Quarterfinal Preview; what to look for

FINALLY!!!! The playoffs have come back to Flag Plus Football. Sorry, I know Wrestlemania is over, but I just had to. As expected the Divisional Round of the playoffs delivered some outstanding football.

Up next is the Quarter Finals aka the Elite 8. The fun starts this Tuesday night at Stade Hebert.

Before I go any further, let me say to the Tigerz (more on them later), N.W.O, Mountain Goats, The Pocketwatch, Balls Deep, The Sun Bros, Diablos, and Jean Guy, sorry to see you guys go. Congrats on a great season, and on making it to the dance. Hopefully this season serves as a building block to better things in the spring.

 

Conference A

(1) Flagrant Fouls vs (4) Woofpack

Previous Match-up: Flagrant Fouls 31-18 (Week 4)

Besides their 3 point win over Obamacare in Week 8, the aforementioned meeting between the Flagrant Fouls and the Woofpack was the closest game Double F played this season. No, I am not counting their Week 1 contest against the Smokin’ Axolotls. As I’ve said before, you can’t take too much out of games played that early in the season.

While Flagrant Fouls quarterback Ross Olshansky was his usual self throwing for 5 touchdown passes, the real key to the win for Double F was the performance of Alex Evangelidis. The play-making rookie had 4 catches for 89, 3 TDs, and added 2 of his season total twelve sacks.

Double F also got solid contributions that night from the usual suspects including Marty Freedman and Jesse Castiel.

During that game, the Flagrant Fouls were without 2nd leading WR Matt Leblanc. The second year player who leads his team in yards per catch (minimum 10 catches) and has 6 INTs -it was hard leaving him off my list of nominations for two-way player of the year- is definitely a difference maker. One could make the argument that if he had played in the Week 4 matchup, his team would have scored more points, and not given up as much.

*Side Note: I found out from an inside source (thanks Ross lol) that Leblanc missed the game because he was in Arizona attending the Super Bowl. If there’s a reason to miss an FPF game, that would be it.

Through the air Terry Tam wasn’t nearly as effective as his counterpart going 12 of 28 for 123 yards passing 2TDs and 1 interception. The Woofpack pivot was strong with the ground game however, as he rushed for 4 times for 55 yards and a TD.

While Woofpack two-way threat Yacoub Telemaque proved that night why he is such a dynamic player in recording a pick to go along with 4 catches for 53 yards and a score, Terry Tam’s crew also got a big performance out of Frederico Alzamora who had 5 grabs for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Basically that game came down to stops. Flagrant Fouls were able to get more than the Woofpack did.

Keys to victory

The Woofpack will need a much better start than they had in their first round matchup against Jean Guy. Their high-powered O struggled to find their footing early, before coming alive before the half. The key for that will be getting a better performance out of the aforementioned Terry Tam.

As I’ve said before to many of Flagrant Fouls’ opponents, the Woofpack will have to be disciplined with their coverage, as Olshansky is arguably the best QB in D6 at extending plays with his feet and giving extra time for his receivers to get open. It’ll start with the aforementioned Telemaque, the long and effective Michael Café, and recent ball-hawk Patrick Geffard who has registered 6 interceptions in his last 5 games. All 3 players will need to bring their A game Tuesday night if they want to have any hope at pulling off the upset.

Speaking of starting sloppy, the Kentucky Wildcats of FPF certainly didn’t have the start or the first half that many people, including yours truly expected. They struggled mightily on both sides of the ball, and were down 12-6 at halftime.

They were able to right themselves and put away the scrappy Pocketwatch, but now a huge question remains after their win. Were the Flagrant Fouls simply overlooking their opponent last Saturday night, or are the bright lights of the playoffs too much for Double F to handle? We’ll have our answer Tuesday night.

Prediction: Flagrant Fouls will use their Round 1 game as a wake-up call and take care of business against the Woofpack. One-man wrecking crew Yacoub Telemaque will get his numbers, put it won’t be enough for his team to end Double F’s undefeated streak.

Flagrant Fouls 38 – Woofpack 20

 

(2) L.A’s Finest vs (3) Obamacare (My official pick for game of the week)

Previous matchup: L.A’s Finest 36-6 (Week 4)

Without a shadow of a doubt, this should be THE game of Round 2. Two fantastic teams who are capable of greatness on both sides of the ball. Both teams are eerily similar. They’re both confident in their abilities, and have no problem letting you know about it.

With L.A.F it starts with the always entertaining Andrew Grant (my Category Number 1 choice for WR of the year), he talks so much that he could represent his whole team.

For Obama’s crew, it begins with Kyle McGuigan. The trash talking, and staring down of opponents after he scores a TD on them has become a trademark. –McGuigan talking almost got him suspended for their upcoming game, after he got into with some members on the N.W.O bench- Just like Grant; you know when he’s on the field.

 

It doesn’t end there though. When both teams are up by a lot, they make sure their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string QBs get a chance to shine. Grant, Billy Makris, Mickey Morini, and McGuigan have all taken snaps behind center.

