Carmine’s Coffin Corner – Week 9 Review and the Playoffs Loom

Welcome to the complete insanity that is the Spring Season of 2019. I still think that the writers for the league should be allowed 2 asterisks games per week to compensate for the roster mayhem that we see on a weekly basis. All of our thought processes in these articles align with the full rosters for each team. Take players away, or move them out of position, and that thought process would change dramatically. I had a great week of prognostication going and then Jesse Dupuis and Alexis Gaumont were absent for the Alpha-T’s match up. Ah the life of a writer! The following paragraph simply serves to highlight this…LOL

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??? We continue to see defaults and teams scrambling on FB or at the complexes to field a squad. Gents. A roster of 8 people will NOT cut it in any season but truly is a recipe for disaster in the Spring Season of FPF.

Thoughts & random opinions (league wide)

Kevin Wyeth continues to prove why he has all of the hardware. He continues his assault on defences this Spring. I am simply leaving this comment here for the rest of the season.
Is it just me or does anyone else find it weird to see the same names TWICE in the stat columns? Paul Lapierre is #1 (2 ½ Alkaholiks) and #7 (#NR) on the Receivers list for receptions. Another comment that I am simply leaving here until it no longer applies! (He would be higher but had to play QB at times for #NR)
A great game for JF Marquis from the Commission this week. 252 yards and 8 TDs.
Topping him in the stats department was Evan Frank from the U. Only QB in FPF to crack the 300-yard mark last week as he finished with 302 yards and 9 TDs.
Jeremy Anderson with a second straight big game for Keyport Lock as he found the end zone 5 times.
Vincent Benjamin (Jagerbomb) also had himself a 5 TD game this past week as a receiver. That is a big number.

Division A/B Week #9 review

Outsiders edge #NR 40-32

What I wrote: The first meeting was a close game with the Outsiders proving victorious 33-32 (damn those pesky coverts). The Outsiders find themselves struggling a bit recently, but they have a great roster and are led by the legend himself, Kevin Wyeth. #NR has been searching for their identity as their QB has been AWOL this season. If everyone is there, which is the LOADED question this season, then I am leaning towards the Outsiders. If people are missing, then I am REALLY leaning towards the Outsiders as KW has not missed a game.

What actually happened: Ryan Kastner came out for his second game in relief of Cory Pecker this season. Being asked to step in against the Outsiders is not an easy thing as they have some crazy talented people on their defence. Ryan finished with great yardage, but Pat Jerome and Serge Pilon managed to get their hands on 2 of his passes and that proved to be the difference. Paul Lapierre and super-sub, Justin Cerentola both finished with 5 receptions to pace the offence for #NR. Serge Pilon had a big game on both sides of the ball for the Outsiders, finishing with 7 receptions, 86 yards and 2 TDs. The man, the legend, the myth who replaced him at mid-season at the center spot, the Mad Bomber himself, also found the end zone twice. Of note for the Outsiders, they gave this game a slight co-ed flair, as Constance Millaire not only suited up but found her way onto the stat sheet with a reception from Kevin Wyeth. I will assume that Tam Vilyadeth played a role in this somehow…

Jasmin N Sons outdone by the Braves 38-26

What I wrote: Frederic Viens missed last week, and it cost his team dearly. Regardless of what he does this week the Braves are winning this game. Georges Gariepy will not be eligible for the playoffs, but they have so much depth, and the TOP defence, that they can make up for it.

What actually happened: The Braves won this game. No real shock there but they did not seem as dominant as usual. Jonathan Maheu was efficient, as usual, but amongst his 5 incompletions were 2 INTs, which is uncharacteristic of him. He also did not spread the ball around as much as usual. I do realize when you have Alex Pilon at your disposal (6-103-3TDs) it can be tempting to simply feed him the ball, but this will not be a recipe for success against the top teams. The Braves have a very talented roster and need everyone involved. Georges Gariepy (who I erroneously wrote would not be playoff eligible…MEA CULPA) played his usual two-way monster role with 2 TDs on offence and a big INT on defence. For JNS, Pat Jerome did his best finishing with 10 receptions and all 4 TDs thrown by Frederic Viens. M-A Viens provided balance with 11 receptions of his own. Unfortunately, that would not be enough against the Braves D.

Dirty Dawgs get kenneled by Lightweight 52-45

What I wrote: So, at the risk of jinxing things, the first game was a 60-0 default. Dirty Dawgs are coming off yet another default. Can they even field a squad? In a season where DD are all but eliminated, will they put in the effort to show up? Lightweight brought out some heavyweight backs ups this past week in ANP and Rob White. If this game happens, will that be enough? Two sinking ships match up and I am hoping for something beyond a train wreck

