Big games tonight in Tier 3

We have some really interesting games this week, which makes sense since it’s the playoffs. With the double elimination, we get those even matched thrillers really early in the playoff season, which I love. The double elimination also rewards the regular season even more, which I also love. 

Last week we had some great matchups with Bleue Dry vs. Bébés Dragons Magiques, Illegal Use of Hands vs. Joes Panini and Idaho Udapimps vs. Killer Rays.

Bleue Dry fell short to BDM, and are now eliminated which feels like a huge disappointment. I had high hopes for this team and Fred Juneau at the start of the season and despite their early struggles I still had hope they’d turn it around, and unfortunately those hopes were totally crushed. Shoutout to Guillaume Dufresne who despite his QB’s struggles was once again fantastic. 

For Bébés Dragons Magiques, Guillaume Boulanger was replaced mid game by Vincent Poirier and BDM finally got to scoring, with Poirier throwing 5 of the team’s 6TDs. QB controversy brewing or injury? BDM are probably better off with Poirier throwing if we go by this game, but Boulanger has so many reps with the receivers, changing QBs this late in the season can only be qualified as risky, and is a choice which I personally wouldn’t make. 

Illegal Use of Hands were led by Mathew Simard who had an explosive game, catching the ball and making moves to break tackles. One of the most shifty players in the division, teams should make sure to give him no space. It’s going to be hard for defenses to cover Barazzoni’s receivers with Borova, Lazzara, Simard and Siggia all having great hands and IQ. I’d recommend throwing some man in there, since Barazonni has proven to be elite at reading zones. 

As for Joes Panini, a costly pick 6 early is what eventually cost them the win, as well as no successful convert all game. Panini are extremely talented and are led by a great QB, but need to find a way to get stops, be more aggressive defensively, especially with their struggles on converts. Shoutout to Tristan Koutsombas who had 5 catches, 90 yards, 2TDs, 3 sacks and 2PDs. 

Idaho Udapimps’ QB Brady Ohanessian did a great job moving the ball as usual with 6TDs and getting a game-winning pick near the end of the game, as well as 235 yards passing.134 of them went to myself and I was able to score twice. Alex Szalipski had a great game as well and was clutch on multiple occasions with 2 big PDs and 2 clutch TDs. Mr. Playoffs has arrived. Tough game for 2-way favorite Manu Allard-Roy who had one catch which the scorekeeper didn’t give to him. He’ll bounce back.

For Killer Rays, Tylar Bianchi struggled only completing 15 passes on 27 attempts, with only 4TDs thrown. He did run for another. Tyler Gurberg was not targeted near as much as he usually is and only got a 20 yard TD down the line when the game was already out of reach. It was Chris Genio who came in clutch with 3 big catches on deep ins. Killer Rays and Gurberg should definitely bounce back next game.

Game previews

West Island Boys (3) vs. Trapstars (6)

Can Trapstars stop Zack Stacey? West Island Boys are on a 7 game winning streak but haven’t played since November 4th, oof…though Stacey has balled out in Tier 2 with Infantry. No QB spreads the ball as much as Stacey and he’s excellent at getting the ball where it needs to go, rarely making mistakes. Trapstars defense has really stepped up in their 4 game win streak, and are looking for revenge after losing the early season matchup 31-18. James Wiseman has been phenomenal this season both offensively and defensively and Ryan Garber will look at him a lot, as he should. Garber’s been arguably the best QB recently, and with his defense stepping it up, this team could cause an upset. I’ll still take West Island Boys in this one, but in a high scoring affair. 41-38 West Island Boys.

Team Sexy (4) vs. The Penetrators (5)

Benjamin Berbrier has been very solid all season and has brought his team to a very solid 5-2-1 record. Sam Anastasopoulos has been one of the best 2-way players in the division and Rocco Cristiano as well. These teams are similar in that both their QBs aren’t necessarily gunslingers but move the ball efficiently without too many turnovers. The Penetrators have a bit more depth and it’s why I’m leaning towards them. Cristiano will be there to negate Anastasopoulos, and Berbrier will have to look elsewhere more often. Penetrators 31-25.

Born in the 80’s (9) vs. Bébés Dragons Magiques (18)

Obviously, looking at both teams’ records we can clearly see that Born in the 80’s have been way more successful this season, but as we all know, David de Andrade is out, and Mederic Lauzon is replacing him with very few reps with his receivers and in general in recent seasons. Guillaume Boulanger hasn’t been great so far, but Vincent Poirier might throw. He’ll probably look once again to Nicolas Macduff and Emile Bolullo. Born in the 80’s defense is much better than Bleue Dry is, so some regression is likely. Two decent defenses with two new QBs might mean a turnover heavy game, but from what we’ve seen so far from both QBs, nothing suggests that. Born in the 80’s offense is led by Craig Browning but Lauzon spread the ball well, getting 6 different receivers involved versus Joes Panini. He just didn’t get any help from the defense. I’m going to pick Born in the 80’s, with them getting at least 2 turnovers. Born in the 80’s 34-25.

Mengoose (10) vs. Griffnation (15)

Mengoose’s QB FA Lavigne had turned it around prior to the Killer Rays game, but he struggled mightily in that one. Mengoose have a really solid defense and that might mean trouble for Griffnation QB Olivier Sabourin. Thomas Moorjani-Houle and CO Lavigne are the two best receivers in this game, and should both get plenty of targets. I trust Sabourin more than Lavigne, but I trust Mengoose’s defense more than Griffnation’s. In doubt, go with the best QB is my mentality. Griffnation 32-31.

There you have it for today’s games, I’ll get an article posted before Monday’s games for the remainder of the divisional round.

Good luck tonight!