And So It Begins

Welcome to the Division 4 article. For those of you that don’t know me, as the name next to my picture says, I am Brent Bodkin.

Quick bio: I have been playing in Flagplus Football since before stats were officially taken. I along with my protégé Moe Khan, were on the original Montreal’s Finest squad, many moons ago. Currently, I am the captain of The Commission in 4A, and I also play on the Fighting Flamingos in 6A.

I LOVE football. I’ve been playing, and watching it since I was a kid. Over the last couple of years, I have been paid to write and talk about my favorite sport, in FPF, USPORTS, and elsewhere.

Growing up in hockey country, I have, just like I am sure many of you have, played Canada’s favorite sport. The same is true for basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, and cricket (don’t knock it to you try it). From the first time I tried it at twelve years old, all the way to today, I still feel the same way, there is no better game than football. The highs and lows that can change from play to play, the chess match that goes between defense and offense, to the comradery that is formed, and experiences that you go through as a group, in my opinion, there is nothing that matches it.

For the last three seasons, I have been writing for Division 6/E. When I was asked if I wanted to write for Div. 4, I jumped at the chance. Obviously, the content will be different, seeing as I won’t be writing for an audience that is made up of mostly football and/or FPF newbies.
As far as what I will cover in my weekly article, I will start with the obvious, when I take a look at dominant performances, and stellar games that catch my eye. I will also look at upcoming games, and give my prediction. After having a chance to see some teams play, I will reveal my Elite Eight Power Rankings.

Just like most other FPF writers, myself included, I will refrain from making predictions on my team’s games, but to make it fair for The Commission, and the teams we play, I will still give analysis, because we all pay to play in the league, and it isn’t the other players faults that I write for Division 4.

I am an FSU, and 49ers fan. Before we get started, I would like to say happy New Year. All the best in 2018 to you and yours, and more importantly, a huge merçi beaucoup to Bill Belichick, and the Patriots, for sending us Jimmy G.

Between 4A and 4B, there are a total of 46 teams. Here I was thinking that I would be getting a bit of a break, seeing that Division 6, is always expanding every year, due to the fact that D6, along with FPF Jr, are the feeding grounds for the league. Naturally, I was wrong, as Division 6 and 6D, combined for 44 teams.

Week 1 is officially in the books, and it looks like some teams have picked up where they left off offensively, from last winter and summer, as nine teams surpassed the 30 point plateau this weekend, with five other squads coming less than a touchdown of doing the same.

Out of all the points that were scored on kickoff weekend, nobody scored more than the 69ers, who nearly dropped a sixty-burger, in their 55-20 win over the Siths, Saturday night in Brossard.

69ers Quarterback Shea Harbour, dissected the Siths, to the tune of 18 of 21 for 232 yards, and a Week 1 high 6 touchdowns. The fact that the QB, shredded a defense with so much veteran, and championship experience, is impressive.

I can tell you from personal experience, having lost to them last winter on the final play of the game on a tipped ball, the 69ers are a dangerous team, that can score from anywhere, at any given moment.

The TOPSZN / Mutation matchup, was another game that would have blown the lights out of the FPF scoreboard, if we actually used a real one instead of the old-school flip version, as both teams combined for an impressive 74 points.

Jarryd Taylor, who last year led his team the Goofy Goobers, to the Division 6 Finals as a Quarterback, is attempting to make a huge jump in competition to 4A as a passer. While one game is not nearly enough to tell if the move was a smart one, Taylor, who doesn’t lack in athleticism and confidence, looked sharp, as he threw for 5 TDs, and nearly 230 yards, and helped lead his team to a 41-33 victory, over a veteran, and championship experienced Mutation squad, that is formerly known as Trinity.

Another season, a different division, and yet another way that Danny D’Amour, shows us how talented he is. Unless you are Blake Bortles, and you have guys like Jalen Ramsey (FSU!!!!), Calais Campbell, A.J Bouye, Malik Jackson, and Telvin Smith (FSU again!!!) behind you, usually, when a Quarterback completes only 9 passes, and like Bortles, has more yards on the ground than through the air (74 to 52) your chances of winning are pretty slim.

D’Amour might have, pulled a Bortles as a passer, but just like the embattled QB who helped lead his team to a win over the Buffalo Bills in the Wild-Card round last weekend, the FPF pivot guided Friends In Low Places, to a 26-18 win over Show Me Your TDs, as he threw for a TD, ran for another, and came up with 2 interceptions, one of which he brought back to the house.

The law of averages, along with D’Amour talent suggests that the FPF vet will have better performances. If D’Amour can even play himself into the middle of the pack purely as a passer, he and his experienced squad have a good shot at going a long way this season.

After an up and down Spring Season, that saw a talented, but inconsistent Jagerbomb squad average 28 points a game, Simon Duchense, and his team picked up where they left off, as they pulled off the upset, and knocked off an LOB crew 38-20.

