Super Bowl Sunday, Recaps and Blanched Carrots

It is Super Bowl Sunday.  This could only mean one thing; it’s the FPF bye.  Certainly, it means a lot more than that but I do think the bye comes at a perfect time in FPF.  While we get ready to down wings, cocktails, beers, desserts, pizza, nachos and whatever other vices of choices FPF has cleared the way for us to enjoy the big game.  

This is important for teams too. As teams rest at about the midpoint of the season goals can be re-evaluated and teamscan search internally for what they’re doing well, what can be built on and what could be improved on when it comes to fixing weak spots.  Hopefully some of that inventory has been collected already, hopefully it will continue as of Monday.  However, for today it’s all about the NFL and Rihana.

On a personal level, I have money on both sides and I think if the Eagles win I win slightly more than if the Chiefs win. That said,  can’t cheer for the Eagles.  Largely, they are an obnoxious and entitled fan base.  If you’re an Eagles fan and you’re offended by this, it’s because you’re obnoxious and entitled fan.  Moreover, I love the way Patrick Mahomes plays the game.  His ability to throw from various platforms and arm angles is ridiculous. His aggressiveness paired with hsi field vision is the best I’ve ever seen and he’s since developed great pocket presence.  From a sheer talent and skill-set analysis,  he’s simply the best I’ve ever seen.

Do enjoy the game, but, if you need to get more football content pumped into your veins have a look at the recaps put together by our crack staff of FPF contributors: 

No Friend Zone 26 – 20 Les Petites Carottes

Week 5 Div 5A

By Tyler Gurberg

A successful onside kick? In this economy? Down 26-13 in the second half, Les Petites Carottes go for broke and not only convert the onside attempt, but score a 45-yard touchdown on the play to bring the game within 1 score. Ignacio Valdes Manzanedo had an excellent start to the game, highlighted by a couple deep touchdown passes to Felix Boutet and Alexandre Noel, but he almost gave it all away. He threw two interceptions on his last four attempts of the game, setting up Zachary Cloutier with a late opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown, and take the lead with an extra point on their final drive. After driving down the field, Les Petites Carottes went 0-for-4 in a goal-to-go scenario, ultimately coming short of the comeback. Kudos to the No Friend Zone defence for locking down when it mattered most. Through five games, Les Petites Carottes have three different QBs with over 20 passing attempts. I think they should choose their one guy and run with him for the rest of the way, instead of this rotation. To me, that guy is Zachary Cloutier. No Friend Zone nearly choked this one, and Les Petites Carottes showed a lot of grit. I hope to see these teams play each other again in the playoffs.

No Friend Zone MVP = Alexandre Noel

Les Petites Carotte MVP = Zachary Cloutier

That’s What She Said vs The Infantry

Division 3

By Brent Bodkin

In a battle of Division 3 heavyweights and a potential championship Finals preview, That’s What She Said took on The Infantry Wednesday night in Laval.

This game featured a ton of big plays as both sides let the ball fly throughout the contest. Luckily, for That’s What She Said, it worked out to their benefit, as they were able to intercept Quarterback Corey Walwaski three times, including twice in the second half.

Those two latter INTs would prove costly, as the first one which was recorded by Antoine Roberge, was run back for a touchdown, that would eventually give his team the 19 points they would need to win. 

With a chance to narrow the lead to one and set up a potential game-winning conversion, Walwaski was intercepted for the final time as he took a deep shot down the right sideline looking to hit Quaysie Gordon-Maule on a go route, but he was picked off by J.M Alerte, who made a gorgeous leaping pick with three plays left in the game to seal the victory.  

The biggest highlights in the game for Infantry, was a pair of highlight of the night and possibly of the year catches by Rory Semerjian. The first was on a 34-yard touchdown pass, where the Receiver torqued his body in mid air and reached up with one hand to hall in the pass with Defensive Back Marc-Olivier Beauchamp, providing glue like coverage. The second was an INT where he leaped up and hauled in a pass by QB Leandre Ethier to force a turnover. Both plays were just spectacular.

Final Score: That’s What She Said (19-12)

Bearskins vs KGP+

Division 3

By Brent Bodkin

A short-handed Bearskins squad who already had to roll out FPF vet Jonathan Williams at Quarterback in place of regular starter Neil Etinson, were forced to ask a soccer coach (Mam Barry) who just happened to be wrapping up practice with the team he was coaching to play, just so they would be able to field six players. They asked me to play, but since I was scorekeeping the game, I was not able to. Perhaps, that was a good thing as this one got ugly quick.

While still blessed with athleticism and quickness, Williams, who has not played QB regularly in FPF in well over a decade, did he best impression of this year’s Russell Wilson, as he repeatedly missed open receivers and was late on numerous throws, on the way to completing a paltry seven of 22 passes for 88 yards and six interceptions. Ouch.

He was replaced in the second half by Chris Milard. The FPF Hall-of-Famer fared a little better, as he was able to throw for the team’s only touchdown, while completing two of four passes for 40 yards and an interception.

Marco Bertoldi was the only bright spot for the Bearskins, as he got the team’s only touchdown, and forced their only turnover.

