The Truth: Wednesday Night Showdowns

 

Let’s make it nice and quick. I couldn’t be more excited for the finals, which find themselves a couple days away.  If I feel this way and both my teams lost last week, I figure all of you must be itching with eager.  Now, let’s dive right into the action.

 

 Recaps:

 

Served with Ice 25 – Clockwork 30

 

The first game of the night was filled with action. Although there was a short period of feeling out from both defenses, this game quickly picked up. Once again, Kyle Lebofksy was a stand out on defense. Not only did he shut down one of the leagues’ best receivers in JD Chevalier, he iced the game with his pick six. Offensively, both teams were firing on all cylinders. Served with Ice had a hiccup in the second half and it opened the door for Clockwork. Marco Masciotra repeatedly found Antonio Lanni on deep posts and ultimately deflated SWI. Clockwork’s defense was extremely impressive. They finished the night with two interceptions, but I think they should have had at least four! It is at this time of the year that you see who really has it in them and who has been pretending all year. Clockwork is no pretender.

 

 

Gladiateurs 43 – O.N.S. 44

 

At the start of the game, when I saw that Tanner Burrell was going to be rushing for O.N.S., I thought that reason alone would lead to a loss. Tanner is not a rusher. He could be used a lot more effectively anywhere else. With the flag I.Q on O.N.S’s side, you’d think they’d have that figured out by now. At the end of the day, theyfound a way to win despite it, but Kevin Wyeth had to be perfect. Hear me out fellas: you’re not winning a championship with Tanner Burrell at rush. For every game, you’re one mistake away from your season being over. Anyways, let’s give the Gladiateurs some well-deserved credit. They were in this game the whole way. They were up for the majority of the game. At one point I told Kevin Wyeth, “maybe you should make an extra point or two if you want to win?” Kevin looked at me and smiled, then responded; “everything is going to be fine as long as I get the ball last”.  Somehow Kevin looked into his crystal ball and knew… he always does! It all comes down to defense, and if you can’t out play O.N.S defensively, then you obviously don’t belong in the semi-finals.

 

 

Untouchables 19 – Legends 24

 

Important to state that a large majority of the Untouchables players were either absent, or hurt. Their QB, Justin Lavallée, was absent due to personal reasons. Now, although some of his teammates are going to be quick to point the finger, let’s all be clear on one thing: family comes before flag football. I would hate to be in their shoes and not have my QB for a playoff game, who we depend on to show up, but there’s one thing you won’t get back in life and that’s time. Untouchables went ahead anyways and had Lonnie Johnson throw for his first time in division 2. As a team, Untouchables let down their new QB. Yes, Johnson made a couple of bad throws, but he also made a lot of good ones that were dropped. Legends jumped on every mistake made by Untouchables and stole this win. 24-19 against a team with a QB who has never thrown a pass above D4 is not impressive. If I’m being honest, and you know I always am, Legends should have lost to a depleted roster last night. They’re going to have to step up their game going forward.

 

 

Terror Squad 24 – Chernobyl Circus 46

 

This game took a turn for the worst, real fast! Chernobyl went for it on fourth and ten on their first drive. From that completion to Alexandre Gatier, on, it was all Chernobyl and zero Terror Squad. Gatier made the big catch on fourth down to keep the drive alive. He then caught the first touchdown, and the extra point! On Terror Squad’s first drive, Alex picked off Tam. I mean, this looked like super XLVIII (Seahawks VS Denver). It was total domination by Chernobyl Circus on both sides of the ball. Patrick Chenard is playing lights out. I don’t see any team in division 2 being able to stop this train right now. Chernobyl got hot at the perfect time this season, and they’re now steam rolling right on through.

 

Game Previews

 

Legends VS Chernobyl Circus

I can’t help but feel like Chernobyl is a clear favourite in this game. Legends barely limped into this game while Chernobyl annihilated an early season favourite in Terror Squad. Legends have been here before and therefore cannot be taken lightly. Chernobyl has way more football experience than Legends and I think that will be the key to success in this game. Just a year ago, Legends made it to the division two finals, while Chernobyl got knocked out in the quarterfinals. Both teams have the pieces needed for a championship team. A lot of pressure is going to lie on Jeremy Cola who’s going up against a deceiving and hot quarterback as of late. I have a hard time understanding what Legends are doing with their roster and for that reason I can’t pick them to win. Last week I watched Rosenblatt snap with a broken finger while Phil Cutler and Marco Bertoldi watched from the sideline. Mind boggling if you ask me. Chernobyl is way too powerful on offense, and way too talented on defense to be stopped by the Legends.