Yes, L.A‘s Finest laid a beat down in their Week 4 meeting. Yes, Jordan Mcinnis played his worst game in FPF. Yes, Obamacare only scored on a jump ball to Andrew Hopkins on the last play of the game. But, I think this game will be different.

Keys to victory

For L.A’s Finest, they need to play suffocating defense like they did the first time out. They’ll also need to take away the intermediate routes of McGuigan and the extremely underrated Mike Ambro. I for one am looking forward to a possible Ambro vs Billy Makris and Matthew Pisaturo vs Theo Giannakos matchup, as the result will definitely play a factor in the outcome of this one.

Although Obamacare has the size advantage, L.A.F has the edge in the speed department. Andrew Grant and Ricky Cobein bring that attribute to the table, and they will make sure to test Obamacare’s D early and often.

For Obamacare, first and foremost they will need to score more than the 6 points they scored the first time around. For that to happen, they will need to get more production not only form Mcinnis, but from the aforementioned Ambro and McGuigan who were completely shut down in the previous meeting.

This area is where the absence of stud two-way player Andrew Hopkins will be felt the most. His team leading 14 TDs will definitely be missed.

The purple and yellow will also need to show up on the defensive end. The 6 TD passes they allowed to L.A.F pivot Theo Bekelis were a season high.

Prediction: Besides the speed department, L.A’s Finest holds the edge in depth. Although I honestly feel this game will be more of a contest than their first meeting, I see L.A.F getting the W.

L.A’s Finest 28 – Obamacare 21

 

Conference B

(1) Pardon My Swag vs (6) Beast Mode

Previous Match-up: Pardon My Swag 30-13 (Week 4) Do you see a trend here?

This match comes with a bit of controversy after Pardon My Swag lost to the Tigerz last Saturday in the Divisional Round. Long story short, the Tigerz were found to have violated two rules. They had a player participate in the game who was ineligible, and they tried to pass him off as someone else. Yes, you read that right…

I will just say this about the issue, it is up to the captain of each and every team in FPF to make sure their players play at least the mandatory amount of games (Winter Season 6 / Spring Season 5) to qualify for the playoffs. As a captain myself, I know being responsible for a team can be a pain (especially the collecting cash part) but that’s what you sign up for when you choose to enter a team.

I was on the sidelines Saturday along with two other FPF employees. The three of us were reassured by a member of the Tigerz that everything was legit. Clearly it wasn’t. My simple advice, take care of your business, and next time don’t lie about it. As any other time in life when you get caught lying, your credibility takes a hit.

After all that, Pardon My Swag advances.

As I mentioned above, Pardon took their regular season match-up with Beast Mode. (Side Note: I was going to abbreviate Swag’s name like I do for most teams like L.A’s Finest/L.A.F, but I think I made a good decision not to do that here.)

In that first meeting, Beast Mode had no answer for the Brad Evans-Jonathan Grizzley connection, as they looked like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison in their prime. Evans threw 5 TDs that night, and 4 of them went to the Bronx native (thanks again Vince lol!)

With an 18-7 lead at the half for Pardon My Swag, the game was pretty much over.

Keys to victory

For Beast Mode just like Obamacare, they will need to score more points. B.M’s trio of WRs in Maxime Turpin-Lalonde, Martin Beaudry, and Francis Sunsaine are a hard matchup for any secondary, but they will need to show it unlike the first meeting. Sunsaine didn’t play that game. Although it might not have made a huge difference, the rookie’s TD per game ratio shouldn’t be ignored.  

In their Round 1 upset over The Sun Bros (predicted right here!!!!) the aforementioned two-way All-Star Turpin-Lalonde took the reins at QB for an absent Samuel Saumure.

Turpin-Lalonde who made his season debut at the position in his team’s season finale against the Diablos and looked ok going 10 of 21 for 85, with 3 TDs, and 3 picks, and a TD run, looked like the second coming of Andrew Luck going 11 of 17 for 173 yards and 5 TDs, and 1 interception.

Beast Mode would also be wise to take a page out of the Tigerz book. No, not what you’re thinking, but they’ll need to contain the aforementioned Grizzley. The rookie, who scored at least 2 TDs in all but three games this year, was held to 2 catches for 45 yards and a TD. While those are good stats for some players (he also recorded an INT) they are pedestrian for a player of Grizzley’s abilities.

For Pardon My Swag, besides getting more balls to Grizzley, they will need a MUCH better performance out of their QB Brad Evans. Going 7 of 21 for 84 yards in a game let alone a game of last week’s magnitude simply won’t cut it.

They’ll also need to dispel the belief that they are just a one trick pony on offense. To do that, they will need to get production out of their other WRs. Vincent Duquette, Alex Torres, and Michel Thouin will need to deliver. All of the Swag WRs had drops last Saturday against the Tigerz; they will definitely need to hang onto the ball if they want to advance.

Prediction:

Firstly, the Grizzley – Turpin-Lalonde matchup should be great.

