The Final Tune-Up

 

Well guys, this is it, the last week of the regular season. As the headline says, this is the final tune-up before the real season begins. The playoffs, it’s what every player whether kid or adult, tackle or flag player plays for.

Before we get to the post-season, the games taking place this week-end, will have a huge outcome on playoff matchups. For this article, I will give you a look at each game and how they could potentially impact next week’s action.

 

Freshman Division

Ducks versus Wolverines

Previous Meeting: Ducks 32-6.

The 7-0 Ducks have already clinched top spot in the Freshman Division, so for them, this game is about staying sharp, working on some new wrinkles for their next game in 2 weeks, and perhaps seeing if Jayden Michel can extend his interception streak to an FPF Jr record 7 games. (Seriously, the rookie has been unbelievable, as he has 11 interceptions), and giving Kaiden Dewy a break, after he had 2 Touchdown grabs, and 4 INTs vs the Fighting Irish last week.

For the (3-4) Wolverines, the game is huge, as they need the two points to stay a game up in the standings on the (2-5) Musketeers who beat them (20-0) in Week 2, and to have a chance to tie (4-3) Cougars, who they lost to 32-31 in a Week 5 thriller, provided the Cougars lose this weekend (more on that in a second). Just as importantly, how much confidence would knocking off the undefeated Ducks give to the Wolverines?

This game should be a great one, as the Wolverines have the firepower in Carter Diabo and Tank Van Dommelen, and Trystan Henson, to keep pace with the Ducks.

 

Cougars versus Musketeers

Previous Meeting: Cougars 12-6

We can expect another defensive slugfest in this one, as both defenses have proved time and time again, that they are capable of shutting down an opponents’ offense. The winner of this contest, will both dash the third place hopes of the aforementioned Wolverines. 

For the Cougars, a victory, coupled with a Bruins loss to the Fighting Irish (more on that in a second), would also put them in second place in the Freshman Division, which would give them the all-important bye-week during the first round of the playoffs. 

If the Cougars lose the game, they would be locked into a first-round matchup against the very same Musketeers next week. As the old football saying goes, it is extremely hard to beat a team twice in a season.

 

Bruins versus Fighting Irish

Previous Meeting: Bruins 46-12

Despite being in tough against an extremely strong Ducks team, the Fighting Irish, have been playing their best football of the season.

To get their first win of the year against the number 2 ranked Bruins, Vinny Gualano’s team will need to take some of the momentum they’ve built over the last few weeks, and bring it to the field this afternoon in Kirkland.

While the team is locked into the 6th seed, a win for the feisty Fighting Irish, will not only be a well-deserved reward, but a huge shot in the arm confidence-wise for the team.

For the Bruins, this is a statement game to show the rest of the division, and in particular the number 1 seeded Ducks, that they mean business.

The Bruins will lineup will also be bolstered by the return of Maurizio Mercuri Jr, who has missed the last 2 games due to injury. His presence in the line-up, gives QB William Leclerc a fast and tall target, who is a threat to take it to the house on any given play. 

 

Sophomore Division

Buckeyes versus Hawkeyes

Previous Meeting: Hawkeyes 24-6

In a potential Finals preview, the two best teams in the division lock horns for the second time this season. In the first matchup, the Hawkeyes dominated on both sides of the ball, while the Buckeyes struggled to get anything going offensively.

In this meeting I expect there to be much more fireworks.

For the Buckeyes to get the win, they will not only have to show up on offense, but they will need to play keep away, as the best way to bet the Hawkeyes, is to keep their offense on the bench.

Buckeyes QB Trey Bentley will need to keep the Hawkeyes’ defense pick their poison, as Bentley has a ton of playmakers at receiver to choose from, in Jaden Frenette, Lucas Piscopos, Jaeden Edghill, and Ben and Max Arnovitz.

The same formula is true for the Hawkeyes, as they will look to attack with a deep offense led by Quarterback Kaelen Trepanier, and receivers Noah Smallwood, Camren Mulcair, and Jonatan Lebensztajn-Shahrabani.

Both defenses can change the game at any moment as well, so don’t be surprised to see a mistake by either passer returned to the house for a score.

 

Red Devils vs Seminoles

Previous Meeting: Red Devils 50-12

For the Seminoles, this is all about getting their first win of the season, and getting a little bit of confidence heading into next week. Despite their record, this is a talented team, who plays hard, and has gotten better as the season has progressed.

On the other side, this is a huge game for the Red Devils, as a win and a Buckeyes loss, would guarantee the Red Devils of a second place finish, and automatic 1st round bye.  

The Red Devils are coming off of a heart-breaking 24-18 loss to the aforementioned Hawkeyes, last Saturday in Kirkland. Expect the Red Devils to want to make a statement, and come out firing early in this one.

