Carmine’s Coffin Corner – Week 1

W2020 Pre-Season intro & Week 1 recap

So? Did anyone else feel like a kid at XMAS when their GAME DAY finally arrived this week?  Considering my D3 game got shelved due to a team withdrawing from the season at the last moment, Wednesday night could not get here soon enough!!

Great day everyone and welcome back, finally, for another season in the “Old Man” Division!  Still feels like we have some unfinished business as the last time the “Grizzled Vets” took the field was for the semi-final games on March 18^th of 2020, and we have not been back since.

My name is Carmine Pollice, and I will be your weekly guide down “Tiger Balm Lane” as I take a look back at the week that was and try to give you an idea of the week that will be.  Please note that I am generally way off on my predictions but have 20/20 vision when it comes to my recaps!

For those of you who do not yet know me, some people would indeed label you as fortunate,  I have been playing in the league since the beginning and have a decent idea of what I am doing/seeing on the field.  One of the great advantages to covering this Division is that all of the games are played in the same building on the same night.  This makes it really easy to catch things live!  Wednesday evenings at 9 & 10 PM in Baie d’Urfe for those of you who might be curious.

The weekly articles will generally include the following:

• Random thoughts about the Division
• Random thoughts about the league
• Weekly recap
• Players of the Week (in my opinion)
• Preview of the week ahead

Just a quick heads up to put on your Big Boy Pants.  I am quick to give praise but if you pull a major gaffe do not be surprised if I bring it up…and no names will be changed to protect the “innocent”

DIVISION FORMAT

The 35+ Division is broken down into 2 Tiers: Tier 1 (registered teams) and Tier 2 (Drafted teams).  There is no inter-tier play, but all of the statistics are combined just to confuse people.

The original plan was to also have a second Tier of registered teams located in the Eastern part of the city but that will remain a future expansion project for “El Presidente” Campana.

TEAM INTROS

Here’s a quick look at “Who’s Who in the ZOO?”  I will start by Tier and work alphabetically.  PS…If I do not mention you during these little blurbs you have 8 weeks to get me to do so…LOL

TIER 1 – Monster

Season #5 for the Men in Black for the 35+ Division.  They took home the inaugural championship but have not been back since.  They are led at the Pivot Position by Andy Peterkin.  Still one of the fastest players in FPF, regardless of Divisions, he is a true dual-threat.  Still blessed with a powerful arm, he is a challenge for any Rusher to contain.  Craig “Owie” O’Brien and Domenic Tosi provide superb back up talent should Andy continue to have health issues.  Getting old sucks!  Huge pickups this off season, literally, in Paul Lapierre and Andrew Blevings.  500 LBs of football toughness between them.

TIER 1 – Old Age Outlaws (OAO)

Stephen Harripersaud returns to drive defences batty with his dink ‘n dunk style that is so darned effective.  He is a ball control master who rarely beats himself.  Multiple new faces to this roster as Harripersaud has obviously been busy recruiting.  David De Andrade and Anthony Siggia are very talented pick ups (need to check Siggia’s birth certificate to see if he qualifies) and add to the veterans like Kevin Kousaie, Enzo Bellini, and Rob White.  Fun group of guys both on & off the field.

TIER 1 – Shenanigans

Some familiar faces from the West Island Touch Football Circuit return to action as a group.  Led by Jay Ulley at QB, the Shenanigans boast some of the top individual talent in the Division.  Shane Williams is a HoF player for a reason, Jason Prince is no stranger to the awards show, and Darren Costello might be one of the most underrated players I have ever played against.  It will be interesting to see how their season plays out.

TIER 1 – Spitfire

The Spitfire return after waiting 2 years to play a championship game that never was.  Most of the regular squad is back in the saddle once more.  New face this season is Alex Moreau and an old returning veteran is Dave Mallais.  The defence has returned virtually intact with Brown, Hector, Moreau, and Sharma definitely helping raise the Advil stock price with each passing season.

