Categories: 35+ Division

Carmine’s Coffin Corner – Week 1 review and a look to Week 2

35+ Division

Carmine’s Coffin Corner

Week 1 recap and a look ahead to Week 2

Week 1 is now in the books.  Our first night at the new complexe went fairly smoothly.  No one required help off the field due to age related injuries, always a good thing for the first night in this division, we were able to see 3 games at once, a vast improvement over the Kirkland field, and we saved money by brining our own beer for after the game!  Having said that, the bar is a LONG way away from Field #3, so binoculars were needed.  Speaking of the bar, it was not yet open thus the reason why we were able to bring our own “Daddy-water.”  This is the greatest phrase that I left Disney with last week as Jeff Brown explained to his 5-year-old daughter why she could not try his drink!

DIVISION FORMAT (reminder)

The 35+ Division is broken down into 3 Tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, and the Draft Tier.  Tier 1 & 2 have 3 teams each and the Draft Tier has 4 teams.

With such a variety, coming up with a “balanced” schedule can be somewhat troublesome.  Here is the logic that went behind it:

Tier 1

4 Games against Tier 1

3 Games against Tier 2

1 Game against Draft

Tier 2

4 Games against Tier 2

3 Games against Tier 1

1 Game against Draft

Draft

6 games against Draft

1 game against Tier 1

1 game against Tier 2

This was the base formula used but there were some minor “tweaks” here and there to make things fit.

 

Random 35+ thoughts

  • Cory Pecker might actually have a shot at QBOTY if he remembers to keep a numbered jersey in his bag! One of the best QBs to never appear on the stat sheets due to his lack of a number.
  • It seems that we will have a bit of a sibling rivalry in D2 as Jordan Rossie will be the QB for the GOXM. Makes my life easier with not having to type out Guatama Swaminadhan every week!
  • Some really good QBs in the Draft Division. Robbie Robinson and Ryan Kastner have joined Eugene McLaren and Jon Moodie to form a great quartet.
  • I really wish that Field #3 was closer. Trying to watch the Old Age Outlaws vs. Monster game was a challenge and it was a great game

 

Random league thoughts

  • The Play by Play recap feature is pretty darn cool
  • D1: Braves and STL squared off in a rematch of the FPF Cup finals. Unfortunately for STL it was a similar result as the Braves won 48-38 (Cup final was 50-37).  Dylan Taylor had a nice game in a losing cause, finishing with 273 yards passing
  • D1: Weird to see no D1 receiver hitting the Century Mark in Week 1
  • D1: Also quite weird to see an offence led by Kevin Wyeth held to 19 points
  • D2: BYOB lit things up vs. the Underachievers led by Mat Rene and Mat Lepage. Rene finishing with 231 yards & 7 TDs while Lepage gets my nod for FPF POTW finishing with 7 Rec, 89 yards, 5 TDs, 3 Tackles, and 2 INTs
  • D3: Nice to see former 35+ QB Jeff Rosenblatt have a nice game vs. All Hooks. 242 yards and 7 TDs to kick off the season is a great start.
  • D4A: Stephen Harripersaud did not fare as well against Les Princes de la Rive Sud as he did against Monster, losing 45-33. LPDLRS have an intriguing roster with 6 of the 8 players having hyphenated names!  Would hate to cover that Division on a weekly basis…LOL
  • D4B: Never easy to pitch a shut out in FPF but the Sheriff did just that as they shackled Mangoose 34-0, recording 4 INTs on defence.
  • D5A: While the saying is that “Defence wins Championships” I must say that “Offence puts people in the seats.” Tip Top Shape edged out Big Baller Brand 12-6 in a game that featured 127 yards of total offence.

 

WEEK 1 REVIEW (due to injury I was not playing, and our game was on the middle field.  Great vantage point to peek in on the first 3 games at once)

OAS 47 Spitfire 20

What I wrote: Let’s kick off the W2020 Season with a rematch of last year’s T1 Championship game!  OAS are not lacking any firepower as they have 2 D1 QBs on the roster.  When you have Kevin Wyeth listed as the back up you are doing OK.  Cory Pecker has a great arsenal at his disposal, it just remains to see who lines up where.  Wyeth and Jason Prince formed a deadly duo on the right side of the offence last season.  Still not sure who is rushing for this squad but that should not be the biggest issue that they have.  As for the Spitfire it will come down to how quickly the new faces gel.  While the core remains intact, there are several new faces to the offence and the biggest switch will be at the QB slot with Sean Avraam leading the way.  This should be a barn-burner.

