Categories: FallMen'sTier 1Tier 2

Colombian Soup, the Knockout Round and the Truth About Bulls

Peeze’s Playbook: Knock Out Round 1

Hey FPF, it’s been a while and I missed you all. Here’s my breakdown of the first round of the playoffs:

Tier 1

STL vs. EZW

  • The most compelling matchup in this game for me is STL Rusher Terrance Adams facing off against EZW’s QB Jeremy White.  Jeremy White is great at buying time and Adams is a bull in China Shop (they’re remarkably graceful: credit Mythbusters).  I have a theory that White hasn’t been truly healthy for months and this may impair his greatest ability.
  • Zach Zwirn has been ruled playoff eligible.  This gives STL some needed depth.  While Rocco Christiano dominated in the regular season, expect to see the brothers Ojeaha and other FPF veterans step up in the postseason.
  • EZW’s famed formula is having a new hero every night.  I think it’s high time CO Lavinge reminds us all how good he can be.  I also created a second “Showdown” lineup with Samuel Pelchat in the captain spot.
  • Last time they played STL won by three scored but first weeks are like first dates.  Great for memories but terrible at predicting future success.

Prediction: STL 31-EZW 26

Run it Once v. #NR

  • On the podcast Iggy and I were in lockstep.  We think this game can get out of hand quickly.  This is a disaster scenario for #NR.  Jeff Rosenblatt runs a methodical offense that will capitalize against #NR who really look more like a collection of individuals than a team that’s come together.
  • Folks often don’t think of the range of Run it Once but James Ohayon, James Drysdale, and Anthony Brisebois make for mismatches against many teams.  Expect them to all have massive impacts on both sides of the ball.
  • #NR need Adam Sinagra to be present and focus on exploiting chemistry he has with the team members with whom he is most comfortable.
  • Last time they played Run it Once won in a blow out but Travis Moses was at the helm. Moses is underrated as a QB but clearly was a little out of his depth.  It also took him out of the receiving corps.

Prediction: Run it Once 44- #NR 19

Kangaroos vs. KGP

  • This was not the matchup that KGP wanted. I mentioned on the show that Kangaroos roster was not overwhelming. I want to clarify that statement. Kangaroos are a great roster.  However, their success has more to do with their execution and development over the course of the season as they are no more overwhelming than any of the top tier 1 teams.  Expect Dan Lazzara to pick his spots.  He’s at his best when he takes what’s available and then hits th defence over the top when they feel stressed to make a play.
  • KGP will need to make plays early on defense in the flats.  It may seem contradictory but I honestly think the game script is the same for both Kangaroos offense and KGP’s defense.  They need to force errors and execute.  Offensively, Phil Cutler needs to keep the ball away from his counterpart.
  • When they played last Kangaroos won by 20 points.  However, expect at least one turn over by the KGP defense.  Maybe Matt Lepage can use his veteran wiles.  In any case I expect this game to be closer.
  • Kangaroos hit their opponents in the mouth with their wide array of weapons.  Expect to similarly see the ball spread in this game.  That said, I think Jeanslee Alexis has THE monster game for the favorites.

Prediction: Kangaroos 40-KGP 30

Blessed v. Braves

  • They just played last week and it was a fairly routine win for Braves.  However, I maintain Stephen Harripersaud is the greatest mind FPF has ever seen.  He will have a plan and he will be ready for what Braves have in store this time around.  I expect James Langshaw to have a huge impact on both sides of the ball.
  • Mike Pierrecin never gets enough credit for how good he is with the ball in his hand. He didn’t have a huge game last time against Braves but his ability to find holes in defences and operate in space make him key in a game where I think Blessed will try to take away Jo Maheu’s quick strikes. Braves scored every 3 plays last game.  This isn’t a gam script that plays into Blessed’s favor.
  • It’s key to note that Isaiah Allard was not present for the last game. That has a huge impact on the Blessed defense and their outlook for the post season. If he plays, they have a chance.

Prediction: Braves 34-Blessed 31

Tier 2

Mangoose v. Game Changers

  • James Drysdale told a lot of FPF media that he and Nic Schaefer were going to do a lot of damage together.  He was not wrong.  Schaefer has improved a great deal but he tends to rely heavily on Drysdale as an outlet for when plays break down. Jordan Panetta will look to take this away for the Game Changers defense. Additionally, their ability to play trail coverage can force some overthrows.
  • What Game Changers did in what looked to be a tumultuous season cannot be understated. They went 3-1 in their final 4 games and a lot of that had to do with Louis Phillipe Paquette. He’s a gifted receiver and a smart defender who knows how to clutch and hold and get away with it.  Will he get away with it with 3 refs on the field however; this remains to be seen.
  • Anton Sakiz is great, many new to FPF are just learning this but he has a great arm and progresses through his reads about as well as anyone in FPF.  However, he does have a propensity to throw off his back foot.  This is where Thomas Coutu can have a huge impact on this game. Coutu is a quick rusher with amazon size and this may be a problem for the shorter Sakiz.
  • Their last meeting was a narrow victory for Mangoose and I expect a close game again.

