Contenders, Pretenders, and We’re Not Sure Yet

Welcome to Week 9 of the FlagPlus Football Spring Season.

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, it is officially crunch time for all 22 teams in Division C.

While having fun, and playing for the love of the game is fantastic, and mostly likely true among the majority of players in FPF, the truth is, we all play, and pay nearly $2000, to win a championship. 

The playoffs, or the Real Season” as I like to call it, is just around the corner. Through eight weeks, we have seen a lot of good football. While there is still time to throw in a wrinkle or two, at this point, all twenty-two teams have shown us who they are.

With that in mind, I will release my annual Contenders, Pretenders, and We’re Not Sure Yet article. The premise is pretty self-explanatory. Also, if you don’t agree with where your team is placed, feel free to prove me wrong.

 

 

Contenders

 

 

The Alpha-T’s (8-0)

 

Obviously, the only undefeated team in Division C, would end up in this category. With the division’s top defense, and second best offense, this squad is obviously lethal.

Quarterback Jesse Dupuis, doesn’t always throw the prettiest passes, but his ability to buy time and find receivers when the play looks like it is about to fall apart, is hard to stop.

While Receivers Alexis Gaumont, and redzone threat Mathieu Houle, deservedly get a lot of attention, Anthony Lapointe, and Julien Bellavance, have come up with key plays all season long.

The only concern with the team, is their habit of playing tight games, with four of their last five contests, being won by less than 10 points.

To their credit, The Alpha-T’s, did their best to mitigate the problem this week, with a (38-20) beating of the Backyard Bullies, Monday night at Stade de Montreal.

With their spot in the post-season clinched weeks ago, The Alpha-T’s, finish up with Jagerbomb, and Lobster Dinner. If TAT’s wins against Jagerbomb, they will clinch the number one seed in Conference A, due to their Week 4 win over the second place Junkyard Dogs.

 

 

The Commission (7–1)

 

In his first year with the team, Quarterback Jean-Félix Marquis, has proved a lot of doubters wrong, as to whether or not, he could be a successful Division C QB. With playmakers in AJ Gomes, Vincent Marquis, Alexandre Samson, and Julian McLaren-Thompson, this team can go score for score with anybody.

On the other side of the ball, the team is capable of shutting down opposing offenses, when they play smart, but they have been known to occasionally have a brain cramp from time to time.

At the end of the day, if The Commission, want to repeat as Division C champs, they will need to bring their A-game on both sides of the ball.

Currently sitting in first place on Conference B, The Commission, can seal it up, if they win their final two games. If they win only one of their games, TC, would need both the Blue Chips, and Jagerbomb, to do the same over their final two contests.

 

 

Junkyard Dogs (7-1)

 

With their (35-8) statement win over Blue Chips this week, along with victories over the Backyard Bullies, and Dirty Dawgs, the Junkyard Dogs, have let it be known that they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

When he is on his game, and in control of his emotions, Quarterback Jason Rossie, can throw it with the best in the division. With weapons at receiver in Jonathan Williams, Rory Semerjian, and Alexandre Noel, the team can attack opposing defenses with the short, and deep passing game.

Defensively, while the team lacks a true ball-hawk, they have given up the second least amount of points in Div. C. With a top level Rusher in Jonathan Lyristis, and as a group, led by FPF family member, and defensive mastermind Rob White, the unit has the ability to shutdown opposing offenses, as they did to the Blue Chips, Monday night.

Currently sitting tied for second in Conference A with the Mountain Lions, the Junkyard Dogs, need to finish with a better record than The Alpha-T’s, to claim the number one seed in the conference. To do that, JYD, will need to beat the BearSkins, and Braves U to close out the regular season, and hope for a little help from either Jagerbomb, or Lobster Dinner.

The only real question facing this team, is whether or not they can get it done come playoff time.

 

 

Mountain Lions (7-1)

 

The quietest one loss team in the entire division, the Mountain Lions, simply go out there and take care of business.

Whether it be Adam Rockman, Zack Goldstein, Marty Freedman, Kevin Smuda or Jordan Mcinnis, Mountain Lions Quarterback Jake Applebaum, has a lot of options at his disposal, and he is a master at making defenses have to pick their poison.

