Division 1 and Division 2 Finals Preview

After a six-week delay to kick off the FlagPlus Football campaign due to Covid, eleven weeks of regular season play, and a playoff tournament filled with a handful of blowouts, but a ton of action-packed games that went down to the wire, we have finally arrived at the 2022 Winter Season Finals. Congrats to the final four teams that have made it to this point. In Division 2 we have KGP taking on Terror Squad, while in Division 1, will see the Braves versus the Allstars for the Div. 1 championship.

These are the top two teams in both divisions for the majority of the regular season, so it only makes sense that they will be doing battle for their respective championship trophies.

Before we get into breaking down both matchups, let’s take a look at how all four teams got to this point.

In last week’s article, I wrote a lengthy recap of how both the Terror Squad and KGP advanced to the Division 2 championship game. For time purposes as well as my sanity, I will leave you with this for Div 2.

Quarterfinals

() KGP beat (8) The Apocalypse (43-39)

(2) Terror Squad beat (7) All Hooks (40-32)

Semi-Finals

(1) KGP beat (5) Party Crashers (38-32)

(2) Terror Squad beat (3) Urgence Médic (37-33)

Four tight games. The better team won in all four contests, but the fact that they all came down to one possession speaks volumes about the level of talent in this division.

Championship Preview

Division 2

(1) KGP versus (2) Terror Squad

Previous Meeting: KGP (34-31) Week 9

Speaking of close games, the first meeting between both teams was exactly that. Lucky us, in that we get to see a rematch just five weeks later.

Looking back at the previous contest, KGP, was able to escape with a victory thanks to a big defensive stop to end the game. After a late 1-yard touchdown by Dylan Garber that gave KGP a (34-25) lead, Terror Squad responded with a seven-play drive that ended with a TD by Serge Pilon Jr, that cut the deficit to (34-31).

The Terror Squad defense stepped up on the ensuing drive, as they were able to force a quick three and out that resulted in a punt giving T.S the ball back with two plays remaining.

After an 18-yard completion to Patrick Jérome on first down, the Terror Squad offense needed to get the ball in the endzone. On the final play of the game, T.S Quarterback Tam Vilaydeth, launched a pass towards the goaline in the direction of Receiver Nicholas Groppini, but the pass fell incomplete. Game over.

The win was huge for KGP, but it should come with an asterisks beside it, as Terror Squad was missing Alex Pilon. One half of the Hall-of-Fame brother duo, who along with Serge, are instant game-changers. Not having him and his two-way versatility in the lineup, is like asking the Golden State Warriors to play without Klay Thompson. It can be done, but not without its challenges.

Both teams have speed, playmakers, championship experience and tons chemistry. They each ended the regular season with seven wins and finished first and second in the Division 2 standings.

These are clearly the two best teams in the division. Terror Squad has all the star power, and it makes sense given that they have four FPF HOF members on their roster, including three players who will be competing against each other for the Division 1 championship two hours before this game in Pat Jérome of the Allstars, and the Pilon brothers who play for the Braves.

Tam Vilaydeth, is coming off of a championship, as he helped lead team Power Rangers, to the Co-ed 1 yesterday afternoon in Brossard. Can he go two for two on championship weekend?

There are a lot of questions that need to be asked that will play a huge factor in the outcome of the game.

Can Mathieu LePage repeat the dominant defensive performance that he had against the Party Crashers, where he essentially took away the deep right side of the field?

KGP has the league’s best rusher in Julien Paiement, but can he contain the equally fast Tam Vilaydeth, and force him into some bad throws? Can Terror Squad Rusher Vincent Malo do the same thing to KGP QB Phil Cutler?

Can the KGP offense who doesn’t quit on plays, and is given time by their QB to get open, do so against Terror Squad and wear out their defense?

Which secondary Receiver will step up a help lead his team to victory?

Which QB will make the first mistake?

Throughout their tenure here in FPF, and especially over the last few seasons, KGP has proven time and time again that betting against them is not a smart thing to do. I have done that before and regretted it, as they use any and all slights as motivation. On the Road Show podcast this weekend, I called them the cardiac kids, and rightfully so, as they always find a way to pull out a victory, no matter who they are playing against.