TIER 2 – Broady Windsor

BW will be led by 3-way threat Eugene McLaren.  Able to both run & throw with effectiveness; Eugene is also a major contributor on the defensive side of the ball.  He has a huge offensive weapon in Brian Martin and a very effective center in Mario Choueri.  The draft teams are bit of hit/miss to start seasons as they need some time to build chemistry.  Will be interesting to see how this team develops through the season.

Tier 2 – FPF

Really not sure what to make of this roster.  I initially thought the Jeff Rosenblatt would be the QB (84.9 rating squeaking under the CAP), but he was not there and “Owie” was under center.  For the second time that night and for the second team?  Call me curious…

Vince Mancini, Karime Yasmine, and Brad Evans provide BIG targets to whomever ends up throwing the darn ball.  This will be a difficult offence to corral.

Tier 2 – JMJ

Chris Olsen joins the Old Man Division and is at the helm for JMJ.  He runs an interesting offence sprinkled with short and intermediate routes mixed in with his tendency to move around and use his legs.  His receivers will need to bring their hands as big play scores are not normally on the agenda.  Old Man Division “Honcho”, Mr. Dave Allen, provide a reliable safety cushion when things break down.

TIER 2 – Pacemakers

Ah yes.  The Kardiak Kids themselves.  They are led on both sides by Jason Rossie.  Yet another dual threat QB, Jason can definitely drive defences nuts with his ability to extend plays or move the chains with his legs.  Chris Brockwell is the playmaker on offence and can go over the top on any given play.  They initially registered a 6-man roster, which is DISASTER waiting to happen, and sure enough were recruiting on game day due to an absence.  This is a high energy team, and I am looking forward to watching & listening to them play.  The Rossie boys, Jason & Jordan, remind me of the Gallagher lads.

WEEK 1 Recap

Shenanigans vs. Montreal Spitfire (Montreal Spitfire win 45-24)

For the most part, this was a revival of Quebec tournament seasons gone by.  To say that these two rosters are familiar with each other would be a massive understatement.  For the record, I will always select my team to win in any preview that I write.  I fully expected for the ‘Fire to win this game but was definitely surprised by the score.  The ‘Fire offence was on “fire” all night long.  Every receiver had at least 3 receptions and 4/5 scored a TD.  Hard for the defence to focus on anyone when the ball gets spread around.  The Shenanigans had two turnovers off of bobbled balls that the “Fire defence took away.  Hard to fault Ulley when things like that occur.  TSN Turning point, IMO, was a goal line INT with 6 plays left by the Spitfire followed by a 49-yard TD by Andrew Carruthers.  Big momentum switch.

Two of the other 3 games that happened in Week 1 truly prove the point that you cannot let up the throttle at half time. Big leads were squandered…

Monster vs. Old Age Outlaws (Monster wins 26-25)

This was one of those games.  The OAO were up 19-6 at the half but let this one slip through their grasp.  Monster’s offence is normally run by Andy Peterkin, and he is a massive handful.  Unfortunately hampered by leg issues, he was not his normal self and Craig “Owie” O’Brien stepped and led the team to a nice comeback victory.  Still not sure how Paul Lapierre fit under the CAP in this division but heads up to all teams.  Within the 10-yard line, odds are really good, the ball is going to Paul.  Just saying.  3 TDs was a nice start to the season for the big man.  Several new faces on the OAO roster but I am sure that Steve will get things aligned going forward.  Chemistry is not built in a week.  Domenic Tosi had a busy day on Defence with 5 tackles, 1 INT, and 1 PD.

Pacemakers vs. JMJ (Pacemakers win 18-12)

The Pacemakers managed to recruit themselves a roster on game day and actually fielded 7 players.  Good thing because they only finished with 6 due to some chippiness & chirping.  Scoring was at a premium in this one, other than the last few moments when both teams decided to find the end zone.  Chris Brockwell got most of the yardage done for the Pacemakers with 7-112 yards on the night.  James Acker had the key catch for the decisive TD at the end.  Pacemakers had a slight edge as they are a registered team playing in the Draft Division, so they have a bit more chemistry than the others.  I think that this will even out around week 4 or so.

