And We’re Back!!!!

Well, that was long, wasn’t it? In normal times, the Winter Season would be wrapped up by the end of March, and the Spring Season would kickoff mid May. Clearly, the pandemic had other plans, as we started the 2022 campaign in February as opposed to the second weekend in January. This led to the Winter Season Division A and Division B Finals being played May 29^th, and our current Spring Season kicking off this past weekend after a one-week break. At the end of the day, we will be squeezing 10 games into an eight-week schedule. Thank-you Covid.

Division A

After winning the Division 2 championship, KGP has moved up to Division A. This is a very talented team with tons of championship experience, and from first-hand experience, I can tell you that they will prove you wrong time and time again when you pick against them in the playoffs.

The Party Crashers have also made the jump. They are also a very talented team, and they are deep as well. Already possessing a two-headed monster at Receiver in Emile Taillefer and Phil Pharand, the team has added two-threat Anthony Brisebois to the lineup, making an already explosive offense that much better. The reigning Two-Way Player of the Year in Division 2, and Defensive player of the Year in Division 3, will also add ball-hawking skills to a defense that struggled to defend the deep ball in the playoffs last month.

The Apocalypse have also made the jump to the highest division. The team did so without Anthony Brisebois. Saying they will miss his dynamic two-way play is an understatement, but the team did attempt to replace his contributions on both sides of the ball with veterans Raoul Baroudi, Jad Aridi, Marty Freedman, and former Concordia Stingers Receiver James Tyrell.

There’s a saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That may be true, but in FPF, the old dog can show you more championships. That is exactly what the Allstars did, as they beat the Braves (49-48) in the Division 1 Finals two weeks ago.

Looking to make it back-to-back championships, the team will rely on the usual suspects on their veteran-laden squad led by the GOAT at Quarterback in Kevin Wyeth, the greatest Rusher in FPF history in Matt Kiruoac, the league’s best Receiver in Patrick Jérome, and a slew of Hall-of-Famers and All-Stars in Kishon Thompson, Jacques Void, Matt Bond, Paul Lapierre, Chris Milard, and Quaid Johnson. This team is locked, loaded, and ready to go. It will be a tough task for any team to knock them off their perch.

Last summer’s defending Division A champs are back, but with a new name. Instead of going by Khantraband as they did a season ago, the are now called Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems. Being a 90’s hip-hop head, I can’t lie, I love the name. What makes it even better is the fact that Moe Khan, who I have known for over 20 years, and have had numerous hip-hop arguments with over the years on things like people our age do, Biggie vs Tupac, East Coast vs West Coast, Wu-Tang vs NWA, Dogg Pound vs Mobb Deep, Snoop vs Nas, etc, is the biggest West Coast and Pac lover I know. So, it fills me with joy and a ton of laugher that Dan Lazzara chose this name for his team. Thank-you brother!

On the football field, this team is dangerous as Biggie’s flow and lyrics, as not only do they have the dynamic duo of Lazzara and future HOF Receiver AJ Gomes, but this squad is stacked at the position with the best brother receiving duo in FPF not named the Pilons, in Sean and Rory Semerjian. The latter has been doing it longer than the former, but both brothers have been terrorizing FPF Defensive Backs for several seasons. I have written about both while covering lower divisions in the past, and I got a chance to see them up close and personal Monday night as my Div. C The Commission, went head-to-head with theirs, in The Infantry. We pulled out the (26-22) win, but those two almost single-handedly beat us. They are legit, and Div. A teams will find that out quickly if they didn’t know already.

In addition to them, the team has also added Benjamin McMahon. If you haven’t played with or against him, he is both fast and shifty. He will be the Hunter Renfrow of the offense. Have fun catching him. If Lazzara were ever to get hurt, McMahon, who finished second in the Division 4B Quarterback of the Year voting, could fill in and not look lost doing it. The team also returns Hall of Famer Tam Vilaydeth to help run the defense, as well as impact players Rashawn Perry and Isiah Allard. This team is more talented than last year’s edition. Will it be enough to carry them to a championship? We shall see.

Water is wet, fire is hot, and the Braves win another championship. The first two are sure things, but the last one isn’t, given that they lost the Division 1 championship recently, and the Division A title to Khantraband last year.