The Jagerbomb receiving duo of Simon Lahaie, and Felix Fontaine-Larouche, shredded the LOB defense, for a combined 13 catches, for 140 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

For an LOB squad that is oozing with championship, and All-Star experience, it was an extremely disappointing effort, but I am willing to give them a mulligan, as it was only Week 1. For a team with some many house-hold FPF names on it, they will need more than just Simon Bosquet Beaudoin, who had a solid game with 80 yards receiving, and 3 TDs, on 5 catches, to step up on the offensive side of the ball.

Things don’t get any easier for LOB, as they take on an equally experienced team with championship pedigree, in Keyport Lock, tomorrow night in Kirkland.

Another upset that took place on kickoff weekend, was the Les Montagnards, 36-31 win over The Commission, last Saturday in Brossard.
The Commission, who won their first championship this past August, have the same core pieces together, in Eddy Lee, Domenico Benevento, Emile Amyot, AJ Gomes, and yours truly, but they are breaking in two new players at the game’s most important position, being Quarterback and Rusher.

Alessandro Barazzoni, and Brandon St. Jacques-Turpin, are the two players taken over the aforementioned positions.

 

Brandon St. Jacques, had a solid game in his TC debut, as he had 2 Sacks, and provided constant pressure on the Les Montagnards Quarterbacks Marc-Antoine Viens, and Julien Fiset-Cyr, all evening.

Barazzoni, who was tasked with having to replace former TC Quarterback, and reigning QB of the Year for Division C, in Sean Avraam, had an up and down contest in his first ever FPF game at the position.

While he threw for 6 TDs, and more yards than anybody in 4A Quarterback (244), the young pivot, who was victimized by drops from his receivers, also missed a number of open throws, and made some late reads. Luckily, for the young passer and his team, those mistakes will correct themselves as the season goes on.

 

There were a lot of fireworks in Division 4B as well during kickoff weekend. The biggest explosion offensively, belonged to Gabriel Côté of LV, who threw like the aforementioned D’Amour, completed only 9 passes, but 7 of them went for touchdowns, in his team’s 45-36 win over the Vikings

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Côté, connected on 4 of those TD passes with long-time teammate Laurent Foucault, who made an impact pf the other side of the ball as well, with 2 sacks of opposing QB, Nicolas Gendron-Vallée.

From playing against, and watching Côté, play the last several seasons, I can honestly say that he has been a solid QB in this league for several seasons. The vet has the arm strength and mobility to match with any other passer in the division.

His only issue has been accuracy, as he has never completed more than 60% his passes. If Côté, is able to improve in that department, the sky could be the limit for LV.

Speaking of solid Quarterback play, Norfolk In Chance’s Rocco Christiano, was the model of efficiency, as he completed 13 of 17asses, for 177 yards, and 6 TDs, in his team’s 46-6 win over The Manglers

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The second-year passer, did a great job of spreading the ball around, as he connected on TDs with five different receivers.
The team’s defense led by FPF veterans Akeem Hoyte-Charles, Jason Edwards, and Andrew Carruthers, came to play, as they intercepted Quarterback Ross Olshansky, four times, with Edwards running one back to the house.

 

With offenses getting the spotlight in 4A, defense was the name of the game in 4B, as eleven teams were held to three touchdowns or less in Week 1. Is it possible that the low point totals were due to it being the first game of the season for everybody? I vote no. With the amount of talent in this division, I am pretty sure that we were witnesses to some really defense, which in this offense-driven league, is always refreshing to see.

From my days of playing with superb Rusher Bryan Nguyen, and covering former D6 Rushers like Zackary Alberts-Gill, Simon Laporte, and Charles-David Martel, I like to think I know at least a little bit about the position. From what I saw in Week 1 from Kerdley Micourt (A-Squad), and Daron Migdesyan (Small Giants) (the duo combined for 9 Sacks), this division has a more than a few guys that will make their mark.
Defensive Backs got into the action as well, as at least 5 DBs recorded 2 INTs. Quarterbacks, beware.

Random Thoughts

Since I think about football and sports in general, nearly every second of the day, I figured, why not share some these thoughts with you.

I think I missed my true calling in life. Instead of being a writer, and sports broadcaster, I should’ve just become a General Manager or Head Coach. Not only do I like looking for stats, watching game tape, and designing different offensive formations, and matchups, but I also enjoy shifting around the roster as well. In all honesty, I am probably one of, if not the only person who enjoys playing Madden to make the roster changes, as much as for the actual game play. Just to be clear, I play with official rosters, and not a ridiculous fantasy-based one, as many people do.

I hope the Grinders, Grabuge, and 39 Cent Wings, have other options as starting Quarterbacks, as William Blanchette, Simon Lamarre, and Jordan McLaren struggled mightily to start off the season, as the trio combined for 13 completions, and 10 interceptions. Here’s to hoping that last week was a small bump in the road.