Prediction: Game Changers 32- Mangoose 30

Beer Belly Brigade v. Sweat and Beers

  • Alexandre Fafard is truly a fun watch. His ability to buy time, run, throw on the run makes him an absolute threat. In his last three games played he threw 14 touchdowns and was not intercepted.  Sweat and Beers have a challenge on their hands if they can’t contain him. Chris Milard is playoff eligible so if he’s present this will be Sweat and Beers’ best chance. 
  • Sweat and Beers have a similarly skilled quarterback in Rocco Christiano.  Containing him is a ton of work and I worry about the aggression of Xavier Tranh-Khanh.  If Rocco breaks contain expect to see strikes to Robbie Robinson and Chris Williams.
  • The last time they played Sweat And Beers won an ugly game but David Enault was baby sitting the BBB offense that week.
  • I expect Nicholas Currote to be the most difficult matchup for Sweat and Beers to stop. His speed and strength in the middle of the field is a lot to contend with.

Prediction: Beer Belly Brigade 37- Sweat and Beers 20

Team Ethnik vs. Friends Without Danny

  • Whatever the over is, take the over. If the line moves, take the over!  These two defenses struggle for different reasons.  Friends are a very static defence that Ben Lawlor will attack (expect that first play 9 to William Bisonette to be a touchdown) .  On the other end Team Ethnik play an undisciplined style of defence that leads to a lot of deep blown coverages.
  • Last time around Jared Buck struggled but I think this time around we can expect a lot more offensive efficiency. Expect Max Burah to be looking to stretch the field early and often.
  • The additions for Team Ethnik of Nicholas Gomes Risso and Anthony Siggia have been nice for Team Ethnik. If their defence is to step up I expect those two to be involved.

Prediction: Friends without Danny 48-Team Ethnik 46

Hot Sauce Sports v. Centaures

By Alex Blais

  • We have a week one rematch between these two teams which ultimately ended 43-18 in favor of the Centaures. Both quarterbacks struggled in that game with Jason Rossie and Paolo Della Rocca throwing 2 and 3 interceptions respectively. Hot Sauce Sports (1-7) and Centaures (3-5) have really not lived up to their expectations, both quarterbacks have plenty of FPF experience but have struggled with ball security this season. They’ve thrown many costly interceptions during the prior round of the season and need to address this issue before their Wednesday matchup. However, I admire Della Rocca’s ability to spread the ball to different receivers and I am confident that all of his 9 playoff eligible receivers are able to make a play. 
  • The Centaures will need to maintain a solid defense with no screw ups because Della Rocca has the ability to manage games and the clock and is a king and methodical drives and getting the first down when needed. As I previously mentioned, every receiver on that roster can make the play, and more importantly, get yard after catch. The player to watch has to be Mike Pierrecin who has had a quiet season so far but who can have an immediate impact on the game. 
  • If Della Rocca give either him or Notaro the ball with some space, it could turn fatal for the Centaures defense. Hot Sauce Source’s defense, who has allowed 30+ points in every game, need to focus on Rossie’s quick reads and releases. The quarterback has only been sacked twice this season and has a tendency to throw the ball to his receiver extremely fast. HSS’s defense might need to jump some of his receivers routes in order to make a play and possibly get a turnover. 
  • If present at the game, Jeremy Rooney will have an immediate impact on the game whether it be offensively or defensively. His ability to get up and grab the ball could work miracles for them. Both teams have solid rosters despite their records and I see this being a high scoring game so the key to this game has to be turnovers, both QB’s need to be extremely careful and throw safe plays because I am almost certain that the team with the fewest turnovers will win this game.

Prediction: 38-30 Centaures

Musings, Rambling, Lies and other Assortments

  • Bulls are actually remarkably graceful.  The myth of a Bull in a Chinashop was debunked years ago on Mythbusters.  Follow me for more information on animals and for related recipes.
  • Jeff Rosenblatt did not run it a single time all season long.  It’s insulting to his team name that he didn’t have a solitary attempt.
  • Reading crypto bros talk about how regulation is required to save the unregulated currency/commodity tickled me.  It turns out that pyramid schemes still operate as pyramid schemes.
  • Andor has to be the best writing that Star Wars has ever seen and it’s not close.
  • Rain, friends and a slow stewing Sancocho is the way to let a Saturday fade away.

Denouement

For those who have any thoughts, commentary or complaints, I am very easy to find.  I’m @peezehss on twitter, @pdellarocca and Peeze Della Reeze on facebook.  You can also take a chance by emailing me at [email protected] but I don’t check it because it’s a death trap of junk emails all trying to sell me off season corn on the cob and a variety of internet products from a media company that I dislike.  I really need to use incognito mode.  Please check out the works of my colleagues Lory Oulette and Ignacio Valdez Manzenedo as the three of us are covering all of the fall league as part of a joint effort. 

Remember that each week you can join the party on our Facebook page or at www.youtube.com/flagplus on our weekly podcast: Calling the Audible.  We are still trying to figure out when the shows will be available and how to get it live on air.  

Till next week, I want to thank you falettineme be mice elf agin!