Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 8
07-03-2012 12:00 AM
Fourth and Goal – Week 8
I accidentally submitted the same introduction twice, and yet you still read and enjoyed it. I’m very happy that my readers support me to this extent. As such, at one point during the playoffs, I will be submitting what I’d like to call “G.M.’s Memories” – a best-of article when I feel that I need a week off from writing.
And Then There Were Two
Well, March Madness is upon us. Since I have very little understanding of bracketology, and to a lesser extent the sport of basketball, I figured I’d stick to football. With no NCAA and no NFL for time being, FPF is all that I need (and all that I have) to keep me entertained.
By popular demand (you know who you are, Eddy Martinez) I’ve taken the suggestion to add teams who are on the outside looking in, but are still within reach of grabbing that last playoff spot. Remember, it’s not simply wins and point differential; divisional record (and head-to-head, if applicable) is the big decider of the playoff spots in ties.
Conference A:
1: Brocassion (8-0) {+ 156}
2: Les Caves (7-1) {+ 118}
3: Hall of Famers (5-3) {+ 97}
4: 69ers (5-3) {+ 32}
5: No Punt Intended (7-1) {+ 71}
6: Sphinx (5-3) {+ 71}
7: Outlaws (5-3) {+ 47}
8: The Incredibles (5-3) {+ 72}
9: Longhorns (5-3) {+ 11}
10: Golden Eagles (4-3-1) {+ 8}
11: Dillon Panthers (4-4) {+ 25}
12: Gators (4-4) {- 7}
———–
The Family (4-4) {+36}
Flight of the Conchords (3-4-1) {-18}
Conference B:
1: X-Men (6-1-1) {+ 55}
2: Hard Knocks (6-2) {+ 74}
3: Embarrassment of Riches (6-2) {+ 105}
4: Clockwork (6-2) {+ 58}
5: Monstars (6-2) {+ 102}
6 : Le Zoo (6-2) {+ 52}
7: Mad Monkeys (5-2-1) {+ 98}
8: The Commission (5-3) {+ 38}
9: Crème de la Crème FFC (5-3) {+ 65}
10: Mongoose (5-3) {+ 63}
11: Beers (4-3-1) {- 56}
12: Les Eudistes (4-3-1) {+ 61}
———–
Marauders (4-4) {+ 6}
Discount Double Check (4-4) {- 4}
Standout Players
Disclaimer: I don’t have any say in the selection of the players of the year. These are strictly my opinions of who look like they can be considered contenders. Remember: the league tends to choose them based on statistical merit, and higher-division players playing the same position are ineligible.
Quarterback of the Year:
Edward Shoshan (Embarrasment of Riches)
Philippe Podtetenev (Hard Knocks)
Greg Stern (The Incredibles)
Receiver of the Year:
Adam Crystal (Hall of Famers)
Jonathan Mack (Hard Knocks)
Marc-Antoine Viens (Les Caves)
Defensive Player of the Year:
Jamie Ojeaha (Broccasion)
Alec Cerantola (Broccasion)
Benoit Gagnon-Brousseau (Les Eudistes)
Two-Way Player of the Year:
Alec Cerantola (Broccasion)
Jason Lachapelle (No Punt Intended)
Greg Stern (The Incredibles)
Semi-Quick Picks
Here’s a quick rundown of what I think will happen in each game. Let’s hope I can come close to being right.
The Incredibles vs. Les Caves – Go to Les Caves’ team page. Good. Now click on defensive stats. Yeah…27 INTs in 8 games is a scary number. Greg Stern is going to have is work cut out for him, especially with the fact that Jacob Peterson has not scored a TD in 3 games (albeit he played half a game as quarterback.) Regardless, I think that this game is going to be closer than it looks on paper. But Les Caves are still going to come out ahead.
Prediction: Les Caves
Lobster Dinner vs. Misfits – Lobster Dinner play an effective brand of ‘no one behind you’ defense, and the Misfits offense loves the deep ball. So while neither of these teams have winning records, the game will be more entertaining than it appears. Taking into account that Lobster QB Jonathan Brown will be out of town and replaced by teammate and former Rip and Run QB Matt Young, things will be interesting to say the least. I’d say with the LD experience throughout the seasons, I’m giving them the nod.
