Division E: Divisional Round Review; Quarter-Final Preview

Welcome to Week 13 of the FlagPlus Football season, otherwise known as the Quarter-Finals. Without a doubt, some people might be a little sore, and there are surely more than a few broken hearts, but over the past six days, we have been treated to some fantastic football, curtesy of the Wild-Card, and Divisional games.

 

This past Tuesday in Brossard, we witnessed a slate of games that were on both ends of the barometer in terms of excitement, and the final score.

 

The Homosapiens, got the blowout train rolling, as they made easy work out of the Little Giants on the way to a 39-0 victory.

 

The veteran squad made the Little Giants pay for playing man defense, and not making any adjustments on that side of the ball, as they used intermediate and deep routes to shred their opponents all game long.

 

G.M. Kolethras, who was the beneficiary of a number of those big plays, caught 4 passes for a game-high 70 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

 

On the rare occasion that the Homosapiens decided to go with the short passing game, Quarterback François Deslauriers, hit receiver and fellow 49ers fan, Lonnie Johnson 5 times for 35 yards, and 2 TDs of his own.

 

It was a disastrous game for the Little Giants, as not did they fail to score any points, but they looked like a team who was playing together for the first time. Drops, off-target passes, and bad routes plagued them the entire evening.

 

Quarterback Shane Hughes, had his worst game of the season by far, as he finished 6 of 23 for 71 yards, and 2 interceptions, including a pick-6 to Defensive Back David Weiss.

 

For the Little Giants it was a brutal way to end what started off as a promising season. Luckily, this team has a lot of talent, they just need to add maybe one more playmaker on offense, and work on consistency.

 

Prime Time, has now extended their winning streak to six games in a row, with their 51-19 win over TBA.

 

The victory was keyed by Quarterback Stephen Harripersaud, who once again looked surgical with the ball in his hands, and made his case for the best QB of the post-season thus far, as he threw for 179 yards, and 7 TDs, on 13 of 19 passing.

 

He also showed he can do some damage with his legs, as he ran for a 32-yard TD as well.

 

Wide Receiver Shyanne Stewart, had a monster game of his own, as he had 4 receptions for 59 yards, and game-high 4 TDs.

 

In TBA’s defense, they played the game without their starting Quarterback Clay Sequira, who was out with an illness. Unfortunately for the rookie team, as hard as Eric Vosko, and Jer Friedman, tried to fill-in for their QB, the duo weren’t able to overcome a combined 5 interceptions.

 

For a first-year squad that has athleticism, speed, an elite Quarterback, and now some experience under their belts, despite the disappointing end to the campaign, this team will definitely continue to get better and better.

 

The 7 other Div. E games, all went down to the games final possession. The Hot Boys Hotline, YAMAJO, Super Troopers, Greendale Human Beings, and Moss City, all needed defensive stands at the end of their respective games to get the victory.

 

If the YAMAJO/Dirty Mike n the Boys contest was a boxing match, the tale of the tape would be pretty even between these two extremely fast, and athletic teams. Both squads exchanged blow for blow, and traded momentum through-out the affair. DMNTB were up against the ropes in the first half via some heavy hits by their opponents, while YAMAJO, had the look of a fighter who was looking to be saved by the bell in the second stanza.

 

This game cane down to an exciting final few plays. After surrendering a 6-yard TD to Anton Sakiz that gave YAMAJO a 24-19 lead, Dirty Mike n the Boys, marched down the field with 5 plays remaining. After connecting on a 24-yard pass to Jared Gallant, QB Jordan Allard, picked 8 yards on a run, then another 7 yards on a throw to Joel Therrien-Lareault.

Allard, would be sacked on the second to last play by Rusher Damon Thomas-Anderson. Now facing do-or-die, Allard escaped the rusher, rolled out to his right and tossed a ball to a sea of bodies in the back of the end-line. Unfortunately for the pivot, the pass went to high, and sailed out the back of the end-zone, game over, YAMAJO 24-19.

 

As great as the game was, the performance or YAMAJO’s Damon Thomas-Anderson, and DMNTB’s Gianni Johnston was perhaps even better, as both Rushers combined for 10 sacks.

 

As is unfortunately sometimes the case with football, both tackle and flag, we have injuries. Injury struck early in the Dirty Mike n the Boys/YAMAJO game, as DMNTB’s two-way player Jonathan McQueen, went down with a severe left knee injury and did not return to the game.

