Division 2: Spread The Love; One Gift For Each Team
Brent Bodkin
19-02-2025 06:55 PM
Welcome to Week 7 of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season. With Valentine’s Day now in the rear-view mirror, the sprit of love, giving gifts, and affection should be in the air. Personally, I think that the day is no different than any other one on the calendar. Tons of stores and restaurants just jack up their prices to gouge people and take advantage. Twelve roses for $45, a box of chocolates that normally goes for six to seven dollars suddenly costs $15-$20, not on my watch. Luckily, my significant other feels the same way.
Just to be clear, I am not an idiot, I did show up with something on Friday. When I bought the items isn’t important (the week before), but my refusal to pay the prices that have been up since the middle of the week will not end any time soon.
Enough about me. Giving a present is always a good thing no matter what time of year it is. With that in mind, I want to give every Division 2 team the gift of a player that I think would help them not just the second half of the season, but during the playoffs as well.
The rules are simple, each team will get a player from any division in FPF. I am including both males and females in this exercise, as this league is just too talented to pic just one. To make this more challenging, I am not giving a team Kevin Wyeth or Johnathan Maheu. That is the equivalent to handing someone Patrick Mahomes. Every team in the NFL, including Baltimore, Cincinnati Buffalo, and Philadelphia (you know I am right) would take him.
Dirty Birds
The top team in the division doesn’t really need anything as they are already in first place. The only thing this squad is lacking is size, as both Quaid Johnson and Anthony Brisebois are the only players over 6 ft 1.
This team is littered with former university players, like James Ohayon, Matt Bond, and Markens Valcourt among others, so they don’t exactly need anymore playmakers, but because since I need to give them someone, I am giving them FPF Hall-of-Famer Pat Jérome.
The 24-time All-Star would not only help when it comes to adding size and strength to the team as he uses his long frame to catch jump balls and muscle defenders out of his way, but he has played and won championships with Bond, Johnson, and Chris Milard on the ALLSTARS in Division 1, so chemistry won’t be an issue.
OneStop
This is another team that has virtually everything it needs to make a run to the Finals. Having watched them play this season, I can see that they have a lot of alphas, in Ryan McNally, Jahani Lewis, and Charles Cossette, who lead the way, and dictate the energy as well as effort that the team puts forward on a weekly basis.
Who better to add to this team of bulldogs than Sabrina Gervais? She is one of the leaders, and arguably the best player on one of the world’s best flag football teams in Subzero. The 6-time All-Star is not afraid to go through players to get to the ball. She plays with an aggression that is hard to match by many players both male and female. Most important of all, she is a winner, and will most likely be one of the key players on the Team Canada Women’s Olympic flag football team when the sport debuts at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
FINS UP
Addition: AJ Gomes
The second of two undefeated teams along with the Dirty Birds, FINS UP sits with a perfect (3-0) record in large part to their offense which has averaged nearly 47 points a game (46.7).
Scoring is important but stopping teams from doing it matters even more. FINS UP gives up 41 points a game. This team has impact players in Hinsley Adams, James Langshaw, Joey Notaro, and Carl Achy, as well as Captain Will Power, and while Simon Duchesne is showing he is more than just a Quarterback, as he leads the team with two interceptions including a pick-six, FINS UP lacks a game-changer in the secondary who can play Safety and take away a team’s ability to throw seam and post routes deep down center field.
I am giving FINS UP AJ Gomes from The Infantry. I have played with and against the FPF Hall-of-Famer. There is no one better in the league at erasing the deep middle of the field than him. He already has two interceptions, which matches half the total FINS UP has posted this season.
Party Ballers
Addition: Sara Parker
This team sits quietly in the upper half of the division. Just like the Dirty Birds, the Party Ballers have a plethora of both former and current UPSORTS football players in El Andre Abbey, Corey Williams, Darius Simons, Coslens Clairveaux, Hassane Dosso, and even a member of the B.C Lions in Ezechiel Tieide. They also have FPF experience covered with Rusher/Snapper Francois Hogue.
The one thing this team is lacking is experience at Quarterback. Caleb Faulkner along with Tieide, have been doing a good job sharing the reps at the position, as the duo have combined for 461 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Unfortunately for the Party Ballers, their offense hasn’t always showed up to the dance, as they have failed to put up more than 20 points three different times this season. They are (1-2) when that happens.
Giving this team a veteran Quarterback like Sara Parker, would add not only consistency to this offense, but a QB who can maximize the talents of this talented group. More importantly, Parker, isn’t just the best female passer in the country, as she has represented Canada numerous times, and will be doing so at the 2028 Olympics, but she is one of the best players at the position period. Her addition would also allow Tieide, who gets paid to play Receiver, a chance to do so for this squad, making them even more dangerous.
Silent Ticklers
Addition: Isaiah Allard
Veteran experience isn’t a problem as this is loaded with familiar names in Daniel Mancini, Jordan Panetta, Adam Rosen, Marty Freedman, and former Montreal Alouette Tysen Otis Copeland.