Prediction: Lobster Dinner
Mongoose vs. Beers – A game with playoff implications, as you have spots 10 and 11 in Conference B battling it out. After Beers’ win over Mad Monkeys, their postseason hopes are kept alive. Can they keep this momentum against a Mongoose team who specialize in being the underdog? In all honesty, I think that Mongoose have too balanced an attack in comparison to the one-dimension of Beers. Look for Alexandre Gaudet to find and exploit the weakness.
Prediction: Mongoose
Les Eudistes vs. Trapstars – While the Trapstars have had a few close games along with their win, they’ve failed to measure up when it matters most. On the flip side, aside from week 2, every loss Les Eudistes have encountered has been by a TD or less, despite their difficult schedule. The key for the Trapstars to succeed will be to play ball-control offense, holding onto it for as long as possible to keep the Eudistes’ potent attack at bay. But I don’t think it’ll be enough…
Prediction: Les Eudistes
Golden Eagles vs. Gators – The Gators have guaranteed themselves a playoff spot, and have 4 wins in their last 5 games. However, the full bench of the Golden Eagles will certainly have something to say about that. Being outmanned, Kevin Marlowe is going to have to get creative against an aggressive Golden Eagles defense that will make him earn every inch. James Crowe and Eddy “playoff standings” Martinez are going to need to step up big. Expect a low-scoring yet action-packed game.
Prediction: Golden Eagles
Les Jambons vs. High Rollers – Was it a question of pride, or simply throwing a curveball at the opposition that had High Rollers field Stephane Baganizi at QB instead of Bauna Khim? In any case, with a regular QB who hasn’t played in a week, and a fill in QB who has yet to find a rhythm, Les Jambons are inching ever so close to finding that win. After keeping up with a team like The Family, look for Les Jambons to ham it up and get their first win.
Prediction: Les Jambons
Dragons vs. Hall of Famers – Simon Dagenais is having a tough second-half of the season. Of their 4 previous games, they currently have played the 1st, 5th, 10th and 11th playoff seeds, and are scheduled to still play 3rd and 7th. The one silver lining is that Justin Smolar and the Hall of Famers supporting cast aren’t playing quite as magnificently as they were in the first half of the season. If the Dragons were ever ready to upset a team, now would be the time. And I think it’ll happen.
Prediction: Dragons
Those Guys vs. Marauders – Say what you will about the game, but Those Guys managed to score 52 points on Embarrassment of Riches. While they’ve had a tough outing, the opportunity presents itself for them to spoil the Marauders’ chances at a postseason. Maxime Laflamme and Sébastien Michaud are going to need to be on point with QB Hugo Beausoleil, to prevent any sort of mishaps. But I think that Those Guys will want it more, as long as they keep the ball rolling.
Prediction: Those Guys
Sphinx vs. 69ers – The question is whether or not Sphinx rusher Olivier Ouellet can contain Dean Demetriou, neutralizing his deadly ability to take off on a run or simply buy time for his receivers to get open. However, Sphinx still possess the offensive firepower to go neck-and-neck with the 69ers. Can Etienne Cloutier focus solely on scoring as quick as possible, leaving the ball in the 69ers court and banking on them making a mistake?
Prediction: Sphinx
No Punt Intended vs. Broccasion – The worst part about being a writer: accountability. Because in week 5, I predicted that Broccasion would go 10-0. But my gut is telling me now that the No Punt Intended defense is going to rival Broccasion’s this week. No Punt Intended have a giant crosshair on the back of Broccasion, and are looking to execute. While this game will certainly be different whether or not Norman Weekes has been in the lineup (it feels like weeks since we last saw him!) I’m going to discount my gut feeling and stick to my previous statement.
