Carmine’s Coffin Corner – Week 10 Review and the Playoffs Preview

Welcome to the complete insanity that is the Spring Season of 2019.  We made it!  What a completely crazy season this has been.  This week we’ll do a quick review, congratulate 24 people, look at what the playoffs hold in store, and whatever else crosses my mind.  We had a really tight slate of games as 5/6 games were within a single score.

I no longer need the following paragraph!!!  Playoff time: what you see is what you get.

I am simply copy/pasting my frustrations with attempting to decipher the possibilities due to all of the roster movement.  I am honestly going nuts with this.  How can people be expected to provide ANY insight when the rosters are as *&^$&% as they are???   

2019 Spring All-Stars

Congrats to all nominees.  Truly a great job.  For those who feel that they were overlooked…prove people wrong in the playoffs.

Division A

Alex Holowach (YCSWU)

Alex Pilon (Braves)

Danny D’Amour (YCSWU)

James Ohayon (YCSWU)

Jean-Daniel Chevalier (Braves)

Jonathan Maheu (Braves)

Julien Paiement (Braves)

Justin McLean (YCSWU)

Kevin Wyeth (Outsiders)

Patrick Jerome (Outsiders)

Serge Pilon Jr (Outsiders)

Wade Jr Shallcross (Outsiders)

 

Division B

Alexis Gaumont (Alpha T’s)

Brandon Aylward (Two and a half Alkaholiks)

Dave Chitayat (Dirty Dawgs)

Frédéric Viens (Jasmin n Sons)

Jesse Dupuis (Alpha T’s)

Mathieu Lepage (BYOB)

Mathieu René (BYOB)

Mike Pierrecin (Alpha T’s)

Paul Lapierre (Two and a half Alkaholiks)

Sebastien Crisi-Lauzon (BYOB)

Vinny Gualano (Dad Bods)

Zach Zwirn (Two and a half Alkaholiks)

 

Division A/B Week #10 review

Braves bow out to the Outsiders 45-44

What I wrote: The winner of this game will finish second (YCSWU should not lose to #NR later in the week).  The Outsiders won the first game of the series and a victory would tie them with the Braves but give the head-to-head edge.  The Braves would move 4 points clear with the win.  This should be a fun game as both teams have a great QB (Wyeth & Maheu), a monster 2-way player (Jerome & Gariepy), and a rocket propelled midget (Pilon and Pierrecin).  I think the edge in this game is the chemistry, if everyone is there, that the Braves have.  A consistent roster for several seasons, in different leagues, is showing in the way they play.  They have the TOP defence, by a mile, and their offence more than holds its own.  Going to be close, but I like the Braves to take this one.

What actually happened: This game lived up to its billing.  Both QBs with monster nights, 7 TDs and no INTs on each side, helped this game move at a frantic pace.  The Braves went into the half with a 1 score lead, paced by JD Chevalier and his 3 TD night.  All 5 starting receivers for the Braves found the end zone as Jonathan Maheu did a great job spreading things around.  No stranger to big time drama, Kevin Wyeth calmly did his thing and brought his team back to win by a single convert.  Ah those pesky PATs.  The Mad Bomber himself led the way with 8 receptions from the center position.  The man he replaced, Serge Pilon, finished right behind him with 7.  Add Pat Jerome to the mix and all 3 found the end zone twice.  Not quite as balanced as the Braves but just as effective.  Wyeth did his part in forcing a difficult decision for the QBOTY award.  Would/Will it be enough?  With the win the Outsiders move into the double elimination match with YCSWU while the Braves drop to 3rd and face #NR.

Lightweight fall to the Alpha-T’s27-19

What I wrote: TAT’s already have clinched a BYE.  Lightweight currently hold the second BYE.  Unfortunately, if the Alpha-T’s show up with their full roster, then I do not think that this will remain as such.  We could actually see a 4-team log jam at 5-5 for the coveted second seed.  Lightweight are 2-4 in their last 6 games with both wins against the Dirty Dawgs.  Their hot start has definitely cooled off.  TATs have only two losses, 1 by a point and the other without their QB.  Give me the boys in Orange with this one.

