Division 2: A Little Bit Past Mid-Season Report

Most writers have released their mid-season reports already. I wanted to wait for every team to play five games, but the schedule has seen KGP hit the field only four times even though we are two months into the campaign.

I was hoping with the rescheduling of several games the last few weeks that they would get another game in before I wrote this article, but they haven’t and I can’t wait any longer, unless I want to call this the three-quarter mark report…That isn’t a bad idea. Maybe next year.

In the meantime, here is the Division 2 A Little Bit Past Mid-Season Report.

Dirty Birds (6-1)

They currently sit atop the division with 12 points, but their dreams of finishing undefeated went up in smoke as they fell to Kush & Korinthians 13 in Week 8.

The Dirty Birds have had nearly two weeks to lick their wounds, but the schedule doesn’t get any easier as they take on second place FINS UP Monday night at Stade Hebert, in a potential game of the year candidate. From there they go head-to-head with Idaho Udapimps and The Infantry.

The Dirty Birds have the best defense in the league, more than enough firepower on offense, and the talent to go all the way. One loss isn’t going to change that, but the tough remaining slate could see this team fall from the top of the standings for the first time this season. Conversely, winning all three would provide them with an opportunity to make a statement and separate themselves from the rest of the pack, while heading into the playoffs with tons of momentum on their side. Let’s see what happens.

FINS UP (5-1)

Are FINS UP the top team in Division 2? They have a chance to prove that and take a hold on the first place in the process as they take on the Dirty Birds this Monday.

After what should be an epic showdown next week, FINS UP finishes up with games versus Mangoose, Silent Ticklers, and Shake & Bake. Will Power’s team should be looked at as the favorites in all those games.

Winners of five out of their last six contests, FINS UP has been getting it done via shootout, as their offense averages 43 points a game.

far from being a weakness, the team’s defense has at times been suspect, as there are only five teams that have given up more than the 225 points they have surrendered, which works out to 38 PPG. The defensive narrative changed a bit this past Wednesday night in Laval, as they held the Party Ballers to a season-low three touchdowns in their (27-20) victory.

Can FINS UP use that same defensive effort and carry it over to their four remaining games? If they can, the team’s championship aspirations could come true. 

One Stop (5-2)

They looked like a freight train running through the competition, but the team got knocked off the tracks with a surprising (34-18) blowout loss to EZW. In fairness to One Stop, they were without the services of their top two players in Jahnai Lewis and Ryan McNally. Despite their absence, with a lineup that includes Charles Cosette, AJ Zeppetelli, Luca Leccese, and Sam Mashtoub, this team is still deep enough to put up more than 18 points. Was the loss a small blip on the radar, or a sign that this squad might not be as dangerous as we thought?

With victories over mostly lesser teams, some might feel that the latter statement is true. With three games remaining, One Stop has a chance to prove the former is true, as they take on Vultures, Shake & Bake, and Silent Ticklers. If they fall short in two or more of those contests, the critics will only get louder.

The Infantry (4-3)

Don’t look now, but this team has won two straight, and three out of their last four games. Defense has been the key to their success, as they have held both the Dime & Bougie, and Mangoose to under 20 points, and the Vultures to 26, which was their second lowest total of the season.

After early season struggles, this team is starting to peak at the right time, as they are finding chemistry and their identity. The Infantry has a chance to keep the good times going, as they face two teams on the outside of the playoffs looking in, in #NR and KGP, before a big showdown with the Dirty Birds to close out the regular season.

First place isn’t a possibility for The Infantry unless they win out and get some help, but if they can pull off the sweep, this team has the talent and Finals experience to go all the way. The question of course, is will they do it?

Idaho Udapimps (4-3)

Another team with championship aspirations, Idaho Udapimps finds themselves with a (2-2) record over their last four games. Those results are the epitome of a mixed bag as they have scored a ton of points over the span with 187, but they have also given up 166 as well.

We recognize several names on the roster, as they have impact players in Marvin Steinberg, Andrew Grant, Danick Coulombe, Jerome Hovington, and Brady Ohanessian, but who is this team?  Are they true contenders or are they pretenders? They have the talent to compete with any team they face, but besides their win over FINS UP in Week 8, they haven’t really beaten what most would consider a strong team, as EZW just passed the .500 mark last week, and their wins against Mangoose and Party Ballers represent victories against two teams that are under that mark, including the former who has yet to win a game.