While they rank seventh in points allowed, with 197, the team’s defense, lacks playmakers. Besides Andrew Langburt, who leads the way with five interceptions, the team has had a tough time creating turnovers.

Currently tied for second place on Conference A with the Junkyard Dogs, the Mountain Lions, can take sole control of the spot, with wins against Omelette You Finish, and the Dirty Dawgs, and a loss by aforementioned Junkyard Dogs, in one of their final two games.

The Mountain Lions, can finish as high as first, provided they win their last two games, and The Alpha-T’s lose their remaining two contests, due to the fact that TAT’s beat them (36-19) in Week 2.

 

 

Blue Chips (6-2)

 

From top to bottom, this team has more speed and athleticism than any other squad in Division C, and perhaps the most swagger as well. Quarterback Jordan Mitchell, is the best scrambler in all of FPF, and his receivers in Marcus Mitchell, Sanders Armand, and Hennessy Oraye, are solid targets, capable of making big plays at anytime.

The team’s defense is led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jose Baba. The group, along with Baba, do a great job of jumping routes, and getting their hands in the passing lane. They are susceptible to giving up the short and intermediate routes, but overall, this is a solid group.

The only problem with these guys is credibility. With the exception of their (50-39) win over The Commission, in Week 7, what the Blue Chips, are lacking, is a win over a championship contending team. Falling to TOPSZN in Week 3, along with their blowout loss to the Junkyard Dogs this past Wednesday night where they were simply out-classed, is another example of a team who might not be as good as they think they are, or their record suggests.

The loss to the Junkyard Dogs, dropped Blue Chips, from first to fourth place in Conference B. BC, has a chance to get back into the top three, provided The Commission, TOPSZN, and Jagerbomb, all lose at least one of their remaining two games.

For Blue Chips to do that, and to silence the critics at least a little bit, they will need to beat playoff teams in Keyport Lock, and Jagerbomb, to close out the regular season.

 

 

TOPSZN (6-2)

 

The highest scoring team in Division C, they have a deep a talented roster, and multiple options at the game’s most important position, behind starter Jarryd Taylor.

When Taylor is in the lineup, they are at their most dangerous. In the six games he has played, the third-year Quarterback, has a staggering 16 touchdowns, and the offense has averaged 42 points a game.

A major question facing TOPSZN, on that side of the ball, is will the constant rotating at Quarterback, come back to bite them come playoff time, especially since it would potentially take a big-play receiver like Justene Edwards, or Khalil Kerr, from their natural position, and put them in a spot where they are less effective.

Led by playmakers in Taylor, and Loïc Robidoux, they are a fast and aggressive defense, that is good at creating turnovers, as evidenced by the 16 interceptions they have forced so far.

The only problem with unit, is that they gamble too much, and they often get burnt. In 8 games so far, the defense, has only held two opponents, (Blue Chips and Braves U) to under 30 points. That simply won’t do come playoff time.

To their credit last winter, TOPSZN, looked like a classic all offense, no defense team in the regular season as well, before they turned it around in the post-season, and held two high-scoring teams in the Warhawks, and Mutation, to under 25 points, until falling to The Alpha-T’s by three in the Semi-Finals.

Can TOPSZN, find that magic defensive switch again? Remaining games against a suddenly awake Lights Out squad, and Omelette You Finish, could potentially give us some answers.

 

 

Jagerbomb (7-1)

 

 

Will the real Jagerbomb please stand up?

With Cédric Nuckle, Jean-Felix Daloze, Simon Duchesne, Felix Fontaine-Larouche, and Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, we know this group has a lot of game-breakers. The question however is, who are they as a team.

Is this the same team that beat Lights Out, and the Vikings by a combined 2 points to start the season, then got hammered by The Commission in Week 6? Or are they the crew that smoked Keyport Lock (39-0), and beat TOPSZN two weeks ago?

Jagerbomb, has arguably the hardest schedule to finish the regular season, as they face The Alpha-T’s tonight, followed by Blue Chips, next Sunday. If they are able to get by one, or even both, Jagerbomb, will not only have a ton of momentum on their side, and will have made a huge statement, but we will also get answer to the question at the top.

