Second Half SZN; Power Rankings Debut

Welcome to the second half of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season. After a late kickoff to the year, it really feels like the first half of the campaign went by in a flash.

I think we can all agree that the first half of the regular season is important. Some teams come together for the first time, while others do so for the first time in a while. Working out the kinks, developing chemistry, finding the team’s identity, trying out new plays, determining what works and what doesn’t, and figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of your team, those are most of the things that occur throughout the first few weeks. At this point of the schedule, if you haven’t figured out these issues, chances are, your outlook for the remainder of the year probably isn’t too rosy.

The second half of the year is where most of a team’s statements get made. Plays and styles become ingrained. In short, teams figure out what they are about. Despite all that, the most important thing that happens over the second half of the season, is teams start to make the push towards the playoffs. Fewer mistakes are made and tolerated, execution becomes even more important, and the wins become that much bigger.

Pressure bursts pipes, and it also develops diamonds. Teams will either start to shine or fall by the wayside.

Congrats to The Apocalypse on getting their first win of the season, with a blowout (55-32) victory over the Outlaws Wednesday night in Laval. Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt had a big game for his team with six touchdown passes. Three of those TDs went to Receiver Dawson Pierre, who had an impressive night of his own with as his three receptions all went for a score.

Also coming up big for the team was their defense, as they held the Outlaws to only six second half points, on the shoulders of an interception by Pierre, two takeaways via turnovers on downs, and a first pick six by Anthony Brisebois on the second play of the game.

The win finally gives this team some momentum and sets them up well ahead of a big game this week against the Incredibles who they trail in the standings.

The last time Braves and Flag Moi L’Sac met in Week 5, both teams combined to score 113 points. The game went down to the wire, as Flag Moi L’Sac, were able to escape with a (57-56) victory via an 8-yard touchdown catch by Jean-Christophe Morin-Phaneuf from Quarterback Alex Nadeau-Piuze, with three plays left in the game. Talk about high drama.

Both Quarterbacks in the Braves Jonathan Maheu, and Alex Nadeau-Piuze did not disappoint, as they combined to throw for 15 touchdown passes in the contest. Nadeau-Piuze had the better performance, as he threw for nine of those touchdowns and only had three incompletions. Two of those three wayward passes however were intercepted. Still, throwing more TDs than incomplete passes is always impressive.

Three Receivers in Samuel Nadeau-Piuze, Serge Pilon Jr., and Jean-Christophe Morin-Phaneuf had over 100 yards receiving, and both Jean-Daniel Chevalier, and Guillaume Paquet who had a jaw-dropping four touchdowns, came less than 20 yards from making it five pass-catchers.

Two weeks later, the schedule Gods have done us a favour, as we will get to witness the highly anticipated rematch tomorrow night in Lachine. I don’t think we are going to crack the century mark this time around, but I am confident in saying that this contest will be another instant classic.

Matchups

Team Swoosh Offense versus Outlaws Defense

This coming Wednesday in Laval is like the Irresistible force meeting the immovable object. The only winless teams remaining in Division 2 sees the worst defense take on the worst offense.

The Outlaws who occupy the former spot, have produced only three takeaways this season, and have given up a DIV. 2 high 243 points. It will be up to the team’s top players in Will Power, Zach Zwirm, and Marvin Steinberg to create some turnovers, and help keep the ball out of the endzone.

For Team Swoosh, this game is their best chance at securing a victory this season. The biggest reasons for their struggles this year, is their underwhelming offense, that has only put up 50 points this year. They have yet to score more than two touchdowns in a game.

Before their game against the Outlaws, Team Swoosh takes on BBallers tomorrow night. While their chances of winning aren’t too high, Quarterback Anthony Muntu and the offense should use the opportunity to run some new plays and experiment with different lineups and formations to try and find a much-needed spark offensively.

Party Crashers Offense versus Urgence Médic Defense

Over the last three weeks, the Party Crashers have averaged 43 points per game. Their opponents during that span were The Apocalypse, Outlaws, and Terror Squad. PC went (2-1) in those contests.

The one loss they had was to Terror Squad, (45-39) last Saturday at Loyola. The conversation of whether the Party Crashers can beat the top teams in Division 1 & 2 or not, is one that needs to be had – and will be down the road – but they have another opportunity to do so tomorrow in Lachine against Urgence Médic.

One thing working in the Party Crashers’ favor is the fact that they put up 39 points on a deep and talented Terror Squad defense with the likes of Tommy Roadley-Trohatos, Patrick Jérome, Jasmin Rioux, Vincent Malo, Tam Vilaydeth, and the Pilon brothers. That is encouraging, as they take on an Urgence Médic defense that is also long on talent and ability with Emile Beaudoin, Jesse Dupuis, Anthony Lapointe, AJ Gomes, Marc-Antoine Vallée, and Marc-André Lapointe. Can Frédéric Dupuis keep his offense rolling against one of the top squads in Division 2?

This is a huge game for both teams, as they currently sit tied for fourth place with identical (4-2) records. A win by either side would be a big tiebreaker.