Secondly, Beast Mode now has an ace up their sleeve. Will we see the extremely effective Samuel Saumure, or the multi-faceted Turpin-Lalonde at QB? Both players aren’t afraid to tuck the ball and run, so at least Pardon My Swag won’t have to change their approach defensively too much.

Thirdly, I honestly feel that all the pressure in this one is squarely on Pardon My Swag. From their one-man offense, to their “defeat” at the hands of the Tigerz, to the fact that they play in the weaker Conference, the whispers of them being overrated are getting louder and louder. They have a chance to shut up the critics however, and it begins Tuesday night…I don’t think they do it.

Beast Mode 26 – Pardon My Swag 18

 

(2) The Mean Machine vs (5) Wax On Wax Off

Previous Match-up: 31-27 Mean Machine (Week 4 AGAIN!!!!)

This is a potential sleeper for game of the week candidate. In their regular season encounter, the Mean Machine pulled off the 4 point victory.

That game was a tale of two halves as Wax On Wax Off scored all of their 27 points in the first half and jumped out to a 27-12 lead.

The second half was completely different as Wax couldn’t move the ball on offense, and their D gave up 19 points.

Just like Beast Mode, The Mean Machine seem to have a penchant for playing half games too. Last week in their first round matchup against Balls Deep, Double M was down 20-12 at the half.

Two-way player and quarterback All-Star selection Daniel Goloff put his team on his shoulders as he threw for 2 TDs and ran an Anthony Pitoscia interception back to the house for a pick 6.

Wax On Wax Off got here by knocking off the Diablos 24-13.

Dangerous Danny D’Amour proved why he was my choice for Wide Receiver of the Year in category number 2 as he lit up the Diablos for 3 TDs on 7 catches for 89 yards. He even added an interception for good measure.

Keys to victory

For Double M, they will need to take care of business themselves, and not rely on their opponents to fall on their face in the second half. Like I said earlier, Balls Deep held a 20-12 halftime lead last week. Two second half picks (one of which was returned for a TD) and a safety all but handed The Mean Machine win.

For The Mean Machine they will also need Daniel Goloff to come through like he has all season. If their All-Star, who is the only player in D6 to lead his team in both TD passes and INTs, can make an impact on both sides of the ball as usual, I like Double M’s chances.

For me, I think Wax On Wax Off is a streaky team…Maybe streaky isn’t the best word to describe Wax On Wax Off. Maybe hot and cold would be better. When things are rolling for this team and Jordan Bellemare has time and is comfortable in the pocket, he and their offense can be unstoppable.

On the other hand, when he gets rushed, or when too many of his passes get batted down, he gets frustrated and it throws off not only his rhythm, but it appears to shake him mentally.

The same thing could arguably be said about the heart of the team Justin Occhionero. He definitely wears his emotions on his sleeves. When things are going great, he’s cheering on the team and practically high fiving everybody in sight. When things go south, it looks like he is ready to fight anybody within reach, including his own teammates. I can honestly say it has been a pleasure to watch him play this year.

How fast Bellemare is able to get the ball out of his hands and to his WRs most notably D‘Amour, Normand Bellemare, and two-way all-star Alex Grey.

Chasing the junior Bellemare down all game will presumably be rusher Jordan Itzkovitz. He will have the task of keeping the speedy QB in check. Although he was listed on the game roster, Mark Benheim recorded the only sack for Double M last week. The former played a big role in his team’s Week 4 win, as he picked up 2 sacks.

The other key for The Mean Machine will be forcing the Wax defense to pick their poison. Adam Smolar, Oren Ben-Brith, Michael Ziegler, and Stephen Sayegh are all dynamic WRs. (Ben-Brith put on a clinic in their previous meeting) Spreading the ball around, and keeping Wax’s defense guessing would be the best approach.

Prediction:

It will be interesting to see which Wax team shows up. Will the team that pulled off the upset last week and gave Double M a real run for their money in Week 4 show up, or will the team that pretty much fell short in every big match-up they had this season excluding the two games I just mentioned, make an appearance?

I don’t think Wax has it in them. Dangerous Danny D’Amour will do his damage, but Wax will need more than just him. Besides, I think the Conference B road to the Finals goes through Double M.

The Mean Machine 40 – Wax On Wax Off 21

 

Picks

Regular Season: 72-26 * I’m putting an asterisk beside my loss total because in Week 10 I picked the Mountain Goats to beat the Smokin’ Axolots. The game ended in an 8-8 tie. Is it my fault a baseball or hockey game broke out? I say no, but I’ll man up and reluctantly put it in the loss column.

Playoffs: 8-0. Damn I’m good.

That’s it for this week. I’ll be back next week with the review of the Quarter-Finals, and I’ll set you guys up for the Semi/Conference Finals.

Once again, if you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt I left something out, don’t be shy. You can shoot me a tweet at @BADNEWS51, or do it the semi-old fashioned way and e-mail me at [email protected]

Before I forget, happy Easter and Passover to everybody. If you don’t celebrate either, than happy 4-day weekend. That’s something everybody can enjoy.

I’ll see you guys Tuesday night!