Don’t Tell Mom and Dad…. Report Cards are out!!!

Hey folks! Since we’re somewhere around the midway point of the season (even though some teams have played 3 games and others 6), I’m put my grading glasses on for today! So I will be skipping the recaps from last week and previews for this upcoming week. I’ve graded 14 teams this week and will grade the other 15 next week. 

Let’s talk about that Super Bowl though! What an incredible game! The stars on both teams balled out. Hurts was so solid he could’ve gotten the MVP regardless of the loss. Unfortunately his fumble that led to a scoop n’ score was costly. That was really his only mistake on the night. Mahomes played well when it mattered most. When the Chiefs scored that TD to open the second half I knew it was their game. The key for the Eagles was to get pressure on Mahomes which they obviously failed to do. Not even one sack! Of course a HUGE play in the game was the holding call on Eagles CB James Bradberry. I’m sorry to those who say it was a hold and he pulled his jersey, but is was not deserving of a flag. I don’t see how during LIVE play a referee sees that as a holding penalty. When you watch it in slow mo of course it looks like a flag, everything does in slow motion. Even if there was no flag thrown who knows what would’ve happened. It definitely was not the reason the Chiefs won, but still a tough pill to swallow for Philly fans. The Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in the last four seasons and I don’t see them slowing down anytime soon.     

Grading time!!! So the way I grade is partly based on my expectations of teams prior to the start of the season, quality of wins or losses, how teams are playing at the moment, and all that jazz. ***Note: Some of the article was written prior to the games played on Saturday February 18th***

Air Force 1 (1-4) 

A bit of a disappointing start of the season for these guys. They have FPF experience and have the athletes to compete with any team in division 3. They have lost 3 games in a row and have a plus/minus of -101. I’d say the biggest worry for this team is their lack of interceptions. They only have 1 on the year, coming from Antoine Caron. Manu Allard-Roy continues to be the man on offense for them with already 33 catches on the season and 5 touchdowns. The second closest receivers in terms of receptions are Xavier Collette and Chris Van Oordt with only 13. That has to change. One thing I do admire about this team is that they play with a passion and fire that is hard to match. That fire is why I still believe in Air Force 1 and think they’ll find a way to squeeze into the playoffs.    

Grade: D 

Key Players: Manu-Allard Roy, Nicolas Dimitru, Chris Van Oordt  

Predicted Final Record: 3-7

ALPHA DOGS (1-1-1)  

I know these guys from my time spent in the MFL. They are a tight-knit group that loves their flag. Two of their three games this season have been nail-biters. I expect that to continue during the season. These guys will be in every game up until the last snap. On defense they are led by the gritty Dilan Daoust. What is unique about ALPHA DOGS is that they really do value the defensive side of the ball. Offensively they have a number of different guys who can break a game wide open. Ashton Thibeault leads the team with 5 touchdowns, but that can change at any moment. Mike Roy has done a great job taking care of the football with 14 touchdowns to only 1 interception. There final 4 games will take place over a span of only 2 weeks. Interested to see how they handle that. 

Grade: B

Key Players: Mike Roy, Ashton Thibeault, Dilan Daoust 

Predicted Record: 6-3-1 

Arouch (3-2) 

The more they play, the better they get. Arouch seem to get better in every game. That may sound obvious but it shouldn’t. Having watching them play a few times, Eric Lalonde has grown as a QB over the years. He is an athlete as well as almost everyone on this team. Simon Losier is on pace for 16 TDs on the year, having already 8 in 5 games. Bastien Phaneuf-Thibault has 7 sacks on the season and is among the division leaders. The season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Arouch. They have looked great in some games and a little sloppy in others. I was impressed with their win against G.I.H.F.. They will need to replicate that consistently to be one of the division’s top teams. 

Grade: B-

Key Players: Eric Lalonde, Simon Losier, Antoine Préfontaine 

Predicted Record: 6-4 

Backyard Bullies (0-3-1) 

I can’t be the only one surprised they are still looking for their first win of the season. A lot of that has to do with their offensive struggles. They have only put up 62 points on the season. That’s 15 PPG. It’s surprising to see the Hall of Famer Sean Avraam struggle as much as he has. He’ll need to rely on the likes of Jordan Allard, Marty Freedman, and Vinny Gualano to get out of this slump. They are all experienced and proven receivers. Their last loss to Une Phrase Bien Fournie was a big one. I thought it could’ve been a game that turned their season around. Good thing for them is they still got 6 games left to make that happen. 