Prediction: Broccasion
Embarrassment of Riches vs. Hard Knocks – Embarrassment have been at their worst against weaker teams. Their defense at times seems almost absent. So how will they fare against a Hard Knocks squad who love the deep ball and can back it up? One thing is for sure, Hard Knocks are by and far the best team that Embarrassment of Riches play all year. We’ll see if they can keep the duo of Jonathan Mack and Kris Bastien at bay.
Prediction: N/A
The Family vs. Flight of the Conchords – Two teams who can springboard into a playoff spot, should a seeded team falter. Both are experienced teams, both with QB problems of their own. While J-S Ouellette has taken the reins and not looked back, the FOTC crew does not look the same without Jonathan Lemieux in the lineup. In all honesty, I think that The Family wants this one more, and that’s what it’s going to come down to.
Prediction: The Family
Outlaws vs. Dillon Panthers – Dillon Panthers pulled a bit of an upset on Hall of Famers this past week. While Michael Harrington won’t be playoff eligible for the Panthers, he can be a valuable asset to helping them keep their playoff spot and get those two last wins. Outlaws are favored to win, but I think that the Dillon Panthers still have something up their sleeve.
Prediction: Dillon Panthers
Primetime vs. Turf Toe Inc.- While we’re coming dangerously close to seeing the old Primetime re-emerge, they have a shot at putting one in the bag against a team that is both inconsistent and struggling. Turf Toe are doing what they can, but are very rarely on the same page as QB J-F Malette. If Primetime can keep their emotions in check, they have a legitimate shot to improve their record with another win.
Prediction: Primetime
Crème de la Crème FFC vs. Team Bring It – Team Bring It seem to be struggling more as the season goes on, instead of less. Unfortunately, it all comes down to the depth of their opposition’s defense rather than their offense. As the second half is filled with much more resilient defenses than their first half opponents, a tougher time will be had. On the crème side, look for them to continue to do what they do best.
Prediction: Crème de la Crème FFC
FTP vs. Discount Double Check – This might be FTPs lucky game. If Nigel Thomas can buy enough time on his feet, he may actually be able to expose holes in Discount’s defense. Mike Sayegh can continue doing what he does best on offense, as he’s having a fantastic rookie year as QB. As long as the team holds onto their foundation, they’ll be able to hold off the struggling FTP. But it’ll be close.
Prediction: Discount Double Check
X-Men vs. Monstars – A team built around exposing holes on defense up against a team that puts defense first. In all honesty, I’d call this game the division’s GOTW, despite the press other games have gotten on the facebook walls. While X-Men are the higher seed, I’d actually predict them to be the underdog this game. Alex Donia is going to need to limit Andrew Funamoto and the Monstars offense.
Predicition: Monstars
Longhorns vs. Certified Flyguyz – The Flyguyz are stuggling, but held together by their athleticism and the family connection. Longhorns are close enough to almost be considered family, and pride themselves on cutting up athletic teams. Certified Flyguyz may know that their out of the running, but they certainly aren’t close to giving up. Look for them to give the Longhorns a run for their money.
Prediction: Longhorns
Le Zoo vs. Mad Monkeys – Le Zoo faltered this week, mainly due to the fact that QB Frank Kaye threw more than a third of his interceptions that game. Perhaps it was the fact that Kaye knew that his birthday was coming up, and he’d be another year older (24!) With both teams coming off a loss, and neck-and-neck in the playoff race, this one’s going to be good. Anthony Beauchamp-Frezza will need to keep his interceptions down and not pull a “Kaye” if he wishes to come out on this one ahead. Le Zoo’s patented “trust the team” defense may be the difference.
Prediction: Le Zoo
The Commission vs. Clockwork
Higher division QB: Check. Solid spring season that came crashing down in the playoffs: Check. Wait…which of the two teams am I talking about? With both these teams having successful outings in the league previously, they’re going to be fighting each other tooth and nail. But, in the end, I’m going to give this one to Clockwork based on their ballhawking ability.
Prediction: Clockwork
I’d like to thank Eddy Martinez for being such a good sport this week and allowing me to pick on him. He and he alone is allowed to forward hate mail to me at [email protected]
Everyone else must tell me off in person.