The Home Stretch

Well guys, with two official weeks left in the regular season, the home stretch run is officially underway. Each game has an impact on the standings, and also goes a long way in team’s ability to set the tone in anticipation of their playoff run.

 

 

Speaking of the playoffs and tone-setting games, the Warriors and Smokin Axolotls game this past Monday at Stade Hebert was certainly a reminder of what the real season has to offer. 

 

 

The Smokin Axolots were dominant from the jump, as they got touchdowns from Chris Brockwell, and Wide Receiver of the Year candidate Rory Semerjian, who recorded 2.

 

 

In addition to his 3 TD passes, Quarterback Jordan Rossie, also added another score via a pick-6.

 

 

At the end of the first half, the Smokin Axolotls looked like they were going to cruise to the win, with a 27-13 lead. Then, the second half happened…

 

 

Michael Solimene, and his offense scored 18 unanswered points in the second half. What was even more impressive, was the performance of the team’s defense, as they shut-out the high-powered Smokin Axolotls offense, and got key interceptions from Januson Vas and Stefano Solimene.

 

 

For the Warriors, it was yet another solid win that solidifies their status as one of the division’s elite teams, while for the Smokin Axolotls, it’s yet another close loss to one of D6’s top squads.

 

 

Another game in which failing to show up for a half coming back to kill a team was The Baker Boys versus Goofy Goobers.

 

 

The Goofy Goobers dominated from the opening whistle, as they were able to move the ball effortlessly against a Baker Boys team that appeared to be asleep at the wheel.

 

 

Double G Quarterback Jarryd Taylor, looked sharp, as he connected on TD throws to 3 different receivers, as kept plays alive with his legs.

 

 

At the end of the first half, the Goofy Goobers were leading their opponents 25-6.

 

 

The second half was a reversal of fortunes for The Baker Boys, as they woke up offensively. QB Marc-André Senécal, marched the down field, and picked up first down after first down, and started to establish some rhythm. More importantly, his squad was able to find the end zone, as the offense got into the end zone 4 times.

 

 

Although The Baker Boys managed to narrow the gap, they weren’t able to come up with a key stop on the other side of the ball, as their opponents scored 2 more times in the second stanza. Final score Goofy Goobers 37-30. Like I said earlier, you need to play the entire game.

 

 

Another game that had the “real season” feel, was the Greendale Human Beings versus the N.W.O, in a battle of one team who is looking to solidify their post-season standing, against a squad who is fighting for their playoff lives.

 

 

Both teams recorded two touchdowns each in the first half, and got great plays from both sides of the ball, including a huge INT returned for a TD by the N.W.O ‘s Peter Mignacca.

 

 

Unfortunately, for the N.W.O, it wouldn’t be enough, as the difference in this matchup, came down to the Greendale Human Beings’ defense, which was able to get one more stop than their opponents in the second half.

 

 

A number of team’s also made statements, by winning in blowout fashion. The Mogadishu Pirates, Super Troopers, Farmers, Dez Nuts, Sticknmovers, and DGC, all won their respective games with ease.

 

 

For some of those aforementioned teams, the win not only awarded them 2 points, but it also gave them a leg up on clubs that are chasing them for playoff spots and positioning.

 

 

For others squads like DGC, and the Farmers, the victory gives them yet another positive that they can use to build on for next season.

 

 

Channel 4 News Team has baffled me yet again. After losing to Los Avocados last week, and justifiably getting called out for it, they beat the heavily-favoured Ravens 24-13 Saturday night in Kirkland. 

 

 

Quarterback Gabriel Salo, had his best game of the Year, as the rookie had a season-high 4 TDs, and a QB rating of 114.9. 

 

 

The team’s defense also shone as well, as they shut-out out a Ravens offense, that coming into the contest, had been averaging 24 points a game.

 

 

While the Ravens might counter with the fact that they played with Wide Receiver Marc-Antoine Vallée, as their QB for the game, that doesn’t really fly, given that Vallée, put up more than respectable numbers as a pivot, going 16 of 30 for 134 yards, with 2 TDs and 1 INT, (he also went 7 of 10 for 2 TDs as a QB last week vs Victorious Secret as well) he is a good athlete capable of making plays with his feet.