 

To his credit, McQueen, still made his presence felt in the game, as he helped his defensive teammates from the bench by calling out coverages, and giving tips and encouragement, despite not being able to stand on his left leg.

 

Speaking of injury, the nasty part of the greatest game on earth, struck again on Tuesday (on Field #3 the same pitch where McQueen got hurt) in the matchup between the SPARTANS, and the West Delisle Squad, when WDS two-way player Joseph Haddad, who was having a solid game with 4 catches for 39 yards, was caught in a nasty collision with the SPARTANS’s Alexis Bessette on a conversion play.

 

On the play, Haddad, who was a defender, was attempting to make a play on the ball, off of an ill-advised throw by Quarterback James D’Andrea. As Haddad stepped forward to make the interception, Bessette, made a diving attempt to catch the pass. As he did that, he made contact with Haddad, and both players hit the ground. Showing a lot of toughness, the defender, simply got up and made his way to the bench. While there, I noticed he was clutching his shoulder and collarbone area. Unfortunately for the second-year player, he would remain on the bench for the rest of the game, and would have to stretchered out of the Bell Sports Complex by paramedics, as he appeared to have suffered a broken clavicle.

 

Before the Haddad injury, this was a really good game, as two evenly matched teams were going all out. We had it all in this one, a fast start, a big lead, a comeback, highlight touchdowns, intensity, and so much more. It felt like as soon one team made a big play, the other would answer right back. This is what playoff football is all about.

 

Unfortunately, the game gave us a bit of history too, but in a negative way. Going back to the Haddad/Bessette play, the defender was given a Unnecessary Roughness penalty on the play. From where I was standing, it was a bad call, because the West Delisle Squad Defensive Back was holding his position, attempting to make a play on the ball, and most importantly, wasn’t the player who initiated the contact.

 

Clearly, and rightfully upset with the penalty, both Alexandre Turcotte and Michael Khazaka of WDS, voiced their displeasure, and went to talk to the refs. After not letting it go, both players drew Objectionable Conduct penalties, but they eventually went back to their huddle.

 

A few plays later, West Delisle Squad, drew a flag for Flag Guarding. Turcotte didn’t agree with the call. He got into the face of one of the refs, and was tossed from the game with a second OC. With the Haddad injury, and the Turcotte ejection, WDS was down to 4 players. The official FPF rulebook states that if a team has less than 5 players, they automatically forfeit the game. In a smart move by the officials, realizing that it’s a playoff matchup, they chose to let the game continue. Unfortunately for his team, Khazaka was still livid about all of the calls, and the Turcotte situation. He kept on talking to the refs, until he got ejected too. With a 6 on 3 advantage for the SPARTANS, the officials decided to end the game, and awarded the victory to the SPARTANS by forfeit 30-0.

 

The crazy and historical thing about the whole situation, is that the West Delisle Squad was leading the game 33-30 with about 4 minutes left when the game was prematurely ended. While there have unfortunately been forfeits before, in the 12-year history of FPF, there has never been a playoff game that has ended in that fashion. Hopefully, we won’t see that again.

 

While I understand getting frustrated with a call, or non-call on the field, (God knows I have before) getting ejected from a game because of it, is something I can’t condone. Penalties will be called both good and bad, and they will be missed as well. That’s sometimes part of the game, no matter what type of football you play. Do your best to get over it, and focus on the bigger picture…winning.

 

In the same building where they experienced heartbreak last August, the Smokin Axolotls suffered another gut-wrenching defeat on Tuesday, as they went down 32-26 at the hands of Moss City.

 

In the first half of this game, it looked like Moss City was going to cruise to an easy victory, as they were up 20-7 at the break, curtesy of some big plays by Bruno Provencher, and Victor Rifiorati, who would go on to combine for an incredible 19 catches.

 

The Smokin Axolotls, woke up in the second stanza, with a quick-strike offense that put Moss City back on their heels. SA Quarterback Jordan Rossie, started airing out the ball, and hit receivers Jason Rossie, Rory Semerjian, with deep shots. When the QB did go short, he hit the always reliable Chris Brokwell, on underneath routes, and the big man would shake a would-be tackler, and pick up tons of yards after the catch.
After the furious comeback by the Smokin Axolotls, that saw them score 19 second-half points, this game came down to the final two plays.