Broady Windsor vs. FPF (FPF wins 47-34)

Here was the other example of a team not playing a full game.  BW, led by Eugen McLaren were up 28-13 at the half over FPF AND getting the ball to start the second half.  Game over, right?  Guess again.  An INT on the first play, which was the first of 4 INTs thrown in the second half by BW, and “Owie” made them pay.  A monster 34-point second half, which included a Pick 6 by Adam Tock, gave us our highest scoring game of the evening. Both of these offences have the potential to light it up at any given time.  Brian Martin & Mario Choueri vs. Vince Mancini and Karim Yasmine.  Both teams with a large pair of human beings as “go to” targets will make life miserable for defences all season.  Vince finished with 6-109-2 TDs for the night to pace all players in this game.

35+ Players of the Week (based on STATS alone)

Vince Mancini (FPF) – 6 Rec / 109 yards / 2 TDs

Craig “Owie” O’Brien (FPF) – 20/31 for 244 yards with 6 TDS and an INT on Defence

Chris Brockwell (Pacemakers) – 7 Rec / 112 yards

Andrew Carruthers (MTL Spitfire) – 4 Rec / 78 yards / 2 TDs and 4 Tackles

Carmine Pollice (MTL Spitfire) – 18/23 for 240 yards with 7 TDs and an INT on Defence

Paul Lapierre (Monster) – 5 Rec / 62 yards / 3 TDs

Random thoughts for the week

• Nice to see the Braves back in business.  Jonathan Maheu with 7 TDs and both Pilon boys causing damage
• Kevin Wyeth continues to be Kevin Wyeth with a 5 TD game (huge shock)
• Emile Beaudoin with a big night for Urgence Medic with a Receiving TD, 2 sacks, a PICK 6 and a PD
• Julien Paiement (KGP) showing he can do more than rush with 3 Receiving TDs
• Nice to see the Incredibles and Greg Stern back on the field.  Still one of the smoothest throwing motions in FPF history.  Tough start but it was only 1 game.
• P.O.P with a brutal start to 2022.  “Owie” with 6 INTs?  Got it out of his system as he was extremely effective on Wednesday night in 35+
• EZW and Jeremie White with a big offensive showing.  7 TD passes and 7/8 on converts.  Oompah Loompas definitely took one in the “cup” on this evening.

Week 2 preview

Nothing like an immediate rematch to get the energy flowing.  Both Tier 1 games a repeat of Week 1.

Montreal Spitfire Vs. Shenanigans

Not really much to say for this one.  I think it will come down to the ‘Fire defence against the Shenanigans offence.  Not going to go into too many details about how I think this will play out but, as mentioned earlier, I always choose my team to win. 

Monster vs. Old Age Outlaws

Who will be the QB for Monster is my big question.  Owie is a very capable QB and can put up points.  However, he is not Andy Peterkin (when he is healthy).  Another week of getting comfortable with his receivers will definitely help Mr. Harripersaud but I do not think that it will be enough.  Monster for the W.

JMJ vs. Broady Windsor

Yet again, the QB question arises.  Will it be Eugene McLaren from the first half last week, or from the second half?  If it is the former, then I see BW walking away with this one easily.  If it is the latter, I still see them winning but it will be super close.  Either way, Broady Windsor will even their record at 1-1 after this game.

Pacemakers vs. FPF

Man, the QB questions continue.  Is it Owie or is it Jeff?  Will the Pacemakers have 6 players?  Get ready for Jason Rossie to lean on Chris Brockwell once more.  If PFP makes the decision to try and man up against him, he will go off for another big game.  Not sure anyone on FPF can stay with him down the field.  Should be a fun one to watch.  I’ll take FPF in this one.

That’s all for today! Thanks for taking the time to read along.