Black Mamba and the Rest of of Co-ed Continue to Defy Predictions

Last week I talked about the unpredictability in co-ed. Even though I ended the last article with a plea to make more of my predictions come true, I went 1-3 once again. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving all this parity and these upsets but I also love being right. I guess I can’t have everything.

As a rule, I try to avoid talking too much about my own team (Kiss My End Zone), however, after our performance in week 5, please allow me to indulge myself and talk about it briefly. The score posted on the website is 30-0 but we did not actually win by that score line. Rather, we won 27-18, if memory serves. The score on the website is because Y&Y used a player who was already on a co-ed roster. This resulted in an administrative forfeit. I do need to premise what is to follow by saying Y&Y did not have their full roster. They were missing big name players on both sides of the ball such as Justin Weir, Matthew Peacock and Keiya Allen-Beckles. With those three in the line-up, this game could have had a very different ending. While the 27-18 score line may be relatively conventional, the way it was achieved was anything but. There were barely any offensive points scored in the first half. I was surprised to see Jonathan Bardo start the game at quarterback for Y&Y. Gino Di Fazio is an excellent passer, but maybe he wanted to see what Bardo was capable of. While Bardo has great arm strength and accuracy, he also has a tendency to stare down his receivers. On the opening drive, he looked at his receiver just a second too long. I was able to jump the route and return the pick for a score. After the interception, Gino Di Fazio decided the Bardo experiment had lasted long enough and took back the reins of the offence. That did not go much better. Kiss My End Zone’s defence picked him off as well. Throughout the rest of the game, Di Fazio and Bardo would alternate at quarterback. Both had similar success, that is to say none. They combined for 150 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. While KMEZ had a fantastic defensive performance, their offence was nothing to write home about. Joshua Vazquez was not on the same page as his receivers and there were a frustrating number of drops. Despite the average showing from their offence, KMEZ’s defence did enough to secure the victory.

In one of the most surprising games of the weekend, Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce beat Midtown by a convincing score of 27-13. Despite losing, Midtown’s defence must have put up quite the fight because Sriracha quarterback Jean-Felix Marquis went back to his old bad habits. In week 4, Marquis put up 46 points against 3rd Down for What by…... Had he spread the ball like he did in that game, I’m sure he would have scored 40 points against Midtown but instead of keeping the opposing defence on their toes and keeping his receivers happy, Marquis simplified his game to two options. Either he connected with his snapper Philippe Aussant or he ran. Aussant accounted for over 45% of his team’s receiving yards. The only thing Marquis did more often than throw to Aussant was run. He ran for nearly as many yards as he threw for. To be exact, he ran eight times for 76 yards and a score. The fact that he was forced to run so many times is a credit to Midtown’s defence. Very rarely is Marquis’ first option to tuck the ball and run. That means that on eight occasions, the Midtown defence did such a good job that Marquis had no one open and he was forced to run. If they could have found a way to limit his run to just a few yards, maybe they could have won this game. Ultimately, what won Sriracha this game was their defence. They picked off Philip Enchill three times and only let him score twice. Last week, it was Sriracha’s offence that came up big. This week, it was their defence. If they can start playing offence like they did versus 3DW and defence like they did versus Midtown every week, they will be practically unbeatable.

 

Week 5 Team of the Week:

Each week, I name 12 players to the team of the week (TOTW). Since this is co-ed and there always needs to be two girls on the field, both the offensive and defensive team of the week will feature two or more girls. If you are on the offensive TOTW, you cannot be on the defensive one.

Offence:

Quarterback: Bobby Sepentgis (Drunk Again and Looking to Score) 216 passing yards, 5 TDs, 115.5 QB Rating

Receiver: Catherine Piche (Party Mix) 11 receptions, 76 receiving yards, 1 TD

Receiver: Chris Milard (Drunk Again and Looking to Score) 7 receptions, 101 receiving yards, 4 TDs

Receiver: Zachary Brassard (3rd Down for What) 5 receptions, 91 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver:  Etienne Brisson (Black Mamba) 2 receptions, 85 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Marilou Côté Noël (Party Mix) 4 receptions, 41 receiving yards, 1 TD

Defence:

Rusher: Benjamin Dansereau-Leclerc (Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce) 4 sacks

Defensive Back: Raphaël Ducas-Lapalme (Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce) 2 tackles, 2 INTs

Defensive Back: Alexi Dubois (Kiss My End Zone) 2 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Constance Miller (3rd Down for What) 2 tackles, 2 PDs

Defensive Back: Kevin Donnet (Kiss My End Zone) 4 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs

Defensive Back: Marilou Beland (3rd Down for What) 4 tackles

 