What actually happened: A much better game than expected.  In fact, we almost had ourselves the opportunity for a tie as Lightweight was stopped on the goal line on the last play of the game.  Not sure if Jesse Dupuis was still in vacation mode from his trip or he was thrown off by the last-minute addition of Isiah Allard as the Rush for the Lightweight squad, but he was off.  8/20 normally does not get it done at any level unless your defence puts points up on the board…which they didn’t in this one.  With the loss Lightweight fall out of the BYE and meet up with JNS.  The Alpha-T’s finish in first place with the win and will wait to see who they face in Round #2

2 ½ Alkaholiks bounce the Dream Killers 34-14

What I wrote: Weird game to call.  Joey Taylor is playing good football but so is Jeff Rosenblatt.  2 ½ move into the BYE spot with a win (and Lightweight loss) so they will be giving it their all.  Dream Killers create a log jam at 5-5 with a win so they will be giving it their all.  If Brandon Aylward can get Jeff to speed up his incredibly slow release, then that will be the difference in this match.  Give Jeff the time that he needs/wants/desires and he can be ridiculously effective.  I have no idea how he does it, because he looks like he is throwing rocks at pigeons, but it really works for him!

What actually happened: A busy and up & down week for Jeff Rosenblatt.  He was efficient in his first game, going 22/30.  Unfortunately, it was for a grand total of 148 yards.  Dink and dunk works for Joey Taylor.  Most others will lose.  Jonathan Lyristis was on the other end of half of those 22 completions, but he netted a grand total of 60 yards.  At some point in time the ball needs to go downfield.  Joey Taylor also did the dink & dunk routine (20 completions for 119 yards) but got a 40-yard Rush TD from Danny D’Amour and just enough stops from the D to make it work.  Zach Zwirn continues his monster second half of the season finishing with 7 receptions and getting named to the All-Star squad.  With the win the Alks move into the second BYE spot with TATs.

Dad Bod host JNS…no score until you read below

What I wrote: This one is simple.  Win and you are in.  Lose and your season is over.  JNS have lost multiple close games this season and actually have a POSITIVE plus/minus rating despite being 2-6-1 on the season.  Dad Bod have dropped multiple clunkers during S2019 and, as Forrest Gump famously said: you never know what you are going to get.”  Sean Avraam’s woes have been chronicled on multiple occasion.  Does he give the ball up to Vinny Gualano?  For JNS they need a big game from Anthony Vendrame and Pat Jerome (who needs to play to be playoff eligible).  Give me JNS for the win.

What actually happened: Sean Avraam put the team first and gave the ball to Vinny Gualano.  No shock that they got off to a slow start as Vinny needed to shake off the rust.  JNS jumped off to a nice lead and were up 19-6 at the break.  Normally this would be the time for Dad Bod to curl up in the corner and fold.  Not on this night…cue the comeback.  A ferocious 24-point half by the Dad Bod would see them fall just short as JNS, led by Frederic Viens, managed to stay just ahead and win the game 32-30 moving them into the playoffs.  The 2 tying 2-point convert was unsuccessful, ending the Dad Bod season.  Team namesake, Jasmin Rioux, led the way defensively for the squad finishing with 9 tackles.

YCSWU bomb #NR 48-32

What I wrote: #NR has had a turbulent season.  Cory Pecker has missed multiple games and this team simply feeds off his style of play.  YCSWU have been the offensive show in DA/B this season.  Alex Holowach is playing lights out football and Justin McLean is stealing the show as a receiver right now.  While they give up a ton of yards and points, the offence of YCSWU has been potent enough to make up for it.  I think that this trend will continue.

What actually happened: When I saw the #s put up by Kevin Wyeth I knew that Alex Holowach would be tossing bombs in this one.  I guess #NR did not see things the same way.  Alex finished with 302 yards and 7 TDs to finish first in both categories for the season.  Toss in being the QB for the top team and it will be very difficult not to give him the award for QBOTY.  3 different receivers found the end zone twice for YCSWU, including probably ROTY, Justin McLean.  He also proved his ability on defence with an INT and 3 PDs on the night.  Jeff Rosenblatt was pressed into action for his 3rd game of the week as Cory Pecker suffered a minor injury at his Youth Camp.  Speedy recovery.  Paul Lapierre had yet another big game for #NR, 10-81-2 TDs, but it was not enough to change the outcome.

