th seeded Kludgies seem more likely to hang on to their playoff spot than the 7th seed Commission. With crucial games against Those Guys and the Sharks, The Commission will have to prove their current record is no fluke if they want to stave off their divisional rivals. However, I have a feeling the Sharks (once again) will prove everyone wrong and win their last three games to slip into the playoffs.

 

Power Rankings

1. The Family (7-0): Against an experienced defence, The Family may not score 35 points this week. They will still win.

Prediction: The Family 32 – Lobster Dinner 13

2. Longhorns (6-1): Big test for Jon Moodie’s offence against the stingy Monstars. If they can stay away from Akeem Hoyte-Charles, they will score their fair share of TDs.

Prediction: Longhorns 27 – Monstars 19

3. Top Guns (6-1): If they can stay disciplined against a fast-talking-and-rough-as-sand-paper Those Guys team, the Top Guns will win without too much difficulty.

Prediction: Top Guns 34 – Those Guys 24

4. Patriotes (5-2): Easy win on the horizon for the Pats, who should feast on the dismal Chaos defense.

Prediction: Patriotes 44 – Chaos 12

5. Gators (5-1-1): Another tough game for the Gators who will have to show why they have one of the best defensive teams against the high-flying offence of the Sphinx. At least an interception for Shawn Haney and a W for the Gators.

Prediction: Gators 28 – Sphinx 24

6. Sphinx (5-2): If Étienne Cloutier keeps throwing the ball downfield every two plays against a defensively alert team like the Gators, his QB rating will take a plunge.

Prediction: Sphinx 24 – Gators 28

7. Jets (5-2): The Jets’ experience will serve them well in this matchup against a young Eudistes team. However, if they take the win for granted, they may be in for a surprise.

Prediction: Jets 34 – Eudistes 28

8. Hard Knocks (5-2): Playing in probably the week’s most intriguing game, Hard Knocks’ chances of victory will depend on the presence of QB Philippe Podtetenev and elite receiver Kris Bastien both in the middle of their spring training with the UdeM Carabins. If both are present, they should handle Park-X Streets.

Prediction: Hard Knocks 21 – Park-X Streets 13

9. X-Men (5-2): The Razorbacks can say goodbye to their 8th spot in the standings as the X-Men will pick them apart this week.

Prediction: X-Men 34 – Razorbacks 21

10. Mongoose (5-2): Once again, the presence of their best elements will be paramount to achieve a victory against the athletic Barbarianz Squad. With a complete roster, the win should be theirs.

Prediction: Mongoose 26 – Barbarianz Squad 20

 

Once again, I hope you have enjoyed this article. Good luck to all for this weekend’s games. For those who don’t like my predictions, I hope you prove me wrong!

If you have any suggestions, comments or wish to make a more direct contribution to this article, please contact me at [email protected]