 

 

We’re Not Sure Yet

 

 

BearSkins (5-2-1)

 

While not as dominant as last year’s team that made it all the way to the Division C Finals, the BearSkins, are still a potentially dangerous team, who has the look and feel of a squad you don’t want to meet in the first round of the playoffs.

This team begins and ends with one of, if not, the most devastating trio in the league in Vinny Gualano, Mark Belvedere, and Marco Bertoldi. Throw in the big play ability of former Laval Rouge et Or Running Back Guillaume Bourassa as well, and you can see why this offense, has the potential to be explosive.

The main problem with this team however, is that they have looked like anything but contenders the second half of the season. Since Week 5, their only wins have come against Lobster Dinner, and the Vikings, while they were blown out by both the Backyard Bullies (Week 5), and Dirty Dawgs (Week 8).

Currently sitting in fourth place in Conference A, with 11 points, the team will all but assure themselves a top 4 finish, if they beat either the Junkyard Dogs, or Keyport Lock, to finish the regular season. Can they get it done, and more importantly, which team will show up?

 

 

Backyard Bullies (4-4)

 

Just a few weeks ago, the Backyard Bullies, looked to have their swagger back, as they were on a 4-game winning streak, and looked prime to enter the post-season on a roll.

Fast forward, a few weeks later, and the team is currently on a two-game losing streak, and their defense, which coming into Week 7, had given up an average of 23 points a game, has surrendered 38 points in back-to-back contests.

On the other side of the ball, despite having an awful performance against The Alpha-T’s this past Monday, where he was intercepted three times, including on the first play of the game, Quarterback Rich Humes, has tried his best to dig the team out of their current slump. His teammates however, haven’t done him too many favours, as dropped balls, have played the offense.

Luckily for the Backyard Bullies, with 8 points, they have already qualified for the playoffs. However, even though they currently sit in the fifth spot in Conference A, they can finish as low as eighth. To avoid that, the Bullies, must take care of business, against Lobster Dinner, and Game Changers to close our the regular season.

 

 

Dirty Dawgs (4-4)

 

When I came away from playing these guys in Week 3, I said that they were a lot better than I thought they were. They came within a play of beating The Commission, The Alpha-T’s, and the Backyard Bullies.

With a 6-point win over the Game Changers in Week 7, followed by a statement (44-18) victory over the BearSkins last week, the Dirty Dawgs, are going in the right direction, as we march towards the playoffs.

While their nickel and dime offense is annoying, and extremely time-consuming to play against, Quarterback Ryan Lelinowski, is very effective at running it.

The key to playing against the Dirty Dawgs, is to score quickly and get stops, so that you force them to get out of their comfort zone, and make their offense to have to strike quickly. That is easier said then done however.

The Dirty Dawgs, currently sit in 6th place in Conference A. They have the same amount of points (8) as the Backyard Bullies, but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker with them, when the Bullies beat them (40-39) back in Week 6. Due to the lose, the Dawgs, need to beat the Vikings, and Mountain Lions, and hope the Bullies lose one of their remaining two games.

Should that happen, the Dirty Dawgs, could finish as high as fourth provided that the BearSkins lose their final two games as well.

Should things go south on the Dawgs and they lose both games, they could finish as low as eighth in the conference.

 

 

 

Pretenders

 

 

Friends in Low Places (4-4)

 

To their credit, Friends in Low Places, looked like they were left for dead, after they began the season losing three straight, and four out of their first five games.

Since Week 6 however, the team has performed a remarkable turnaround, as they have won three games in a row, with victories over Moist, Broccasion, and Game Changers. While those might not exactly be a murderer’s row of opponents, last time I checked, a win is a win, and 2 points are 2 points.

With Dangerous Danny D’Amour, and weapons at receiver in Jared Buck Michael Timmis, Justin Santillo, and FPF family member Alex Holowach, this team has the ability to put up points. The only thing that really gets in their way offensively, is mistakes. There have been plenty times this year, where an errant pass, or a wide open drop, have killed their offense. In the post-season, these mistakes must be kept to a minimum.

 

As of this writing, Friends in Low Places, sits in sixth place, tied points-wise with the Strangers. Luckily for FILP, and the rest of us, they will settle the battle for the six spot tomorrow night at Stade de Montreal, when they play the Strangers.

After that, FILP, finishes off the season with a game against the Vikings, who are battling for positioning as well.