BYOB tie the Dirty Dawgs 41-41

What I wrote: Why do I hear Han Solo’s voice (“I’ve got a bad feeling about this”) when I think of this game?  The Dirty Dawgs have been a roster nightmare all season.  Their loss last week, in spite of an amazing game from Dave Chityat, has them eliminated from playoff contention.  They have defaulted twice already and have scrambled on multiple other occasions.  I really hope they show up and play hard.  BYOB need to get on a hot streak heading into the playoffs.  Mathieu Rene has played some great football and has also played some not-so-great football.  He needs to get on a hot streak now and this game gives him that opportunity.  The DD typically play a MAN defence and that is what Mathieu thrives on.

What actually happened: This turned out to be a great way to end the season.  Not only were the Dirty Dawgs present, but they came to play.  Ryan Lelinowski with his best game of the season to end things off.  He finished with 203 yards passing, 27 rushing, and tossed 6 TDs, including two each to Jordan Panetta & Brian Eudoxie.  Dave Chityat continued his strong season (named to the All-Star team in spite of his team’s performance AND only playing 8 games), finished with 1 TD and an INT.  Matt Rene also had a good game with 238 yards passing and 6 TDs.  5 different receivers hit pay dirt and they look ready to hit the playoffs in stride

 

Carmine’s Players of the Week

Kevin Wyeth – Outsiders – 24/29 for 295 yards and 7 TDs on Offence and 5 tackles on D.

Jonathan Maheu – Braves – 21/29 for 304 yards and 7 TDs

JD Chevalier – Braves – 5-93 and 3 TDs on offence and 3 tackles on D

Danny D’Amour – 2 ½ Alkaholiks – 4-28, 40-yard rushing TD on Offence and 10 tackles and an INT on D

Jon Lyristis – Dream Killers – 11-60 and a TD

Anthony Da Silva – Dad Bod – 10-51 & 2 TDs

Alex Holowach – 19/21 for 302 yards and & TDs

Paul Lapierre – #NR – 10-81-2 TDs on Offence and 3 Tackles and an INT on D

 

Award Winners (according to me and only me)

QBOTY – Alex Holowach (YCSWU)

ROTY –Justin McLean (YCSWU)

DBOTY – Vinny Gualano (Dad Bod)

2WPOTY –Pat Jerome (Outsiders)

 

The week ahead

Playoff format – Remember that part about the weirdness?  It continues with the playoffs.

Division A (everyone makes it)

1 vs. 2 (winner moves to the final, loser plays winner of 3 vs 4)

3 vs. 4 (winner plays loser of 1 vs. 2, loser is eliminated)

Division B (Top 6 qualify)

1 and 2 get a BYE week

3 vs. 6

4 vs. 5

The week ahead

BYOB vs. Dream Killers

Mathieu Rene looks like he is ready to go.  A very solid second half of the season is just what the doctor ordered for BYOB.  Sebastien Crisi-Lauzon was their rock all season long and it paid off for him with an All-Star nomination.  On the flip side we have Jeff Rosenblatt, who has bee hot & cold in DA/B.  He has been a monster in DC with Keyport Lock.  Not sure if that has played a factor or not.  I really think that BYOB are playing better ball defensively at the moment and have more talent on that side of the ball.  Look for them to move on with a W.

Lightweight vs. Jasmin N Sons

While JNS squeaked into the playoffs with their dramatic victory over Dad Bod this week, I actually have them as the favorite in this game.  Lightweight started the season on fire but have crashed during the last 6 games.  Simon Dagenais has definitely earned my respect for his play, attitude, and mental toughness this season.  He was asked to fill a hole at the last moment and Lightweight have been a very competitive squad all year.  I just think that JNS, IF EVERYONE IS THERE, are the better squad.

Braves vs. #NR

How is Cory Pecker?  Where is Cory Pecker?  Pressing questions as this team needs him to be there.  If not, then this will be a ####- show of a game as they will lose their top offensive weapon, Paul Lapierre, who will most likely be pressed into service.  For the Braves, they need to simply focus on what they do best, smothering defence and efficiency on offence.  Even with Cory at 100% I cannot see the Braves losing this game.

YCSWU vs. the Outsiders

The game of the week, IMHO.  Holowach and Wyeth match up.  McLean and Jerome.  This should be fun to watch, just don’t blink.  The winner of this game moves straight to the finals.  The loser gets to meet up, most likely, with the Braves, which is not what either of these teams wants.  Last possession will win this one and I think the Mad Bomber makes the difference on a convert.  Give me the Outsiders for the W

Thanks for reading