 Braves Defense versus Flag Moi L’Sac Defense

As I said earlier, the last time these two teams hooked up, they combined for 113 points. Both teams are oozing with championship experience and have game-breaking Receivers as well as Quarterbacks who are money in crunch time.

In addition to all the offensive firepower, both squads also have plenty of impact players on the other side of the ball. Look no further than the three interceptions put up in the first meeting. Defensively, the edge in this department should go to the Braves as they have caused more turnovers and have allowed 63 fewer points than their opponents (228 to 165). Despite that, the Braves defense gave up 57 points to Flag Moi L’Sac. To put that number into perspective, the second highest total of points they surrendered this season was 31 to the Allstars in Week 4. As we all have seen, numbers only tell you so much. You still have to play the game.

Flag Moi L’Sac’s defense isn’t off the hook either, as they gave up 56 points. They are facing a Braves squad who just dropped 58 points on #NR. Obviously, FMS is a different calibre of squad, but that is still a lot of points. Will we see another high scoring affair, or will we see at least a little bit of defense played this time around?

Power Rankings

Division 1

Flag Moi L’Sac (5-1) – Currently on a 5-game winning streak, their last win was over the Braves back on March 20^th. After that thriller, they get to lock horns one more time tomorrow night in Lachine. A win by FMS, would go a long way towards wrapping up top spot in Div. 1.  

Allstars (4-1) – With three wins in a row, the Allstars will try to make it four, as they take on a rapidly-improving Gryffindor team tomorrow In Lachine.

Braves (4-2) – A win over Flag Moi L’Sac, would put the Braves right back into the hunt for first place in Division 1. Despite a 39-point win over #NR, the Braves have lost two out of their last three games. Should there be cause for concern?

Gryffindor (2-3) Insert Dan Lazarra, insert checks in the win column. Just a few weeks ago their game tomorrow night versus the Allstars looked like it would be a blowout. Now, Gryffindor stands a chance of pulling off the upset.

Got-Skills (1-5) They were set to take on KGP, but their game is officially postponed.

Division 2

Terror Squad (5-1) – They are one point up on KGP for first place in the division. Both teams were scheduled to face off this weekend, but a Covid outbreak changed those plans.

KGP (4-0-1) – Covid or not, this is still one of the top teams in the division.

All Hooks (4-1-1) – Quietly a contender, All Hooks, has somewhat of a murderer’s role to finish off the regular season. It starts tonight with a big game against the next team on the list.

Urgence Médic (4-2) – They are coming off an 8-point loss to Terror Squad. Urgence Médic, has a chance to get back to their winning ways tonight in Brossard versus All Hooks.

Party Crashers (4-2) – They are coming off a 6-point loss to Terror Squad (that seems to be a theme). The Party Crashers have a bye this week. When they get back to action, they have two big tests, versus Urgence Médic and #NR.

#NR (3-4) – This is a talented team with championship pedigree. Over the last three weeks, they have lost to Urgence Médic and KGP by a combined eight points. Although they have yet to beat a team with a winning record, the close losses to the aforementioned two teams holds weight.

BBallers (3-3) – They are coming off a (41-7) blowout win over the Incredibles, but also got beat by 20 points by #NR the game before that. The BBallers take on Team Swoosh tomorrow in Lachine.  

Incredibles (1-5) – They have a huge game this Wednesday in Laval against The Apocalypse, who currently sit one game back of the 8^th and final playoff spot in Div. 2. A win for the Incredibles would create some space.

The Apocalypse (1-5) – They finally got their first win of the year with a (55-32) victory over the Outlaws. They have two more winnable games coming up, as they take on the Incredibles and Team Swoosh. Knocking off both teams would go a long way towards solidifying a playoff spot.

Outlaws (0-5) – The stats say they should beat Team Swoosh this week, but we have seen crazier upsets before. The Outlaws have the firepower to put up points, but they must protect the ball, as well s keep it out of their own endzone. Just as important, is not looking ahead to next week when they take on the Incredibles in another big game.

Team Swoosh (0-5) Their best and perhaps only chance to get a win comes Wednesday when they take on the Outlaws. They have a warmup game tomorrow night versus the BBallers. Good luck guys.

Picks (Favorites in bold)

My apologies for last week, I accidentally put Terror Squad vs Flag Moi L’Sac instead of Terror Squad vs Urgence Médic. I picked Terror Squad in both instances.

Got-Skills vs KGP – Postponed

KGP vs Terror Squad – Postponed

Urgence Médic vs All Hooks – Urgence Médic

Flag Moi L’Sac vs Braves – Braves (My pick for Game of the Week and Upset Special #1)

Gryffindor vs Allstars – Gryffindor (Upset Special #2)

Team Swoosh vs BBallers – BBallers

Incredibles vs The Apocalypse – The Apocalypse

Team Swoosh vs Outlaws – Outlaws

Last Week: (8-1)

Season: (27-11-1)

Upset Special: (2-4)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everybody in their games tonight and this week. If you liked, loved, or hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected], or reach me on Instagram @brent_b51