Key Matchups Highlight Week 2

Welcome to the Week 2 article of the FlagPlus Football Spring Season.

Week 1 got off to a blazing start, and Week 2 looks to be just as exciting, with a slew of highly anticipated matches.

Here are a few that jump out at me…

SPARTANS vs One Speed: Power

This game features a battle of playmakers galore, between two teams that are capable of playing deep into the post-season.

For the (0-1) SPARTANS, after struggling offensively in their 19-7 loss to the Smokin Axolotls, the team will undoubtedly get a boost with the return of starting Quarterback James D’Andrea, who missed the contest, will be huge, as the team averaged a shade under 30 points (29.3) last spring season.

Look for the veteran QB to try to get back in rhythm, and shake off the rust, by attempting to spread out the OSP defense, by throwing the deep ball to speedy Wide Receivers Alexis Bessette, and Charles-David Martel, early and often.

For OSP, their play-making defense headlined by Will Power, Lucas Blanchard, Chapman, and Daniel Bornstein will be tested by the length and aforementioned speed of the SPARTANS’ pass catchers. Winning the individual matchups will be huge, as will the performance of Quarterback Paolo Della Rocca.

If Peeze is able to hit the big plays, and protect the ball at the same time, OSP, should be able to keep up with their opponents offensively.

FACE Jazz vs Hot Boys Hotline

After having to wait all the way to Week 6 last spring to get their first victory, FACE Jazz, wasted little time checking off the win column this season, as they beat the Raccoons 31-6. FJ Quarterback Eddy Rousseau, was the epitome of efficiency, as the veteran completed 9 of 12 passes for 100 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Rousseau, and FACE Jazz, will have to bring their A game this Tuesday in Brossard, when they take on an impressive Hot Boys Hotline team, that is coming off a 19-8 win over The Expendables, in which they received a solid performance from FPF veteran Vadim Chernyak, who had a game-high 6 catches for 54 yards, and 2 TDs.

Clearly, after combining to give up 14 points in Week 1, both the FACE Jazz and Hot Boys Hotline defenses came to play.

I expect a defensive low-scoring showdown between these two squads, that will come down to each team’s final possession. The only question that needs to be answered, is who can make a play when their team needs it most. Will it be the aforementioned Chernyak? Or perhaps Aaron Ownby, Eagle, Shawn Fontaine, or Joshua Hidalgo-Trivilidis, who had a stellar FPF debut last week?

Greendale Human Beings vs Super Troopers

This matchup has the potential be a Finals preview.

Last week against Pardon My Swag, the defending Winter Season champion Greendale Human Beings, used an explosive second half to put 19 points, and escape with a 25-24 victory, despite being down 18-6 at halftime.

GHB, was led in the game by off-season addition Daron Migdesyan, who had 4 receptions for a team-high 55 yards and 2 TDs. I fully expect the 5-year veteran to make a significant impact on his new squad this year.

The Super Troopers, lost a tough one to One Speed: Power, that literally came down to the final play of the game.

While their defense led by sack-master Zackary Alberts-Gill, was solid as always, and the addition of two-way threat Zach Zwirn, has already paid immediate dividends, being without their starting QB in Gabriel Wiseman, definitely has put the Super Troopers behind the eight ball to start the season.

How long it will take the team and his replacement in rookie Trevor Rendell, to get on track until Wiseman returns from vacation, will be key for this team, in their quest to qualify for the post-season, let alone make a deep playoff run.

Dirty Mike n the Boys vs Just For The Reps 

Although it’s only Week 1, Dirty Mike n the Boys made a statement in their 58-0 win over Here For The Beer. The DMNTB defense picked off their opponents, who used 4 different QBs, a whopping 6 times, including a jaw-dropping 4 that were returned for touchdowns.

While keeping up that pace all season is next to impossible, it appears that Jordan Allard’s team will be forced to be reckoned, and capable of dominating on both sides of the ball all year round.

The team will need to build off of their Week 1 win, when they take on a Just For The Reps team who recorded 5 interceptions of their own, in their 40-0 victory over Le choix du Président.

In addition to their solid Week 1 performance, the latest edition of Wax On Wax Off/Rolling Rock, Just For The Reps, is a veteran squad that has the potential to be dangerous. The smart and under-rated addition of QB Jared Buck, formerly of The Spanish Inquisition, has the potential to be a game-changer, for a team that fallen short of winning it all, in part because of play at the game’s most important position.

In his debut with his new squad, Buck, made a statement, as he threw 5 TDs, and added two INTs on defense.

With two defenses who appear to be in mid-season form, I think this game will come down to which QB (Allard or Buck) makes the least amount of mistakes.

Some other games that I think are must-watch, are the Smokin Axolotls versus the Homosapiens, YAMAJO taking on Pardon My Swag, and Farmers vs Little Giants.

 

Step It Up

As I briefly touched on last week, I am bringing back this popular part if the article. For those of you who are new to either it, or my articles in general, this the part where I call out people or teams, in a semi-joking and semi-serious manner.

Shutouts

I know it’s only Week 1, and a lot of teams haven’t had enough time to develop or work on chemistry, but truth be told, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens aren’t going to be walking through the door anytime soon, and this is an offensive driven league. Teams should at least be able to score one TD per game. Step It Up offenses.