A big part of me wants to say that the presence of Alex Pilon, will be the difference in a win or a loss, as he is that good of a player. I also feel that despite how talented KGP is, and they are talented, they arrived at this point by the skin of their teeth.

Both rosters are deep and have playmakers throughout their lineup. KGP, makes a habit out of getting contributions from everyone in their lineup. The Terror Squad are not as deep, but they have received lots of production from the lesser-known names on their roster all year long as well, in Alexandre Poulin-Rioux, Vincent Malo, and Nicholas Groppini.

I expect this game will be just as close as the first meeting. I am a believer in the saying live by the sword, die by the sword. For as skilled and as aggressive as KGP is, their defense has given up 35 points a game, which is a full touchdown more than their regular season average. They are facing the top offense in Division 2, led by the reigning QB of the Year. I just can’t see KGP getting enough stops against Terror Squad to pull off the victory, just like I cannot envision the former getting away from their tight game play it to the wire brand of football.

Final score (38-30) Terror Squad.

Division 1

(1) Allstars versus (2) Braves

Previous Meetings: Braves (38-18) Week 2 and Allstars (31-30) Week 4

Both teams split the regular season series, so this is the rubber match to end all rubber matches.

In the first meeting, the Braves who only led (14-12) at halftime, were able to double-up on their opponents by outscoring them (24-6) in the second half.

Both sides of the ball contributed to the win for the Braves. After a rough first half that saw him toss only two touchdowns, and turn the ball over twice on downs, Braves Quarterback Jonathan Maheu, settled down in the second stanza, and threw a pair of TDs, conducted two separate seven play drives that ate up clock, and did not turn the ball over.

On defense, the team was able to generate points and field position, as Alex Pilon picked off Allstars QB Kevin Wyeth, and returned it for a touchdown, while an INT on the next Allstars offensive series by the Braves Guillaume Beland, resulted in another TD by Pilon, seven plays later.

The second meeting between both teams was a lot closer. Allstars number one Receiver Patrick Jérome, made his presence felt on the evening with a game-high three touchdown receptions, while the Braves dynamic duo of Mike Pierrecin, and Jean-Daniel Chevalier, both recorded two TD games.

Both Quarterbacks played relatively clean games, as each passer finished with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

This contest came down to conversions. Jacques Void of the Allstars, was the only player to successfully get one in the game. The Braves, who scored the game’s last touchdown on a 2-yard TD by Pierrecin, elected to go for the 2-point convo and the win on the game’s final play. Unfortunately for the Braves, they failed to convert.

Tonight’s rematch should be thriller, as these are without a doubt the best two teams in all of FPF. There are several potential matchups that could determine the outcome of the game.

The first has to be the Quarterback battle as the Reigning QB of the Year and the GOAT Kevin Wyeth, takes on the man who many consider on equal footing, and quite possibly the heir apparent to the title in Jonathan Maheu. Both pivots finished with a combined 109 touchdown passes. Besides being able to recognize coverages, and capitalizing on what defenses give them, making adjustments on the fly, and keeping the ball away from danger, Maheu and Wyeth, are equally excellent at throwing receivers open, and anticipate throws.

With a lineup featuring the likes of Chris Millard, Patrick Jérome, Paul Lapierre, Jacques Void, and Quaid Johnson, there is no doubt that the size advantage goes to the Allstars. In their Semi-Final games versus Gryffindor, the length and reach of Lapierre proved problematic especially in the redzone, as Wyeth who throw the ball up, and the Receiver would come don with it, as if he were grabbing a rebound in basketball. Those plays came defenders in AJ Gomes, Jarryd Taylor, and Jaylan Greaves, all of whom are at least 6 feet tall, and have a wide wingspan.

Against the Braves, with the exception of Maheu, and Georges Gariépy, who on their defender can matchup size wise with the Allstars pass-catchers? The Pilon brothers, JD Chevalier, and Guillaume Beland can all climb the ladder when defending, but will that be enough to negate the size advantage?

