Division 6: And then there was one

Going undefeated is a hard thing to do in FlagPlus Football’s 20-year history, there have been less than 10 teams that have completed the path to perfection. Think of the thousands of players who have suited up in FPF since the very first season of FPF, and that should put the accomplishment in its proper context.

I said in last week’s article that both SKOL and Free Agent Squad would suffer a loss before the regular season ended. I didn’t think it would happen this quickly, but SKOL is now the last remaining unbeaten team, as the Free Agent Squad fell (28-16) to Mutation Sunday night in Laval.

I will get to SKOL later, but first let’s take a deeper look at Mutation’s upset win, and the road ahead for the Free Agent Squad.

Mutation came out ready to play, as they forced a turnover on downs on their opponent’s first drive, as a rushing attempt on fourth down by Free Agent Squad Quarterback Tyler Stewart, fell short of the first down marker. Mutation would turn that defensive stop into points as six plays later they would turn a 21-yard QB run of their own into a touchdown.

The Free Agent Squad would answer back with a 3-yard touchdown by Seth Amoah. While the TD was the most important part of the drive, what took place one play earlier put them in position to score, as facing another big 4^th down, Stewart took off to scramble again, and picked up 21-yards to keep the series alive.

Both teams would trade touchdowns over a three-play span as Cédrik Gingras-Dubé would score for Mutation, and Amoah would record his second TD of the game, but the former would add one more, as Ricard Lubin would find the endzone on an 11-catch on the final play before the half. Mutation went into the break leading (22-16).

The second half was a completely different story, as after Mutation Quarterback Simon Girard would score on an 11-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play drive, both teams would be held off the scoreboard the rest of the way, as Girard and Stewart would exchange interceptions. Free Agent Squad had a chance to make the final score a little closer, but they turned the ball over on downs to end the game.

Kudos to Mutation on getting the victory as it not only leaves them tied with the Jurassic Park Rangers for fourth (they will be facing off in Week 12), but it keeps them in the hunt for first place, as they are four points behind the Meat Fiddlers who currently lead Group C with a (6-1) record.

The loss for Free Agent Squad is by no means season-ending, but it will be interesting to see how they respond, as they have a huge matchup tonight in Brossard against a (6-1) Demons team that are currently on a four-game winning streak. Could we see a second loss in a row for FAS?  

Speaking of the Jurassic Park Rangers, they have won four out of their last five games. While the one loss was a blowout defeat at the hands of the Pigeons, they are showing the signs of a team who is finding their footing and just as important, are showing that they can win in a variety of ways.

This past Sunday in their (18-8) win against Les Super Turbo Navets, the team overcame a safety on the second play of the game, and three interceptions from Quarterback Cam Chaput, the first of which came on their second possession of the game to get the win.  

Besides their resiliency, a key to the win was defense as they were led by the duo of Kendell Copeland who recorded an interception, and Rusher Carlos Pardo de Pablo, who registered a Week 7-high seven sacks. As a unit, the team stopped their opponents on all four of their 4^th down attempts. Holding a team to one touchdown is hard to do, especially against a Les Super Turbo Navets squad that came into the game averaging 23 points a game, and were coming off big wins over The Mortadel’s, Meat Fiddlers, and No Fly Zone in three of the last four weeks.

Les Super Turbo Navets have a bye this week, but they will get a chance to rebound when they return to play, as they have two easier matchups coming up in Les Flags Daddies and McGill Swim Team. Those matchups should serve as a good warmup, as they close out the regular season with what should be a tough game against Mutation.

Getting back to Jurassic Park Rangers, they are on a bye this week as well, but they when they return to action, they will have two games over the course of four days as they take on the Meat Fiddlers and Mutation. Let’s see if they can keep up the solid play.  

SKOL is now the lone undefeated team remaining in Division 6. They are coming off a blowout (33-12) victory over Towers FT last Sunday in Laval. The team with the top defense in Div. 6, showed exactly why they are the best unit, as they intercepted Quarterback Davide Bartolucci a jaw-dropping five times in the contest. Defensive Back Alexandre Dumontier led the way with three, one of which he ran back to the house, and Vincent Hamel, who had two. The group continued their impressive play as they pitched a second half shutout.

The SKOL offense did their part in the win as well, as QB Hugo Stensland threw four touchdown passes, connecting on three of them with second-year player Brandon Allard.

Up next for SKOL is a game against a Le Speakeasy squad who are coming off an upset victory over Salt’s n a Pepper last Sunday at the Stinger Dome, as they rode the spectacular performance of Receiver Laurent-Philippe St-Onge who had four touchdowns, and Defensive Back Vincent Richard who nabbed two interceptions in the win.

Picks

Cheat Squad vs Fire & Blood –

Demons vs Free Agent Squad – Demons (My Pick for Game of the Week)

Nard Dogs vs No Fly Zone – No Fly Zone

Towers FT vs Tex4s Chooches – Towers FT

 Salt’s n a Pepper vs The Mortadel’s – Salt’s n a Pepper

Pigeons vs Mutation – Pigeons

Cavaliers du Rohan vs DG Shootas – DG Shootas (Upset Special)

Le Speakeasy vs SKOL – SKOL

McGill Swim Team vs Les Flags Daddies – Les Flags Daddies

Last Week: (9-2-1)

Regular Season: (37-20-1)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games tonight, tomorrow, 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.