Cover Zero

Closing in.

 

Last Sunday, FPF was graced with magical games. More importantly, Division C was graced with one of the best games I’ve watched in a very long time.

It was the conference finals and I’m happy I made it to Lachine. I also broke my Twitter account. I don’t recall tweeting that much in, well, ever.

A weekend filled with excitements, anticipation and fulfillments came to an end and we’re left with 2 teams standing ready to battle it all out on Sunday.

The Press Conferences are up; give it a go.

I’ll be present on Sunday to comment on Justin Blanchard’s drops, Jamal Gittens’ insane jump balls (see video on the Facebook wall), and much, much more. I’ll even be part of the booth.

Anyhow, I’d like to take a moment and thank the following teams for their efforts:

Predators : Another great run. It hurts to lose, but you guys fought hard and fought well. Moving SBB to rusher was what you guys needed. He’s dominant and your defense really stepped up. Floreani worked with what he had and worked well. A small mistake was all it took to send them packing, but you can walk with your head up high, it was an amazing game.

Game Changers : You took many of us, myself included, by surprise by making it this far after such a huge leap. I’m impressed and proud. It was a tough loss, but you’ve taken so many of us by surprise, it’s nothing to feel bad about. Keep your head up, we’ll see you guys in Winter!

 

See you guys Sunday August 10^th at 18:00.

 

 

Week 13

This is it. In the voice of Brent Callender; The SHIP !

 

 

Players of the Week

Simon Bosquet-Beaudoin (Predators) : I have to give credit to this guy. He’s the reason his team managed turn overs and he really shook Viens’ world on Sunday.

Alexandre Noel (Predators) : This guy doesn’t get enough press, but his one-hander certainly will.

Frédéric Viens (Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans) : He wasn’t perfect, but he was clutch and he did give his team their ticket to the championship. Well deserved.

Theo Ojeaha (The Originals) : Great offensive performance, but even greater defensive performance. Completely shutdown Terrence Dobson and picked off Sakiz twice. Definitely this game’s MVP.

 

 

Quick Recaps

 

OVERTIME !

What a game. Honestly, this is one of the best games I’ve ever seen in FPF history. It was everything we hoped for. This game went back and forth and was decided on the very last play on a 4^th down to push it into Overtime. I’m not sure what more we could’ve asked for.

The game started off nicely for both teams as they exchanged score for score on back-to-back drives. Viens looked good, Floreani looked good. Both offenses were driving and it was a matter of time before someone made a mistake.

Viens broke the ice by hitting his brother on a short slant for the first TD. SBB answered on the ensuing drive for his team and the score was tied at 6. Viens connected with Blanchard on a speed route and then Garant caught the convert to give his team a 7 point lead. Sadly, Blanchard missed a great opportunity and Rossie walked in the endzone to give his team a way back in at 13-12.

Before the half, Jad Aridi showed he can ball in Div C with a sick grab to run it in for 6 more. Rossie scores another one for his new QB and Bernett nails a beautiful jumpball on the convert to tie it at 19. Viens has very few plays left and decides to go big to Deslauriers but Bernett was present and gets his hand on it first. Halftime; score was tied at 19. Told you this was great.

Predators started with the ball and Ryan Aridi started struggling a bit against Floreani as he started running around more and finding more time. He found Alexandre Noel in the back of the endzone on a broken play to give his team the lead for the first time. SBB managed to shutdown Viens just enough to give his team a chance at a stop and they seized it.

Floreani goes deep to Rossie on a nice post route but he bubbles it behind his own head and Jad Aridi was there to seize the moment. This game’s first INT. Another stop on a similar scenario gives Predators the ball, again, with the lead and Floreani strikes Alexandre Noel in the very back of the endzone on something most believed uncatchable just to see Noel stretch one arm and bring the ball down. Probably catch of the week.

6Fast switches into overdrive and sprints from lines to lines to punch it a quick score to trail by 6. With the game on the line, Floreani, with the ball, leading by 6 with 2 minutes before 5 plays decides to hit a hook and goes greedy trying to hit his small receiver on a bad pass 15-20 yards deep. Frédéric Viens was there and he couldn’t let it slip as he picks off the ball cleanly and brings it back within 15 yards of the endzone. With about 7 plays to go, Predators’ defense looked good, but on a 4^th and inches, Viens punched it in and missed the convert; we had Overtime.

The first two attempts for both teams were for one and they both missed. Viens hits his brother for 1; Pressure was on Floreani’s offense and they delivered. Aridi missed the sack, Floreani gets another attempt.