Quarterbacks

Speaking of offenses, the old saying that if you have more than one QB means you have too many, has proven to be true for a couple of team in Week 1, as more than a few squads had multiple players take snaps at the position. While I am a believer in trying guys at different positions during a blowout, I think at this point of the game, it’s a little early to be going that route.

For the teams that don’t have an established passer, you need to find one quick, and stick with him. Constantly rotating players, especially at that position, is a recipe for disaster, and a sure way to pile up the INTs, as too many teams did in Week 1.

Class

Let’s all have a little class out there. Nobody likes a guy who is running their mouth all game. The same thing applies to running up the score. While playing to the final whistle, is something we are all taught from pee-wee football, so is winning with class. I get it, stats are important to most players, but if you’re up by 3 TDs or more, rubbing it in your opponents face by scoring an extra TD, when you can just take a knee is un-called for. More importantly, there’s a thing called karma, and teams have long memories.

 

Elite 8 Power Rankings

1.Greendale Human Beings – They beat Pardon My Swag by the skin of their teeth. Up next is another tough test, this time against the Super Troopers. Last Week: Same

2. Smokin Axolotls – They pretty much had their way with a SPARTANS team who as I said earlier, was with pout their starting QB. Stef Fennes’ team won’t get a break this week, when they take on a deep and experienced Homosapiens squad. Last Week: Same

3. Pardon Swag – I am not going to penalize them for losing to the best team in the division by 2 points, and without their starting Quarterback. Let’s see what Swag does against an impressive YAMAJO team Tuesday night. Last Week: Same

4. Los Avocados – Part of me wants to keep these guys in the six spot, given who they beat last week, and the absence of starting QBs playing a factor in losses for the next 2 teams on the list, but I can’t hold it against Los Avocados. They beat who was on their schedule, and more importantly, the off-season acquisition of Thomas Zorko is already starting to pay off in a big way, which suggests that they deserve to rise in the rankings anyways. Last Week: 6th

5. SPARTANS – They drop one spot cause of their aforementioned loss to the Smokin Axolotls, but the return of James D’Andrea will ensure that they won’t be down for very long. Last Week: Same

6. One Speed: Power – No matter how ugly it looked, with the game on the line versus the Super Troopers, they pulled out the win, and that’s all that matters. Last Week: 7th

7. Dirty Mike n the Boys – They simply looked dominant in their near 60-point (58-0) win over Here For The Beer last Monday at Papineau. They face a much stiffer opponent Tuesday night in Just For The Reps. Let’s see what happens. Last Week: 8th

8. Super Troopers – They more than held their own against One Speed: Power, and their defense made a lot of plays. However, until they get more production out of the QB position I don’t see them moving up the standings. Last Week: 3rd

 

Picks

In the past, I would usually make a pick for all the games, and that would be that. To make things a little bit more interesting, Marc-André Désaulniers, and I have decided to each pick 5 different games that we will bet on each week. I will still make my pick for every game, but I will also list our head-to-head picks underneath it.

In retrospect, we never decided what the winner will get at the end of the season. Since paying the other person’s individual team fee is probably a bit of a reach, what do you guys think the winner should get. A picture of beer? A foot rub from Peeze (that would definitely go to the loser lol) Hit me up at @BADNEWS51 I am open to suggestions.

Super Troopers vs Greendale Human Beings – Greendale Human Beings

Little Giants vs Farmers – Farmers

The Expendables vs The Pension Plan – The Pension Plan

Sons of Mitches vs Striking Samurais – N/A

Friday Night Tykes vs Fourth & Twenty – Fourth & Twenty

Here For The Beer vs Moss City – Moss City

Prime Time vs TBA – TBA

SPARTANS vs One Speed: Power –SPARTANS

DGC vs Los Avocados – Los Avocados

Montreal Raiders vs Le choix du Président – Le choix du Président (My pick for Upset Special)

YAMAJO vs Pardon My Swag – Pardon My Swag

 

Last Week: 10-3-1
Season: 10-3-1

My Picks

FACE Jazz vs Hot Boys Hotline – FACE Jazz

Dirty Mike n the Boys vs Just For The Reps – Just For The Reps

Homosapiens vs Smokin Axolotls – Smokin Axolotls (My pick for Game of the Week)

SPARTANS vs One Speed: Power –SPARTANS

Raccoons vs West Delisle Squad – West Delisle Squad

 

Marc-André’s Picks

YAMAJO vs Pardon My Swag – Pardon My Swag

Here For The Beer vs Moss City – Moss City

Prime Time vs TBA – TBA

Friday Night Tykes vs Fourth & Twenty – Fourth & Twenty

Sons of Mitches vs Striking Samurais – Striking Samurais

 

That’s it for this week guys. Sorry for the later than usual article, I’ll get it out earlier next week.

Just a reminder, to check out the weekly podcast Wednesday nights, with Peeze, Stef, and I. No hard feelings TBA, I’m messing with you guys. If anything, you should roll with that as your name for the rest of the season. It’s comical, and a direct shot so to speak, at people who really have an issue with the name, or lack thereof.

See you guys next week, enjoy the long weekend, and good luck to everybody in their games!

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to reach me at [email protected], or on Twitter @BADNEWS51