Division 4 Preseason Article

The GM’s Scouting Report – The Preseason Article

Division 4, it`s good to be home. It`s always fun to be able to cover the top-tier divisions in this league, and see the showcase of talent…but at the same time, it begins to get tedious having to talk about the same teams and the same players over and over again. In Division 4, you have the perfect balance: a TON of teams, and being able to witness players grow from relatively unknown to household names in FPF. This is where I started writing articles, and I`m happy to be back. The season hasn`t even started yet, and I`m itching to cover Division 4 action. As such, I decided to come up with a list of 10 teams which I feel are strong preseason contenders and will definitely have their presence felt in D4. Before we get into the fun, bear this in mind: these predictions are based on A) My opinions and biases and B) are put together based on the preseason rosters that were submitted. The bulk of these opinions are based on past experiences and the strength of players who have already made names for themselves. So, fret not. It may be that you`re a brand-new team or just thinking that you may have been overlooked, but I promise you: your time will come. If you don`t see your team name here, the best way to ensure that it ends up on this list is to put the work in and make yourselves noticed with wins.

Honorable Mentions:

I feel like these three teams have the potential to be winning teams, but there’s still the proverbial question mark hanging above their heads that makes me uneasy about including them just yet. So, until they’ve been proven, proceed with care.

 

Coyotes

Submitted Roster: AJ Rashkovan, Andrew Langburt, Jake Rashkovan, Josh Feder

A team that last year finished 3rd overall in their conference (that included the eventual Division 4 champions) with a 6-3-1 record. On the other hand, they’ve (thus far) registered a team with only four players. The team presently feels two-dimensional to me, where 70% of Sammy Feder’s completions last year were spread between AJ Rashkovan and Josh Feder, with Josh taking in 62 of those receptions solo. They have the football knowledge in place and the athletic ability in order to succeed, they just need to up their game collectively to go from middle-of-the-pack to contenders. As well as fielding a roster that’ll have at least 6 players (hopefully.)

  

TCO

Submitted Roster: Andrew Callender, Brent Callender, Justin Du Temple, Matthew Bondoux, Matthew Rupcic, Sami Beg, William Hurst

The defending Division D champions. A team that’s had their ups and downs, but have come together better because of it. Now, with the absence of Doug McKernan (playing on his own team, Shamrocks) and the current absence of Curtis Drakes will raise some red flags as to whether or not we will see a repeat performance from The Call-Outs. The question remains as to whether or not they will be going back to Bondoux as quarterback, or if the rumors are true and that they’ll be proceeding with Matthew Rupcic as QB. Hopefully they have taken away a lot from their previous season with McKernan and can come out swinging offensively. Only time will tell.

 

A-Squad

Submitted Roster: Alexis Labonte, Duqueslin Pierre-Louis, Jerome Mergenord, Junior Luke, Kerdley Micourt, Kevin Lubin, Richie Mondesir, Texon Bernagene, Tommy Ayala, Yacoub Telemaque

A-Squad are a team that always strike me as talented but disorganized. They have a ton of successful tackle players and established FPF players as well, but could never really do more with it. Having gone 3-7 in Division 5 last winter, you’d call me crazy to include them in this list. I am, but to justify my point is this: A-Squad have never really had a quarterback since Francois Ethier. Cedric Nuckle is an incredible player, but the addition of Kevin Lubin could be the change that this team might need in both the short-term and the long run.

 

G.M.’s Top 10

10: Certified Flyguyz

Submitted Roster: Alex Lessard, Alexandre Pereda, Cedric Charpentier-Jouan, David Dagenais, Etienne Chauvin, Fred Mallette, Guillaume Fontaine, Julien Messier, Nicolas Tardif, Vincent Ladouceur

After having taken their lumps in a rough Division B season last spring, the Flyguyz return to a division where they can do some damage. They have a ton of two-way players who are versatile and knowledgeable. My worry (as of now) is the unknown at the quarterback position. Will they use Etienne Chauvin, who is coming off of a rough injury? Fred Mallette, who had the highest division experience?  Or will they return to their previous QB Alex Lessard? This is a strong on-paper team whom I think just need to establish themselves a little bit, and they`ll become a contender before long.

 

9: 6 Fast Guys Plus Ryan

Submitted Roster: Anthony Garant, Anthony Brisebois, Frederic Viens, Julien Fiset-Cyr, Marc-Antoine Viens, Ryan Phillips, Thierry Legros

The defending Division C champions, with a few changes. With Finals MVP Justin Blanchard away in France all season, and the loss of Jad and Ryan Aridi to another team (see below) as well as Francois Deslauriers,  6FG won’t be the same team that they were going into this season. However, the core is still intact and they go in with the same tackle expertise and athleticism, as well as that essential flag knowledge. Despite the losses and changes, Ryan Phillips finds ways to mesh strong players together and to think outside of the box. Don’t expect them to be at the same caliber that they were in the spring, but also don’t count them out completely.

  

8: Recipe 4 Disaster

Submitted Roster: Adam Rockman, Anthony Habashi, Daniel Farag, David Miron, Jad Aridi, Jake Applebaum, Kevin Boustany, Ryan Aridi

With the additions of the Aridi brothers as well as Adam Rockman, this 7-2-1 team in Division D looks even stronger. Boasting an entire group of players who are all capable of playing both ways, Recipe are interchangeable at a moment’s notice of absence with multiple QBs, multiple snappers and multiple rushers. I think the biggest concern that I have for this team currently is the lack of size. Aside from Daniel Farag, this is a team that is rather diminutive in size. While they are all playmakers, I`m a little bit worried that they may find themselves somewhat exposed when they face off against bigger, more physical teams.  