The Silent Tickler’s offense is fine, as the 169 points they have scored is fourth best in D2, and one point behind third place The Infantry. The team’s defense is just as effective, as only six teams have allowed more than the 154 points the unit has given up.
The one thing the team is lacking especially on that side of the ball is a dominant Rusher. Currently, the trio of Mike Zenobi, Brandon Vickers, and Tanner Burrell, have combined for three sacks. Giving the Silent Ticklers a Rusher like Isaiah Allard who has 207 career sacks to get after the opposing passer, would help propel this already tough defense to another level, and potentially a championship.
Kush & Korinthians 13
Addition: Zackary Alberts-Gill
This is another team with a defense that has shown they can make plays, as Jaylan Greaves, Emyl Gregoire, and Owen Bujarsky have done so reputedly this season. The first two have defensive touchdowns, while the latter is tied for the team lead (with Gregoire) in interceptions with two.
When you look at their roster, this team has the skill-player box checked off. What they are lacking however, is grit and a premier Rusher. Adding Zackary Alberts-Gill, gives them a heavy dose of both as the 9-time All-Star has 375 sacks for his career (including 14 this season) and is determined to hit number 400.
Idaho Udapimps
Addition: Quaysie Gordon-Maule
One of the stronger teams in Division 2, just like the one mentioned above, all this team is lacking is some grit. Writing for Tier 2 in the Fall Season, I had a chance to watch several of their games. The same thing is true this year.
Idaho Udapimps doesn’t lack talent, and they have shown they can win shootouts, and smother teams defensively in low-scoring contests. The one thing that works against this team is physicality. We saw it in the Fall Finals when they took on The Infantry, and again in Week 5 versus KGP, when Mathieu Lepage repeatedly bodied IU players for balls both on offense and defense.
Getting someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and brings a physical presence on both sides of the ball which is crucial. That player is Quaysie Gordon-Maule. Idaho Udapimps knows exactly what he is capable of, as the 7-time All-Star helped The Infantry beat IU for the Tier 2 championship this fall. Adding the versatile threat would also weaken The Infantry.
KGP
Addition: Geraldine Cabillo-Abante
This team is struggling to stay afloat as they only started their season a whole month after every other team. Add in the fact that father time is undefeated, as the core of this team is in their late thirties to early forties, makes getting some traction and more importantly some wins that much more difficult.
The team added speedster Bakari Barrett this off-season, but I am not stopping there, as they need more straight-line speed to their lineup. I am adding another player who can take the top off a defense, in Geraldine Cabillo-Abante
If you don’t know GG, you should. She’s a phenomenal athlete, who has blazing speed, great hands, is super competitive, and has the quickness to gain separation on virtually any route. Athleticism is another box she checks, as she was the starting Shooting Guard for the McGill Martlets National Championship basketball team in 2017.
Need more proof? She started playing FPF in the 2022 Winter Season. She has been named an All-Star six times already. That averages out to two All-Star teams a season. Not bad at all.
Mangoose
Addition: Emerson Peterkin
As I said in last week’s article this team is missing some weapons this year, as they are without two of their top Receivers in both Simon and Vincent Anctil. Mangoose has the lowest scoring offense in Div. 2 with 114 points scored.
The team needs help, and I am giving it to them in the form of Emerson Peterkin. The Champlain Cavaliers starting Quarterback, has made a name for himself in FPF the last few years as a Receiver. Since the 2023 Winter Season, he has hauled in an impressive 95 touchdowns.
Blessed with great hands, leaping ability, speed, and length Peterkin has used those attributes to catch jump balls in the endzone, burn by Defensive Backs, and boxout defenders for balls. He also has pedigree on his side, as his brother Tyson, is making his mark in FPF (currently with the Vultures) while also being a starting Receiver at Vanier. Their father Andy (who is currently an FPF ref) is also a flag, tackle, and touch football legend.
Dime & Bougie
Addition: Christavie Jumelle
With names like Manu Allard-Roy, Feilx Boutet, Charles Verreault, talent isn’t an issue for Dime & Bougie. Quarterback Jules Regimbald clearly believes in spreading the ball around, as all his starting Receivers have at least five catches and one touchdown.
The team has been solid defensively, as they have given up an average of 27 points per game. The only thing they lack on that side of the ball is turnovers and sacks, as they have registered six and four respectively. There needs to be an asterisk beside the former, as two of their INTs were recorded by Jeanslee Alexis, who hasn’t played a game for the team since Week 3.
To help the defense, I am giving them Rusher and Defensive Back Christavie Jumelle. The former All-Star has been a game-changer on that side of the ball, as she has mustered six sacks, and three interceptions, one of which she returned for a TD. She would make an immediate impact for this squad and help them climb the standings.
EZW
Addition: Jessica Bositampen
Offense isn’t the problem for this squad as they have lit up the scoreboard all season long with a division-leading 251 points. The team’s defense is what is holding them back, as they have surrendered 248 points, also a Div. 2 high.