The remaining schedule sees them play Shake & Bake this Sunday, followed by games against Dime & Bougie, Dirty Birds, and Silent Ticklers, so the competition will get tougher. The question is, can Idaho Udapimps stack together some much-needed wins?

Kush & Korinthians 13 (4-3)

This team was the perfect definition of a sleeper. They have talent, swagger, and big game experience on their side. With consecutive wins over true contenders in Idaho Udapimps and Dirty Birds, they now have confidence on their side as well.

The question is can they use their newfound momentum and carry it over the second half of the season and playoffs as well?

Kush & Korinthians 13 finish off the regular season with games against Shake & Bake, KGP, and Party Ballers. They will be tested for sure, but I think they can win all three contests.

They aren’t a sleeper team anymore. What they are is a team that no one will want to face come playoff time if they can continue their stellar play over the home stretch.

Silent Ticklers (4-3)

Defense wins championships, but unfortunately for the Silent Ticklers, they haven’t displayed the ability to play effectively on that side of the ball as of late. Besides holding last place #NR to four touchdowns in their (41-24) victory last Saturday, this veteran squad has given up nearly 50 points a game (48) in their two games before that, to Shake & Bake and Vultures.

This is one of the most experienced teams in FPF, as their core of Daniel Mancini, Adam Rosen, Jordan Panetta, Tanner Burrell, Jack Antaki, and Tysen Otis Copeland have been together for several seasons. Chemistry, timing, and execution shouldn’t be an issue.

With remaining games against FINS UP, Idaho Udapimps, and One Stop, the Silent Ticklers will need to rely on that experience, as well as improved play defensively to not only beat those teams, but to become a true threat come playoff time. Can they pull it off? We will find out shortly.

EZW (4-3)

At first glance it looked like EZW was dead in the water to start the season as they sat at (0-3). Since Week 4 they have reeled off four straight wins. The key to their winning streak has been their ability to beat teams in different ways. They got passed Shake & Bake on the last play of the game, used a defensive stand to knockoff KGP in a one-possession thriller, and they blew out both Kush & Korinthians 13 and One Stop.

Quarterback Jeremy White has been on fire over the team’s streak, as the 6-time All-Star has thrown 25 touchdowns, only two interceptions, and has completed 71% of his passes. White’s Robin to his Batman has been Jean-Christophe Ferland. During the same span, the 3-time All-Star has recorded 26 catches for 253 yards and nine TDs. The dynamic duo has been dominant.

EZW is one of the hottest teams in Division 2. They have a chance to keep their winning ways going all the way into the playoffs as they close the regular season taking on Party Ballers, #NR, and Vultures. If they can run the table, this team can free themselves from the glut of teams tied with eight points, and with a little help, could even challenge for first place. That thought would have been a pipe dream just a month ago. How things have changed.   

Shake & Bake (3-2)

This team has all the appearances of a contender. A top level Quarterback, solid playmakers, the ability to create turnovers, speed, chemistry, and toughness. The only hesitation I have about this talented group is the number of close games they have played. Besides their Week 1 win over #NR, and Week 8 victory against the Silent Ticklers, Shake & Bake has been involved in one-score contests.

They beat Mangoose (41-36) but suffered setbacks against both EZW and the Dirty Birds. There is no shame in losing the last two teams, but going down the wire versus a winless Mangoose squad does raise some flags.

Their record in one score games isn’t horrible (1-2) but they are literally one play away from being (0-3). More importantly, it speaks to their inability to consistently pull-out tight games. When the playoffs come around, that will be a key piece of the puzzle that they will have to solve. Can they do it?

Party Ballers (3-4)

This team has talent, but that alone isn’t enough, as they are currently on a two-game losing streak and have lost four out of their last five overall.

Scoring is the team’s biggest problem the last few weeks, as they have failed to reach the 30-point plateau in four of their last five games.

