Upsets, Near Upsets, and Any Given Sunday

Welcome to Week 5 of the FlagPlus Football Division C article.

One of my favorite football movies of all time is Any Given Sunday. While it is no Rudy, with Al Pacino, Jaime Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Aaron Eckhart, you know the acting was solid. Lawrence Taylor, and Jim Brown were awesome as well.

Even though the ending was unbelievable (can you picture Pete Carroll leaving the Seahawks, and taking Russell Wilson with him?) the story was believable, as we have seen young flashy Quarterbacks take over for veterans. The aging players trying to hang on, and crazy parties, minus the chainsaw, are also very relatable as well.

The speeches were fantastic, and made me want to strap on the shoulder pads all over again. All in all, it was a very solid, and entertaining movie.

 

This past week in FPF, was the football was solid, and entertaining too, as we witnessed one colossal upset, almost witnessed two others, and saw a few teams get off the mat, and show some signs of life.

 

Riding into Week 4, looking like arguably the top team in Division C, TOPSZN, got punched in the face by Broccasion, and couldn’t get up, as previous the winless squad got their first victory of the season, with a (32-27) win, Wednesday night at Saint-Laurent.

The key for Broccasion, was their offense, and some key performances by a number of players. Heading into Week 4, the team had only averaged 21 points a game. Against TOPSZN , the team surpassed that total in the first half, as they came out firing on all cylinders.

Broccasion Quarterback Kristian Cerantola, marched his offense up and down the field, as he spread the ball around to multiple targets, and kept the TOPSZN defenders at bay, with a quick-strike offense, that looked like a page taken out from his opponent’s playbook.

Veteran FPF All-Star Jeremy Anderson, who made his debut last week versus the Strangers, with 6 catches for 90 yards, and 2 touchdowns, was even better against TOPSZN, as he hauled in 4 passes for 97 yards, and 3 TDs.

Mark Ferraro, of Division B’s Drop The Mic, made an impact on both sides of the ball, as he had 2 catches for 29 yards, and 2 TDs, along with an interception, and a pass deflection.

Despite all those impressive performances, the biggest one was by one of the team’s core players, in Micha Watts, who had a game-high 3 sacks, and did the near-impossible job of shutting down the TOPSZN running game, as he held QB Jarryd Taylor, to a jaw-dropping 7 yards.

For TOPSZN, the loss was a shocker. While they were without a major weapon, in big man Justene Edwards, the team should have enough firepower to compensate.

Besides the upset itself, this game was even more unique, given that all of the points were scored in the first half. Yep, all 59 of them.

Both teams have a big question that must be asked going forward. For Broccasion, is this the beginning of what could be a turning-point in their season? While for TOPSZN, is this just a hiccup, or has the secret to shutting down their high-powered offense been revealed?

 

With games against the division’s top Rushers, in Brenden Sabloff, Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, and Isiah Allard, we will find out.

Speaking of Isiah Allard, he and his Lights Out squad, came within a play or two, of knocking off The Commission, last Sunday in Lachine.

After falling behind (12-6) at the half, due to a stingy The Commission defense, and Lights Out Quarterback Drew Keiller’s inability to hit open receivers with the long ball, on the rare occasions that one would get free deep, the Lights Out defense, picked up the slack, as they forced two interceptions, and a turnover on downs in the second half, with the help of the rush provided by Allard, while although not registering a sack, he did cause TC Quarterback Jean-Félix Marquis, to have to get rid of the ball quickly, on almost every single play.

After a Lights Out touchdown by Mickey Marini, brought the team to within a score of taking the lead with just under 10 minutes remaining, the team forced the aforementioned turnover on downs, just past mid-field.

With their backs against the wall, and facing a massive upset, The Commission defense, as it has all season, came through once again, as they were able to get a 4th down stop of their own, on an interception by Kenny Boutilier in the endzone.

Needing to get the ball back with 5 plays remaining, the Lights Out defense couldn’t force another stop. Game over.

Last week, I picked the Junkyard Dogs versus The Alpha-T’s as one of my Games of the Week. Both teams didn’t disappoint, as they put on a thriller last Monday at Papineau.

This game was a tale of two halves, as a crucial pick by TAT’s Julien Bellavance, off of JYD Quarterback Jason Rossie, gave his team a (19-7) lead.

To make matters worse, a promising drive by JYD, was shutdown in the redzone as the first half came to an end.

The second stanza, was where JYD offense woke up, as they scored on every drive. Rossie, picked apart the TATs defense, as he hit Rory Semerjian, and Jonathan Williams for touchdowns, and played keep away, with long and methodical drives, that kept their opponents offense off the field.

The only problem for the JYD, was despite winning the second half, as they outscored their opponents (19-12), was that when the TATs offense did step on the field, they couldn’t be stopped, as they scored on both of their drives.

Despite the loss, JYD, proved they can hang with the Division C elite. Let’s see if they can carry the momentum this week against Omelette You Finish.

Speaking of eggs, Omelette You Finish, did the opposite of laying one last Wednesday night, as they dropped a 50 burger, in their (52-18) win over Braves U at Saint-Laurent.

Former All-Star Quarterback Simon Dagenais, had by far his best game of the season, as he went 13 of 15 for 207 yards, with an impressive 7 touchdowns.