 

 

For Channel 4 News Team,  the win gave them a huge 2 points, that keeps them tied for 5th in Conference A, and 1 point out of the 4th seed.

 

 

For the Ravens, they are now on a season-high 2-game losing streak. More importantly,  the team, with switch to Vallée at Quarterback, has appeared to have lost confidence in their regular QB Gabriel Boyer. Hopefully this talented team can figure it out, because from personal experience, this stage of the season is definitely not the time to be changing passers.

 

 

After falling on their faces with an 0-5 start to kick off the season, One Speed: Power has now won 3 games in the row, with their latest win coming via a 30-19 victory over the Bruins, Sunday night at Stade Hebert.

 

 

The Lucas Blanchard and Will Power combination that many, including yours truly, thought would lead the team all season-long, was hot once again, as they combined for 10 receptions for 143 yards, 4TDs, and 3 INTs.

 

 

Over their last 3 games, the dynamic duo have recorded 32 catches for 458 yards, and a solid 10 TDs.

 

 

The team’s Quarterback Paolo Della Rocca (Peeze), has picked up his game as well. After failing to throw more touchdowns than interceptions in all but 2 games in the first 5 weeks of the campaign, the FPF veteran has been making plays recently. Over the last 3 weeks, Peeze has thrown for 15 TDs, and nearly 700 yards (668).

 

 

One Speed: Powers’ turn-around has been due to the collective improvement of the entire team, but rest-assured, that the play of their trio has been key.

 

 Don’t look now, but the team is only 2 games back of a playoff spot. If they can win out (definitely possible with their remaining schedule) and get a TON of help, they could pull off one of the greatest comeback stories in FPF history.

 

Top 3

 

Justin Ferrara (Dez Nuts) – When you break the century mark in rushing you automatically get a spot on the list. Ferrara, ran for 135 yards and a score on 5 carries in his team’s 33-6 win over The Money Team. Yeah that’s right, he averaged 27 yards a carry. Yikes!

 

 

Gabriel Wiseman (Super Troopers) – Wiseman was the epitome of efficiency,  as he went 20 of 24 for 160 yards and 4 TDs in his team’s 28-8 victory over Victorious Secret. 

 

 

Benoit Robidoux and Marc-Antoine Jette (Farmers) – The former threw for a division-high 6 touchdowns, and the latter caught 4 of them to go along with 84 yards, in their team’s 39-12 win over The Spanish Inquisition. Impressive!

 

 

Honorable Mention:

 

 

Foti Evangelista (DGC) – It’s not entirely fair given that he also plays in Division 3, but his 2 TDs and 3 INTs against Los Avocados was still impressive. 

 

 

Rogue Squad – It’s not often you win a game when your team throws for less completions and yards than your opponent, but that’s exactly what the Rogue Squad QBs Emilio Greco, Anthony Evangelista, and Erik Ciaccia, ( 8 for 21 for 48 yards) did against FBG’s Adam Parasuco (9 of 20 for 74 yards). The difference came down to touchdowns, in which the Rogue Squad had a 2 to 1 advantage. 

 

 

Step It Up

 

 

The Money Team Quarterbacks – Their 3 QBS combined for 3 INTs, 4 completions, and 33 yards. I’ll say it again…Yikes!

 

 

The Money Team Defense – I almost never put the same team twice, but when you give up 135 yards on the ground, you deserve not only a spot, but a place of honor.

 

 

Jesse Racine (Pardon My Swag) – Racine, had a Jake Delhomme-esque type performance  (if you don’t know who he is, shame on you, and go look him up) against Rolling Rock, as he threw 5 interceptions. Why wasn’t Avery Lalla put in at some point?

 

 

Elite 8

 

 

1. Mogadishu Pirates– Still undefeated ; and the beat goes on.

 

 

2. Warriors – You can’t help but wonder where they would be if the Smokin Axolotls showed up in the second half. Nonetheless, the Warriors have shown they can win multiple ways, as they came from behind, and survived an extremely close call against SA.