 

Facing a 4th and long from midfield, Rossie rolled out deep to chuck a Hail Mary, as he was following through on the pass, he was hit by Rusher Benjamin De Tilly. The throw went incomplete, but the contact drew a flag.

 

With two plays still remaining, Rossie hit Semerjian on a slant that brought the ball inside the 5-yard line. On the final play of the game, Rossie went back to the same target, but the ball was deflected away by a defender, and that was it.

The Super Troopers, played how many of us thought they would heading into the season, as they knocked off The Pension Plan, 32-27.

 

Gabriel Wiseman, arguably the most underrated, and smartest guys in all of FPF, had a solid game, as he completed 13 of 20 passes, for 113 yards, and 4 TDs. His ability to spread the ball around to different receivers, make plays with his legs (4 carries for 41 yards and 1TD), and to not only find holes, but to pick them apart in The Pension Plan defense, was impressive.

 

Helping Wiseman out on offense, was Zackary Alberts-Gill. The big man came through with 3 catches for 37 yards and a team-leading 2 TDs (one on a nice go route), and took advantage of all the attention that was being paid to teammate Zach Zwirn.

 

Out of all the Super Trooper players, Gerry Gilbert, might have had the biggest game of all, as the third-year player led his team in receptions with 5 (one went for a TD), tackles with 6, and 2 passes defended (he tied that mark with Zwirn).

 

For The Pension Plan, they played a good game, but they will be the first to admit that they left a lot of chances on the field, as they suffered numerous drops, missed tackles, and the occasional poor throw. One thing that surprised me, was that receiver Armando Gonzalez Bermudas, only got one pass. He is by far the fastest player on the team, and multiple times during the game, he was wide open, but QB Vince Pisano, didn’t look in his direction. The same could be said of Junior Spera, but he at least caught 5 passes. Hopefully going forward, Gonzalez Bermudas, can be incorporated more into the offense.

 

One team I have to give credit to, is the Sons of Mitches. Going into their game against the Greendale Human Beings, I thought the contest would be over quickly. I was completely wrong, as the underdogs took the Division 6 champs to the wire. They had a real chance at pulling off the upset, but an interception by SOM Quarterback Patrick Manning, gave the ball back to GHB, in the dying minutes of the game. A 30-plus yard TD a few plays run by QB Danny Aylward, officially gave his team a 12-point win (32-20) but this contest was MUCH closer, and had virtually everyone in attendance, thinking that they were about to witness the biggest upset this season had to offer.

 

The Hot Boys Hot Line silenced some of their critics, with a hard-fought 28-21 win over One Speed: Power. This contest was filled with big plays, huge momentum shifts, trash-talking, and a lot of screaming and shouting.

 

For me, this game came down to two series. The first one was on One Speed: Power’s second offensive possession, where Peeze hit Daniel Bornstein, on a 38-yard pass to kick the game off. With 4 tries to get the ball in the end-zone after the Borenstein catch, OSP, couldn’t punch it in. That wasted opportunity would come back to haunt them.

 

The second series, was the final one of the game, where OSP drove all the way up field, and had the ball in the red-zone, with a chance to force overtime on the game’s final play. As Peeze said on the podcast, this week, he had Joseph James on the goal-line, but something else flashed open briefly, and he threw the ball, only to have it be picked off by Hot Boys Hotline DB Tabari Yearwood, to seal the game.

 

Both teams delivered a solid and exciting game. Nonetheless, it was a heart-breaking way to end the season for One Speed: Power.

 

On the podcast this week, I briefly mentioned the nonsense that was going on between members of both teams. I am not going to go over all of it again here, but I will say that making threats to people over a football game us stupid, and FPF won’t stand for it. You’re better than that. Grow up.

 

As much as I have singled out Peeze this season, (he’ll be the first to admit that it was rightfully so, and he has even done it to himself multiple times on the podcast) good Peeze showed up this post-season. Not only did he lead his team to an upset victory over Pardon My Swag, but he came within a play of doing the same thing to the Hot Boys Hotline. While I am sure he wants the INTs back that he threw against HBH, One Speed: Power, wouldn’t have been in position to pull off the victory, if it wasn’t for their QB. Good job sir, keep your head up!

 

We are now into the Quarter-Finals portion of the playoffs, the elite 8 if you will.

