Categories: DivisionDivision 1Division 2Men'sWinter

The Truth: great lineup of quarterfinal matchups

I’d like to start by giving my condolences to all of you who no longer have a reason to read my article this season. Defeat is one of the worst feelings in life. The only thing that can ever cure your wound is time, and the other is an honest evaluation of yourself. It doesn’t matter whether your evaluation is good or bad, it just needs to be honest. As long as you come to peace with the past and figure out how to alter what it is that went wrong, you’ll be able to move on and come back stronger. If in your reflection you flirt with the idea that you could have done more, or you could have given more to the team, then you have a deeper rooted problem. It’s one thing to get out- X’s and O’d by another team, but it’s a whole other thing to be accountable for your effort. I’d be lying to you if I told you everyone deserves to win. The true make up of a championship team lies in its players’ collective will and determination to give everything they have on every play. That’s where accountability is the most important. A true leader needs to make every player accountable for his effort. Everyone on the team is directly affected by any given individual’s decisions. This is why I love covering the top two divisions. I know for a fact in the top division everyone is playing for keeps. No one has the mind-set that this is just a recreational league and that we play just for fun. We’ve all been around football for long enough to know that it’s not fun to lose! Enjoy every second you get on the turf, and make sure you leave yourselves no doubt that you’ve done everything you could.

 

Game Preview

DK VS Loonatics

Previous Matchup: Loonatics 44 / DK 25

If their first match-up was a foresight on what is to come in this game, then hold on to your hats people; Paul Lapierre was near perfect, throwing for 285 yards and 7 touchdowns. Has anything changed since then that would lead us to believe DK is going to do better against a potent offense? I think so. Loonatics have taken beatings in their last three games of the regular season, meanwhile, DK has won their last two games and head into this one with way more confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I realize it takes more than confidence to win a football game, but it is a strong foundation for success. Although the tides can quickly change direction, I believe DK’s season has led them to a good place as a team.

Youssy Pierre has been Paul’s saviour this year, but he has been absent the past two weeks. If he doesn’t make it to this game, Paul and the Loonatics stand no chance at all. I said it early on and I’ll say it again now, DK has an incredible defense. I believe even if Rochdi Benabdelkader struggles, DK’s defense should be enough to beat a fragile Loonatics team.

Key players for DK: The Pilons, N. Arsenault-Hum, Rochdi Benabdelkader

Key players for Loonatics: Paul Lapierre, Youssy Pierre, JR Verger

Prediction: DK

 

Got-Skills VS Rainmakers

Second Matchup: Rainmakers 26 / Got-Skills 25

First Matchup: Rainmakers 39 / Got-Skills 32

 

If there’s one team out there that Rainmakers seem comfortable playing, it’s Got-Skills. Got-Skills have been nothing but impressive this year. For the team’s first season in division one, they should mark it down as a great success. Rainmakers head into the playoffs on a four game losing streak. Wolverines did the same thing in division two, and they got vaporized. Both teams deserve to move on, yet I find it hard to continue giving the Rainmakers love. I feel after all these years in the division, if they can’t win in the playoffs this year then they may never do it. The division is only getting stronger. If you’re not hunting, then you’re being hunted. Both teams score points efficiently but only one plays defense. Rainmakers have given up 66 more points than Got-Skills. That’s a touchdown more per game, which is basically the difference between winning and losing.

In the last matchup, which you can watch in its entirety in the Game of the Week archive, Got-Skills QB Nicola Centomo had a bad game and left a lot of points on the table. I don’t think G-S is going to allow this game to come down to an extra point this time around.

Key players for Got-Skills: Nicola Centomo, Samuel Drapeau, S. Lagloire-O’Connell

Key players for Rainmakers: Ryan Kastner, Micheal Chitayat, Tim Kraemer

Prediction: Got-Skills

 

Clockwork VS Served with Ice

Previous Matchup: Served With Ice 27 Clockwork 18

 

Marco Masciotra was not good last time these two teams met. Served with Ice made him pay for every mistake he made. The SWI defense forced three interceptions and held Clockwork to a season-low 18 offensive points. It seems the SWI defense knows something no one else does. One thing is certain, Marco isn’t healthy coming into this game. If Served with Ice can find a way to capitalize against a weaker defense without Marco on the field, they should have the advantage in this game. A lot of players are going to take the field in this game knowing what it takes to win playoff football. There is going to be no lack of heart or effort in this game. This game is going to come down to details. How perfect can you be? How badly do you want it? I can tell you from having seen CW beat CLR after falling behind by 15 points in the first half that they want it bad. Kyle Lebofsky may not be a name you hear very often in D1/D2, but he is the most dangerous player lurking in the shadows of FPF. He single-handedly dragged his team over the finish line against CLR. On the other side of the ball, don’t count out one of the best two-way players in the division: JD Chevalier. JD is a one man wrecking crew, as humble as they come and a real game day stud. Looking forward to seeing this game!

Key players for Clockwork: Marco Masciotra, Kyle Lebofsky, Matt Kirouac

Key players for SWI: Jordan Penetta, JD Chevalier, David Shopov

Prediction: Clockwork

 

Gladiateurs VS O.N.S.

Previous Matchup: Gladiateurs 44 – O.N.S. 14

 

Don’t let that scoreline fool you. That never would have happened if O.N.S All-World QB Kevin Wyeth was present. Although the Gladiateurs possess some elite level players, no one is stopping Kevin right now. He is nonchalantly slicing up defenses like never before. After a mere above-average start to the season, Kevin looks like he’s back on track. Glads are going to want to prove a point here against a strong opponent. I think they have the perfect opportunity to turn us all into believers once again. Frank Lebeau is most likely going to have himself a field day going up against a weak O.N.S. defence, but will it be enough? Like every other game Kevin part takes in, I think this is going to be a race to 50. Do the Gladiateurs have another turnover in them after forcing so many already this year?