Even elite teams must add reinforcements, and the Braves have done that with the additions of FPF veteran William Trottier, who is coming off an impressive season as Quarterback of the BBallers in Division 2. No, he won’t be replacing Jonathan Maheu anytime soon, but having a solid backup QB is never a bad thing, especially one who can make an impact as a Receiver as well. The team also added rookie Normand Simard. He has no tackle or FPF experience, but he is the younger brother of Braves 5-time All-Star Georges Gariépy, so you have to imagine that some knowledge has been passed down to the former hockey player. How long it takes the two newcomers to acclimate to the team will be key, as this squad is built on chemistry and culture.

The shortened time frame of the regular season, saw all Division A teams play two games to kickoff the campaign. KGP versus The Apocalypse was up first.

The game was a rematch of a thrilling Division 2 Quarter-Final matchup that saw KGP escape with a (43-39) victory on a game-winning touchdown by Jonathan Garfinkle on the second to last play of the game.  

The first half of the game did not game did not match the offensive fireworks we saw in the previous meeting, as both teams combined to score only 15 points, with KGP leading (8-7) at the break.

The scoring was fast and furious in the second stanza, as KGP Gabe D’Amico-Mazza, gave his team the lead with a 30-yard touchdown on the third play of the opening drive.

The Apocalypse would answer back six plays later, with a 3-yard TD pass from Jeff Rosenblatt to James Ohayon.

After forcing a KGP turnover on downs, TA, would extend their lead, as James Tyrell would score a 12-yard TD.

KGP, would have more success on their next drive, as Snapper Julien Paiement would find his way to the endzone on a 2-yard reception, set up by a 33-yard catch and run by James Acker on the previous play. The momentum was short-lived, James Tyrell would score his second TD of the contest four plays later on an 11-yard pass from Rosenblatt with five plays remaining.

The final drive game for KGP, was a disaster, as a 9-yard completion to James Acker, was sandwiched in between two incomplete passes to Jonathan Garfinkle. On the final play of the contest, Quarterback Phil Cutler also failed to connect with his intended target. Final score (26-21) The Apocalypse.

Obviously, the win wasn’t revenge for the playoff loss, but it does show that The Apocalypse defense can shut down the high-powered KGP offense, and more importantly, it gives them a game up on their rivals in the standings.   

We won’t have to wait long for these two teams to lock horns again, as they do battle tomorrow night in Lachine.

One week after doing battle for the Division 1 championship, the Allstars and Braves locked horns again last Sunday in Lachine. Visions of a brutal 12-point swing at the end of the first half, as well as a failed 2-point conversions attempt on the game’s final play, were the two biggest reasons the Braves lost the game and the trophy, had to be going through their heads.

While this contest didn’t match the stakes or the 98 points both teams combined to put up last time, the game did not lack big names, or the intensity that always gets ramped up when these two rivals, and the best teams in FPF square off.

As expected, Wyeth and Maheu were phenomenal, as both Quarterbacks combined for 11 touchdowns and only 18 incompletions.

After catching a Hail Mary touchdown toss by Wyeth on the final play before halftime in their last meeting, Patrick Jérome, would score a less dramatic TD this time around on a 1-yard TD catch, but he still made an impact in the contest by leading all pass-catchers with eight receptions for 84 yards.  

Not to be outdone, his teammate Quaid Johnson led the team in TD catches with two, to go along with four grabs for 48 yards. Rounding out the scoring for the Allstars, was Chris Milard, and although he didn’t produce a game-winning TD like he did in the previous meeting, FPF Hall of Famer Jacques Void, did add 4-yard score in the second half.

The Braves got big plays out of their Receivers as well, as every Braves member of their receiving corps scored a touchdown. Leading the way in that department was Georges Gariépy, who led his team in two touchdowns.

New addition William Trottier didn’t waste any time making an impact with his new squad, as he led his team in yards with 72, and tied for the lead in catches with six.

Snapper Mike Pierrecin, who also had six catches, picked up 62 yards, and recorded the game-winning touchdown. Guillaume Beland and Jean-Daniel Chevalier would also find the endzone for the Braves.

Conversions played a big role in the Braves’ (42-33) victory, as the team was able to go 3 for 6 on 2-point convos, while the Allstars went 1 for 3 in that department, and 1 for 2 on their 1-point attempts.

It is only two games, but the Party Crashers are making a case for being one of the elite offenses in Division A, as they cracked the 50-point plateau in their (52-33) win over The Apocalypse, and then put up more than 40 points in their (51-43) loss to Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems.

