Division 4A: Quarter-Finals Preview

After an action-packed Divisional Round of the playoffs, let me be the first to say welcome to the Quarter-Final Round of the FlagPlus Football post-season!

Before we get into the elite eight of teams that remain, let’s take a quick look back at what happened in the opening round.

In Conference A, The Commission, showed why they were built from the defense out, as the unit shutdown the Brocassion offense, holding them to a season-low six points, on the way to a (20-6) victory.

The game started off with a huge momentum-turning play for The Commission as Chris Olson, picked off a pass by Broccasion Quarterback Kristian Cerantola, and ran it back to the house for a touchdown, on the opening series of the game.

Besides the Olson interception, one of the big reasons for The Commission’s dominant performance on defense, was the performance of Division 4A Defensive Player of the Year, AJ Gomes, and the versatile and speedy Julian McLaren-Thompson.

Gomes, had two interceptions of Broccasion Quarterback Kristian Cerantola, one of which was a back-breaker as it came in the redzone, nullifying a promising offensive drive.

Filling in for an absent Brandon St. Jacques-Turpin at Rusher, Corner Back Julian McLaren-Thompson, picked up an impressive 3 Sacks of Cerantola, and with the exception of a 25-yard run, consistently limited the scrambling passer.

It wasn’t a perfect game for The Commission. While slot receiver Eddy Lee, had 3 catches for a game-high 43 yards, and 2 touchdowns, the team struggled offensively.

As a Quarterback, Olson, had a season-low in yards per attempt, QB Rating, and completion percentage. The team also failed to convert on two out of their three trips to the redzone. Although they scored when we really needed it, TC, will have to get that straightened out, if they want to advance tomorrow.

The Alpha-T’s, rode a strong offensive performance, by Wide Receiver Alexis Gaumont, who had a game-high 6 receptions for 135 yards, and 3 touchdowns, on their way to a dominant (34-18) blowout win over the 69ers.

Two-Way player Jesse Dupuis, had a monster game as well, as he tied a season-high with five touchdown passes, and added an interception on defense.

For the 69ers, who came into the year, as heavy favorites to take 4A, it was a fitting end to what can best be described as an inconsistent season, for a team, who routinely failed to show up in big games.

 

The B.D Bandits, used a solid defensive outing, to punch their ticket to the Quarter-Finals, as they knocked off Friends In Low Places (31-18), and intercepted FILP Danny D’Armour, four times.

The turnovers, gave the B.D Bandits, great field position, and their offense, capitalized on it, as Quarterback Mark Belvedere, (he recorded one of the D’Amour INTs) shredded the FILP defense, for five touchdown passes, one of which went to FPF family member Corey Walwaski.

Last week, I mentioned the battle that would take place between Wide Receiver Steve Sanner, and Jared Buck. Sanner, won the matchup handily, as he recorded 5 catches for 34 yards, and 3 TDs, compared to Buck, whose 5-yard touchdown grab, would be his only reception of the game.

Speaking of defense, Mutation, pulled out a tough (19-14) victory over Up & Coming.

Leading the way for Mutation, was the two-play of Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Vincent Marquis. The two-time champion, had an interception, to go along with a game-high 5 catches, for 72 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

 

The solid 3 Sack performance by Up & Coming’s Raffi Di Tella, wasn’t enough, as his team, which was tied for worst among Conference A playoff teams in points scored, struggled to find the endzone.

 

Jagerbomb, used a strong first-half performance to jump out to a (24-6) lead on The Tide, only to hang on in the second-half to win (30-20).

A key to the victory, was the output of Quarterback Simon Duchesne, who threw 5 touchdown passes, and the two-way performances by Gabriel Moreau-Paquette, and Simon Lahaie.

Moreau-Paquette, led his team in receptions, with 4 for 39 yards and 2 touchdowns, to go along with a game-high 4 tackles, and 2 pass defenses.

Lahaie, was even more impressive, as he registered 3 catches for 50 yards, and a touchdown, while adding 2 huge interceptions, and 1 batted ball.