What actually happened: This went from a game that you would not want to watch into one that, if you blinked, you missed something. Over the past few weeks, these two teams have gone a combine 1-9 and that lone victory was actually by Lightweight over these same Dirty Dawgs by default. As such, I really did not have high hopes. WOW WAS I OUT TO LUNCH! Simon Dagenais had one of his best games with 274 yards passing and 6 TDs. He also had no INTs, which can be such game breakers at times. More on that in a bit. Jonathan Williams led the way with 7 receptions for 88 yards. Maximizing on their touches were Matt Kirouac and Jeremy White. The combined for 6 receptions BUT 5 of them were for TDs. That works. Jad Aridi had a quiet night with 3-34 yards but played a key role on defence. For the Dirty Dawgs it was the Dave Chityat Show. Having had to cover him in the past I can tell you he is a very talented receiver. It was put on the spotlight in this game as he finished with 9-155-4 TDs. He even threw a 22-yard TD for good measure! Ryan Lelinowski put up a decent stat line passing the ball, buying time with his legs and rushing for 69 yards and a TD to go along with his 5 passing TDs. He did make a costly mistake, throwing an INT to Jad Aridi who took it back for 6 points. That ended up being the difference in this game.

Dad Bod bomb out against the 2 ½ Alkaholiks 40-6

What I wrote: Ah the beauty of a short week. A 39-31 loss has Sean Avraam and squad ready to avenge things. Vinnie Gualano was absent but so was Joey Taylor (which took away potential ROTY Paul Lapierre who had to play QB). Dad Bod hold one of the final playoff spots, but I do not see them moving forward in this game. Paul Lapierre with 10 receptions leading them to victory

What actually happened: Let’s look back to what I wrote. First line mentions beauty. There was NONE in this game. Dad Bod did not avenge things. Vinny Gualano was there and played a big part. 1-1 as a QB, 6 receptions and their lone TD, and a game high 8 tackles. Joey Taylor with a great night as well. 26/30 with 6 TDs. Yardage was low, but he kept getting the ball with a short field. I predicted 10 receptions for Paul…he finished with 9. Zach Zwirn with a big game as he had 3 TDs and an INT on defence. Not sure where to start with Sean Avraam. He has had various physical issues this year, bad back, sore arm, ear infection, yada yada yada. All valid but, as long as he continues to take the snaps, rather than taking a break, he is accountable/responsible for his team’s success and/or failures. Playoffs are around the corner.

BYOD doubled down by YCSWU 47-24

What I wrote: Athletes abound in this one. Mathieu Rene is playing well, and BYOD have size & talent everywhere. YCSWU have the top offence in FPF at this moment but, if anyone is going to provide an upset, it will be BYOD. I don’t see it happening, but it could!!!

What actually happened: Alex Holowach moved back into the driver’s seat for QBOTY with this one. 263 yards and 7 TDs slightly edge out Kevin Wyeth at this point. There will be a coin toss for this one. Justin McLean continues his phenomenal season with 3 more TDs and another INT on Defence to set the pace. Really not much to say about this game as the YCSWU defence really did a great job, limiting Mathieu Rene to 14 completions. Telling stat of the night has Terry Tam as the leading tackler for YCSWU!

Alpha-T’s vacation against the Dream Killers 37-18

What I wrote: Jesse Dupuis vs. Jeff Rosenblatt

The rabbit vs. the tree. Completely different styles. Jesse is high intensity and Jeff is ball control. If Jeff is allowed to set the pace, then this will be a sleeper/boring game. If Julien Paiement is able to put pressure and not allow Jeff to sit “comfortably until you are numb”, then this will be a beat down for the Alpha-T’s. Orange for the W

What actually happened: You might as well throw away the entire preview as Jesse Dupuis was absent for this one. So was Alexei Gaumont. JD Chevalier was at the helm, but he is not a QB and his inexperience showed against a very solid Dream Killers defence. Jeff Rosenblatt did his job finishing 23-29 as the Men in Orange were missing their top 2 defenders. He did his usual job of spreading the ball around with 4 different players hitting the end zone, Khalil Kerr twice. Jonathan Lyristis continues to provide value with his addition to the roster. 5 tackles and a sack on D.

Carmine’s Players of the Week

Alex Pilon – Braves – 6 Rec / 103 yards / 3 TDs on offence & 7 tackles / 1 PD on defence

Dave Chityat – Dirty Dawgs – 9 Rec / 155 yards / 4 TDs

Simon Dagenais – Lightweight – 20/28 for 274 yards and 6 TDs

2 ½ Alkaholiks Defence – shutout after the first drive of the game.

Zach Zwirn – 2 ½ Alkaholiks – 7-57-3 TDs

Justin McLean – YCSWU – 5-64-3TDs & 3 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD on defence

Award Finalists (according to me and only me)

QBOTY – Alex Holowach vs. Kevin Wyeth

ROTY – Paul Lapierre vs. Justin McLean

DBOTY – Vinny Gualano vs. Pat Jerome

2WPOTY – Justin McLean vs. Pat Jerome

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

Braves host the Outsiders

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.

Lightweight take on the Alpha-T’s

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.

2 ½ Alkaholiks take on the Dream Killers

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!

Dad Bod host JNS

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 POSITVE 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.

YCSWU host #NR

#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.

BYOB host the Dirty Dawgs

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.

Thanks for reading