In their victory, Quarterback Frédéric Dupuis was electric, as he went 15 of 18 for 291 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Dupuis did a great job spreading around the ball, five of his Receivers scored TDs. Leading the way was Anthony Brisebois, who torched his former team with three trips to the endzone.

The Party Crashers defense led by Brisebois, Defensive Back Phil Angers, and Rusher Francois Hogue was just as important in the victory, as the duo intercepted opposing Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt twice in the first half and once in the second, but the unit would also force two turnovers on downs via a pair of 4^th down sacks by Hogue, who also had a touchdown and team-leading 88 yards as a Receiver.

In their loss to Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems the Dupuis and Brisebois connection lit up the scoreboard once again, as they connected for three more touchdowns and 151 yards. Six TDs over two games is definitely impressive.

Receiver Louis-Philip Thibodeau joined the party, as he recorded two touchdowns, and after he had a surprisingly quiet one catch performance against The Apocalypse, – it was a 40-yard touchdown – Emile Taillefer, had four receptions for 86 yards and a TD.

For as good as the Party Crashers’ offense was, they couldn’t match their opponents, and in particular the combo of AJ Gomes and Daniel Lazzara. The dynamic duo who go together like ebony and ivory, hooked up 12 times for 125 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Ben McMahon got in on the fun with 11 catches for 92 yards and a pair of TDs. Twenty-three catches between two players are a ton of targets and a receiver’s dream. Rory and Sean Semerjian had a piece of the pie as well, as both brothers recorded a TD.

Defensively, both teams did the best they could to get stops. Phil Angers was able to record one for the Party Crashers, while AJ Gomes did the same for his team. His teammate Rusher Isiah Allard led all players in sacks with sacks.

The final score was made a little closer, as Louis-Philip Thibodeau would score on an 8-yard TD on the second to last play of the game. Both teams square off again in two weeks. Hopefully we are treated to another shootout.

In the biggest upset out of the opening weekend of games, the Braves fell (40-34) to KGP.

Leading the way for KGP were Receivers Dylan Garber, and Quaysie Gordon-Maule. The duo combined for 10 catches, 159 yards, and five touchdowns.

KGP Quarterback Phil Cutler, was nearly perfect, as he went 17 of 21 for 177 yards, and six touchdowns to go along with one interception. He also added two carries for 43 yards.

The KGP defense was led by Julien Paiement, as the former Braves Rusher, was playing his first game against his old team. While he only picked up one sack on the evening, his constant pressure forced QB Jonathan Maheu to get rid of the ball quickly on several plays.

To help alleviate the pass rush, the team used the QB-Option play where Receiver J.D Chavalier would throw. Those plays paid off immensely, as he connected on all three of his attempts for 51 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Braves, they couldn’t run the play all game.  

After helping lead KGP to the Division B title, I had a chance to talk to Paiement, and he told me he wasn’t sure if he would play this season with the Braves or KGP, as the latter would surely be elevated to Division A. The Braves are a dynasty, and in the conversation for the greatest team in the history of FPF. I said he should stay with them. He countered with the fact that playing with KGP gave him more opportunity to contribute to the team, as he got to play Snapper in addition to rushing. That is the one thing that many people forget about being a Rusher. It is the second most important position on the field next to Quarterback, and if you don’t have a good one, your chances of winning consistently are not that high. It also can be boring if that is the only position you play. I don’t blame Paiement for choosing KGP, as they are a dynasty in their own right. So far, it looks like the right decision. Both teams meet up again in Week 7. Should we call this the Paiement Bowl?

For KGP, the win was huge. Although it was only one game, it proves that they belong and can hang with the elite in Division A.

In Division B action, the B-Raves were able to start the season off with two straight wins.

First, they knocked off Brand New (58-34), on the shoulders of the shoulders of Maheu and Trottier, who combined to throw for eight touchdowns. Most of their damage was done in the first half as the team put up 38 points.

The versatile and speedy Trottier made an impact as a Receiver as well, with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Even more impressive was the performance of Mike Pierrecin, as the veteran had a team-leading seven grabs for 101 yards and three TDs.

The Braves also got a touchdown from Georges Gariépy, and two Lauriane Beauchamp, who played last season with the Power Rangers in CO-ED 1, and the Flamants Roses in the Women’s Division.

For Brand New, the team is anything but, as they are led by Quarterback and FPF Hall of Famer Rob Robinson, who was a part of FPF’s first dynasty in the Hurricanes, fellow HOF’ers Patrick Chénard, Vince Nardone, and G.M. Kolethras, along with former All-Stars in Chris Milard, and Dan Dick. Milard had a monster game with seven catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

It will take some time for Brand New to get going, but once they do, this will be a team who not only should do some damage in Division B but could very well win it all.