4^th attempt was unsuccessful for both teams for one again and we had a fifth round upon ourselves. Viens knocks it in and makes it a 2-1 game. Floreani, with pressure once again, rolls out left and tries to hit his snapper in double coverage but lobs it too high and the pass was deflected.

Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans moved on to the Championship game.

 

 

The Nightmare.

Entering this game, I expected this to be the better one of the two. Last time these two faced, it was an incredible game and I expected something similar. The Originals were hungry and we know Game Changers to be feasty every time their feet touch the turf. The first statement was right, but the not the latter.

Game Changers started off strong and Sakiz sent a perfect pass to Dobson on a corner route which he bubbled and T.Ojeaha, somehow, managed to get ahold of the ball in bounds to make it this game’s first INT. From there, the game went spiraling.

Ojeaha, with no time to lose, answers back fast. The Originals’ rusher tips a pass from Sakiz close to the endzone to send it bubbling in the air. Jamie Ojeaha sees an opportunity and picks it off cleanly. Theo answered back with another TD to give his team a 12-0 lead.

Sakiz decided to hit Dobson on the same route as before seeing how bad luck was the only reason he hasn’t scored yet, but Ojeaha won’t be fooled twice and picks off an underthrown pass. A third interception.

Halftime came around and The Originals were leading 12-0 starting with the ball. Game Changers needed something and they needed it fast.

Ojeaha hits Gittens on a sick jump ball (the video’s on the facebook wall, it’s worth watching) and puts his team up 18-0. On a fourth down, J.Ojeaha showed he can ball and deflected a nice throw to Filteau. It was frustrating.

Louis catches a nice 40-yard bomb down the sideline to put this game out of reach. After the convert, it was 25-0. Sakiz drove the field and hits Filteau about 7 yards from the endzone for a first down, but Filteau showed he’s got sick moves and beats 3 defenders to punch his team’s first score. GC went for two, got it and it was now a 25-8 game. Sadly, time was running out and The Originals had 5 plays left, with the ball, winning 25-8. They punched one last TD to get the win 31-8.

The Originals moved on to the Championship game.

 

 

 

 

Predictions

It’s bragging time. Back in week 3, I was sitting on the sidelines with Theo Ojeaha and told him I was foreseeing Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans vs The Originals in the championship game. Guess what.

 

(1)  Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans (8-2-0) vs (3) The Originals (8-2-0)

Previous matchup : 37-31 The Originals

Let’s be honest for a second. This is the matchup most of us wanted to see (excluding our very own team, of course). These two teams make the best possible matchup for the finale and it’ll be a good one. This simply can’t be a blowout.

Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans took down the Predators last Sunday in a game that was a lot closer than I anticipated. Both teams fought hard and 6Fast proved us that they can and will fight ‘till the very end. Ryan Aridi was at the top of his game and he really annoyed Floreani. Honestly, if he would’ve played like he did against Broccasion, his team wouldn’t be heading into the championship game. He was the old Aridi we all know and love and he needs to be having a career-game if he wants to lift that trophy. Viens is looking very good and his receivers seem to enjoy the way he spreads the ball. This offense is looking pretty good and their defense has been clutch recently. If Viens learnt anything from last game is how to play against a fast rusher; hopefully he will have learnt just enough.

The Originals are looking pretty good after stomping Game Changers in the conference finale. Their offense is productive and dangerous, but their defense is their highlight. With all these guys lining you up, I’m not sure who to throw against anymore. Ball-hawkers and speedsters pretty much sums up this roster. Their rusher has been improving and a lot relies on him. Offensively, they might rely a bit too much on their jumpballs, but it’s been working recently and it makes for a great show, so I have nothing to say here. On a more serious note, Theo Ojeaha really impressed me; I wasn’t expecting much in week 1 from him and seeing how he’s playing now, I must say, hats to him. He’s leading his team and it’s built to win.

This is, probably, my toughest prediction I’ve had to do all season. I’m torn. On one side, I believe in Six Fast Guys Plus Ryans and how clutch they can be. On the other, I’m not sure they’ll be able to punch in enough scores to compensate. I foresee Viens throwing at least one interception, but I don’t see Theo throwing one. It’ll really come down on whether Ojeaha is allowed movement in the backfield and how often Viens goes deep.

Prediction : The Originals

 

That’s it for this week. Expect to hear from me again in the following days or see me on the field watching those great plays or epic failures. Get in touch with me, it makes for better coverage and a better season overall. I’ll be at the fields, my email, [email protected] works and I’ll be watching twitter, @DagenaisFPF, closely this season. Leave it all on the field. Don’t forget to tune in to the Unclehood’s show. Blanchard seems to be using his All-Star presence a bit too often / seriously. Get over it man, it’s just a t-shirt.