 

Key players for Chernobyl: Mathieu Thuot, Patrick Chenard, Nic Arsenault-Hum

Key Players for Legends: Corey Pecker, Jeremy Cola, Ryan Lellinowski

My prediction: Chernobyl 38 – Legends 26

 

O.N.S VS Clockwork

Bring out the chairs and blankets because this game is going to look like the fourth of July in the U.S; fireworks! Although Marco Masciotra seems to have Kevin’’ number when it comes to playoff games of late, I think both teams are going to score a lot. Marco picked off Kevin twice in last years’ Div A finals. I think Kevin will vigorously avoid going Marco’s way, but he needs to keep in mind, Clockwork is full of ball hawks. O.N.S beat Clockwork week one this year; I don’t think that will matter at all here. You need a defense to win at this point of the year, and O.N.S’s defense wouldn’t be able to stop an infant from crawling into their end zone. I know any team with a freak like Kevin Wyeth should never be counted out, I just think they’re in over their heads in this one.

 

Key players for Clockwork: Marco Masciotra, Kyle Lebofsky, Antonnio Lanni

Key players for O.N.S.: Kev the slice Wyeth, Scott Payne, Brian Larriviere

My prediction: Clockwork 45 – O.N.S. 44

 

DK VS D-Boys

If you didn’t hear my thoughts regarding this game on the podcast, they go as follows: I feel like the tide is turning for DK. I get the feeling that they really want it (not that D-Boys don’t) but the players from DK haven’t tasted what D-Boys already have. That desire to win is flaming as an aroma around DK right now. The pressure falls on Rochdi Benaddelkador’s shoulders, as it should. He is the soul of this team and without a strong performance from Rochdi, this team has no chance. Matching Marco Masciotra’s play won’t be an easy task, but an injured Marco might be easier for Rochdi to keep up with. If DK’s receivers play the way they did last week, I can see an upset happening here. Theo Ojeaha will have his say about the outcome of this game but I just don’t see him being able to cover everyone at once. Jordan McLaren, Jamal Gittens, Jamil Springer, Antonio Lanni and Theo. You read those names and you wonder how I can possibly think this defense can ever be beat. Well history has shown us that even the best sometimes fall. DK has already beat D-Boys once this year. No matter what, this is going to be a marvellous game!!

 

Key Players for D-Boys: Theo Ojeaha, Marco Masciotra, and all the J’s

Key Players for DK: Rochdi, Pilon’s, Patrick Chenard

My prediction: DK 36 – D-Boys 34

 

Got-Skills VS Montreal’s Finest

When Got-Skills beat Montreal’s Finest earlier this season to send them on their first ever two game losing streak of the decade, I was floored. Kevin Wyeth threw two interceptions in that game. It’s the only game all year he threw two interceptions. Coincidence? I think not! Got-Skills has an extremely talented bunch of guys. Defensively they are one of the most experienced group. They’ve shown us all year that they can keep up with the best of the best, but my issue remains the same. I’ve said it all year and it was proven true again last week: Nicolas Centomo has yet to fire up all engines. Luckily for him, his defense held down the fort while he slept soundly in his bed. Against an experienced team like Finest in the playoffs, Nicolas can’t be caught snoozing. If he is, I guarantee you the doors to his castle will get kicked in. After one of their worst seasons ever, can Montreal’s Finest re-fire the booster? The answer is… yes.

Key Players for Finest: Kevin Wyeth, Mike Harrington, Kishon Thompson, Taylor bro’s

Key Players for Got-Skills: JC Mercille, Centomo’s, Samuel Drapeau

My prediction: Finest 38 – Got-Skills 40

 

Vinni’s Super Stud:

TBD!

 

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

	Doug McKernan DIV II		Rehan Sarwar DIV II
QB	K. Wyeth 245Y 7TDs 6RY	46.7	M.Masciotra 160Y 4TD 1INT 8RY	27.6
WR	N.A.Hum 44Y 3TD	23.8	J.McLaren 8Y 1TD	6.6
WR	P.Jerome 21Y	4.2	A.Lever 44Y 1TD 18YP 1TDP	18.6
WR	S.Brophy 34Y	6.8	JD Chevalier 37Y 1TD	12.4
WR	J.Tyrell 42Y 1TD	13.4	R.Lelinowski 38Y 1TD	12.6
FLEX	D.Shopov 55Y 3TD	26	A.Vendrame 89y 3td	32.8
SNAP	N.Guimier 73Y 1TD	19	B.Larrivier 62Y 2TD	22.4
D	C-W 25PA 1S 19T 2INT 5PD 1TD	27.8	C-C 24PA 3S 12T 3INT 2PD	26
	Total:	167.7	Total	159

• 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 + point

 

 

Last Week

 

With this win, Doug bought himself a ticket to take on Nathan Taylor in the semi-final game. I will still be waiting for the winner of that game for the Final show down! Ladies and Gents, I wish you all a bunch of luck. Understand it isn’t luck that brought you here, and it isn’t luck that’s going to win you a championship. Enjoy the games, and most importantly, have fun!