 

 

Conference A

 

 

Greendale Human Beings versus (8) SPARTANS

 

Last Meeting: Greendale Human Beings 31-27 (Week 9)

 

Like the majority of playoff games listed above, the first matchup between these two squads came down to the wire.

 

Holding a two-point lead, and having possession of the ball in the game’s final minutes, The SPARTANS, tried to milk the clock by calling a run play. QB James D’Andrea handed off the ball to Receiver Alexandre Samson, on the end-around, out of nowhere, the third-year player decided to pass the ball. The decision proved to be a game-changing one, as the pass was intercepted by Brandon Aylward. The play gave GHB, life, and they marched down the field, and scored on a 4th down run by Danny Aylward, to take a 31-27 lead with 2 plays remaining.

 

Besides the Samson pick, a key to the Greendale Human Beings’ victory, was the huge performance out of Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Greg Kritselas, who had 6 receptions for a game-high 63 yards, and a TD, to go along with 2 tackles, and a pair of PDs. While the Aylward brothers, and Daron Migdesyan, get a lot of attention, and rightfully so, for GHB to get the win, they will need some of their other players to step up their game, as Kritselas, did in their previous meeting.

 

The team will also have to replace Rusher John Tomaras, as the rookie Rusher, had to leave in the first-half of their game against Sons of Mitches, with what looked like a severe knee injury.

 

After almost getting embarrassed by the Sons of Mitches, the Greendale Human Beings will most likely be more focused, and ready to play an entire game tomorrow night.

 

For the SPARTANS to walk out of Stade de Montréal with the win, they will need to bend but not break defensively, as they take on the highest scoring team in Div. E. Whether it be Alex Jubenville, Daniel Hernandez, or Charles-David Martel, they will need to figure out who will be able to shadow Brandon Aylward and Daron Migdesyan.

 

On offense, James D’Andrea, or whoever else decides to throw, must protect the ball. The QB must also not look for the deep ball so much, and make sure to give Martel more targets, as he was largely ignored for the three quarters of their game Tuesday night.

 

The performance of Sumi Shan, will also be huge, as the inexperienced Rusher, will be going up against not only the best Quarterback in Div. E, but against the best running QB, in Danny Aylward. Shan’s inability to line-up properly before the snap, and pursuit technique, were more then noticeable against the West Delisle Squad. If those same issues pop up again tonight, he will get exploited.

 

I don’t see any reason why this game won’t go down to the wire once again. Despite not being as talented as their Div 6 squad that captured the championship, GHB, has proven to be more resilient this year, as they have pulled out multiple games with all the odds seemingly stacked against them.

 

On paper, the SPARTANS, are the  better and deeper team, and they have the athleticism advantage. They are also a confident bunch, who view their Week 9 loss to GHB, as a turning point in their season, as they’ve gone undefeated since then.

 

The SPARTANS, have silenced at least some of their playoff demons and critics so far in the post-season. I think they continue to do so this week as well.

 

Prediction: SPARTANS 28-27 (Upset Special)

 

(2) Homosapiens versus (4) YAMAJO

 

Last Meeting: N/A

 

This is a classic match-up of youth versus experience, as a deep, but predominantly rookie YAMAJO squad takes on the mostly Homosapiens.

 

I am really intrigued by this game. Both teams play completely different styles, either squad has the ability to shut their opponents down, with an aggressive and smothering defense, and with players like Lonnie Johnson, Anton Sakiz, Tristan Hetu-Frankel, Dvd Joseph, G.M. Kolethras, Jack Antaki, and Kevin Foster, both sides have multiple playmakers.

 

YAMAJO, has the advantage, in speed, size, youth, aggression, and numbers. The one area besides experience, that they are behind in is the most important, and that is at Quarterback. Despite being extremely athletic, and having a good arm, Terrence Dobson, who is in his first full season playing the position, has a slow delivery, is late to throw the ball sometimes, and is prone to interceptions. Going into tonight’s game, the 6-year vet, has thrown a pick in 7 straight games, including a streak of 2 INTs in his last 4 contests.

 

For the team to win, Dobson, will obviously have to protect the ball, and offense, which seemingly fell was slowed down in the second-half versus Dirty Mike n the Boys, will need to respond.

 

The Homosapiens, know they had a cake-walk against the Little Giants last week, and they will be facing much stiffer competition in YAMAJO.