While the highly-anticipated return of Juwan Edghill, didn’t happen, one receiver who did show up, was Justin Lerner. The 4-time All-Star, had a game-high 9 catches for 147 yards, and 4 touchdowns, to go along with 2 interceptions, one of which was ran back for a score.

For Braves U, who was without their starting Quarterback in Leandre Ethier, it was another frustrating loss, that dropped their record to (0-3-1).

Replacing Ethier, at QB, was David Verreault, who struggled, as he completed 8 of 21 passing attempts, for 87 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

The only positive for the team, was the play of Jonathan Maheu, who caught all three of his team’s touchdowns.

The Backyard Bullies, had another impressive showing, as they annihilated the Vikings (36-14) Sunday night at Lachine.

After he and his team struggled to start the season, Quarterback Rich Humes, and the team’s offense, has seemed to have found him rhythm, as he tore apart the Vikings defense, to the tune of 202 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

The dynamic receiving duo of Jordan Allard, and Alex Moreau, were too much to handle, as they shredded the Vikings defense on deep routes all night long.

On the other side of the ball, Sean Avraam’s defense was aggressive, as they tried to shutdown the speed of the Vikings offense. The game plan worked, as they picked off Quarterback Nicolas Gendron-Vallée, three times, and shutout them out in the second half.

Let’s see if the Bullies can keep the momentum alive, this Monday night, with a huge game against the BearSkins. (More on that in a bit).

A big tip of the hat to Jagerbomb, and especially their defense, as they crushed Keyport Lock, (39-0), Sunday night at Papineau.

Offensively, the team used three different Quarterbacks, in Yannick Doston, Jean-Felix Daloze, and Simon Duchesne. All three passers combined to go 7 of 16, for 74 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Where the team really shone, was on defense, as Jagerbomb, intercepted Keyport Lock Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt, six times, and incredibly ran back four of them for touchdowns. Wow.

Jean-Felix Daloze, was the brightest star, as 2 out of his 3 INTs, went to the house.

For Rosenblatt, that makes 9 turnovers in his last 2 games, and 11 in total, which puts him in a tie for the Division C lead in interceptions, with the Strangers Gino Di Fazio.

 

Matchups

 

Vinny Gualano versus the Backyard Bullies

First it was Sean Avraam and Jordan Allard versus The Commission, now it is Vinny Gualano, taking on his former crew, as the Backyard Bullies take on the BearSkins, Monday night at Papineau.

From Grip n Rip, Dad Bods, No Fly Zone, to the Backyard Bullies, Vinny Gualano, Rich Humes, Derrick Fontana, Steve Sanner, and Sean Avraam, have always played together, and have gone on to win multiple championships.

According to Gualano, he there was no space for him on this edition of the Backyard Bullies, while the team claims he declined to join them, and instead agreed to play for the BearSkins.

Whoever is right in this he said, she said battle, plays second fiddle to the bragging rights that are on the line in this one, and more importantly the playoff seeding, as both teams would currently qualify in Conference A, but are only separated by 3 points in the standings.

 

Kalil Kerr (TOPSZN) versus Danny D’Amour (Friends in Low Places)

Two of the fastest players in FPF, go head-to-head tomorrow night Papineau, when Friends in Low Places, take on TOPSZN.

When either team needs a big play, the both players are the first one their respective teams look to.

Both teams come into the game needing a win. TOPSZN, is fresh off of their aforementioned loss to Broccasion, while FILP, who got their first win of the season last week versus Les Montagnards, need to string some wins together if they want to qualify for the post-season.

 

Nicolas Gendron-Vallée (Vikings) versus Jordan Panetta (Game Changers)

Both teams need a win in a desperate way, and they will have to turn to their best playmakers to make it happen.

With 23 receptions, for 308 yards, and 9 touchdowns, Panetta, has been one of the best receivers in Div. C this year.

Gendron-Vallée, who leads his team in interceptions (2), and tackles (15), has been his team’s best defender.

Whoever wins this matchup, will most likely get the valuable 2 points.

 

EIite 8

 

1. The Alpha-T’s (Last Week: Same)

2. The Commission (Last Week: 3rd)

3. Jagerbomb (Last Week: 4th)

4. TOPSZN (Last Week: 2nd)

5. Junkyard Dogs (Last Week: Same)

6. BearSkins (Last Week 8th)

7. Blue Chips (Last Week: 6th)

8. Mountain Lions (Last Week 7th)

 

 

Picks

 

Dirty Dawgs vs The Alpha-T’s – The Alpha-T’s

Friends in Low Places vs TOPSZN – TOPSZN

Lights Out vs Strangers – Strangers

Jagerbomb vs Moist – Moist (Upset Special #1)

Les Montagnards vs The Commission – N/A

Lobster Dinner vs Blue Chips – Blue Chips

Backyard Bullies vs BearSkins – BearSkins (My pick for Game of the Week)

Omelette You Finish vs Junkyard Dogs – Omelette You Finish (Upset Special #2)

Game Changers vs Vikings – Vikings

Mountain Lions vs Braves U – Mountain Lions

Broccasion vs Keyport Lock – Broccasion

Last Week: 7-3

Season: 18-12

 

That’s it for this week. Since we are approaching the mid-point of the season, the next article, will be Mid-Season Report.
Good luck to everybody, and enjoy the games.

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to reach me on Twitter @BADNEWSB51 or by e-mail at [email protected]