Brand New Year: Division 1

Happy new year everyone and welcome to the first Division 1 article of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season.

A brand-new year, and by the looks of it, a brand-new Division 1 that is made up of 11 teams. Naturally, there are some of the usual suspects in the Braves, Flag Moi L’Sac, Blessed, KGP, Allstars, Party Crashers, The Jamesons, and Royaume Luminaire. Thankfully, there is some new blood on the scene as ATH Squad, FFN, and the Maroons have joined the party.

Let’s look at those new teams:

ATH Squad – Led by the dynamic Jeanslee Alexis at Quarterback, this team has speed, size, and playmakers up and down their lineup on both sides of the ball with names like Darren Wiltshire, Carl Achy, Jordanson Alexis, Jeff Carpentier and Edwouard Valmé.

Alexis is coming off a championship in Tier 1 of the Fall Cup after filling in for an injured Dan Lazzara. The confidence that comes from that win along with his natural God-given abilities, and the talent he has at his disposal makes him arguably the most dangerous QB in the division.

The first test for the team will come when they take on an the always dangerous KGP this Wednesday night at Stade Hebert. Alexis will have his hands full when he takes on HOF Rusher Julein Paiement, in what should be a fantastic matchup between two of the fastest shiftiest players in the entire league.

Maroons – After a solid showing in the FPF Cup that saw them reach the Quarterfinals, the team is back for the winter season. Led once again by Quarterback Chad Byers, and playmakers in Anthony Vendrame Hugo Quintin, and Julian Feoli, the Maroons have also added Raphael Dagenais and FPF Hall-of-Famer Tam Vilaydeth from Terror Squad.

In the Fall Cup, the Maroons were a team that relied a lot on bully-ball to beat teams. With the addition of two huge difference-makers in Vilaydeth and Dagenais, the team has now added more skill to an already deep lineup. This team has the talent to at least pick up where they left off this fall.

Although the playoffs are a long way away, the Maroons used a suffocating second half defense to comeback for a (19-18) deficit, and shutout the Party Crashers on route to a (30-19) victory. The veteran in Quinton was the MVP for his team as he had six catches for 100 yards to go along with two touchdowns, and an interception. The team can’t expect to blank their opponents every week, but it was a great start for this tough squad.

FFN – Jarryd Taylor appears to be the main man behind Snapper, but just like every other team they have played on together over the last couple of seasons, expect a heavy dose of Rocco Christiano at Quarterback as well. When the offense is led by both players at the game’s most important position, it runs best.

With weapons like Jaylan Grandison, Jaylan Greaves, and the electric Corey Williams, FFN has length and speed to go long with big time production. Don’t sleep on Chirstiano as a Receiver and as a Defensive Back either. What he lacks in height, he more than makes up for in athleticism, and the ability to track the ball. With Taylor, Raffaele Morelli and Juwan Edghill, this team won’t be lacking any trash talk either. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in FPF’s top division, where the messages usually get delivered through plays.  

The addition of Justin Julien Jr. is an under the radar one that will pay dividends for this team, as despite not having played in FPF since 2017, the Receiver adds another legit deep threat to this offense. He played one game on my team a few seasons ago, and he brought Tyreek Hill level speed to the field.

FFN got off to a rough start in their game against Flag Moi L’Sac last Sunday at the Stinger Dome, as two first half interceptions by Taylor, put the team in a hole that saw them trailing (22-6) at halftime. Taylor bounced back in the second stanza by throwing two TD passes, while Christiano added one of his own.

The duo couldn’t match the performance of opposing Alex Nadeau-Piuze, as the FPF Hall-of-Famer threw seven TD passes, four of which went to his brother, and had only one incompletion.

Flag Moi L’Sac also got a solid outing from Guillaume Robert, who had a TD as a Receiver, and two interceptions on defense.

As I said earlier, there are several returning teams this year. Let’s look at some big questions that they must answer:

Flag Moi L’Sac – Besides their win over FFN, the last time we saw this squad, they came out on the losing end of a thrilling Semi-Final matchup versus the Allstars, after not getting what they thought was a call in their favour in the game’s dying seconds. Can this veteran squad, who hasn’t played since last winter, pick up where they left off and take the final step?

Braves – Let’s call a spade a spade, this team took a step back in the Fall Cup, as they were missing regular contributors in Alex Pilon, Georges Gariépy, and Serge Pilon Jr. This time around both Gariépy and Alex Pilon are back, as is a new addition in two-way threat Isiah Allard. Will that be enough to push this squad back to the Finals?

Allstars – The GOAT Kevin Wyeth took the Fall Cup off to rehab an arm injury. Will the time off be enough for the QB to not only reclaim his spot as the best passer in the league, but more importantly, allow him to throw pain free?