 

Much like their game against the aforementioned Little Giants, the Homosapiens’ offense, will need to take advantage of any holes that they see in their opponents’ defense.

 

Quarterback François Deslauriers, will need to be accurate with the football, as the aggressive YAMAJO defense, held Dirty Mike n the Boys QB Jordan Allard, to 8 completions, and 2 INTs, and provided very little space in the passing lane.

 

Obviously, the game needs to be played, but I think this will be a good one. As I said earlier, I think these two teams are fairly even, but I give the advantage to the Homosapiens in experience and offense, and that’s why I am picking them to win the game.

 

Prediction: Homosapiens 30-23

 

 

Conference B

 

 

(1) Hot Boys Hotline versus (5) Prime Time

 

Last Meeting: N/A

 

One of the hottest teams in Div. E in Prime Time, taking in a team that is fighting for respect, in the Hot Boys Hotline.

 

For the Hot Boys Hotline to continue the put some respect on my name tour, they will need to find a way to disrupt opposing QB Stephen Harripersaud. When given time and space, the rookie, has picked apart a defenses, with smart play-calling and accurate passes.

 

They should also look to take the lead early, as the their offense operates much better, and takes less chances when they are out in front, and more importantly, Prime Time, has yet to play catch-up during the playoffs.

 

To do that, the Hot Boys Hotline, will need receivers Derek Gatehouse, Tyler Keating, and Shawn Fontaine, to step up their game, as they will have a chance to do some damage, with all the attention teammates Edwouard Valmé, and Vadim Chernyak, will be destined to receive tonight.

 

For Prime Time, this is the first real test that they will be facing this post-season, as they easily beat an inferior DGC team in the Wild Card round, and played an under-manned TBA squad Tuesday night.

 

To come out with the victory, they will need to create mis-matches on offense, as they have the deepest, and arguably best group of receivers in Div. E, with Brenden Sabloff, Josh Levine, Michael Iannella, Meïssa N’Garane, Shyanne Stewart, and Vincent Blondin.

 

As good as Vadim Chernyak, and Edwouard Valmé are, I don’t think that the Hot Boys Hotline, will have enough firepower to keep up with Prime Time.

 

The same holds true on the other side of the ball, as, despite the skills of Valmé, Tyler Keating, and Tabari Yearwood, I don’t think the Hot Boys Hotline, will be able to stop their high-scoring offense.

 

Prediction: Prime Time 28-13

 

(2) Moss City versus (3) Super Troopers

 

Last Meeting: N/A

 

Yet another fascinating match-up, as this game features an experienced Super Troopers team, taking on a young, but exciting Moss City squad.

 

A key for the Super Troopers, will be their ability to get after Quarterback Andrew Farrier. In their game against the Smokin Axolotls, Farrier, was sacked twice by Rusher Chris Brockwell, and he repeatedly had to rollout backwards and use his speed to create enough separation from the pressure to get off his passes. The big question, that needs to be answered, is who will the team use a rush. Will it be the speedy Trevor Rendell, who has 5 sacks in his last 3 games, or Zackary Alberts-Gill, who has the length advantage over Farrier, and more experience at the position?

 

For Moss City, they will need to take advantage of the Super Troopers defense. Bruno Provencher, Victor Rifiorati, Benjamin De Tilly, and company, will need to create match-up problems with their speed.

 

With no legitimate pass rush, Moss City will also need to get after Super Troopers QB Gabriel Wiseman. When he has time to throw, he will not only connect with receivers for big gains, but he will kill teams with his scrambling ability as well.

 

One matchup, that I hope to see will be Zach Zwirn going up against Benoit Vanier, as it pits two All-Stars, in the reigning Two-Way Player of the Year, in Zwirn, versus Vanier, who was a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Hopefully, both playmakers go head-to-head at least a few times.

 

Ultimately, I think this game will come down to the smarts of Defensive Coordinator Gabriel Wiseman, against the fast and athletic Moss City offense.

 

Wiseman, will make adjustments, and disguise coverages against the Farrier. Will the rookie be able to figure it all out?

 

I think he will, and the  Moss City offense will make enough plays to come away with the win.

 

Prediction: Moss City 26-20

 

 

That’s it for this week guys, I will be back Tuesday morning with a recap of tonight’s match-ups, and a preview of that night’s Semi-Final games.

 

Good luck to everybody playing tonight!

 

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