As I mentioned last week, The Tide’s inability to do anything on offense, besides just throwing to Doug McKernan all game, prevents them from moving on.

 

The Mountain Lions, used a strong first-half, which saw them jump-out to a (20-6) lead, to go on to defeat Top Secret (26-6).

Leading the way for the Mountain Lions, was Quarterback Jeremy Rosenberg, and Wide Receiver Zack Goldstein, as the duo connected 4 times for 28 yards, and 3 TDs.

Adam Rockman, of the Mountain Lions, also had a good showing, as he added an interception, and a touchdown on offense.

 

Top Secret, who scored the least amount of points among all 16 playoff teams with 214, were without arguably the team MVP in Nicolas Saro. Predictably, the team struggled offensively, as for the fifth time this season, they scored two touchdowns or less.

 

TOPSZN, finally delivered the offensive game their talent suggest they should, as they demolished the Warhawks, (59-24).

Quarterback Jarryd Taylor, had the best day of any 4A passer, as he ran for a touchdown, threw 8 other TDs, including at least one to 5 different receivers.

Out of all the players to catch a pass for TOPSZN, Hasani Worrell, had the best night of all, as he caught 4 passes for 92 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

Matthew Canuel, played a big part in the win, as he recorded an offensive touchdown, 2 interceptions, 1 pass deflection, and 3 tackles.

For the Warhawks, Vincent Ladouceur, did his part, with three touchdowns, but no one else on the team, could help move the needle on that side of the ball.

 

Now on to the Quarter-Final Preview

 

 

Conference A

 

(1) The Commission versus (6) The Alpha-T’s

Previous Meeting: The Commission 32-20 (Week 9)

While the score says The Commission won by only 12 points, the number 1 seed in Conference A, dominated the game for all but the final 10 minutes, as they led (20-0), before The Alpha-T’s scored twice on consecutive possessions, to get within a touchdown, before TC put the nail in the coffin, with two late touchdowns of their own, courtesy of AJ Gomes, and Domenico Benevento, the latter of who had 2 total TDs, and an interception on defense.

The one caveat to the game, was that it was missing some important players on both sides.

For The Aplha T’s, they were without their best Wide Receiver, in Alexis Gaumont. Capable of taking over a game at the drop of a hat, the team missed him in the lineup, as they struggled to move the ball with any consistency. Over the last 3 weeks alone, the veteran WR, has posted 14 catches, for 340 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

The Commission, were without two of their best defenders, in their defensive play-caller in Eddy Lee, and the team’s best tackler, in Emile Amyot.

Moving forward to tomorrow night’s rematch, for The Alpha-T’s to win, they will first and foremost need to play an entire game, unlike last time.
Secondly, TAT, will need their Quarterback Jesse Dupuis, to connect on the deep ball, as The Commission, held him to a season-low 9.4 yards per pass.

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For The Commission to win, they will need to contain Gaumont, and redzone threat Mathieu Houle. While the latter was mostly held in check during the first meeting, the presence of the former, takes some of the pressure and attention off of him.

 

More importantly, The Commission offense will need to wake up. For as good as TC Quarterback Chris Olson, has been over the last two months, he will need to take advantage of what defenses give him, and be more effective in the redzone, than he and his offense were last week versus Broccasion.

Prediction: N/A

 

 

(2) Mutation versus (5) TOPSZN

Previous Meeting: TOPSZN 41-33 (Week 1)

The first meeting feels like a century ago, but despite the final score, TOPSZN, used a strong second-half effort, in which they held their opponents to 14 points, and scored 26 of their own, to get the victory.

Helping his team in the win, was Hasani Worrell, who had 4 receptions, for 110 yards, and 1 touchdown.

Jarryd Taylor, had even more of an impact, as he threw for 5 touchdowns, and added a pick-6 on defense.

TOPSZN’s Matthew Canuel, added two interceptions of his own, in yet another solid showing.

For Mutation, the duo of Alexandre Samson, and Alexandre Jubenville, had strong outings, as they combined for 8 catches, for 137 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

For TOPSZN to get the win, they will need to pick up where they left off last week offensively. To do so, Jarryd Taylor, will need to spread the ball around to his receivers, and keep the defense guessing.

