Week 8 Recap: You Get a Playoff Berth, and You Get a Playoff Berth

Welcome to Week 9 — the week before the big week. 33 of 34 teams remain playoff eligible, with 10 of 24 spots still waiting to be snatched up. I’d venture to say half if not most of those playoff berths will be decided by Tuesday night, so play hard, play fast, but most importantly show up. Yes, even you, one-win team who needs 17 different things to happen to sneak into the playoffs. Let’s get to it.  

 

Recaps 

So Close, Saro 

Two points. That’s all that stood between a shocking Sticky Hands upset of Gators. Well, I’m not sure shocking is the right term here. It would’ve been shocking had the Sticky Hands of two weeks ago taken the field versus Eddy Martinez and company. Instead, Sticky had the services of Nicolas Saro for the first time all season, and of Kevin Gauthier for just the fourth time all season.

Just the presence of that pair alone makes the close result one of this week’s least surprising.

Stepping in at QB, Saro did everything he could to put Sticky Hands in position to win, making the most of short fields coming via big defensive stops to find the endzone three times while turning it over just once.

Playing a huge part in bringing about those short fields was Kevin Gauthier, whose two interceptions, including one returned to the house, helped bring Sticky to a 29-25 lead with time winding down.

But ultimately the night belonged to Gators. In a game that saw big play after big play come off the hands of Walwaski and into those of Martinez, St-Pierre and Greg Grant – the latter of which had himself a coming out party with 6 catches for over 100 yards and two TDs – it was a short hook pattern from Walwaski to St-Pierre in the endzone on the game’s last play that sealed the deal.

Gators clinch a playoff berth. Sticky Hands are all but out of the race.  

 

Domon Arigato

In one of the better games of this past week, a slumping Ghosts team took on a slumping Affreux team and fought to the bitter end. 

But for all that slumping, there were some beautiful plays made in this matchup.

Ghosts beast Zach Zwirn was responsible for two of them, first burning Mathieu Dubois down the sideline on a hook n’ go before beating J-D Joly on a nasty post route, and ended the night with three TDs overall. 

On the other side, we saw Affreux QB Mat Domon finally getting out of his own little slump, Tossing some sweet deep throws to Joly and Dubois all over the field on a night that saw Domon finish for over 200 yards, 5 TDs, and no picks for the first time in three weeks.

But it was ultimately defense that stole the show, as just a few plays after Les Affreux took the lead 32-31, DB Alexandre Gelinas (that’s right, there are actually guys other than Domon, Joly and Dubois on les Affreux this season) was able to pick off Wiseman on the game’s last drive to end the game.

 

Justice League Beleaguered  

I don’t know what Jerson Previlon was thinking when he saw the opening snap of his Monday night game go over his head for a safety, but I can assure you it wasn’t anything good.

Unfortunately for him and the rest of Justice League, the rest of the night didn’t exactly get any better.

Versus a 6-manned Frosty Bronsons team, JL struggled mightily to find the endzone, coming away with just two first-half TDs despite picking off James Nowakowski twice in the half. Fortunately for JL,Frosty Bronsons’ first-half offense struggled just as hard, mustering a lone TD in a half that saw them fail to punch it in in a goal-to-go situation after GM Kolethras returned a pick to the 5-yard line.   

It was much of the same in the second half, with both teams struggling their way to a 22-20 scoreline after Nowakowski ran it in for a TD with five plays to go.

Ironically that’s when the JL offense picked things up, marching down inside the 10-yard line with a play to go. But defense ruled supreme in the end, when a slant pass from Previlon to Petru Andreescu was broken up by GM Kolethras at the goalline.  

Power rankings

1. Two and a Half Dabs (7-1): A big win vs. bad team in a week where no one else pulls off a particularly impressive performance means the Dabs stay put at the top.  

 

2. 5-Star (7-1): A blowout victory versus a squad missing its starting QB doesn’t really make for the most impressive of performances, but then again it’s not like Nyle Anderson and Ian Einheiber are rookies at the position.

 

3. Prestige Worldwide (7-1): Beating a weak squad by three TDs really is to be expected for a roster of this caliber.

 

4. The Goats (6-2): To shutout a fellow finals hopeful is one hell of a feat, regardless of the fact Rich Humes wasn’t there.  

 

5. Zoo (7-1): No Frank, no problem. But did that have more to do with their opponent than their abilities as a team? 

 

6. The Alpha-Ts (6-1-1): Considering Alex Grey already proved his abilities at QB earlier in the season, I must say, that was a masterful performance by the Alpha-Ts defense.

 

7. Backyard Bullies (6-2): A shutout by this team is probably the last thing I expected to see this season aside from an interception by Simon Dagenais on defense. There is no excuse for it, but I’m also positive they’ll bounce back.   