Week 5 Game of the Week:

Black Mamba (33) vs Drunk Again and Looking to Score (30)

Every week, Black Mamba continue to surprise. Just as much as Black Mamba surprise me, Drunk Again and Looking to Score disappoint me. When you look at these two teams on paper, it really shouldn’t be close. DALS have more talent and more FPF experience than most teams in the division. However, they keep finding new and innovative ways to lose each week. While I’m all for innovation, I prefer the kind that wins you games. I think one of the biggest issues with DALS is their inconsistency at the quarterback position. For a while, it looked like the solution to their QB problems was going to be the talented Rocco Christiano. However, he has only showed up to three of the five games. If you want to be a quarterback in this league, you need to show up to every single game. In Christiano’s absence, Bobby Sepentgis did a remarkable job. His 216 passing yards and five TD passes were good enough for me to name him to team of the week as a QB. Playing QB is made easy when you have a target like Chris Milard to throw to. Milard had yet another phenomenal showing with seven receptions for 101 yards and four scores. Akeem Hoyte-Charles also had an impressive game with three receptions for 65 yards and a score. While DALS offence was looking good, their defence let them down and ultimately cost them the game.

On Black Mamba’s side of things, I was impressed. This team has come so far from where they were last season. Not only were they the whipping boys of my articles, but also of the league. Simply put, they looked out of place. This season, no one can tell them that they are out of their depth and they have three wins to their name to prove that they belong. That transformation started with the improved play of quarterback Édouard Leroux. He finally understood that running was not the solution. The only flaw left in Leroux’s game is his tendency to throw across his body, especially in the red zone. While he may get away with this against teams like DALS, more experienced teams will pick those passes off. In this weekend’s game, Leroux quickly found the achilles heel of DALS defence: the long ball. Despite completing less than ten passes, he tallied 200 passing yards. That is a mind boggling 22 yards per reception. Black Mamba’s defence was bolstered by the addition of Nicolas Lessard who immediately made his presence felt with four tackles and an interception.

 

Week 6 Predictions:

Yin&Yang (1-2-1) vs Midtown (3-2)

At the start of the season, I thought Yin&Yang were going to be the best team in the division. They had the most experienced quarterback and the highest team cap. However, all that potential on paper did not translate to success on the field. Something in this team just isn’t quite right. On the other hand, Midtown came in with an unknown roster and surprised many by soaring to the upper echelons of the standings. I see Midtown halting their two-game skid and winning this one.

Prediction: Midtown

Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (3-2) vs Yin&Yang (1-2-1)

In the second game of their double header, Yin&Yang will be playing Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. After their loss to Midtown in the game before, I am sure they will be fuming. Gino Di Fazio will stop messing around with other quarterbacks and take the reigns of the offence. On defence, Di Fazio has the experience to force Jean-Felix Marquis to make throws from the pocket.

Prediction: Yin&Yang

Black Mamba (3-2) vs Party Mix (3-2)

For a young, high-octane team like Black Mamba, Party Mix are their worst nightmare. If any team in co-ed has the defensive experience to take away the deep ball and those mid-range crossing routes that Black Mamba love so much, it is Party Mix. On offence, they have the experience and patience to march down the filed five yards at a time. I don’t think Black Mamba’s youth and athleticism will be a match for Party Mix’s experience and patience.

Prediction: Party Mix

Michael Scott’s Tots (0-1-3) vs Drunk Again and Looking to Score (2-3)

I can assure you that after nearly making it to the finals last season, Michael Scott’s Tots did not expect to be heading into week six winless. However, if there is any team in co-ed with the spirit to maintain a positive outlook despite their bleak start, it is MST. Drunk Again and Looking to Score have proved that there are major holes in their defence. I see MST capitalizing and claiming their first win of the season.

3rd Down for What (4-1) vs Kiss My End Zone (2-3)

Kiss My End Zone are on cloud nine after their week five win over Yin&Yang. However, they will be facing a much more daunting opponent in week six. KMEZ’s defence managed five interceptions last week, but I can assure you that they will no be picking Sara Parker off five times. While I would love to see my team win against co-ed’s marquee franchise, I don’t think we are quite there yet.

Prediction: 3rd Down for What

 

Ouf, I finished this one just in time. I am leaving shortly for the Dominican Republic and I am relieved to have this article out of the way before I go. Unfortunately, that does mean that I will be missing my team’s match against 3rd Down for What. I would have loved to see Sara Parker and the rest of the squad in action, but beaches and palm trees aren’t such a horrible alternative.

With that, best of luck to all in this sixth week of action and try not to be too jealous of my tan when you see me next! As always, if you have any feedback or questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected]