Playoff Picture – Division 1

              This week I decided to break my article up into two separate parts. Essentially, because the Division 2 week 9 schedule is complete, I will cover that division today; Division 1, you’ll have to wait a few more days!

              Something epic took place Sunday night in Lachine; I can honestly say that in all the years I have played in this league I have ever heard of something this embarrassing yet so epic at the same time. The game between Demons and Flag Moi L’Sac can be compared to a polar bear getting slapped in the face by a salmon. If you haven’t heard yet, stick around for my highlights.

Although most of you probably already crunched the numbers and probabilities, this week I will give you your team’s best and worst case scenarios. While Conference B is settled, Conference A is still up in the air. It’s ironic that with a 1-7 record after week 8 you’re still in the playoff hunt, but that’s the case for Express and Terror Squad. In the end if no one steps up and takes control of the ship, Demons will play the roll of the Pirates from the movie Captain Phillips: cue the music and Picture Carmine Pollice saying: “No one gets hurt… Easy.. Ehhh!!… Look at me… Look at me…I am the Captain now”. For all of us who saw the movie we know the faith of the pirates, it’s not pretty!

Quick Highlights:

– With their season on the line, Terror Squad came to ball. Tam Vilaydeth seems to have gone back to the drawing board and brought simplicity back to the forefront. They ate up the field, taking what was given all game long. Tam’s only mistake was giving as much time as he gave to DK for their final drive, which ultimately won DK the game. Adi Sharma sealed the deal with his 4th interception of the season on the second-to-last play of the game. Terror Squad are still in the running for that last spot in the playoffs available across the waters in conference A. Thankful for the cross over rule they just need to win some games.

– I said it on the podcast, Kevin Wyeth will find a way to throw even if he only has one hand. Although many thought he wouldn’t, Kevin found a way to do it. He might have looked weird, but when judgment is irrelevant to you, why not play with a tire on your left arm. Perhaps not the best decision to play with such an injury when your team is guaranteed first place and a first-round bye, but what less can you expect from a competitor like Kevin. Jamal Gittens and Antonio Lanni had incredible two-way games. A lot of guys on each side were put in situations of discomfort due to the absence of key players. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it must be an incredible luxury to throw 3 interceptions and still win a game. Finest’s defense has elevated their game this year like never before, even with the absence of the Taylor brothers this past week they pulled through. Brian Lariviere being limited to two receptions on the night is a clear indicator that Kevin is having a hard time finding the laces on the ball with only one free-hand. He’s always thrived off quick fire passes and to be able to do that you need to quickly get a handle on the ball. Going forward both teams are now playing for form and chemistry.

– Flag Moi L’Sac beat Demons 46-26.. Funny thing is, FML lined up and played 5 on 6 for over 50% of the game. Have you ever seen a dog tuck his tail between his legs and shy down? Well that’s what I would have done if I was playing for Demons. FML won both halves! They forced four interceptions! I am even more shocked that Carmine Pollice threw two of his four INT’s against a five-man unit! This would be like watching the Habs play the last two periods on the power play against the Leafs, and still lose 4-1. A game that will make the Demons lose sleep for sure. They had a chance to win a big game versus a team who couldn’t field a six-man roster and without their offensive threats, and still buckled! With a win, the Demons had a seat in the playoffs guaranteed. Now honestly, more then ever, I doubt their abilities as a team. Good for you FML for coming up with the win. Alex Nadeau-Piuze showed off his athletic abilities. He finished the game with 4 passing touchdowns and two pick sixes, one from the opposite redzone! Shame on you Demons, you’re better than that. My Nonna would take care of you guys individually, black listed for life, “mal occhio” and everything!  

– With the absence of Patrick Chenard, Express did not stand a chance versus the Rainmakers. Jean-Francois Marquis did what he could but couldn’t pull through at the quarterback position against a division one defense. Ryan Kastner did what he does best, spread the wealth and allowing his guys to make plays. Chris McGuire doubled his receiving stats with 3 receptions for 44 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Rainmakers defense forced three turnovers, which never allowed Express to get into a rhythm offensively. It’s the same song for Express as it is for Terror Squad. They are still in the running, read further to find out how.

Division One Awards:

My top three players (in no particular order) in the lead for the award: Keep in mind I probably value things differently than you… The number of votes indicated next to the team is how many consecutive weeks this player has been on my list.

Quarterback of the Year:

-Rochdi Benadelkader (DK) 3 votes

-Kevin Wyeth (Montreal’s Finest) 4 votes

-Ryan Kastner (Rainmakers) 2 votes

 

Receiver of the year:

-Patrick Jerome (Terror Squad) 3 votes

-Serge Pilon (DK) 2 votes

-Akked Moore (Montreal’s Finest) 2 votes

 

Defensive Player of the Year:

-Ryan Aridi (DK) 3 votes

-Adi Sharma (DK) 1 vote

-Olivier Bourdages (Montreal’s Finest) 2 votes

 

Two-Way Player of the Year:

-Serge Pilon (DK) 4 votes

-Kishon Thompson (Montreal’s Finest) 5 votes

-Patrick Jerome (Terror Squad) 4 votes

 

Division 1 Freaks of the Week:

QB: Rochdi Benabdelkader ~20/29 for 220 yards and 6 TDs~ Heating up when it matters most.