Blessed – Can they finally push through and make their way to the top of Division 1? Despite lacking an elite weapon, they do have several outstanding players in Marvin Steinberg, Will Power, Ariel Librati, Hinsley Adams, and James Langshaw among others. The biggest question they must answer is whether their playmaker by committee approach will be enough to carry them to a championship?

 The Jamesons – This is a team that is as talented as any other in the division. The problem for them is they seem to combust at the worst possible time. Interceptions by QB Jeff Rosenblatt, untimely drops by their receivers, or blown coverages on defense, they beat themselves just as much as other teams beat them. Can they avoid their usual fate this post-season?

Party Crashers – This is another team dripping with talent, but their inability to play a complete game, coupled with self-inflicted wounds always comes back to bite them when it matters most. Can QB Fréd Dupuis finally get his team over the hump?  

KGP – They are running back pretty much the same crew. They have talent and chemistry, but will that be enough to give them more than the three wins they got last winter?

Royaume Luminaire – After losing to AJ Gomes, Nic Groppini and the 450 Balers in the Tier 1 FPF Cup Finals, Royaume Luminaire reacquired the dynamic duo, and picked up FPF Hall-of-Famer Paul Lapierre as well. Those three along with Alexis Gaumont, makes them arguably the tallest team in Div. 1.

Will those three along with regulars like Jesse Dupuis, Emile Beaudoin, and Gaumont, be enough to take down the Allstars, Braves, Flag Moi L’Sac, and other top guns in the division?

Picks

 The Jamesons vs Flag Moi L’Sac – Flag Moi L’Sac

FFN vs Party Crashers – FFN (Upset Special)

KGP vs ATH Squad – ATH Squad

Last Week: N/A

NFL Picks

Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans – Houston Texans (Upset Special #1)

The Joe Flacco story has been great, and the Browns defense is arguably the best in the league, but C.J Stroud is special, and the Texans defense isn’t exactly Swiss cheese. The Texans with rookie Will Anderson Jr (their other first round pick this past April), along with Jonathan Greenard can get after the passer. The Browns have injuries up and down their Offensive Line, and Flacco has tossed a lot of picks. That’s not a recipe for success.

Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs – Kansas City Chiefs

Truth be told I hate the Chiefs. I respect what they have done the last few years, but just like anybody outside of their friends and family members, I don’t trust the KC’s Receivers. More importantly, even before all the injuries the Dolphins have suffered on defense, the Fins are SOFT, and they haven’t beaten a good team all season. Last year proved that when you punch this team in the mouth, they can’t respond. This season is no different.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills – Buffalo Bills

Both teams have a ton of injuries heading into this one, although the return of Minkah Fitzpatrick will help the Steelers. Beyond that though, let’s look at the most important position, Quarterback. Would you choose Mason Rudolph over Josh “INT” Allen? Me neither.

Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys – Dallas Cowboys

The 49ers fan in me wants to go Packers. Even though Jordan Love and his young receiving core have looked good growing up in front of our eyes the last month plus, the Boys, are too good to fall here, especially with the game being in Dallas. I think the Cowboys defense will get after Love and force some turnovers. Dallas will win and their delusional fans will be thinking Super Bowl Monday morning.

Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions – Detroit Lions

I almost put St. Louis…Welcome to the Matt Stafford Bowl! I am happy for the city of Detroit, and our main man and referee in die-hard Lions fans Leo Gervais. The Pistons stink, the Tigers do as well, and the Red Wings aren’t there yet. The Lions offense is for real if QB Jared Goff doesn’t turn the ball over. The team’s pass defense is suspect, but they have enough fire power to keep pace with and outscore the Rams.

A lot of people are picking LA in the upset. Not me. The Lions O-Line can keep Aaron Donald from dominating, and I think the Lions defense will get a crucial stop against the city’s former QB.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tampa Bay Bucs (Upset Special #2)

I take great delight in knowing that when my Niners punched the Eagles in the mouth back in Week 13, they haven’t recovered, as they have gone (1-4) since then. To make matters worse, they put Matt Patricia as their defensive paly-caller, and the unit has gone from bad to terrible.

The Eagles will be without A.J Brown on Monday night. The only thing working in their favour is that they are playing the Bucs, who despite still having some big weapons in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, have a banged-up Baker Mayfield at QB, and are a team who backed their way into the NFC South title, as they should’ve lost to the lowly Carolina Panthers last Sunday. Besides that, Tampa looks great!

I trust Todd Bowles and the Bucs defense led by Pro Bowl snub Antoine Winfield, more than I trust the Eagles without AJ Brown. I am going with another upset here.

That is it for this week. Welcome back to everybody, and good luck on your games this week.

As I sat back to start writing, it struck me how much FPF has grown. I have been a part of this league as a player, writer, and commentator since 2007. The league isn’t perfect, but I care about FPF, and I know that a lot of people that play and/or work here do as well. It’s always great to see the top division growing and becoming more competitive. Cheers to 20 years of FPF, and hopefully another 20 to come.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.