One of the main reasons for their struggles on that side of the ball has been a lack of turnovers, and the absence of a legit Rusher. Whether you play tackle, flag, or both, you know that the ability to rush the passer helps create interceptions. EZW lacks in both areas as they have recorded just three interceptions and two sacks.
To aide the defense, I am giving them one of the best Rushers in the country in Subzero’s Jessica Bositampen. Since entering the league five years ago, she has become a 6-time All-Star, a key member of her team’s elite defense, racked up 138 sacks, and has represented Team Canada internationally. What else is there to say?
#NR
Addition: Mike Pierrecin
This team doesn’t lack talent, as on paper, they matchup with any other roster in Division 2. What the appears to lack is focus and execution in key moments. Giving #NR a player who can help them stay calm, and block out the noise, while also delivering in those moments is what they need. To help solve those very important issues, I am giving them Mike Pierrecin.
I played one season with the Hall-of-Famer. He brings a certain swagger and confidence to your team. He is a leader, who talks trash, and leads both with his mouth, and by his actions. Most importantly, he knows what it takes to win, and how to deliver in crunch time. Adding him to #NR, would not only help this team in the win column, but possibly push them towards a long playoff run.
Vultures
Addition: Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne
This team is loaded with talent, as they have Ben McMahon, Felix Clairmont, Phil Roberts, Kevin Donnet, Rocco Christiano, and others to help carry the load. What they are lacking is a true number one player who can take over games and dominate at a moment’s notice. James Drysdale is on their roster, but he has only played one game this season, and when I spoke to him recently, he indicated that him being missing in action wasn’t going to end anytime soon.
While Drysdale’s impact is irreplaceable, I am giving the Vultures a player who can dominate on both sides of the ball. That player is Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne. Yes, this might be cheating as he has already subbed for them once this year in Week 6 versus the Silent Ticklers, but it was one game, and he put up a paltry one catch for one yard, to go along with a single tackle. Not exactly mind-blowing.
Inserting him into the lineup on a fulltime basis would allow him to develop chemistry with his teammates and allow him to take over games with his size, leaping ability, hands, and nose for the football.
With 72 career interceptions since his rookie year back in the winter of 2023, his arrival would also replace some of the size and playmaking that departed when Sanders Armand left the team after the Fall Season.
The Infantry
Addition: Dan Lazzara
FPF Hall-of-Famer AJ Gomes has been a solid this season as a Quarterback for The Infantry. Look no further than his touchdown to interception ratio of twenty-five to three, and his 117.3 QB Rating.
The team’s offense is averaging 34 points a game. That total can be a little misleading however, as they have only hit the total in three of their five games so far. Giving The Infantry a QB in Dan Lazzara, would lift the unit into elite status, as the HOF’er is five touchdown passes away from 1,000 for his career.
Just as important, importing Lazzara at QB, would allow his favorite target Gomes, to go back to playing Receiver, which would give this team another game-breaking weapon on offense to go with the collection of talent they already have in Quaysie Gordon-Maule, Rory Semerjian, Nic Groppini. This move would be a win-win.
Shake & Bake
Addition: Samuel Nadeau-Piuze
This team is gritty and has some size and speed. They also have a solid playmaker in former Quarterback turned Receiver Mikael Arseneau. The 4-time All-Star, who made the fulltime transition this past Fall Season, put up a team high 27 catches for 290 yards and 12 touchdowns. So far this year, he has recorded 19, 168, and six respectively.
For as good as he has been the team still lacks an elite number one Receiver. To remedy that, I am giving them Samuel Nadeau-Piuze of Flag moi L’sac. The 6-time All-Star and future Hall-of-Famer, (how has he not made it already?) has nearly 200 receiving touchdowns.
Along with his brother Alex, he and Samuel have been one of the top Quarterback-Receiver duos in the history of FPF. Adding him to the lineup would open things for Arseneau, along with Denis Martel, Hugo Stensland, and the rest of the offense. Plus, I can’t be the only one who thinks it would be fun to see what he could do without his sibling, as the two have played together for all but one season since 2009.
Picks
FINS UP vs #NR – #NR (Upset Special #1)
Idaho Udapimps vs FINS UP – Idaho Udapimps
Vultures vs Party Ballers – Vultures (Upset Special #2)
Shake & Bake vs Silent Ticklers – Shake & Bake (My pick for Game of the Week)
Kush & Korinthians 13 vs Dirty Birds – Dirty Birds
Dime & Bougie vs The Infantry – The Infantry
Last Week: (2-1)
Season: (3-5)
Upset Special: (1-1)
That is it for this week. I will be back next week with another article. Good luck to everyone in their upcoming games.
Hopefully everyone managed to stay safe and avoid all the headaches that came with the snowstorms we’ve been experiencing. As you might have heard, in addition to all the games being cancelled this past Sunday, all the games scheduled to take place at the Stinger Dome have been cancelled as well due to a rip in the dome. We will be rescheduling them shortly, so all Captains, be sure to check your e-mails regularly. In the meantime, stay safe everyone, and let’s hope that spring and summer get here a little quicker than usual. We’ve all had enough of the damn snow and cold.
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.