WR: Serge Pilon ~7 Receptions for 66 yards and 3 TDs~ Catching ducks is not as easy as it looks!

DB: Alex Nadeau-Piuze ~3 Tackles and 2 pick six~ Never seizes to impress.

R: JP St-Pierre ~3 sacks~ The stats coming out of this game are incredible. To think they did the majority of this down a player, wow!

 

The KISH Award for week 5:

Alex Nadeau-Piuze

*for the best two way player of the week.

 

My Picks Division 1:

Express (+4) VS Demons

Big game for Express, they absolutely need to win this game. Demons are fresh off their worst performance of the season, it’s time to pounce! The key will be to get SCC very involved; Demons don’t have anyone that can match up well with him on defence. Last time they met however, Demons won 40-24.

Rainmakers (-1.5) VS Flag Moi L’Sac

Who wants the bye? This is like throwing a bone between two Rottweilers. Who will tame who? Flag Moi L’Sac has done nothing but improve every game this season. The Rainmakers final broke their losing streak last week but can they start up a new more positive streak? I think not.

DK (+6) VS Montreal’s Finest

Both teams are playing for form at this point. Will Kevin throw again and risk further injury his thumb? I hope so, I wouldn’t want to play against any other QB when facing the Finest. Last time they met, Rochdi looked like he had seen a ghost before the game, that or he may have had one too many recreational beverages. Let’s stay classy, Montreal.

Terror Squad (+7.5) VS D-Boys

Stuck between a rock and a hard place is the situation Terror Squad find themselves in. Will the absence of D-Boys fire power be a factor in this game? Can Tam erase the last play from his last game versus DK and continue charging forward and building on his momentum. They are up against a very aggressive team who don’t care that about the fact that they’ve clinched, they don’t want to lose. D-Boys are looking for ways to compensate for their loss and I wouldn’t want to be their Guinea Pig.

Last week I was again a perfect 4 for 4. That makes me 22 in 28 on the season, pretty solid if you ask me.

 

Playoff Picture Division 1:

You can still find my preseason prediction in brackets. The picture is already very clear! Let me explain.

Conference A:

1st- *Flag Moi L’Sac 6-2… (5-5 for 4th overall)

Best case: (1st) This week is the big one. If you beat Rainmakers you are guaranteed a first round bye. If you lose this week and win next week, you will still clinch first.

Worst case: (2nd) If you lose this week and lose next week combined with Rainmakers winning out, you will drop to 2nd do to the H2H record versus Rainmakers.

 

2- *Rainmakers 4-4… (4-6 for 6th overall)

Best case: (1st) Win out, combined with FML losing week 10 you will finish first with a bye.

Worst case: (3rd) if you lose out and Demons win out they will have the advantage.

 

3- Demons 2-6… (2-8 for 8th overall)

Best case: (2nd) Win out, combined with the Rainmakers losing out and you will take over second place

Worst case: (4th) If you lose out and Express wins out, they will take over 3rd. If you lose one of the two you will remain in third, you will either have advantage over Express or be tied, either way you divisional record will save you against them. If Terror Squad wins out and you lose one they will come over to this conference and steal your seat.

 

4- Express 1-7… (6-4 for 3rd overall)

Best case: (3rd) Win out and the seat is yours if Demons lose out and terror squad loses one of their two games.

Worst case: Now this is where everything gets real serious: If you beat Demons this week and lose week ten, combined with Demons losing week ten and Terror squad wins one of their two games, we will have a three way tie. Second scenario for a three-way tie would be: You beat Demons this week and they then lose week ten, combined with Terror squad winning out. In both scenarios the tiebreaker is divisional record. Unfortunately in both scenario demons will always hold a better record.

 

Conference B:

1- **Montreal’s Finest 8-0…(9-1 for 1st overall)

Best case: Win out and you will finish 1st with a first round bye.

Worst case: Lose out and you will still finish 1st with a first round bye.

 

2- *DK 5-3… (4-6 for 5th overall)

Read what I wrote about D-Boys

Best case: (2nd) Win out or win one combined with D-Boys losing out

Worst case:(3rd) Lose out combined with one win from D-boys

 

3-* D-Boys 5-3… (7-3 for 2nd overall)

Best case: (2nd) Doesn’t matter what you do at this point, you’re playing DK first round. You can finish 2nd in conference if you win out and DK loses one. If DK also wins out they will hold the divisional record advantage since the H2H is tied.

Worst case: (3rd) If you lose one and DK wins out, you will drop to third. Like I said, none of it matters. Stay healthy and start planning for DK.

 

7- Terror Squad 1-7… (3-7 for 7th overall)

Best case: (3rd) with the cross over rule, if you win out combined with one loss from demons and express you will finish third because you hold the head to head versus Demons. If you win one game and both demons and Express lose out you will finish third.

Worst case: (4th) Lose out combined with one win from Express. You do not have advantage over Express, therefore if they win out you’re done no matter what.

 

*Clinched playoff

**Clinched a first round bye

^Mathematically out

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. Once again good luck to everyone! Don’t forget to check out the podcast by G.M Kolethras and I, Thursday night around 10:15! Follow me @VinceNardone for very little action on twitter or stop me at the field to chat. Till next time… Get better, make adjustments, learn and move forward.