 

 

3. Savage Mode – Another solid win, as they knocked off Sons of Mitches 26-18. Savage Mode, has quietly gone undefeated since their Week 1 loss to the Mogadishu Pirates. With games against a reeling N.W.O, and a less than impressive The Money Team coming up, there’s a good chance the streak continues. 

 

 

4. Super Troopers – Not sure how I forgot to include these guys in the rankings last week, but here they are.

 

 

5. Goofy Goobers – They edged out the Baker Boys 37-30, in a game that really came alive in the second half. The next 2 games are against FBG and the Bruins, so double G has a good opportunity to hitting the post-season firing on all cylinders.

 

 

6. Rolling Rock- They rise 2 spots courtesy of their 24-13 win over Pardon My Swag. Despite their Week 8 loss to the Mogadishu Pirates, the Rolling Rock, have arguably been playing their best ball of the season.

 

 

7. Smokin Axolotls – I can’t drop them all that much after losing a nail-bitter to the number 2 team on the list in the Warriors. The lesson as I’m sure they learnt, is your need to play the entire game, not just one half.

 

 

8. Sticknmmovers– They make their first appearance on the list, due to the team’s 34-12 blowout win over the Goon Squad. Let’s see how far this team can go with two more than favorable games remaining on the schedule.

 

 

Picks (Favorites in bold)

 

The Spanish Inquisition vs Blitz Babes – Blitz Babes

 

 

Broke Boys vs Rolling Rock– Rolling Rock

 

 

Channel 4 News Team vs DGC – Channel 4 News Team

 

 

Ravens vs Super Troopers – Super Troopers

 

 

Goofy Goobers vs FBG – Goofy Goobers

 

 

Sticknmovers vs Cette Équipe Là – Sticknmovers

 

 

Pardon My Swag vs Smokin Axolotls – Smokin Axolotls

 

 

The Money Team vs Greendale Human Beings – Greendale Human Beings

 

 

Rogue Squad vs One Speed: Power- One Speed: Power

 

 

Dez Nuts vs Sons of Mitches – Dez Nuts

 

 

The Baker Boys vs Bruins- The Baker Boys

 

 

Mogadishu Pirates vs Warriors – Warriors (Upset Special and My pick for Game of the Week)

 

 

Farmers vs Goon Squad – Farmers (Upset Special #2)

 

 

Savage Mode vs N.W.O. – N.W.O (Upset Special #3)

 

 

Los Avocados vs Victorious Secret – Victorious Secret

 

 

Last Week: 12-3

 

 

Season: 56-33-7

 

In a somewhat totally un-related note, are you guys as happy as I am that NFL free agency is underway? As expected, the first two days have been pretty exciting and surprising at the same time, with all the money handed out, and choices made by players. Now that my 9ers have seemingly got their heads out of their you know what, and fired the worst GM in the game in Trent Balkee, I am excited for this time of the Year. While Brian Hoyer isn’t the answer to our QB problem, adding him, along with Pierre Garçon, Kyle Juszczyk, Marquise Goodwin, and Malcolm Smith among others, is a step in the right direction. We definitely won’t be making the playoffs next season, and we did overpay a bit for some of the free agents we brought in, but A) we are already WAY better than last year, and B) it’s not my money, so it’s all good. Damn, I miss football already!

 

 

 That’s it for this week guys. Obviously because of the bye-Week earlier this season, some of you guys will be playing Week 11. Like anything else in life, there is pros and cons to the scenario. Pro: One more work to work on things before the playoffs; Con: Getting injured,  giving a potential post-season opponent the not just to rest, but to watch your team play next week, or the usual and much underrated, break in chemistry after a week off. Next week should be fun, let’s see who comes out on top of things.

 

 

 

Once again, just a reminder to check out the weekly podcast on the FPF website, or our YouTube channel. After being sick the last 2 weeks, yours truly will be back this coming Tuesday night with Peeze, Stefan, and Chapman. Thanks for holding it down boys!

 

 

Enjoy the games, and I will catch you guys next week.

 

 

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]