What actually happened: Cory Pecker and Kevin Wyeth picked up where they left off last Winter.  Wyeth looked smooth running his routes and finished with 8-100-2 TDs on the night.  A couple of early misfires kept those numbers from being even more impressive.  Nice to see Shane Williams continue his comeback as well.  Prior to his injury he was one of the more dominant players in Quebec football on both sides of the ball and it is good to see him running around again.  He made a great diving catch for a TD on a corner route and also made a diving INT on an errant Sean Avraam throw.  For the Spitfire it was a night of “almosts…” as they came very close to PDs and INTs on D for most of the night with Ryan Hector getting the sole turnover for the D.  Some unfamiliarity on offence caused some confusion for Sean Avraam, as well as the speed of the game.  Don’t let the age of the Division fool anyone, the vast majority of players have played and won in D1 so the game is still quite fast.

Pacemakers 33 GOXM 25

What I wrote: The big question to be answered, when looking at this matchup, is “who is rushing Jason Rossie?”  If that is not answered properly then this will be a long game for the GOXM…which was the case in 2019.  Jason will run you ragged if you cannot contain him.  He now has a second deep threat in Robert White to compliment Chris Brockwell so Wade Williams will need to choose who he focuses on.  I will take the Pacemakers in this one.

What actually happened: As previously mentioned this was a showdown between the Rossie boys at the Pivot Position for the 2 teams.  35+ Vet Jason edged out the 35+ Rookie Jordan in this one 5 TDs to 4.  I did mention that the Rush would be key for the GOXM.  While Jason R only took off for yardage twice, including the last play of the game, he gained 45 yards on those two scrambles and bought himself time on several others.  All of this without taking a sack.  Brother Jordan R was a bit more willing to use his legs as he scrambled 4 times for 20 yards.  Nim Jenikovszky (Nim-J from now on) and Robert Di Ielsi led the way for the Pacemakers with 2 TDs each while Suhael Brohi had 3 for the GOXM.

Polvige 25 vs. JMJ 0

What I wrote: Welcome to 35+ Mr. Ryan Kastner!  Facing off against the ageless one, Jon Moodie.  Both QBs will give us an entertaining match up I am sure!  I simply like the surrounding cast for Polvige more than I do JMJ.  Not a question of individual talent, I simply think that they will mesh better together and that is the key to Flag Football.  Polvige begins 1-0 in my mind

What actually happened:  Welcome to 35+ football Mr. Kastner!  While he got the win in this game his numbers were a bit underwhelming for a long time D1 QB.  Welcome to the Draft Division where chemistry takes a bit more time to build because of the revolving roster (see the Spitfire in D1).  While 7 different receivers caught balls from Kastner only Dave Allen and Ted Stote caught more than 1, with both having 2 receptions on the night.  Ted Stote also caught a ball from Jon Moodie and took that INT to the house for a Pick-6.  Speaking of Jon Moodie, there was a tremendous amount of applause and attention catching my ears when he had the ball.  Unfortunately, they were as a result of his QB scrambles and not his TD passes.  Multiple drops and knockdowns caused him to tuck it and run 6 times as he finished with more yards rushing (61) than passing (54).  This is NOT a winning combination.  Brian Eudoxie with 10 receptions on the night for JMJ (which was more that all of Polvige combined) but only 69 yards to show for it.

FPF 41 Pazazz 20

What I wrote: Welcome to 35+ Mr. Robbie Robinson.  Yet another “newcomer” to the Division that makes me check my birth certificate.  Good luck to whoever gets stuck rushing RR!  I have a feeling we might see Eugene McLaren put into this role.  RR has the advantage of having his security blanket, Dan Dick, on this roster so there will be some familiarity for him.  While Pazazz has some great individual talent, FPF has the better overall roster, in my opinion.  FPF for the season opening win.

What actually happened: While Robbie Robinson might be a rookie to 35+ he is not a rookie to the KTFL and has built some chemistry with some of the receivers.  He is also one of the quickest players in all of FPF so he can buy time when he needs to.  It showed as he finished 20-28 in his debut with 6 TDs and no INTs.  Brian Martin, Lonnie Johnson, & George Kalamvokis each with 2 TDs to pace the offence.  Eugene McLaren did not throw any INTs but those pesky turnover on downs do not get reflected on the stat sheet.  Rob Allen leading the way for Pazazz on both sides of the ball (big shock) finished with 5-82-2 TDs & 4 tackles.  Unfortunately, the defence did not get any stops on this night.

