Playoffs baby.

After 10 thrilling weeks, here we are. The real season begins with only 13 teams left standing (out of 18).

I’d like to take a moment and thank Rainmakers, OTF, Kings, QUAN and Broccasion for participating this season. This season wouldn’t have been the same without you and, although you didn’t make the playoffs, it’s been a blast all around!

Let’s get started.

Week 11 – Quarter Finals

Rainmakers couldn’t finish, Monstars pulled a miracle, STL continues to stumble, QUAN finished on a great note, Rare Bears are shaping up and Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan dropped a trap game.

 

Thoughts of the Week

• Monstars pulled off another absolutely ridiculous comeback. Two in one season is too much to ask for (see what I did there).
• I was about to talk QB Controversy for the Finest after Pat Chenard’s first 6 drives. I took it back.
• Justin Smolar kicking his football after his lone interception and getting it stuck up in the walls at Brossard was definitely a season highlight. A weird one, but definitely something special.
• Considering the team they had out there on Tuesday, Mat Rene did magic with the Kings’ offence.
• Sam Mashtoub finished with the most receiving yards on Monstars on Sunday. Wasn’t he playing FPF Jr last year?
• Jamal Gittens Matt Kirouac are both playoff eligible. Rare Bears have no excuses anymore.
• Division A playoff race is bound to be as exciting as possible this season.
• I know this will sound dumb considering the playoffs are here, but I have a feeling THIS is the week STL bounces back from their slump.
• I’m curious to see how Braves will perform in this year’s playoffs. They’re a true wild card.
• Coyotes made the playoffs with a -50 +/-. It shows how off they really were when Sammy Feder missed early on.
• Rich & Famous ONLY allowed 258 Points Against all season. Their defence needs more praises.
• Rare Bears allowed the least amount of points this season. Seems about right.
• I feel for the Rainmakers. In so many different ways.
• Monstars are one win away from their first Division A championship game; possibly their toughest game ever.
• Although many will expect KGP to be a very lopsided game, I believe every single game in Division A and B this week will be competitive and close. Just watch.
• Can’t believe the playoffs are already here.

 

Recaps

Division A

• Monstars vs DA Finest: No Kevin Wyeth, no problem? Patrick Chenard played QB for the Finest on Sunday and I was hella impressed with his performance until the very end of the game. In fact, he scored on all of his first 6 possessions including 1-point converts to score 42 points like it was the easiest of things. With a 2 score lead and a shot at putting the game away, he went to the endzone twice on 3^rd and 4^th and short which provoked a turnover on downs and gave Monstars a chance back into the game. Few plays later, up by no longer much, he ended up being intercepted and Monstars completed the comeback with a two point convert to go up 7. Hail Marys are a tricky thing and it wasn’t in the cards for Finest on Sunday as the last play didn’t connect. Nonetheless, DA Finest still finishes first seed (they only lost by 7 and required a 20+ point deficit to lose the seed) and will face the winner of the play-in game.
• Top Guns vs Rainmakers: The GOTW is out. It’s a pretty glorious one. Although most of you know the outcome by now, it’s still a pretty good game to watch. Jamil Springer made some pretty impressive plays (that 40yard touchdown over Addley Dufour and his 2point convert grabs were pretty nice) and we saw Top Guns’ offence in full display as they kept using different schemes and throwing Rainmakers off their game. As much as people will point at Daniel Lazzara for “throwing the game away” with that interception on a deep route, Danny D’Amour made a GREAT play on that ball adjusting to the QB and not recklessly following AJ Gomes once the ball was in the air. There was also a 4^th down turnover on downs earlier in the game where AJ Gomes could’ve/should’ve ran his route slightly deeper to move the chains, but Lapierre’s tackle stopped him short. Poor game management by Rainmakers saw them surrender two of their drives (getting only one play before the half was brutal too) way before the interception even occured.