Taylor, will also need to outgain, and out-preform opposing QB Jean-Felix Marquis, on the ground.

For Mutation to get the win, Marquis, will need to cut down on the turnovers, as he threw three interceptions in the last meeting.

The team will also need a much better performance out of their number one Wide Receiver in Vincent Marquis, who was held to a measly 2 catches for 17 yards.

On the other side of the ball, Mutation, will need to find a way to contain Taylor as a runner. That job will fall to Philippe Aussant.

Held without a sack in their first meeting, Aussant, who was playing in his first ever FPF game at the time, has seemingly gotten better after every time out this season. Currently, on a 4-game sack streak, Aussant, has 9 QB take downs in that span. His team will need him to add a few more to his total.

I honestly think both teams will hookup in another shootout, as both sides have dynamic, and speedy playmakers on offense, but don’t always play the greatest defense.

Prediction: TOPSZN (35-28).

 

 

Conference B

 

 

(1) Mountain Lions versus (4) Keyport Lock

Previous Meeting: Mountain Lions 33-27 (Week 10)

After the Mountain Lions took the first meeting by 6 points, three weeks later, here we go again.

The first showdown, between both teams, was dominated by the Mountain Lions’ Zack Goldstein, who accounted for more than half of his team’s points, as he scored two offensive touchdowns, on 4 catches for 67 yards, and also added a pick-6 on defense.

Adam Rockman, and Kevin Smuda, would round out the scoring for the team.

On the other side, Keyport Lock, was led by Jad Aridi, who had 4 receptions, for 29 yards, and two trips to the endzone.

Having a solid two-way game was Daniel Farag, who had 4 catches for 61 yards, and an interception on defense.

For the Mountain Lions to complete the two-game sweep, they will need to play a full game, unlike they did versus Top Secret.

They will also need Quarterback Jeremy Rosenberg, to continue spread the ball around effectively to maximize all of his receivers.

For Keyport Lock to get the win, they will need their Quarterback, Jeff Rosenblatt, to complete more passes. While 4 of the 11 passes he connected on went for touchdowns, he will need to do better than 11 for 26.

The team will also need a better performance out of Kevin Boustany, and Ryan Tereskewitz, who were basically invisible during the first meeting.

The Mountain Lions, are slightly the better team, and I think they will win another tight one.

Prediction: Mountain Lions (28-26)

 

(2) B.D Bandits versus (3) Jagerbomb

Previous Meeting: Jagerbomb 38-31 (Week 3)

Jagerbomb Quarterback Simon Duchesne, had a near-perfect night, as he went 16 of 20, for 226 yards, and an impressive 6 touchdowns.

The main beneficiary of his performance, were receivers Jean-Felix Daloze, and Felix Fontaine-Larouche, who combined for 8 receptions, 151 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

The performance of the trio, helped Jagerbomb, erase a (19-18) halftime deficit, and saw them outscore their opponents (20-12) in the second-half.

Coming through with a big performance was Zack Brzezinski, who had a game-high 7 grabs for 87 yards, and a touchdown, and Greg Grant, who recorded 6 catches, for 65 yards, and 3 TDs.

Unfortunately, for the Bandits, Grant, is ineligible for the post-season, after only playing in two regular season games.

Jagerbomb, is the highest scoring team remaining in Conference B, while the B.D Bandits, are the second best defensive team.

While the B.D Bandits, made short work out of Friends In Low Places, in the Divisional Round, they face a much tougher squad tomorrow night.

 

More importantly, the team will have to find a way to replace the production of the aforementioned Grant. I’m not sure they can.

Prediction: Jagerbomb (32-26).

 

That’s it for the Division 4A Quarter-Final Round. Just a quick reminder of the lightning-fast turnaround that will be in store for the teams that win tomorrow, as the Semi-Finals kickoff Tuesday night at Stade Hébert.

Good luck to all the teams this week-end.

Cheers!

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, feel free to contact me on Twitter @BADNEWSB51, or by e-mail at [email protected]