 

8. Gamecocks (6-2): what a difference having your starting QB makes, eh? 

 

9. On Les Empêche (5-3): St. Lunatics were without Cober, but Benevento and Grizzley as a receiving duo is just as strong, which makes On les Empêche’s win one seriously impressive performance.  

 

10. Get Off My D (5-2-1): In other news, Jad Aridi still can’t be stopped.  

 

Race to the Playoffs

Green Bold (and underlined) means you’ve clinched your ticket to the playoffs; red strikethrough means you’re out; everyone else is still in contention. You can thank Simon Dagenais for the work. You can equally let him know if there are any mistakes @DagenaisFPF. 

A	Team	GP	PTS	W(P-F)	DIV	PA		B	Team	GP	PTS	W(P-F)	DIV	PA
1	Prestige WorldWide	8	14	7	[3-0-0]	136		1	5-Star	8	14	7	[3-0-0]	166
2	ZOO	8	14	7	[3-0-0]	165		2	Two and a half Dabs	8	14	7	[1-1-0]	147
3	The Alpha T’s	8	13	6	[2-0-0]	145		3	Backyard Bullies	8	12	6	[1-2-0]	184
4	Magic City	8	10	5	[2-1-0]	133		4	Gamecocks	8	12	6	[3-0-0]	217
5	Gators	8	10	5	[2-1-0]	203		5	The Goats	8	12	6	[2-1-0]	209
6	Les Affreux	8	8	4	[2-0-0]	190		6	Get Off My D	8	11	5	[2-0-0]	216
7	Fuzzy-Kittens	8	8	4	[2-1-0]	193		7	St-Lunatics	8	10	5	[2-1-0]	181
8	Junkyard Dogs	8	8	4	[2-1-0]	194		8	On Les Empêche	8	10	5	[2-1-0]	201
9	All Blacks	8	8	4	[2-1-0]	215		9	Justice League	8	10	5	[0-3-0]	129
10	Ghosts	8	6	3	[1-2-0]	224		10	Friends in Low Places	8	8	4	[2-0-0]	157
11	Bromigos	8	6	3	[1-1-0]	210		11	Frosty Bronsons	8	8	4	[2-1-0]	215
12	Pandas	8	4	2	[0-3-0]	205		12	SABRFC	8	8	4	[1-2-0]	175
13	Les Indécis	8	2	1	[1-2-0]	246		13	Supply and Command	8	7	3	[1-1-1]	248
14	Longhorns	8	2	1	[1-2-0]	241		14	More Money-Less TDs	8	6	3	[1-2-0]	220
15	Weapon X	8	2	1	[0-3-0]	263		15	Hot Boys Hotline	8	6	2	[0-2-1]	208
16	Sticky Hands	8	2	1	[0-3-0]	245		16	Blue Devils	8	4	2	[0-3-0]	210
17	TAIMESAHEINN	8	1	0	[0-3-0]	231		17	Get on Deck	8	2	1	[0-3-0]	262

 

Matchups of the Week 

So many games to look forward to this week, I could write something on just about each one. Actually, that’s not a bad idea is it? Time for some rapid fire thoughts.

Blue Devils vs. More Money-Less TDs: It’s do or die for Blue Devils. Win and they keep their slim playoff hopes alive, lose and they’re out. Starting QB Chris Eramian was curiously absent for MM<TDs’ game this past week, and their offense suffered dearly for it. If he’s absent again this week, BD have a chance. Otherwise I doubt the boys in blue will be able to keep up in what could easily become a shootout.

All Blacks vs. Gators: Both teams already clinched, so all that’s left to play for is a better seed. Personally the only thing I’ll be looking for in this one is whether Eddy Martinez hits the 20-TD mark. 

Les Indécis vs. Junkyard Dogs: Les Indécis’ playoff hopes remain alive, and a win this week would go a long way in helping their cause. Do I think they will? Well, no. Tough to make a case for a 1-7 team going up against JYD’s potent offense and rough-and-tumble D.

Get on Deck vs. Friends in Low Places: Get on Deck are the only team in Division D eliminated through eight weeks, but with a team of that size you figure FLP shouldn’t have to worry about a forfeit. Nor do I think they should worry about losing this game. Just get Danny D’Amour the ball a few times and he’ll take care of the rest.

Hot Boys Hotline vs. Gamecocks: Gotta give HBH some props for putting up their most points scored in a game since Week 3, and for their defense for holding with the game on the line. However, the Gamecocks defense actually knows how to, you know, play defense, and Jordan Prizant won’t miss the 8,000 throws that I did. 