 

7: Les Affreux

Submitted Roster: Antoine Del Bello, Bruno-Pierre Pelletier, Daniel Bellefeuille, Jonathan Lemieux, Martin Jackson, Mathieu Laramee, Mathieu Dubois, Mathieu Domon, Patrice Clement, Yvon Laramee

Les Affreux tend to have their ups and downs not just from between season to season, but within the seasons as well. (Having gone from 4-1 with a game won by 60 points to 5-5 last spring and fizzling out in the playoffs certainly applies.) I’m a big fan of the team, especially defensively, but there has always seemed to be inconsistency. Now, progressing forward with a quarterback change, Martin Jackson might just be the breath of fresh air that Les Affreux need in order to springboard back into a successful season and postseason.  

 

6: 69ers

Submitted Roster: Darcy Cloherty, Dean Demetriou, Dylan Drake, Eric Poliziani, Matthew Labranche, Michael Demetriou, Michael Bourgaize, Rico Tulino, Riley McCarthy, Shane O`Reilly, Shea Harbour

A young team that`s strong on both sides of the ball. Having a two-headed quarterbacking monster in Dean Demetriou and Shea Harbour, the 69ers add versatility and the ability to adapt against their opponents. Having boasted a 7-3-0 record in Division 4, they know how to be successful in this deep division with a ton of teams. Not the most glamorous of crews, they tend to let their play do the talking instead. Defensively, they have a ton of field awareness and have a defense that is very difficult to penetrate. Last season, they had solid wins but tended to fizzle out against deeper teams; I’d like to see them knock down some powerhouses in order to move up in the rankings.  

 

5: Grip n Rip

Submitted Roster: Anthony Da Silva, Dave Da Silva, Jordan Allard, Matthew Da Silva, Mike Zenobi, Sean Avraam, Vinny Gualano

Grip n Rip were a very successful Division D team with a short roster that only really struggled when one of their pieces was missing. Having lost James Donald but having added Sean Avraam, I would say that it would be a fair compromise and the addition of another QB eligible to throw in the division. They have a team that’s as speedy as it is smart. With Vinny Gualano having already gotten one season out of the way as QB, GnR look to have all the pieces in place to be just as successful in Division 4 as they were in Division D.

 

4: Marco in the Middle

Submitted Roster: Alex Angeletti, Eric Bishara, Gordon Hogan, Jonathan Still, Marco Ritondo, Matthew Bishara

A team that`s as frustrating to play against as they are talented. Boasting a roster of only 6 that they`ll likely not deviate from, the Dirty Birds core will deceive you with their lack of seriousness, and then put up points while your guard is down. With both Gordon Hogan and Matthew Bishara capable of quarterbacking in the division, look for a crazy amount of halfback plays and routes where the receivers showcase their ability to ‘just get open.’ They have speed and a ton of football knowledge, but seem to be plagued by a difficult schedule. We’ll be able to see early on if they’re the real deal or if this is all smoke and mirrors.

 

3: Crisp

Submitted Roster: Derrick Fontana, Derrick Eason, G.M. Kolethras, Kerry Folkes, Liam Mahoney, Mark Viglas, Scott Mironowicz, Terrance Morsink

Those who know me well know that I don’t like talking about teams that I currently play on, so I’ll try to keep this as objective as possible. Crisp are a mix of higher-division players with new acquisitions and role-players. Crisp currently boast a VERY strong offense paired with a questionable defense. It’s likely that Crisp will find them on the higher-end of the points-for list, but may find themselves struggling if they encounter a team that can stop them offensively or go score-for-score with them. Furthermore, Crisp may find themselves in hot water every once in a while due to the many tempers on the team. In order to be the best, they’ll have to keep themselves in check as well.

 

2: Game Changers

Submitted Roster: Alvy Mizelle, Anton Sakiz, Jonah Cohen, Marco Bertoldi, Phil De Kovachich, Salim Cherkaoui, Terrence Dobson, Tim Maag

The Division 5 team that rolled over teams like no D5 team before them, the Game Changers then made the jump in the spring directly into Division C. While the advance was not perfect, the team finished with a 5-5 record and without a doubt came out stronger having learned about some of the deeper defenses and offenses of the higher divisions. I have high hopes for Game Changers in Division 4, especially with Phil De Kovachich replacing the injured Justin Filteau, and seeing two-way monster Marco Bertoldi in the lineup. Game Changers have proven that they are more than just a one-trick pony and can keep up with deeper competition, and their new additions signal nothing but good things as well.

 

1: Shamrocks

Submitted Roster: A.J. Biddle, Andrew Ledoux, Brandon Taylor, Chris Pinsonneault, Derek McArthur, Doug McKernan, Greg McGuire, Jourdain Alexis, Marcus Roberts, Zachary Alexis

A slightly diluted version of the Midnight Madness team Hellfish (minus Tanner Marsh and Sean Kennedy,) this team looks full-on ready to compete for a Division 4 title. Doug McKernan has been a successful division 4 quarterback in the past, and this roster is going to go places. The Alexis brothers will be a thorn in the side of any QB looking to go deep, and there are plenty of deep threats offensively that make the Shamrocks look like a nightmare team to face off against. A team that already has chemistry from the touch season and the tournament, and will have very little rust to shake off in the first few weeks – look for them to come out swinging.

 

Well, that’s it for me until the season starts. If you`re upset that your team wasn`t included in this list…you know what to do. There are 40 teams in this division; it`s going to take work for you to get noticed and make the 10. Until then, I can be reached via message or in person on the sidelines!