Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose… For all The Marbles!!!

The day we’ve all been waiting for. The biggest game of the year. A field, 12 players, 3 refs, but so much more than that. A chance to cement yourself in the FPF history books. The time is here people. The 6 seed That’s What She Said, The 1 seed Silent Ticklers. Let’s gooo!

Quick recap of both semi finals. That’s What She Said held Greendale Human Beings to only 13 points in their win. The offense did just enough by scoring 19 points led by Phil Pharand‘s 2 TDs. Not only did QB Leandre Ethier throw for 3 TDs, but he also got 3 sacks on the very elusive Danny Aylward. Good stuff man!

The Silent Ticklers did what they do best and that’s put up a ton of points. They scored 50 against The Stoics en route to a 50-32 win. Adam Rosen led the way with 7 catches 133 yards and 3 Tuddies. Credit Brandon Vickers for Silent Ticklers who got a pick on the very first play of the game to set the tone early.

Okay time for the game of all games now…

First few things that come to mind when thinking about this game. Silent Ticklers score at will. They have the ever-explosive duo in receivers with Adam Rosen and Vince Mancini. QB of the year, Jordan Panetta, knows how to find these guys even when they’re covered. If there was one defense that could potentially slow down this offense is that of That’s What She Said. You have a division 1 all-star rusher in Julien Paiement, a feisty defender that loves to shoot gaps in Mike Pierrecin, a tall, long stud in Antoine Roberge that has a heck of a vertical, Phil Pharand that can track any ball, and Jean-Michel Alerte that had 7 picks in the regular season. Having played these guys I can attest that what makes them such a great defense is their communication. Everyone knows what to do in any situation. They don’t seem faced by any offense. I definitely do not expect them to shut down the Silent Tickler offense, but perhaps getting a stop or two might just be enough in this game.

As much as I praise Silent Ticklers and their offense, their defense is also one of the best in the division. Tysen Otis Copeland had 7 interceptions in the regular season along with 2 pick-6s. He has great lateral movement allowing him to cover way more of the field than a player should be able to. Their defense as a whole is aggressive. They don’t mind getting beat deep so long as it’s a perfect throw. I can see That’s What She Said trying a few double moves early to try and get the Ticklers defense second guessing themselves a little. The same guys that carry the load on offense for Silent Ticklers are also usually the ones making plays on defense as well. However, a guy who does not get enough credit on this team is referee Tanner Burrell. He may not be the quickest nor most agile (that sounded mean but I mean it as a complement!), but he is smart and has good instincts. I can see him making a play to turn things around.

Who Has The Edge at Various Positions?

QBS: Leandre Ethier continues to impress me week in, week out, but I gotta go with QB of the year Jordan Panetta.

RECEIVERS: I’m going with Silent Ticklers led by Adam Rosen and Vince Mancini. That’s What She Said have legit division 1 receivers, but the Silent Ticklers receiving numbers speak for themselves.

DEFENDERS: Edge to That’s What She Said. This defense prides themselves on giving up nothing easy. Every yard by the offense is earned.

RUSHERS: Close here but I am giving the edge to That’s What She Said. If Julien Paiement misses the game, they got Leandre Ethier to cover for him.

X Factors

I love talking X factors in championship games. I’m going with one per team.

Silent Ticklers: Andrew Blevings, he may be the most intimidating looking guy on the field. Man looks like he can crush you with one arm. In all seriousness, Blevings has been playing FPF for a while now. He knows the game. When Panetta needs to check the ball down Blevings is in the right place for it. He sees the field well and is able to adjust his routes according to what the offense needs and the defense gives. With his ability to box out defenders I would not be surprised to see him getting a few targets in the red zone.

That’s What She Said: Antoine Roberge, similar to Blevings, Roberge has the ability to shield opponents from the ball. He is a great two-way player and will need to show that today for his boys to take home the championship banner. He has a great ability of being able to track the ball. Panetta will take his deep shots as we all know, it’ll be up to Roberge to track one down and make him pay for testing him.

Game Prediction

There are a few things I like about this matchup. One, they haven’t face off against one another this season so I’m not too sure what to expect. Two, these two teams are very different from each other. The Silent Ticklers approach on offense is taking deep shots early and often, whereas That’s What She Said are okay marching down the field and methodically taking what the defense gives them. Who will be eyeing Mancini and Rosen for That’s What She Said? Will they matchup Pharand in front of Rosen for the speed aspect? Will they play high-low with Pierrecin aggressively attacking the shorts if Rosen runs an underneath route? I’m curious to see how aggressive or conservative That’s What She Said’s defense will play early on.

Ethier will need to virtually be perfect in this one, and he is more than capable of being just that. He has a great knack for reading the field and shifts defenders with his eyes. One thing for That’s What She Said is they cannot afford to get down early. It is imperative for them to score on their first few possessions. The playing style of Silent Ticklers allows them to stay in games even when they are down by a possession or two.

Can Pierrecin win his third championship in 2 days as he looks to make it 4 chips by the end of the night? Will the Silent Ticklers complete the historical undefeated season and call themselves Winter 2023 Division 3 Champions? Both teams fought hard to get here. There were many great teams in the division this year, but there can only be one champion. I’m sure this is gonna be a classic. I gotta go with the more consistent team throughout the course of the season that is built like a well-oiled machine. Gimme the Silent Ticklers to take home the Division 3 championship and complete the undefeated season!

Final Score: Silent Ticklers win 40-31

It has been a pleasure writing for the division this year. My first time writing for the league and I could not have asked for a more exciting division to cover. Thank you to everyone who took time to read the articles and greet me at the fields. Good luck to both That’s What She Said and Silent Ticklers. Give it your all boys like I know you will! Hope to see you all back come spring time and thanks again for a great season! Until we meet again…

STAY BLESSED