Old Age Outlaws 33 Monster 33

What I wrote: Ah the beauty/curse of the cross over.  With the 10 team/NO BYE schedule this season, we will see a cross over every week.  Never a fun situation as you get matched against a team with a higher CAP.  Stephen Harripersaud is going to have to be at his best and REALLY slow things down if the OAO are going to keep this game interesting.  Kevin Kousaie is going to have to have the “Energizer Bunny” night of his life in order to pressure Andy Peterkin into making a mistake or two.  I am not sure that this will happen, Andy is simply too experienced to fall victim at this point.  Monster with a big win.

What actually happened:  Not going to lie…this is the shocker of Week 1. Stephen Harripersaud slowed this game down and stuck to his game plan.  17/24 for 201 yards eats up a lot of clock time.  Jay Bowman is going to cause mismatches this season in the red zone for OAO opponents.  His 2 catches with for a total of 9 yards but both were for TDs.  Defensively Enzo Bellini & Remy Nguyen with big sacks.  Monster were missing JF LeClair and Kevin Wilson on this night but still weird to see Andy Peterkin held to 10-28 passing.  Great job by the OAO defence & Rush.  Marco Ottoni turning back the curtain to finish with 65 yards and 2 TDs.

 

Carmine’s POTW

  • – Stephen Harripersaud (OAO) – 17-24 201 yards, 5 TDs
  • – Cory Pecker (OAS) – 25-33 274 yards, 7 TDs
  • – Kevin Wyeth (OAS) 8-100-2 TDs
  • – Shane Williams (OAS) 7-82-2 TDs & 1 INT
  • – Jason Rossie (Pacemakers) 19-26 194 yards, 5 TDs & 2-45 yards rushing
  • – Ted Stote (Polvige) 2-13-1 TD & 6 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD, PICK 6
  • – Robbie Robinson (FPF) 22-28 201 yards, 6 TDs & 2 Tackles, 1 PD

 

Week 2 preview

PAZAZZ vs Polvige

This should be a fun game to watch.  I do believe that both QBs will improve upon the week 1 performances.  Ryan Kastner loves to run timing routes and will continue to build that synchronicity with his receivers as the season progresses.  For PAZAZZ it will be a question of their defence getting on the same page.  Eugene will also need to use his legs to move the chains a bit more.  I think that Polvige will move to 2-0 once this game is over

MTL Spitfire vs. Monster

I think that Monster will be coming into this game with something to prove.  They were missing 2 of their best players and their QB had an off night.  I see them being ready to ball out in this game.  Look for Andy to test his legs against the rush early and often.  As for the Spitfire they will need a better performance from their QB as well.  Sean Avraam had a tough start last week and cannot allow the game to get ahead of him.  He does get Jimmy Coupethwaite back on offence so that should help.  If the rushers for the Spitfire can contain Peterkin, then they will get the Win.

GOXM vs. OAO

Rookie vs Vet.  Big Play vs Dink & Dunk.  This is definitely a difference of styles.  Fresh of the tie against Monster the OAO are on a roll and will look to continue things.  I simply feel that Harripersaud knows his system & players better than Jordan Rossie does at this point in the season and it will show in this game.  OAO for the win.

FPF vs. JMJ

This game has the potential to get ugly really quickly.  Robbie Robinson looked in complete control last week and JMJ looked to be in complete disarray.  Brian Eudoxie is going to have to put on his best Rusher Shoes and force Robbie to get rid of the ball quickly for JMJ to have any chance in this one.  That also means covering Dan Dick on quick routes as he and Robbie have tremendous chemistry when things break down.  Brian Martin & Lonnie Johnson provide two BIG targets in the seams…have fun slowing them down.  For JMJ they cannot drop the ball like they did last week.  Relying on your QB to move the chains with his legs is not going to win you very many ball games.

OAS vs. Pacemakers

This one also could be a bit lopsided.  OAS look like the defending D1 champions that they are and do not appear to have skipped a beat.  Cory Pecker, Kevin Wyeth, and Shane Williams are a 3 headed monster on offence.  The Pacemakers will need a perfect game from Jason Rossie in order to keep this one interesting.  Look for him to use his legs more often than he did in week 1 in order to move the chains.  In the end I think that OAS simply has too much firepower.

 

That’s all for today! Thanks for taking the time to read along.