Bombsquad’s Breakdwon (Div A & B) – Week 11

Now the real season has begun; now it is win or go home and two teams did the latter this past weekend. Remember in my previous articles when I spoke about how hard it is to beat a team 3 times in a season? Not to mention 3 times in consecutive weeks!!  Well we had that situation come up this past week and I won’t spoil the results. Let’s break it down.

 

Countdown to detonation.

 

2. The Maniax upset the Mercenaries 30-23. With a combination of defense and offense, the Maniax redeemed themselves for the previous 2 weeks and in fine fashion. Both teams had issues moving the ball in the first half. The Mercs managed to convert two 2-point converts on their 2 TD’s while the Maniax only converted 1. The Mercs had a 2 point lead at the half. Both teams started the second half with miscues and missed opportunities. QB Rapha Beladjat drove his team down into the red zone only to throw an interception to Carmine Pollice. The Mercenaries then drive the field and score with about 10 minutes left and they get the 1-point convert for the all-important 9 point lead….or so they thought. The Maniax drive then turn the ball over again. The Mercs start to drive only to see Receiver of the Season JR Verger, step up and make a huge defensive play with an interception to the house for 6 points. The Maniax get the ensuing 2 point convert closing the gap to 1 point. The Mercs drive down and a receiver has a crucial drop that ends the drive. The Maniax get the ball back and drive the field. This time Beladjat throws a TD to take the lead. The Mercs then send Carmine Pollice in to play QB. But after an incomplete pass and a mishandled snap, the hole was dug too deep. Very exciting game and it goes to show you, beating any team 3 times, let alone 3 times in a row is VERY difficult! Great job, Maniax.

 

1. Daron World Wide leave the Jonesers dying for another fix by pounding them 42-19. QB Alex Lever had an okay game with 4 TD passes, 1 TD run and 1 INT while throwing for 152 yards. But he only completed 11 of 25 passes. Yet he absolutely did what was needed, while he utilized the hailed defender Gordon Hogan to the tune of 3 TD’s. Hogan made sure to let everyone remember what he is best at as he also had an interception on defense. Speaking of defense, it ended up being the story of this game…defense and all by DWW. Jonesers QB Ryan Leliknowski definitely did not have his best day. Unfortunately, his interceptions outnumbered the touchdowns he threw as he tossed 4 INT’s and 3 TD’s. Receiver Eric Rapps did what he could with 2 of the 3 TD’s but it just wasn’t enough against a DWW defense that was swarming. Jordan McLaren had an interception for a score and the big man in the middle, Anthony Comeau, pulled in 2 interceptions as well. While this game may not have been as exciting as the other game, it definitely had its moments. Most of all it sets DWW up for a rematch with their nemesis AAA, for their third match of the season. Remember what I said about how hard it is to beat a team 3 times in a season?

 

Let us know take a look at this week’s upcoming matchups.

 

AAA faces the familiar face of Alex Lever and Daron World Wide. These teams have met twice this past regular season with AAA taking both matches 49-46 and 38-26. As is the running theme for the season, we have a team trying to defeat another team for the third time this season. Also DWW has been playing great football as of late. Even ending their season defeating the number 1 team R&D. AAA finished their season by taking down the Div A Rainmakers. They are consistent from year to year. This team just seems to know how to get the job done. But they are facing familiar faces who know their offence. But both teams know each other very well. Alex Lever has played many positions on the Lebeau offense; Lebeau, meanwhile, has also been in Lever’s huddles as well. They are friends and this matchup will be a dogfight. DWW wants to avenge the 2 losses this season, AAA wants another trip to finals (be it under a different name). I really can’t wait to see how this turns out. I predict an extremely close game. I am also going to go with AAA just because of how well they know each other. The margin of victory grew from the first win to the next. The gap will close once again but AAA will be the victor. That is my guess but honestly, this game can very easily go the other way.

 

The Roosters & Donkeys face the surging Maniax. These teams faced each other in week 4 where R&D took it 39-7. This is probably not the ideal matchup for the Maniax. Rapha Beladjat is a very mobile QB but R&D have one of the best rushers in the game with Matt Kirouac. Beladjat will definitely not be able to buy as much time as he has in recent weeks to make plays. He also threw 5 interceptions in their only matchup. The Roosters defense is very hard to read as they are in constant motion. Piece that together with the fact they are very athletic and it definitely provides headaches for the Maniax. They are also facing Div B QB of the Season Danny “Scoop” Gentile who led the highest scoring offense in Div B. They are a hard team to stop from scoring and can definitely control the game pace. The truth is R&D have the stronger team. They just finished an amazing season and I do not see it stopping here. The Maniax have pulled off some huge upsets this season. There is no doubt they have the ability to go all the way. I just think this game is not a good matchup for them. I think the R&D defense will not give Bealdjat enough time to make plays and they will force turnovers. So I am obviously saying I believe the Roosters & Donkeys will be playing for the Championship as they win this game.

 

One more game,

To reach your goal.

To make the final,

Would you sell your soul?

 

For the time has come,

Just over a week away

Where we see who hoists the gold,

To walk out the FPF Champs on Sunday

 

That is it for another edition of Bombsquad’s Breakdown. You can email me at [email protected] or tweet @DonaldWShepherd with your choices for final matchups and fishing tips. But until then, another week has been defused.