The second victory for the B-Raves was a (32-31) win over Thor’s Hammer.

This game was started off great for Thor’s Hammer, as Receiver Anthony Brisebois scored a 40-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. On defense, they were able to force a turnover on downs by the B-Raves. Brisebois and his team were able to make their opponents pay, as he would score his second TD of the game on a 9-yard pass from Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt.

The B-Raves started their comeback with a touchdown reception by William Trottier. The team defense would then force a turnover on downs of their own, which would result in points two plays later on a 39-yard TD pass from Maheu to Georges Gariépy.

Thor’s Hammer would get a late score before halftime on Brisebois’ third touchdown of the night. The pendulum of momentum would swing right back in the B-Raves’ direction, as Trottier would record his second TD of the contest.

After touchdowns by Tamara Journeau of the B-Raves, and James Drysdale of Thor’s Hammer, Lauriane Beauchamp, took over on the next offensive drive, as she caught passes of seven and twenty-six yards, before catching a 7-yard TD pass from Maheu.

The B-Raves’ defense stood tall on their next time out, as they forced a turnover on downs. Thor’s Hammer would return the favour, as they would do the exact same thing to their opponents with two plays remaining in the game.

On the very next play, Rosenblatt would hit Brisebois for a 40-yard TD. Thor’s hammer elected to go for the 2-point conversion and the win instead of the 1-point convo and the tie. Unfortunately for the team they couldn’t convert, and they lost the game (32-31).    

The Junkyard Dogs used strong two-way performance by Rory Semerjian, along with two touchdowns by Michael Khazaka, to knockoff Mangoose (37-31).

Both Quarterbacks in Jason Rossie of the Junkyard Dogs, and Nicolas Schaefer of Mangoose, threw five touchdowns and two interceptions, but the JYD defense was the difference-maker in the game, as Yvan Desjardins returned one of the INTs for a TD on their opponent’s second to last possession of the night. The turnover was one of two for Mangoose in the second half.

A four-touchdown performance by Joel Malkin, wasn’t enough for the Moretti Crime Family led by FPF Hall of Fame Quarterback Joey Taylor, to beat BYOB, as they fell (32-25).

Led by QB Mathieu René, the BYOB offense got two touchdowns apiece from Sebastien Simon and Mathieu Lepage, along with a TD by Phil Cutler.

This contest came down to the final five plays. Trailing (26-25), the MCF needed to pick up a first down to extend a seven-play drive. On the eighth play, Taylor was picked off by Vincent Benjamin.

On the very next play, René, would connect with Simon on a 45-yard touchdown to lengthen the BYOB lead to (32-25) with three plays left.

Now with only two plays left, and Taylor needing to shake off the previous INT, the veteran passer would find Zach Zwirn for a 24-yard gain. On the final play of the game, Taylor’s pass to the endzone would fall incomplete.

Final score (32-25) BYOB. It was an exciting game between two talented teams. Both squads will do battle one more time in Week 9. Will the Moretti Crime Family get revenge?

The good times didn’t last for BYOB, as they would be knocked off (27-25) by the Silent Ticklers.

This game came down to conversions, as Hall of Fame Quarterback Rochdi Benabdelkader and the Silent Ticklers were 3 for 3 on all three of their 1-point attempts in the first half.

The team and their offense slowed down in the second stanza, as they only scored one touchdown curtesy of a 5-yard reception by Vincent Dagenais.

BYOB was able to outscore their opponents (12-6) in the second stanza, but a turnover on downs by the team’s offense, along with a nine-play and five play clock killing drives by the Silent Ticklers, made time the enemy of their opponents.

BYOB, had on final chance to win the game on the final play of the game, but a pass by René for Cutler fell incomplete.

Picks (Favorites in bold)

Silent Ticklers vs Brand New – Brand New

Mangoose vs B-Raves – B-Raves

Moretti Crime Family vs Thor’s Hammer – Thor’s Hammer

Junkyard Dogs vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers

Touch it Catch It vs BYOB – Touch It Catch It

BYOB vs Mangoose – BYOB

The Apocalypse vs KGP – KGP (My pick for Game of the Week)

Allstars vs Braves – Allstars

Braves vs Party Crashers – Party Crashers (Upset Special)

Last Week: N/A

That’s 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