 

Division B

• KGP vs Rich & Famous: In a weird defensive battle, KGP took on Rich & Famous and the first half looked nothing like the game I was expecting to scorekeep. In fact, RnF were up 7-6 at halftime leaving most people puzzled as to what was actually going on in this game. Both offence woke up in the second half and the Qbs got rolling posting nice numbers in the second half connecting left and right to move the chains and score on their ensuing drives. After a potential sack for a safety turned into a completion for a touchdown, KGP’s offence really found themselves and managed to connect late in the 2^nd half to go up 26-20 and put the pressure back on Rich Humes to drive the field and win. Seeing how Rich Humes has been playing in the second halves this season, I doubt pressure was the right word as he drove the field with ease and connected to take the lead 27-26. Marco Masciotra put an end to the game with an interception on a 40-yard throw with few plays left and clinched the #1 seed for Rich & Famous.
• Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan vs Drop The Mic: Minutes before the game, I was on the sidelines chatting it up and said this was an absolute trap game for 6Fast. Everyone took DTM for granted, but their roster is definitely good enough to compete and have the athletes to take away what makes 6Fast so talented. Few drives into the game, up 20-6, Drop The Mic never looked so good and 6Fast had simply no answer for the Jordan McLaren threat and Mario Porreca’s beautiful deep throws. Sure, Fred Viens had a bad game and it happens to the best of us and it’s much better to have it NOW than next week, but there was a bit more to just a bad game showing out there; actual cracks in the armor for the undeniable giant that is Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan. Have Drop The Mic figured out the way to cancel out that impressive offence? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, I’d hate to be KGP next week being on the revenge path that these guys are bound to have set themselves upon.
• Kings vs OTF: Everything is better than a forfeit. Everything. So I was pleased to see both rosters showing up with just enough guys to at least play the game. Sure, they weren’t the most impressive rosters of all times, but at least they got to play their week 10 games. As much as OTF looked impressive offensively given the weapons they had, Kings’ roster was simply not able to compete all things considered. For Mathieu Rene to throw 5 touchdowns on the day is remarkable by itself and he really tried to keep the ball moving. Jacques Void had yet another impressive outing going off for 156 receiving yards and Mathieu Lepage’s absence most likely costed him the WR award as his opponents kept balling out. Aside from one small miscue offensively, Justin Smolar looked very good for the entire hour as he finished with 8 passing touchdowns and 300+ yards. Hopefully we’ll get to see OTF next season!

 

Players of the Week

Division A

• Patrick Jerome (DA Finest): In an outing without his regular QB, he quickly became The Show as he emerged with 154 receiving yards and 2 Tds. Monstrous performance.
• Theo Ojeaha (Rare Bears): With an award on the line, he went off for 100 yards and 4 Tds in a statement game. He truly is the best receiver in Division A.
• Jamil Springer (Top Guns): Even though he finished with 113 yards and 3 touchdowns, I still feel like the stats don’t do justice to how dominant he really was on Tuesday night against Rainmakers. Watch the tape, you’ll see what I mean.

 

Division B

• Vince Nardone (Incredibles): When his QB needed him the most, Vince Nardone came up clutch on key downs and finished with 8 catches for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• Jordan McLaren (Drop The Mic): The opposing team looked clueless on how to defend him and he went off for 3 touchdowns. He broke the game open for his team on Monday.
• Alex Holowach (QUAN): Although he didn’t have his regular squad, he still emerged out of the pack with a dominant 283 passing yard and 7 TD game. Well done
• Owen Bujarsky (OTF): In his Division B debut, he managed to get an interception and 3 touchdowns against Kings. Impressive debut.

 

Power Rankings

Division A

1. Monstars (7-3): Finest might have finished first in the seeding, but Monstars finished first in my Power Rankings this season. The game might have been very different if Kevin Wyeth would’ve played it, but they’ve played the cards they were dealt.
2. DA Finest (7-3): Another impressive season in the books. Let’s see how they warm up to the real season now.
3. Rare Bears (5-5): Their most recent wins should fuel them to perform “better” next week against Monstars. It’s good to see them on a winning streak though.
4. Top Guns (5-5):Basically knocked out Rainmakers with their win last week, Top Guns are already in playoffs form. This week’s game vs Braves is bound to be a great one.
5. Braves (3-7):Facing possible elimination, they couldn’t beat Rare Bears, but made the playoffs anyways. Can they redeem themselves and find their previous glory?
6. Rainmakers (3-7): After starting the season 3-1, I had high hopes for Rainmakers. They finished 6^th and on the outside looking in.