Key players for Gladiateurs: Frank Lebeau, Alex Nadeau-Piuze, Alex Lever

Key Players for O.N.S: Kevin Wyeth, Scott Payne, Chris Pinsonneault

My prediction: O.N.S.

 

Untouchables VS Legends

Previous Matchup: Untouchables 27 – Legends 24

If the second half of the season is a true testament to the kind of team Untouchables have become, this is going to be a one and out for them. Legends are coming off an impressive game where they defeated #NR on the last play of the game. While having a bye weak gives you time to prepare yourself I believe time off is the last thing Untouchables needed at this point. I’m truly hoping they took the time to get together during their time off and find a way to get the whole squad working efficiently and collectively. It’s going to be hard to win in the playoffs if every guy is pushing in a different direction. Look for Corey Pecker to continue making plays and forcing the opposition’s hand on offense. Untouchables match-up very well against they Legends, but can they take advantage?

Key players for Untouchables: Justin Lavallee, Jordan McLaren, James Tyrell

Key Players for Legends: Corey Pecker, Jeremy Cola, Phil Cutler

My prediction: Legends

 

Terror Squad VS Chernobyl Circus

Previous Matchup: Terror Squad 32 – Chernobyl Circus 32

 

On paper, this is my favourite game. Across the board you have elite level one-on-ones. That being said, this game is going to come down to which team can play better man coverage on D. I know some people won’t agree with me, but I think taking Patrick Chenard away from his defensive responsibilities and having him rush would be a smart thing to do. Forcing Tam Vilaydeth to beat you with his arm should be your game plan. Chernobyl has more than enough talent on defense to handle the two big receivers Terror Squad possess. Although I wouldn’t want to find myself covering Patrick Jerome one on one, I think N. Arsenault-Hum welcomes the challenge with open arms. On the other side of the ball, Tam needs to control the ball religiously. Short routes all day to JC Mercille and take your shots when they’re there. This is going to be one hell of a game!

Key players for Terror Squad: Tam Vilaydeth, Patrick Jerome, Kevin Laliberte

Key players for Chernobyl Circus: Patrick Chenard, N.Arsenault-Hum, Mathieu Thuot

My prediction: Chernobyl Circus

 

Vinni’s Stud squad (Divisional Round):

QB:  Patrick Chenard (CC) 23 in 32 for 296 yards and 6 Touchdowns. Studs show up when it really matters!

WR: Jad Aridi (MON) 11 Receptions for 97 yards and 2 Touchdowns. Jad did everything he could to help his team, but just wasn’t enough.

DB: Patrick Chenard (CC) 7 tackles and 2 interceptions, one of which he brought back to the house. This only reinforces what I said before.

R: Jeremy Cola (LEG) 1 Tackle 3 sacs and 1 PD. Jay doesn’t get enough credit for the work he does so consistently from the rushing position; a true stud who demands no credit.

 

 

FPF FanDuel:

 QB’s:

  • 1 point per 10 yards passing
  • 3 points per passing TD
  • 1 point per 5 yards rushing
  • 5 points per rushing TD
  • -2 points per interception
  • -1 point per sack

 

WR’s:

  • 1 point per 5 yards
  • 5 points per TD

 Defense:

  • 1 point per 3 tackles
  • 1 point per 2 PD’s
  • 2 points per sack
  • 3 points per INT
  • 5 points per pick-six
  • 10 points for allowing 10 points or less
  • 8 points for allowing 11-20 points
  • 6 points for allowing 21-30 points
  • 4 points for allowing 31-40 points
  • 2 points for allowing 41-50 po
  • ints
  • 1 point for allowing 51 + points

 

Overtime Fantasy Matchup!

FPF FANDUEL

Me

 

 

Nate

 

 

QB

R.Mashtoub 232Y 5TD 1INT 16RY

39.4

M.Masciotra 264Y 6TD 1INT

42.4

WR1

G.Ward 76Y 2TD

20.4

J.Bernett 56Y

11.2

WR2

Y.Pierre

 

M.Chitiyat

 

WR3

S.Payne 52Y 2TD

20.4

L.Lacroix-Cantave 18Y

3.6

FLEX

R.Lellinowski 63Y 1TD

17.3

J.Aridi 97Y 2TD

29.4

SNAP

M.Kirouac 71Y 1TD

19.2

S.Pilon

 

D

DK

 

Got-Skills

 

Bench

T.Kreamer

 

B.Jean

 

 

Total:

 

Total:

 

 

Last week’s results to force the overtime!

 

 

NATE TAYLOR

DIV I

 

ME

DIV II

 

QB

K.Wyeth 207Y 6TD 21RY

42.9

M.Masciotra 239 Y 5TD

38.9

WR

T.Ojeaha 96Y 3TD

34.2

M.Fournier 95Y 3TD

34

WR

M.Chitayat 36Y 3TD

22.2

M.Harrington 61Y

12.2

WR

B.Jean 12Y

2.4

V.Gualano 88Y 2TD

27.6

WR

G.Robert 49Y

9.8

G.Ward 33Y 2TD

16.6

FLEX

S.Kennedy 59Y

11.8

B.Mikelberg 42Y

8.4

SNAP

S.Pilon 94Y 2TD

28.8

JC.Mercile 48Y

9.6

D

GS 40PA 15T 2PD

10

DK 38PA 1INT 2S 2PD 20T

18.7

 

Total:

162.1

Total:

166

 

 

 

 

That’s all for this week. Thanks again for reading and don’t forget to check out the podcast if you haven’t already done so… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klBOSRwmDYQ! Ciao for now.