Grade: D-

Key Players: Jordan Allard, Marty Freedman, Rich Humes      

Predicted Record: 2-7-1 

Bearskins (2-4) 

Now, this has been a tough and underwhelming season for Bearskins, but I love they way they played in their latest game. They put up 40 points against Air Force 1. Neil Etinson had by far his best game of the season with 6 TDs and no interceptions. Maybe he tried extra hard because of my bold prediction? Respect my guy. I think Peeze said it best on Calling the Audible. Bearskins lack a lot of speed. They aren’t the youngest bunch in the division. I think that kinda plays to their advantage though. They have a ton of higher division experience with Chris Milard, Marco Bertoldi, and Vince Nardone. The good thing for the Bearskins is that they’re not codependent on only a few players. Five players are tied for most touchdowns on the team with 3. The recipe for success may be for them to win in tight “uglier” games, and with that will come on relying on their veteran experience. 

Grade: C- 

Key Players: Marco Bertoldi, Chris Milard, Vince Nardone. 

Predicted Record: 3-7 

Beer Belly Brigade (1-3) 

At 1-3, they are better than their record says. Having playing them in my last game I can tell you these guys have ballers. They may not have the names we are used to seeing in the higher divisions, but they have the potential to make it there. This group starts and ends with Alexandre Fafard. He is a great runner, having rushed for 176 yards on the season. He throws a nice ball too and rarely takes unnecessary risks. Nicholas Curotte is a great player on both sides of the ball. He leads the team in touchdown and interceptions. The key for them will be to build a lead early in games. Their playing style makes it difficult for them to comeback down by several scores. Big game for them today against Speed Academy. 

Grade: C

Key Players: Alexandre Fafard, Nicholas Curotte, Olivier Claveau 

Predicted Record: 4-6 

Blackouts (1-2)

I feel like my old French teacher with all these poor grades. Blackouts are too good of a team to be 1-2. Plain and simple. All you we need to do to confirm this is look at their roster from top to bottom. Granted, they lost to 2 good teams in Blue Chips and Junkyard Dogs. I watched their game against Blue Chips and they had no business losing that game. Adam Sinagra has done his part so far. He has thrown 15 TDs and only 1 pick. The new addition of Quaid Johnson has payed off immediately. He already has 6 TDs grabs. Offensively Blackouts will never have issues. They could and will put up points at will. Their defense has given up 39 and 42 points respectively in the last 2 games. FPF is an offensive league, but you can’t give up 40+ points a game and expect to win. They are going to need more production at the rusher position. Having said all that, I expect Blackouts to be there during the last few weeks of the playoffs. They are a great team, but that needs to start translating on the field. 

Grade: C-

Key Players: Adam Sinagra, Quaid Johnson, Ryan Vanslet 

Predicted Record: 6-4

Blue Chips (2-4)

This team is fun and athletic. There is not a guy on Blue Chips that you could pick on. Yet, they are 2-4. A lot of this has to do with how strong and competitive the division is as a whole this year. Jordan Mitchell is one of the shiftiest players in FPF. However, his completion percentage is at 46% and needs to skyrocket for them to be competitive. Dyondrea Fraser is averaging an incredible 23.5 yards a reception with 6 TDs. Marcus Mitchell has 6 TDS as well, and is their go-to guy in key situations. I’d like to see Hennessy Oraye become more involved in this offense. He’s a big body that makes tough catches look not so tough. Having already played 6 games, Blue Chips don’t have anymore time to fool around. We need to see their best football right NOW. There have a tough matchup against ALPHA DOGS this Wednesday. Winning that game would go a long way.   

Grade: C

Key Players: Jordan Mitchell, Marcus Mitchell, Sanders Armand 

Predicted Record: 4-6

Blue’s Clues (4-2)

These guys are rolling. Having won 3 straight games, they are now first in their subdivision. It starts with AJ Gomes and the fact that he has thrown 28 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. The more the weeks go on the more comfortable he looks with this offense. Nick Groppini leads the team in yards(308), receptions(29), and touchdowns(9). Then you have higher division players like Isiah Allard and Tam Vilaydeth who can make a play at any moment. Blue’s Clues have only giving up 91 points in 6 games. A lot of that has to do with their 13 team interceptions. What makes this team so well rounded is their underrated stars. Guys like Fritzgerald Cenatus and Xavier Couture. All this and I haven’t even mentioned one of the best defensive players in the division in Nicholas-Gomes Risso. He has 4 picks on the year with 5 passes deflected. Let’s see how long the winning streak continues for Blue’s Clues! 

Grade: B+

Key Players: AJ Gomes, Nick Groppini, Isiah Allard 

Predicted Record: 7-3    

EZW (0-6) 

This is not a bad team despite what their record says. You have to admire that Etienne Laurence -Gervais’ first time throwing comes in division 3. Throwing in any division for the first time is difficult. Unfortunately, there are no moral victories in FPF and EZW is still looking for their first win of the season. There are players all across this team that can be and already are studs. This seems to be more of a season for Gervais to try out the quarterback position. What I love about EZW is that no matter the score these guys are always smiling. It won’t be easy, but I think they win at least one game on the year. 