 

Division B

1. Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan (8–2): First seed and first in my power rankings. Last week’s scare should be long gone after how dominant they’ve been all season.
2. Rich & Famous (7-3):Clinched first seed in Conference A, R&F finished looking like what I’ve anticipated of them preseason.
3. Lightweight (7-3): After a very surprising regular season, it’s time to see what we can do in the playoffs when it actually matters.
4. Incredibles (6-4): Finished the season on a high note will help them moving into the playoffs. Very impressive season nonetheless.
5. Drop The Mic (6-4): One of the only two team that can say they’ve beat Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan. Quite the exploit. Don’t let it go in vain.
6. Coyotes (5-5): Over the recent seasons, Coyotes have turned into a juggernaut in the playoffs. Will this season be any differen?
7. STL (5–5):This season’s most surprising finish, STL has been on a 5-game losing streak and will look to snap it before it’s too late.
8. KGP (4-6): With the toughest matchup on the boards, they’ve got a serious uphill battle from here on out.
9. OTF (4–6):Their season ended last week, but there’s a lot of good that came out of Spring 2017 for them. Hopefully they’ll be back next season.
10. Broccasion (2-8):They never gave up and surprised quite a few people along the way. Kudos.
11. QUAN (3–6-1):Considering how good this team could have been, I cannot rank them any higher when it’s all said and done.
12. Kings (2-7-1):Their last game concluded one of the most disappointing season I’ve witnessed in a while.

 

Simon’s Awards

The real awards are officially compiled and will be announced on Friday, but I’ve decided to compile my very own list of Awards for Division A and B and give love to different guys. Since they aren’t FPF’s official awards, I’ve decided to change the name.

 

Division A

• Most Improved Player: Rod Mashtoub

From his satisfying Division 2 season last Winter to a ground breaking Division A this season, Rod Mashtoub has gone a LONG way since his Division 4 days. He took a decent Monstars squad and made it a 7-3 contender knocking out Finest along the way. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been impressed with how he’s been playing recently.

• Biggest Acquisition: JD Chevalier

Braves lost a few of their members moving into the Spring season, but there’s no doubt that JD Chevalier fits that team perfectly as he emerged as one of Jonathan Maheu’s favorite target and even managed to finish with the most yards and Tds on the team when it was all said and done.

• The Unsung Hero: Quaysie Gordon-Maule

Although he doesn’t get the most praises when you look at the team as whole, his impact on the defensive side of the ball and how they play in his absence just shows how important he’s become to Monstars’ success in Division A this season.

• Biggest Surprise: Antoine Dansereau-Leclerc

Formerly a Division E player with Trinity, Finest recruited him to make the ridiculous jump and he’s performed at the highest level ever since. Although basically no one knows him, he’s been a stud all season for DA Finest.

 

Division B

• Most Improved Player: Rich Humes

Although I’ve debated the winner here a while, there’s no doubting how far Rich Humes has come from his times in Division C and D. Taking his team to new heights without ever changing his system shows what kind of leader and QB he’s become.

• Biggest Acquisition: Anthony Vendrame

We don’t need to ask Vinny Gualano for this one; everyone will agree that he took Lightweight to a whole new level finishing with 17 Tds in 6 games. He even managed to make ME look good all season.

• The Unsung Hero: Alex Holowach

All things considered, he’s been a dominant QB in division B all season and never gave up. He was forced to deal with tough roster inconsistencies and still finished with a great season. His team’s record does not represent how well he played all season.

• Biggest Surprise: Mathieu Lepage

Coming off good but not dominant seasons, Mathieu Lepage wasn’t a name we’d expect to hear week-in and week-out as an offensive stud, but he quickly developed a solid connection with his QB and managed to be in contention for awards with only 8 games played.