 

Hurricanes versus Gators

Previous Meeting: Hurricanes 14-12

This game will solely be about bragging rights and momentum, as both teams are destined to face each other again next week in the playoffs.

The difference in the first matchup, was the play of Quarterback Conor Wright, and Wide Receiver Nicholas Masella. The duo powered the Hurricanes to victory, by combining for 6 receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown.  

For the Gators will be looking not only for revenge in the rematch, they were led by Vincenzo Frank, who had 5 carries for 66 yards and a TD on the ground, to go along with a game-high 4 tackles and a pick-6 on defense. Unfortunately for his team, he was pretty much the only factor. For the Gators to come out victorious, Frank, will need some help teammates like Joshua Taylor, Camron Brown, and Tahnyus Steer among others.

 

Varsity Division

Longhorns versus Horned Frogs

Previous Meetings: Horned Frogs 39-0 (Week 2) and Longhorns 39-6 (Week 5)

To say that the Horned Frogs have the Longhorns number would be an understatement. The scores from the two previous meetings speak volumes.

All that’s left for the (7-0) Horned Frogs capping off the perfect regular season with one last win before getting ready for the real test.

For the Longhorns though, not only would knocking off the undefeated give the team a much-needed shot in the arm, but it would move them into 3rd place in the standings, avoiding a 1st round matchup with the Horned Frogs.

On paper, this team is as deep and talented as the other 3 in the division. With a defense led by Shaylynn Bentley, Nathaniel Peters, and the Patry brothers  (Nicolas and Jeremy), they are capable of slowing down any offense.

The team’s offense led by rookie QB Samuel Crudo, and big play receivers Joshua Peters, Jordano Colicchio, and Nathaniel Peters, is just as dangerous, but it’s all about finding consistency, and finishing off drives. Last week against the Bulldogs, the Longhorns made 5 trips to the red zone, but were only able to come away with 2 touchdowns.

This year’s Longhorns team finds itself in exactly the same spot it was last year, facing the top team in the division, in the undefeated Hurricanes, during the final weekend of the regular season. Last year’s squad pulled off the upset and rode that momentum all the way to a title. If both the offense and the defense of the underdog Longhorns are working in unison, there’s no reason to think they can’t capture the same magic again.

 

Bulldogs versus Spartans

Previous Meetings: Bulldogs 24-19 (Week 2) and Spartans 34-33 (Week 5)

Two evenly matched teams, go for the third and final regular season meeting Sunday afternoon in Kirkland. Both teams split the first two meetings, so this will be the rubber match .

Besides bragging rights, the all-important number 2 ranking in the Varsity Division is on the line in this one.

For the Bulldogs to maintain their lock on second place, the answer is simple, win and it’s yours.

After coming off of a dominating win over the Longhorns last Saturday, the group led by rapidly improving Quarterback George Aifantis, game-changer Gianni Frasetti, and the best Wide Receiver in the division, in Sam Mashtoub, this team is capable of scoring on anyone.

The team’s defense is not to be taken lightly either, as the aforementioned big three, along with the underrated trio of Jared Gallant, Kevin Adams Papineau, and Carlyns Alcimé, came not only force turnovers, but can literally take a game over.

The (2-5) Spartans, come into this game playing their best football of the season by far, as they have won 2 out of their last 3 games, and came within a hair of knocking off the undefeated Horned Frogs last Sunday at Stade Hebert.

For the Spartans to get he win, and take sole possession of the second place, the will need to continue to utilize the duo-threat Quarterback Ryan Garber. During the team’s 2-game winning streak, the second-year QB, has thrown 8 TDs, and ran for 2 others.

To help Garber reach those levels again, he will have to get the ball in the hands of the team’s best player, Wide Receiver Adam Mahrouse. The 400 yard WR, has the big-play ability to take the top off a defense at any given moment. Surprisingly, he was held in check big time during the team’s last meeting, as he had only 4 yards rushing. It will be interesting to see who the Bulldogs will cover Mahrouse, and if the second-year player can rebound with a big game this time around.

Spencer Fitzpatrick and Justin Grenon, are two other difference-makers for the Spartans offense that should definitely not be slept on. In the earlier meetings with the Bulldogs, (Grenon, missed the second game) both WRs combined for 128 yards and 3 TDs. Needless to say, the duo will put pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense, it’ll be interesting to see who wins this round.

That’s it for this week guys. Next week the real fun begins. Get ready for the ride.

After the league-wide bye-week last week, the FPF Jr podcast will be back this coming Tuesday, with Rob Campana and yours truly. We will have a quick re-cap of this weekend’s games, and a preview of the all the first round playoff matchups. Stay tuned.

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, feel free to contact me at Brent_Bodkin @yahoo.ca  

Have a great week-end, and enjoy the games!