Categories: Co-EdComplementaryDivision

Heros, Zeros, Reviews and Previews for Week Nine of Co-ed

It is hard to believe, but the final week of the regular season is already upon us. It is fair to say that this season definitely did not go as I expected it to. Some teams soared to unexpected heights while other experienced teams struggled mightily. Before getting into the usual recaps and previews, let’s take a quick look at the season that was.

 

Teams that surprised:

Black Mamba: Predicted record 0-8, current record 4-3:

I thought we were going to see the same Black Mamba we saw last season. Boy was I wrong, not only did they revamp their roster, they added new and exciting talent. The most impressive thing about this team is that they kept on finding ways to win. They have a worse +/- than the last placed team in co-ed, but all that proves is that they have found ways to win the close games.

Midtown: Predicted record 4-4, current record 5-2:

To be perfectly honest with you, I knew nothing about Midtown coming into this season. They had a quarterback who had only played half a season and a roster of relatively unknown players. This group instantly gelled into a cohesive unit and they soared to the top of the standings.

 

Teams that disappointed:

Michael Scott’s Tots, Predicted record 6-2, current record 2-4-1

This was clearly a disappointing season for Michael Scott’s Tots. After coming so close to the finals last year, they added a few key players to their roster to gear up for another run at the trophy. Unfortunately, those key additions rarely showed up for MST and they were left facing toucher competition with the same roster.

Yin&Yang, Predicted record 5-3, final record 2-5-1

Yin&Yang wrapped up their disappointing regular season with a whopping loss at the hands of Party Mix. You have to wonder what went wrong with this team. They have the highest team cap in the division and one of the highest rated QBs. Despite all that talent, they are second to last in the standings. Clearly, there is something else going on with this team because on talent alone, they should be contending for first spot, not last.

 

Before naming my team of the week and game of the week, there are a few other games I need to discuss. In their first game of the day, Michael Scott’s Tots surprised me by beating Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. All season, they have found different ways to lose the close games but for once, instead of finding a way to lose they found a way to win 26-25 over Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. As is always the case, Rico Tulino was the main man. He led all receivers with seven catches for 70 yards and two scores. While MST’s offence got the job done, it was their defence that really put on a show. Most notably, Zackary Alberts-Gill had a game for the ages. his personal stats (1 tackle, 1 sack and 1 PD) do not tell the full story. The QB Alberts-Gill was rushing was the notorious JF Marquis. He has embarrassed rusher after rusher this season with his ability to run. Somehow Alberts-Gill managed to hold Marquis to a single run for 11 yards. Without the fantastic play of Alberts-Gill, MST would have been demolished.

While MST were impressive in their first game of the day, they went back to their losing ways when they fell 39-33 to Black Mamba. With Mamba’s usual QB, Edouard Leroux out, Etienne Brisson was under center. Brisson excelled as a QB with nearly 200 passing yards. Even more importantly, he protected the ball and threw no interceptions. Black Mamba have improved tremendously, and they have found a winning formula. However, if they want to take the next step in their development, they need to get their girls more involved in the game. So far, their girls have only caught twenty passes. It gets even worse in the red zone since the women on this team only account for one touchdown grab.

 

Week 9 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: Rocco Christiano (Drunk Again and Looking to Score) 19 completions, 258 passing yards, 7 TDs, 127.9 QB rating         

Receiver: Rico Tulino (Michael Scott’s Tots) 8 receptions, 145 passing yards, 3 TDs

Receiver: Jonathan Hared (Kiss My End Zone) 4 receptions, 100 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Receiver: Melissa Rochefort (Party Mix) 2 receptions, 50 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Felix D’Aoust (Black Mamba) 4 receptions, 86 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Receiver: Olivia Sormany (Yin&Yang) 3 receptions, 29 receiving yards

Defence:

Rusher: Zackary Alberts-Gill (Michael Scott’s Tots) 1 tackle, 2 sacks

Defensive Back: Phillip Enchill (Midtown) 1 tackle, 2 INTs, 2 PDs, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Jeremy Murphy (3rd Down for What) 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD

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

Defensive Back: Guillaume St-Jean (Black Mamba) 1 tackle, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Chloe Brazeau-Gelinas (Michael Scott’s Tots) 4 tackles, 2 PDs

 

Week 9 Game of the Week:

3rd Down for What (24) vs Midtown (27)

I predicted 3rd Down for What to win this one. I thought they were going to be able to take away the deep ball. Well 3DW did manage to take away the long ball but Midtown marched down the field slowly with short passes. Even more impressively, they managed to this win without their best receiver (Jean-Christophe Morin-Phaneuf). Without Morin-Phaneuf, it was Guillaume Beland who stepped up in a big way. He led all receivers with four receptions for 78 yards and a score. Midtown’s quarterback, Phillip Enchill, did not have a great statistical game. He only passed for 120 yards and he also threw an interception but while he may have struggled offensively, he made the difference for his team. He managed something entire defences have been incapable of. He picked off Sara Parker on two occasions. As if those two picks were not enough, he also returned one of those for a touchdown. Both teams threw for three TDs and it was ultimately Enchill’s pick six that secured the victory for his team.

On 3rd Down for What side of things, this was an extremely uncharacteristic game. Just last week, this team recorded seven touchdowns and passed for 255 yards. This week, Sara Parker passed for half as many touchdowns and threw two more interceptions. To be fair, 3DW were missing their star Alexis Gaumont. Without Gaumont, their offence was dependant on Jeremy Murphy who caught five balls for fifty yards. He was also the talisman of their defence with seven tackles and an interception that her returned for a touchdown. 3DW will dismiss this game as an uncharacteristic performance with a diminished roster. Ultimately, we will see who the better team is because I have a feeling these teams will be facing off again in the playoffs.

 

Week 10 Previews:

Michael Scott’s Tots (2-4-1) vs 3rd Down for What (5-2)

Yes, 3rd Down for What are fresh off a loss and Michael Scott’s Tots did win a game last week, but all that means is that 3DW will be even hungrier for a win in the final week of the season. On one hand, 3DW are competing for first place overall while a win for MST could potentially move them out of the lower playoff bracket. All in all, 3DW are the more talented and more experienced team.

Prediction: 3rd Down for What

Midtown (5-2) vs Black Mamba (4-3)

This should be an extremely interesting game. These two teams are extremely similar. Both are extremely athletic and relatively new to co-ed. However, Midtown are just that bit more athletic. They are slightly more gifted athletes and they have more experience with flag football. I could see Black Mamba evolving into Midtown in a few years, but for now I think Midtown has the edge.

Prediction: Midtown

Party Mix (5-2) vs Drunk Again and Looking to Score (3-4)

Drunk Again and Looking to Score excelled last week because their opponents could not find a way to cover Chris Milard. However, that will change this week. I am sure Party Mix will find a way to cover Milard and if Milard is contained, I do not think that Rocco Christiano will be able to move the chains without him.

Kiss My End Zone (5-2) vs Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (3-4)

Last week Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce lost because the opposing rusher was able to take away the running option from JF Marquis. If Kiss My End Zone can also find a way to limit his running, they should be able to secure a win. However, KMEZ do not have a rusher like Zachary Alberts-Gill who will be able to eliminate the run. If KMEZ’s defence can scheme something up that limits the run, they could escape with the win. However, KMEZ’s defence has struggled to adapt all season long.

Prediction: Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

 

The final games of the regular season are now just a few hours away. By Monday night, we will all know the final standing for the playoffs. Remember, the top five teams will play in the co-ed 1 bracket while the bottom four will battle it out in their own playoffs. Good luck to everyone in this last week and as always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the article or the particular playoff rules.