Consistency is also a big problem, as the team has used several subs this year. Naturally, a more consistent and solid unit would lead to more production on offensive. It would also possibly result in a more balanced pass distribution. Concordia Stingers Receiver El Andre Abbey leads the Party Ballers with 25 receptions for 359 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers are impressive, but he is the only player on the team with more than 200 yards, three TDs, and both 20 catches and targets. With names like Corey Williams, Hassane Dosso, Francois Hogue, and Medley Joseph also on the roster, those numbers don’t make any sense.

The lagging offense and ball distribution needs to be fixed if this team wants to have any chance of realizing their potential and making any noise in the playoffs.   

Vultures (3-3)

With the roster they have, the Vultures are the most disappointing team in Division 2. They are more stacked than their Spring Season version that saw them fall one play from making the Tier 2 Finals, yet they find themselves sitting at .500 this season.

Wins are wins, but not all of them are created equally. The Vultures’ only victories have come against non-contending teams in #NR, Party Ballers, and Silent Ticklers. Conversely, their losses have come versus contenders in the Dirty Birds, FINS UP, The Infantry.  

With games remining against KGP, EZW, Mangoose, and One Stop, the Vultures have a chance to knockoff two more under .500 teams, and an opportunity to finally beat a pair that are firmly seated in the upper half of Div. 2, and in the process, place themselves in the same category.

Dime & Bougie (2-4)

They are hanging on to the last playoff spot, as they are two points up on KGP. The two teams will lock horns next Saturday in Brossard, in a win and you’re in scenario.

Dime & Bougie comes into March struggling, as they have lost three of their last four games. Their previous win however was impressive, as they beat a suddenly resurgent Kush & Korinthians 13 squad in Week 6. The only problem was that the victory was over a month ago, and they followed it up with a loss to The Infantry.

Looking to get back into the win column, Dime & Bougie will have four chances, starting tonight against Idaho Udapimps. They will then have their showdown with KGP, followed by huge matchups versus Mangoos and Shake & Bake.

Dime & Bougie holds their playoff destiny in their own hands, but any missteps along the way, specifically against KGP, could result on them being left on the outside of the dance looking in.

KGP (1-3)

It is nearly the middle of March, but somehow, they have only played four games. Their record isn’t where they want it to be, but the games in-hand that they hold over every other team can not be overstated, as KGP can control their own destiny, as they have six chances to not only catch Dime & Bougie for the final playoff spot, but to also potentially pass the glut of teams that are tied with six points.

I talked earlier about the importance of their upcoming showdown against Dime & Bougie. In addition to that game, they also play The Infantry, Party Ballers, Kush & Korinthians 13, Vultures, and #NR. Beating the first team on the list would solidify their playoff chances greatly, but if they fall to D&B, they will have to win at least three of the other contests.

I don’t think it will come to that, as I believe they will beat Dime & Bougie, #NR, and the Party Ballers.

Mangoose (0-7)

They are still mathematically alive for the post-season, but they require a prayer and a miracle. To be more precise, they need to win their final three games and hope that Dime & Bougie losses out. Mangoose plays Vultures, FINS UP, and Dime & Bougie. I am a believer in teams needing to go out there and play the games, but yeah, the playoffs aren’t happening for this team.

Going winless is no fun. Mangoose’s best chance to avoid that from becoming a reality is to beat Dime & Bougie. Call me crazy, but I don’t see that happening either.

#NR (0-7)

The same win out and get some help to qualify for the post-season scenario applies here as well. Standing in their way is The Infantry, EZW, and KGP. To #NR’s credit, they have been playing better the last few weeks, as three of their previous four defeats have been one-possession losses.

I expect the game against KGP to be competitive, but I don’t think #NR can beat them, or anyone else on their remaining schedule.

Picks

Vultures vs Mangoose – Vultures

Shake & Bake vs Idaho Udapimps – Shake & Bake (Upset Special)

#NR vs The Infantry – The Infantry

EZW vs Party Ballers – EZW

 FINS UP vs Dirty Birds – Dirty Birds (My pick for Game of the Week)

Last Week: (4-2)

Regular Season: (6-3)

Upset Special: (2-2)

That’s it for this week. I will be back shortly with another article. Good luck to everyone in their upcoming games tonight and this week.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.