 

Playoffs Scenario

Division A

1	DA Finest	10	7	3	0	343	308	14	35	[7-3-0]
2	Monstars	10	7	3	0	376	352	14	24	[7-3-0]
3	Rare Bears	10	5	5	0	326	274	10	52	[5-5-0]
4	Top Guns	10	5	5	0	339	357	10	-18	[5-5-0]
5	Braves	10	3	7	0	281	310	6	-29	[3-7-0]
6	Rainmakers	10	3	7	0	314	378	6	-64	[3-7-0]

• Rainmakers lost to Top Guns and are officially eliminated from this season’s playoff race.
• Top Guns will face Braves as the “home” team in this week’s play-in game. Winner gets to face DA Finest next week.
• Monstars and Rare Bears are locked in to face each other next week.

 

Division B

1	Rich & Famous	10	7	3	0	291	258	14	33	[3-2-0]
2	Incredibles	10	6	4	0	347	327	12	20	[4-1-0]
3	Drop the Mic	10	6	4	0	341	319	12	22	[2-3-0]
4	STL	10	5	5	0	329	319	10	10	[2-3-0]
5	OTF	10	4	6	0	317	347	8	-30	[4-1-0]
6	Kings	10	2	7	1	325	394	5	-69	[0-5-0]

• With last week’s win, Rich & Famous clinched the first seed and will face STL who dropped from 5-0 to 5-5.
• Incredibles are set to play Drop The Mic and decide the outcome of the coin toss as the Home team.
• OTF beat Kings to finish 5^th instead of dead last.

 

1	Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan	10	8	2	0	411	229	16	182	[5-0-0]
2	Lightweight	10	7	3	0	347	312	14	35	[3-2-0]
3	Coyotes	10	5	5	0	304	354	10	-50	[3-2-0]
4	KGP	10	4	6	0	341	354	8	-13	[2-3-0]
5	QUAN	10	3	6	1	338	346	7	-8	[1-4-0]
6	Broccasion	10	2	8	0	287	419	4	-132	[1-4-0]

• Although 6Fast dropped this week’s game, they remain the #1 seed and will face KGP on Monday.
• Lightweight is locked in against Coyotes in the battle of the 2^nd vs 3^rd seed.
• QUAN edged Broccasion this week to finish 5^th.

 

Matchups to Watch

Division A

• JD Chevalier vs Danny D’Amour: It was the story the last two times they faced each other, so, it is the story once again. After torching him for huge gains in both their matchups, JD Chevalier will attempt to do it a 3^rd time. Will Danny have adjusted?

 

Division B

• Terrence Adams vs Rich Humes: R&F plays the “Rich Humes’ offence” which starts with Rich Humes gaining time in the pocket and rolling out to either side. If they want to keep that offence contained, Terrence Adams will need to have his biggest game of the season.
• Sasha Papich vs Timothy Godber: Although he missed a handful of games, Timothy Godber finished with absurd stats (351 yards and 9 TD in 5 games). He’s developed into a key part of the offence. Can Papich contain him to his smallest game yet?
• Gordon Hogan vs Alex Pilon: Knowing that McLean will line up against Brisebois, Gordon is the man left to match up against Alex Pilon and attempt to diminish his impact on the game. Will he succeed?
• Francois Hogue vs Sammy Feder: Last time around, Coyotes had multiple 4^th down, but converted on all of them to keep their offence alive. If Hogue can establish a good pass rush early, Feder might be forced to release the ball earlier than he’d like and it could work in Lightweight’s favor.

 

Picks of the Week

Division A

Top Guns vs Braves: Top Guns

 

Division B

Rich & Famous vs STL: Rich & Famous

Incredibles vs Drop The Mic: Incredibles

Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan vs KGP: Six Fast Guys Minus Ryan

Lightweight vs Coyotes: —-

 

That’s it for me this week. Hopefully this is what you’ve all grown to love and expect out of me for your weekly readings. If it isn’t, you can send any sort of formal complaint to Paolo Della Rocca via twitter (@PeezeFPF) so I can keep tab and act like I didn’t know about it. Otherwise, if you have any comments, feel free to hit me up either via emails ([email protected]) or twitter (@DagenaisFPF). Until next time.