 

 

Lights Out (3-5)

 

 

After struggling the majority of the season, and looking nothing like a playoff team, with a 5-point loss to the Junkyard Dogs, followed by wins over Lobster Dinner, and Moist, Lights Out, have turned their season around the last three weeks, and have been playing their best football to date.

While last week’s offensive showcase, where they dropped a 60 burger on Moist (62-28) was surely fun for a team that has looked so bad on that side of the ball all year long, (Why wasn’t Jack Zergiotis their first choice at QB?), their victory gave them a valuable two points, and some breathing room from Broccasion, and Les Montagnards, who are chasing them for the 8th, and final playoff spot in Conference B.

This is where things get tricky. Lights Out, finishes the regular season with TOPSZN tonight, and Les Montagnards in Week 10. To ensure that they make the post-season, they will either need to win one of two, or hope that Broccasion, losses or ties Les Montagnards, then losses to Moist in Week 10. Or, that Les Montagnards loses or ties Broccasion, and then losses to them next week.

As the saying always goes in sports, just get into the playoffs, and you never know what could happen. With Jamal Gittens, Mickey Marini, and Isiah Allard, this team has weapons on offense. If Lights Out, can get some consistently solid play from their regular QB in Drew Keiller, who knows what might transpire.

 

 

Keyport Lock (4-3-1)

 

 

At the midway point of the season, I labelled these guys as the biggest disappointment of the year up until that point. Since then, Keyport Lock, has earned points in four straight games, as they have three wins, (Broccasion, Les Montagnards, and Strangers) and a tie versus Omelette You Finish.

One of the keys to the team’s turnaround, has been the play of  Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt. Over the course of the undefeated streak, the 4-time All-Star, has thrown 16 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, while completing 62% of his passes, and posting a QB Rating of 101.95.

 

The other key to Keyport Lock’s recent success, has been their defense, which has forced a turnover in every contest, including eight in their last four games, and a crucial one at the end of their game versus Strangers on Wednesday night, to seal their (33-27) win.

With games remaining in the regular season, Keyport Lock, has a chance to go into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in Div. C. Doing that will be tough however, against they finish with games against Blue Chips, and the BearSkins.

Currently sitting in the fifth spot in Conference B, Keyport Lock, can finish as high as third, if they win their final two games, and Blue Chips, and TOPSZN lose.

Conversely, they could finish as low as eighth, if they lose both contests, and Friends in Low Places, Strangers, and Lights Out, win their among remaining games.

 

 

Vikings (3-5)

 

Currently sitting in seventh place in Conference A, with 6 points, the Vikings, are tied with Omelette You Finish, but they have the edge, due to having more wins (3 to 2).

If the Vikes, want to finish out of the basement, they will need to beat the Dirty Dawgs, and Friends in Low Places, to close out the regular season. If they accomplish that, and the Dirty Dawgs also lose to the Mountain Lions in Week 10, and the Backyard Bullies lose their final two contests, the Vikings, could jump all the way up to fifth place.

While we all know that with Philippe Kotrbaty, Simon Gauthier, and Sylvain Paquette, among others, the team will score some points, it will be the squad’s defense, that will need to take care of business, the trio Nicolas Gendron-Vallée, Marc-André Lapointe, and Jean-Philippe Huard, represent the Vikings’ best defenders. They will need to come up huge, as they will be facing Danny D’Amour, Jared Buck, Dave Chitayat, and Eli Saleh, over the next two games. Good luck.

 

 

Omelette You Finish (2-4-2)

 

The kings of the tie game, as they lead all Division C teams with two, are three points up on Lobster Dinner for the 8th and final playoff pot in Conference A. I guess those 1 point games really do come in handy.

Last week’s (27-25) loss to the Vikings, gave the seven spot to the Vikes. For Omelette You Finish, they will need to win their final two games, and hope the Vikes lose one of theirs. They can finish as high as fifth, provided, the Dirty Dawgs, and Backyard Bullies, lose out as well. However, with games against the Mountain Lions, and TOPSZN left to play, the odds Omelette You Finish, adds to their six points on the season, doesn’t look all that promising.