For KGP+, the game was like practice, as the defense teed off on their opponents with seven interceptions, including three that were run back for touchdowns. The best of the trio was Gabe D’Amico-Mazza, who recorded the rarely seen pick-six from the Rusher position where he tipped a pass to himself while standing right in front of Williams and ran in back five yards for the TD.

In a classy move late in the game, KGP+ had a chance to run a fourth IT back for a score, but Ryan Garber who had already recorded a takeaway, elected to purposely run out of bounds.

Final Score: KGP+ (36-6)

Pocket Rockets vs Killer Rays

Division 5B

By Brent Bodkin

For the fourth time this year, the Pocket Rockets offense and most notably their Quarterback Pierre-Olivier Tremblay-Agelakos, struggled to move the ball consistently, and made mistakes at inopportune times, which came back to haunt them as they couldn’t keep pace with the Killer Rays, Monday night in St Laurent.

The QB, who has size, speed, and a rocket for an arm continually throws primarily to his right, often ignoring wide open targets on his left. Against the Killer Rays, did exactly that, which cost his team points, as was the case when he was picked off by Curtis Ryan, who ran the INT back to the house for six.

Looking for an offensive spark, the team tried their top Receiver Jacob Salvail at QB. The Concordia Stinger was able to generate some yards by buying time in the pocket and spreading the ball around all over the field. The rookie was able to connect with veteran Craig O’Brien on the team’s final drive of the game.

Led by QB Tylar Bianchi the Killer Rays offense looked anything but putrid as they attacked their opponents with an explosive and balanced offense that took advantage of the holes in the Pocket Rockets defense. His connection with his brother Corey Bianchi was on full display, as he had a monster performance with a game-high six catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns.

Final Score: (Killer Rays (38-12)

Bandits vs Les Jets Plein

Div 4

By Brent Bodkin

The Bandits and Les Jets Plein took part in an exciting game that had a little bit of everything from unnecessary roughness penalties, some trash-talking, multiple lead changes, a team forgetting to try an onside play, and a new referee working his first game.

After scoring their second touchdown of the game via a pick-six by Defensive Back Samuel Lafrenière, Les Jets Plein, shrunk their opponent’s lead to (18-13). The momentum would be short-lived, as nine plays later, the Bandits would extend the deficit to 11 with a touchdown pass from Quarterback Émile Skaf to Jean-Pierre Nahra.

Les Plein Jets would get another touchdown this time from Wide Receiver Remi Lussier who had a strong game as he led his team with five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns, but it was too little too late, as it came on the final play of the game.

Final Score: Bandits (24-19)

What Could Have Beens vs Bulldogs

Div 5B

By Brent Bodkin

This game was far from an offensive shootout as both teams combined to score a grand total of 28 points. With a performance like this, it should go without saying that both defenses were what mattered most in this contest.

After forcing a turnover on downs in the dying moments of the game, the What Could Have Beens got the ball back with five plays remaining.

This is where the Bulldogs defense were at their best, as they surrendered only 14 yards on two completions, and came up with a huge 10-yard sack of Quarterback Sean Brown by Rusher Jason Dankner on the second to last play of the game, followed up by a pass deflection by Cory Dankner one play later to seal the victory.

The latter Danker had a solid game with an earlier interception. He was joined by teammate Michael Grosz, who tied for the team leas in tackles with five.  

For the What Could Have Beens, the loss ruined a solid defensive effort as well, as the team was led by interceptions by the duo of Kaylem Ferdinand and Max Nascimento. They were also spear-headed by a strong outing from Cornerback John Greene, who bested all players with three pass deflections. The instinctive rookie who told me he wants to lead Division 5B in that category, was all over the field in the contest, as he provided solid coverage while also having a nose for the ball.

Final Score: Bulldogs (14-12)

Vortex 6 vs 7 Fitsquade

By Marie-Laure Chaput

23 passes complétées au total durant la partie affrontant le Vortex à Fitsquad. Deux offensives endormies, incapable de compléter. C’est un dimanche soir très tardivement que s’est déroulée la partie affrontant ces deux équipes expérimentées. Des deux côtés, les quarts-arrières avaient de la difficulté à trouver leur receveur et à progresser vers la zone adverse. Du côté du Vortex, Annika était déstabilisée par la rusher et n’arrivait plus à voir le jeu: elle s’est fait interceptée à deux reprises et s’est fait sackée deux fois. Pour ce qui est de Fitsquad, seulement 9 passes ont été complétées, mais furent suffisantes pour gagner la partie. C’est Alexandra Falcon-Korb qui a su déjouer Tamara Journeau lorsqu’elle a effectué sa feinte sur un post-corner en créant une séparation suffisante pour scorer l’unique toucher pour Fitsquad. Ce fût une longue partie avec tout au plus 4 premiers essais, on peut dire que les deux équipes semblaient avoir hâte d’aller se coucher!

MVP Vortex : Tamara Journeau

MVP Fitsquad: Alexandra Falcon-Korb

Fait intéressant: c’est la partie avec le plus bas score de la division 1. Habituellement, au moins 3 touchés sont marqués dans un affrontement.