Grade: F (Sorry boys I had to) 

Key Players: Etienne Laurence-Gervais, JC Ferland, Félix Bissonnette 

Predicted Record: 1-9   

Free Smoke 1 (3-1)

In their last 3 games, Free Smoke 1 have put up exactly 28 points in each of them. What does that mean? Well, I don’t know I just thought it was cool. As weird as this sounds, they kinda remind me of my Miami Heat. They can lose to anyone in the division, but also beat anyone in the division. When they’re on they’re on. Jimmy-Lee Janvier hits his receivers with ease and on defense they give up no space. They have a very impressive win against Blue’s Clues where they only gave up 7 points. In their last game they lost to the experience Mongoose squad. That surprised me a little, because I would think they matchup well against them. It is clear that on important downs Janvier looks for Jarryd Taylor often… and why wouldn’t you? He already has 24 targets in 3 games. The big question for this team will be whether they can be consistent throughout the whole course of the season. I think they can be! 

Grade: B+

Key Players: Jimmy-Lee Janvier, Jean-Jacques Janvier, Jarryd Taylor 

Predicted Record: 6-4 

G.I.H.F. (2-2-1)

After a tough start to the season G.I.H.F. have bounced back nicely. They have won 2 in a row and score 31+ points in both games. Ben McMahon has 18 passing touchdowns on the year along with 182 rushing yards. I expect him to have a better second half of the season. He already has a good completion percentage and this is a receiving core he is used to. Guys like Kevin Donnet, Juwan Edgehill, and Brandon Parent can blow any game wide open. They are fast, athletic, and have sure hands. Looking at the season as a whole, their tie game against Backyard Bullies is a game they would like to have back. If they played today I’d see G.I.H.F as 12.5 point favourites. However, their win against Mongoose is very impressive. They have an incredibly difficult schedule to finish off the season. We’re gonna learn a lot about these guys in the upcoming weeks. 

Grade: B

Key players: Ben McMahon, Kevin Donnet, Juwan Edgehill 

Predicted Record: 3-6-1

Green Munchs (3-2) 

I like these guys. Not sure why I do, but I do. I think I was most impressed with their win against The Infantry. The Infantry has been around for a while, whereas a lot of guys on Green Munchs are new to FPF. QB Antoine Ouimet is having a really good year with 17 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. I hear he throws a beautiful ball too. In the one game he missed they were only able to put up 12 points. While Marc-André Lapointe may not have the best stats on the team, his presence is irreplaceable. I’m not 100% sure but I would guess he’s the DC. The ball distribution has been solid so far this year. That will be the key for them when playing the cream of the crop. I don’t expect that to change for them. They seem like a tight and selfless group. 

Grade: B 

Key Players: Antoine Ouimet, Marc-André Lapointe, Nelson Volel  

Predicted Record: 7-3         

Greendale Human Beings (3-2)

Let me start off by saying that this is a really good group of guys. Always like seeing them at the field. We already know the story with GHB. Brandon Aylward and Alex Joltopuf are the 2 most important receivers on their team than any other duo in division 3. Brandon has 31 catches on the season and Alex has 47. That’s 62% of the total receptions of the team coming from 2 players. Sounds like a very simple offense to defend. The thing is it isn’t. QB Danny Aylward does a great job of scheming these guys open. A lot thanks to the Joey Taylor-style playbook. The thing is this team is deep. If you give me Justin Lerner as my WR3 I’d take it in a heartbeat! It will be interesting to see what they decide to do if teams take away their 2 top targets. 

Grade: B-

Key Players: Danny Aylward, Brandon Aylward, Alex Joltopuf 

Predicted Record: 5-5 

Weekly Picks (Winners are in bold)!!!  

Last week: 5-1 Overall: 34-11-3

Silent Ticklers VS Greendale Human Beings 

Backyard Bullies VS Les Gros Coqs

Une Phrase Bien Fournie VS Mongoose 

Blue’s Clues VS EZW

Beer Belly Brigade VS Speed Academy 

Green Munchs VS Never Overtime 

Blackouts VS The Stoics

Arouch VS Les Verges Folles 

Never Overtime VS Les Maloudes 

G.I.H.F. VS Free Smoke 1

KGP Ra VS Preach N/A

Mangoose VS The Infantry 

Blue Chips VS ALPHA DOGS  

Thanks to all of you who tuned in! Like I said, the second half of the report cards will come out next week. I’ll skip my bold prediction for this week and give you 2 next week!!! Until we meet again… 

STAY BLESSED