If the team wants to have any chance of winning either game, not only will they need Quarterback Simon Dagenais to not throw away the game with a bad interception, they will also need their best defenders in Shawn Bant, Justin Lerner, Gabriel Wiseman, and Jamie Ojeaha to limit the damage from the likes of Khalil Kerr, Justene Edwards, Kevin Donnet, Hasani Worell, Kevin Smuda, Adam Rockman, Zack Goldstein and AJ Rashkovan. No easy task.

 

 

Strangers (4-4)

 

Gino Di Fazio’s team can score. At their best, this team has a good combination of speed with Alessandro Barazzoni, Anthony Siggia, and Andrew Carruthers, with knowledge Carmine Pollice, Adi Sharma, and Paul Lapierre, and good hands with Junior Spera, and QB turned receiver in Mike Roy, who has turned into reliable target for Di Fazio.

The problem however with this unit, they also commit too many turnovers, and give up too many points of their own.

They are currently tied for sixth with Friends in Low Places, with 8 points apiece. As luck would have it, both teams are set to square off, this Tuesday at Stade de Montreal. From there, the Strangers play The Commission, to finish the regular season.
A win versus both, could propel them all the way up to fifth, if Keyport Lock losses one of their final games.

 

Lobster Dinner (1-5-1)

 

Despite not tasting a victory since their Week 2 (19-12) win over Omelette You Finish, this team is still math thematically alive for a playoff spot.
The odds don’t look too good however, as they close out with games against the Backyard Bullies, and The Alpha-T’s. Good luck boys.

 

 

Les Montagnards (1-7)

 

 

For Les Montagnards, to make the playoffs, they must beat Broccasion on Wednesday, hope that Lights Out losses to TOPSZN tonight, and then turn around, and beat Lights Out themselves, in Week 10. Good luck.

 

 

Broccasion (1-7)

 

To make the post-season, they need to beat Les Montagnards, on Wednesday night, and then beat Moist to close out the regular season, while praying that Lights Out losses their final two games.

 

 

Game Changers (1-7)

 

Another candidate for the most disappointing team in Div. C, Game Changers, have been relegated to playoff spoiler.
They finish the season with games against Braves U, and the Backyard Bullies. Let’s see what they can do.

 

 

Braves U (0-7-1)

 

The team has been playing better as of late. They have what will most likely be their last chance to get their first win of the season, when they take on Game Changers, this Tuesday in Brossard. Can they finally get one?

 

 

Moist (0-8)

 

This team has a lot of heart, but they are missing talent in important spots.

After playing The Commission tonight, they finish with Broccasion, in what could actually be a sneaky good matchup, and will be Moist’s best chance at finally getting a long-waited win.

 

 

Elite 8

 

 

The Alpha-T’s (Last Week: 1st)

 

Junkyard Dogs (Last Week: 4th)

 

Jagerbomb (Last Week: 3rd)

 

Blue Chips (Last Week: 2nd)

 

Mountain Lions (Last Week: 5th)

 

The Comission (Last Week: 6th)

 

Dirty Dawgs (Last Week: Not Ranked)

 

TOPSZN (Last Week: 7th)

 

 

 

Picks

 

 

TOPSZN vs Lights Out – TOPSZN

 

Jagerbomb vs The Alpha-T’s – The Alpha-T’s

 

Moist vs The Commission – N/A

 

Keyport Lock vs Blue Chips – Keyport Lock (Upset Special #1)

 

Lobster Dinner vs Backyard Bullies – Backyard Bullies

 

Omelette You Finish vs Mountain Lions – Mountain Lions

 

Strangers vs Friends in Low Places – Strangers

 

Junkyard Dogs vs BearSkins – Junkyard Dogs (My pick for Game of the Week #1)

 

Braves U vs Game Changers – Braves U (Upset Special #2)

 

Vikings vs Dirty Dawgs – Dirty Dawgs (My pick for Game of the Week #2)

 

Broccasion vs Les Montagnards – Les Montagnards

 

Last Week: (10-0)

 

Season: (43-25-1)

 

 

That’s it for this week, I’ll be back next time with a re-cap of Week 9, and more clearer look at potential first round playoff matchups.

 

Good luck to everybody in their games!

 

If you loved the article, hated, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to reach out to me on Twitterc@BADNEWSB51, or by e-mail at [email protected]