Ghosts vs. SABRFC: Two teams that have yet to clinch a playoff berth. Matchups to look out for in this one: a QB who likes to move in Gab Wiseman vs. a bull-rushing rusher in Surya Chandel; WR Zach Zwirn vs. DB Mickey Marini; WR Mickey Marini vs. DB Zach Zwirn. It’s going to be a tight battle, but I’m giving Ghosts the edge. Wiseman’s ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly should neutralize Chandel some, and I have to give the edge to the higher division receiver.

Bromigos vs. Les Affreux: Reasons to pick Bromigos = Pat Larose-Laurent is solid, JF Fortier-Poulin and Fred Côté even moreso. Reasons not to pick Bromigos = Bromigos vs. top competition this season: loss to Friends in Low Places, loss to Get Off My D, loss to Two and a Half Dabs, loss to The Alpha-Ts, loss to St. Lunatics. Conclusion: I will be picking Les Affreux.

Prestige Worldwide vs. Longhorns: Credit to the Dave Allen-led Longhorns for actually putting up a fight versus Fuzzy-Kittens (who needs Adam Rosen when you have Brian Martin, right). But, games between 7-1 and 1-7 teams are usually one of two results: a massive blowout or a surprisingly close battle that is decided on converts. I’m expecting the former, hoping for the latter.   

Weapon X vs. Fuzzy-Kittens: No QB for Weapon X = easy win for Fuzzy-Kittens. Nothing else really needs to be said here.

Taimesaheiiin vs. The Alpha Ts: If Taimsaheiiin put up more than two TDs, I’ll chalk it up as a win for them no matter the final score.

Two and a Half Dabs vs. Get Off My D: Unless GOMD bring Jad Aridi down from his safety spot and into the underneath zones, the THD offense is one that will almost completely neutralize his abilities on defense. I foresee more destruction coming from the Maiorino-Taylor duo.

Pandas vs. Sticky Hands: Two teams that were completely hopeless three weeks ago, now with realistic chances to secure a playoff spot. You already know how much I love the Pandas turnaround this second half of the season, but I love the return of Nicolas Saro a bit more.

On Les Empêche vs. Frosty Bronsons: Frosty pulled out the gusty win over Justice League last week, but they’re still not out of the woods yet. As they currently sit in 11th place in their conference, James Nowakowski and company need a win this week to give themselves some breathing room. Unless Nowakowski runs like a wild man or puts up 6 TDs through the air, I have a tough time seeing Frosty come out on top versus an offense led by Nic Schaefer and his explosive receiving corps.

St. Lunatics vs. Backyard Bullies: Being shutout a week before facing the no fly zone (yes, absolutely on purpose) that is the St. Lunatics secondary… let’s just say that’s not a good sign for BYB. Although, it should be noted there was no Rich Humes in their game last week. Meanwhile, St. Lunatics themselves made the interesting decision to move Benevento to receiver to step in for an absent Jovan Cober and have Michael Sanchez fill in at QB. The result was a massive performance from Benevento. If they get Cober this week, is that a recipe worth trying for a second week in a row? I guess we’ll find out.

Magic City vs. Zoo: a freely mobile Matt Cinquino is a happy Matt Cinquino. I don’t think he’ll be very happy facing one of Division D’s best rushers in Kevin Marcil. Nor one of its best DBs in Pat St-Amand. They key for Magic City, then, may be their defense’s ability to get some stops. But against an offense like Zoo’s, it’s all about making the right adjustments. Will Magic City do so? I remain unconvinced.

Justice League vs. The Goats: A team that struggles to put up points versus a team that can’t help but keep scoring them. My prediction is easy here: Goats by a lot.   

 

Predictions

13-3 for me… 13-4 for Belleau. That puts us at 84-44 (65.63%) and 83-53 (61.03%), respectively. Time to put this thing to bed. 

Blue Devils vs. More Money-Less TDs

 

All Blacks vs. Gators

 

Les Indécis vs. Junkyard Dogs

 

Get on Deck vs. Friends in Low Places

 

Hot Boys Hotline vs. Gamecocks

 

Ghosts vs. SABRFC

 

Bromigos vs. Les Affreux

 

Supply and Command vs. 5-Star (N/A)

 

Prestige Worldwide vs. Longhorns

 

Weapon X vs. Fuzzy-Kittens

 

Taimesaheiiin vs. The Alpha-Ts

 

Two and a Half Dabs vs. Get Off My D

 

Pandas vs. Sticky Hands

 

On Les Empêche vs. Frosty Bronsons

 

St. Lunatics vs. Backyard Bullies

 

Magic City vs. Zoo

 

Justice League vs. The Goats  

 

***

Be sure to check out this week’s Division D podcast with Simon Dagenais and and Terry Tam at www.youtube.com/flagplus, recorded live on Thursday at 9 p.m. Until next week, Blanchard out.