From 8 to 4

Division 4 is coming to a close.

Actually, FPF Winter 2019 is coming to a close.

FINALS BABY.

4 teams fought their way here and earned their chance at the trophy. It’s all going down this weekend!

Let’s get started!

 

Week 13 – Semi-Finals

 

BD Bandits won in overtime, 69ers edged out the offensive juggernaut, Mad Bears put an end to AF1’s streak and Les Verges Folles dominated every aspect of their game.

 

Thoughts of the Week

 

• Air Force 1 would’ve been on the outside looking in if Mad Bears would’ve lost their week 11 game. They ended up with a tie. Air Force 1 made playoffs. Crazy how they were the one to knock them out in the semis.
• Ghosts’ stubborness can allow them to score 40+, but it also stripped them of a finals appearance.
• Shout out to Lance Daniels for his amazing work all season. This last GOTW was amazing.
• Chris Rivest put together this Finals 2019 Hype video and it’s a beauty.
• I’m blessed to work with such talented individuals
• When his team needed him, Chris Pinsonneault answered the call. So did Corey Wawalski on so many big plays (and converts)
• Doug McKernan continues to find a way to make that pump fake work 10 yards down the field.
• If you didn’t know who Scott MacDonnel was, go watch that GOTW.
• Matthew Labranche is a BAD man.
• Edouard Arsenault had another monster performance, but his team needed a bit more depth this week.
• Jeremi Durand-Tremblay, we see you.
• This Zacharie Quiviger/Nicolas Saro connection continues to be problematic. For other teams, obviously.
• I did predict Overtime. Just on the wrong game.
• For those complaining about Push off on the last play of The Tide vs BD Bandits, watch the video and notice there’s two push-offs; one per team.
• Crazy how both finals don’t have a previous matchup!

 

My Impressions – Semi-Finals

 

• The Tide vs BD Bandits: It was the GOTW and it was one for the ages. Overtime in the semis. Go watch it, it’s truly a masterpiece. Scott MacDonnel went OFF for BD Bandits early, but Corey Wawalski answered the call late when they took Scott away. Really good defensive game by both teams allowing their QB to get additional opportunities. BD Bandits managed the clock well late scoring and giving The Tide not enough plays to make anything out of that last drive. Doug McKernan showed why he’s a VERY talented QB and Chris Pinsonneault, I mean, the guy was a D2 receiver very recently…!

 

• 69ers vs Greendale Human Beings: I expected GHB to be the offensive juggernaut they’ve been all season and put up 40+. Force Shea Harbour to play catch-up and take the control aspect of the game away from him. I was wrong. 69ers took control of this one and force GHB into unknown territory where they had to play from behind the entire game and faced a defence that adjusted to what they were doing. Rico Tulino and Dean Demetriou answered defensively. Dylan Drake got the job done against a very difficult QB to rush and 69ers are looking like the best team in 4A right about now.

 

• Mad Bears vs Air Force 1: What a fantastic game from both teams. Jeremi Durand-Tremblay went off for Mad Bears offensively and caught all of his QB’s TD passes (all 4) and Edouard Arsenault continues to be the freak we’ve grown to know and love in these W19 playoffs. When it was all said and done, Air Force 1 was unable to stop Sebastien Thibault – the runner. Simon Blais answered the call in these playoffs and AF1 have been a revelation, but Mad Bears have something no one seem to be able to stop this year.

 

• Ghosts vs Les Verges Folles: We spoke plenty about how to stop Ghosts; play deep and force him to take the underneath patterns and he simply will not. Francois Martin has been very good at throwing deep and allowing his receivers to make plays for him. His stubborness in this has allowed him to put up huge numbers on a weekly basis and got him this far. Sadly, Les Verges Folles had the right personnel to stop this kind of offence and force teams to “beat us differently”. Ghosts took Shawn Lafortune away, but Nicolas Saro went off when they called his number and LVF’s depth ended up being the key factor in a game where playing safe and being patient ended up paying off greatly.

 

Previewing the Finals

• 69ers (1st) vs B.D. Bandits (4th)

Previous matchup: N/A

Analysis: 69ers have been the best team in the playoffs so far. Shea Harbour is playing on another level and his entire team is resonating and rallying behind him. This team isn’t Dean Demetriou’s anymore and he doesn’t need to have the impact he used to; which is a VERY good thing. Their defence is very difficult to play against and you just know they’ll score 5+ times in every game.

BD Bandits have been a revelation this post-season with stellar plays from pretty much everyone on the team. Nyle Anderson is an underrated rusher, Corey Wawalski is the perfect receiver for Mark Belvedere, Steve Sanner continues to be the 2way freak we’ve known him to be and guys like Scott MacDonnel and Jonathan McQueen are just making plays relentlessly. There’s no better time to peak and BD Bandits are really clicking.

If this game comes down to quarterback play, will it be Shea Harbour’s very steady and efficient offence or the gimmicky-Mark Belvy? Both styles are a tad different, yet very similar. This game is a better matchup than most people would’ve anticipated. No chance this isn’t an absolute thriller and goes all the way to the very end. Yet, I don’t predict overtime. Defensive stop on the last play of the game to win the Championship.

Key matchup: BD Bandits’ size on offence vs 69ers’ defence.

Prediction: 33 – 32 69ers

 

• Les Verges Folles (2nd) vs Mad Bears (5th)

Previous matchup: N/A

Analysis: Les Verges Folles have been flying under the radar all season and finished the 2nd seed in their conference. Their offence is well-balanced and even if on paper it seems to go through 2 receivers, it really doesn’t. Zacharie Quiviger will turn to any of his receivers to make a big play and I expect him to spread the ball efficiently this weekend too. Their defence is monstrous and very difficult to play against; they win most matchups, know how to be aggressive and know they’ve got some of the best ball-hawks in the secondary just waiting for their opportunity.

Mad Bears finished 5th in their conference, but have looked better and better as the season progressed. They started off a bit slow due to Sebastien Thibault missing a game or two, but it didn’t matter; they’ve been peaking and Mad Bears is truly the toughest team to play. If your rusher can’t contain him, he’s going off for 100+ rushing yards and will throw TDs too. Their receiving core is low-key good and any of them can make plays when needed. It’s a scary thing to think that even if you stop Sebastien from running, he can just plant and throw 6 TDs to 5 very talented receivers and they’ll make you look foolish.

Step 1 is to find a way to minimize Sebastien Thibault’s rushing ability and buying time in the pocket. If you can’t do that, then your offence needs to keep up and score relentlessly. Luckily, Les Verges Folles should be able to do both these things. There’s too much depth and talent on both teams for either of these teams to “not score”. Unless a huge meltdown occurs, we’re in for a TREAT and a great offensive spectacle!

Key matchup: Mathieu McDuff rushing Sebastien Thibault

Prediction: 38 – 32 Mad Bears

 

That’s it for me this week. Hopefully this will trigger you just enough to drop me a message either via email ([email protected]), twitter (@DagenaisFPF) or in person. Remember, I didn’t do this to you, YOU did this to you. Until next time…! This last podcast was very indicative of how, well, all of them really are. Thank you. It’s been a pleasure working with both of you.