Speaking of McLaren’s team, is there a better team name than 39 Cent Wings? While the price might be a bit too rich for my blood – I remember tbe days when Peel Pub used to have 9 cent wings. Shhh – the name is solid.

I HATE WINTER!!!!

I am excited about this season. Every January, the kid in me gets excited to start a new campaign. A new season opens up another chance to win a championship. After finally winning my first one last spring, I can honestly say the hunger is still there. I was worried about it heading into the season, but right after the coin toss, all the old feelings came rushing back. That’s a good thing.

The same faces, some new ones, warm Brossard, freezing cold Concordia, no matter how much things change, they always stay the same.
Speaking of familiar faces, I am happy to see Andrew Denis Lynch (39 cent wings) and Ross Olshansky (The Manglers) back in the league. I had the privilege of covering these guys in Div 6/E a few years back. It’s good to see these two playing in FPF.

I am FAR from perfect. As I said at the beginning of the article, this is the first time in a long time that I have written for another division that isn’t 6 or E. This is a work in process, so any advice, or tips on game info you guys can give me is appreciated. I am happy to be writing in a higher division, and excited for the challenge it brings.

With so many teams in both divisions, I will try my best to make it out to as many games as possible. Realistically, it will take about half the season to see all 46 teams play, so I ask that you please be patient.

 

My most important thought, is to be careful driving tonight. As someone who crashed their car coming back from a game in Brossard last Saturday, due to no salt being put on the ice that covered nearly the entire Champlain Bridge, (evidently, my taxes only go towards lighting up bridges, but not actually salting them) let me tell you, that no matter where you are playing this weekend, take your time on the roads, and leave early to get there.

 

Picks

▪The main man Peeze, and I, have decided to go head to head in picks this year. I’ll put my choices first, then place his underneath.

My 4A Picks

Les Montagnards vs Jagerbomb – Jagerbomb

Backyard Bullies vs Show Me Your TDs – Backyard Bullies

The Alpha-T’s vs TOPSZN – Alpha-T’s

The Commission vs Gotham – N/A

Siths vs Up & Coming – Up & Coming

The Tide vs Top Secret – The Tide (Upset Special #1)

LOB vs Keyport Lock – LOB

B.D Bandits vs Mountain Lions – Mountain Lions

Brocassion vs 69ers – 69ers

Jaguars vs Friends in Low Places – Jaguars (Upset Special #2)

Mutation vs Warhawks – Mutation (Upset Special #3 and my pick for Game of the Week)

 

Peeze’s 4A Picks

Les Montagnards

Backyard Bullies

Alpha T’s

The Commission

Up and Coming

Top Secret

Keyport

69ers

Friends In Low Places

Warhawks

 

My 4B Picks

Vikings vs Team Ethnik – Vikings

Game Changers vs Grabuge – Game Changers

39 cent wings vs The Manglers – The Maglers

LV vs Tone it Down – LV

Past Our Prime vs A-Squad – Past Our Prime

Sphinx vs Mean Machine – Mean Machine

Norfolk In Chance vs Be Ready – Norfolk In Chance

Les Studs vs Grinders – Les Studs

Blue Chips vs Truth Squad – Blue Chips

Le Red Tiger vs Martine et le Flag – Maetine et le Flag

Lobster Dinner vs All Hooks – All Hooks (My pick for Game of the Week)

Noname vs Small Giants – Small Giants (Upset Special)

 

Peeze’s 4B Picks

Vikings

Game Changers

39 Cent Wings

LV

Past Our Prime

Sphinx

Norfolk In Chance

Les Studs

Blue Chips

Martine

All Hooks

Small Giants

 

Picks Bonus

Pats

Jags – (Upset Special) – there’s a HUGE chance I’ll be wrong, but I like to go against the grain, and can Bortles be that bad 2 weeks in a row? (A big part of me is scared to find out the answer)

Falcons

Vikings

 

As I said at the beginning, the article, this is the first time in a long time that I have written for another division that isn’t 6 or E. We will be on this ride together from January till April. I want to knock this out the park.

For those of you wondering, despite the bad weather, the games at Brossard, Lachine, and Kirkland this evening, will go on as scheduled.

Unfortunately, the game between Grabuge vs Game Changers, scheduled for 6PM tonight at the Stinger Dome is cancelled due to the weather, as are all the other games scheduled there tonight.

This my absolute favorite time of the year sports-wise. The NCAA just gave us a fantastic National Championship game, the NFL playoffs are rolling, the NHL and NBA are in full swing, and the FPF Winter Season is here. It doesn’t get any better than that.

I apologize for the lateness of the article, this week has been hectic to say the least.

That’s it for this week. I will be back next week, with my review with a Week 2 re-cap, and a Week 3 preview.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

Cheers!