The trade-off to lacking some size in their lineup, is an abundance of speed, and that is exactly what the Braves have on their roster, and it starts with Rusher Julien Paiement, who harassed Flag Moi L’Sac QB Alex Nadeau-Piuze, all game long in the Semi-Finals Tuesday night, and caused the QB to short-hop several passes and get rid of the ball before he was ready. Kevin Wyeth has the quickest release in all of FPF, but can he get the ball out quick enough to negate the speed and quickness of FPF’s best Rusher?

Both teams are certified tough, and they leave it all out of the field. Mike Pierrecin, JD Chevalier, Guillaume Beland, and the Pilons are like bulldogs that never stop coming at you, while Matt Kirouac, Kishon Thompson and Matt Bond bring a ruggedness that is nearly impossible to match. This isn’t the case for most FPF teams, but throw both Quarterbacks in here as well, as both Wyeth and Maheu aren’t afraid to play on the other side of the ball and get their hands dirty by making plays in coverage.

The third and final showdown between the Braves and Allstars will feature some big plays, a lot of scoring, at least one big defensive stop, and most of all, some smart football. The last one is all you can ask for as a football player, fan, writer, or announcer.

This is the quintessential pick em’ game. Since Tuesday night when both teams advanced, I have been going back and forth between who I think will win the game. As I finish writing the article less than 24 hours before the matchup, I am rolling with the Braves. Yes, I changed my mind from what I said on the podcast. Aren’t you glad you read the article?

I am confident that tonight’s game will be closer to the second meeting between both teams than it was to the first contest. I can’t however completely ignore the Week 2 game, or how impressive the Braves defense was Tuesday night against Flag Moi L’Sac, as they held the second highest scoring offense (414) to just six second-half points, and shutdown the reigning Receiver of the year in Samuel Nadeau-Piuze, holding him to a season-low three catches for 20 yards.

The Allstars will also not have the luxury of taking on Gryffindor again, who allowed a second-half meltdown, to derail what was a really promising start to the game, which was punctuated by two first-half interceptions of Kevin Wyeth, highlighted by the always amazing to see tipped pass to yourself for a pick six by Rusher Isiah Allard.

The Allstars as a whole, have more championship experience and wins than the Braves, as the former has a jaw-dropping 56 to the latter’s still very impressive 34. One of the main reasons for the difference is because the Braves debuted in FPF 2017.

If you go by the record book, The Allstars known than as Montreal’s Finest started in 2009. I can tell you from first-hand experience, that their history goes back even further, as I played on the very first Montreal’s Finest team in 2008, along with Kishon Thompson and Akked Moore. Our very own Moe Khan was the Captain of that squad, and Zan Symonds was our Quarterback. In yet another example of how funny life can be sometimes, Symonds, was replaced by Kevin Wyeth, a few seasons later. This came a few years after the former had replaced the later as the starting QB for the Chateauguay Raiders. Symonds led us to a championship and helped create a dynasty in tackle football, while Wyeth did the same for Da Finest in flag. The history lesson aside, I think the gap will close just a little bit tonight, as the Braves have established themselves as the current dynasty in FPF.

Final score (38-34) Braves.

Picks (favorites in bold)

Division 1 Championship

Braves vs Allstars – Braves (Upset Special #1)

Division 2 championship

Terror Squad vs KGP – Terror Squad (Upset Special #2)

Regular Season: (50-22-1)

Last Week: (2-0)

Playoffs: (8-0)

Upset Special: (7-10)

I hope you guys enjoy both the Division 1 and Division 2 Finals games tonight. I will be on the call for both matchups along with Simon Dagenais. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity, and I fully expect both games to be great. Best of luck to all four teams.

This is also the final article of the 2022 Winter Season. Covid tried to stop us, but we made it. I had a great time writing for you guys. Thank-you for all those who reached out throughout the year with info, and kind words. Most importantly, thank you to all the players in both divisions, who treated us all to some great football.

With the short turnaround between the Winter and the Spring Season, I will be seeing most of you guys in two short weeks, once registration is settled, and all the teams are sorted out. Until then, take care, enjoy all the games tonight, and thanks again for a great year!

If you liked, loved, or hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected], or reach me on Instagram @brent_b51