Division 6: You Have My Attention…

Week 2 of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season have showcased a couple of teams who are experiencing impressive starts to the season. Through two weeks of action, here is who caught my attention.

 WYD Step Bro’s?

I had a chance to score-keep their game last Wednesday in Laval. I like this team. They have speed, depth, a Quarterback in Pranav Sharma who can make plays with his arm and his feet, and they also have a legit playmaker at Receiver in Noah Smallwood.

On defense, there is a lot to like as well. While they need to tighten up their deep ball coverage, they have an aggressive crew with ball-hawks and solid tacklers led by Danielle MacIntyre, Natan Nettel, Tyler Laroche, and Mark Namour. They have held two of their last three opponents two touchdowns. Let’s see if they can continue to build on their strong play.

Cheat Squad

After a shaky offensive performance in a Week 1 loss the Demons, Cheat Squad bounced back with a big upset win over the Royals. After not scoring more than 20 points in either of their first two games, the team’s offense woke up in a big way with a dominant (38-6) victory over the Royals.

In the win, the Cheat Squad defense stepped up in a big way as they intercepted Quarterback Eric Pawlusiak four times and limited him to a season-low six completions and 32 yards. One of the keys to FPF and football is a team’s ability to rush the passer. This team’s defense has the leading Rusher in Division 6 in Massimo Rosati. Having that weapon is crucial and can help carry this team to the playoffs.

Royals

Like I said above they are coming off a tough loss to Cheat Squad. Before that defeat, they averaged nearly 30 points (29.5) per game. This team has talent and experience on their side in players like Ryan McGrath, and Pawlusiak.

Was the game just a one off, or were the Royals just beating up on weaker competition? We will find out this week if they and their defense are for real when they take on an upstart Free Agent Squad that lit up the scoreboard and nearly dropped a 50 burger on the DG Shootas. Stay tuned.

Salt’s n a Pepper

When you have the highest scoring offense in a 30-team division, you know you’re doing something right. Led by playmakers in Sam Anastasopoulos and Kyle Folkerson, this is a typical Division 6 squad that has enough players to field a starting offense or defense in the CFL.

Unlike most D6 teams who have an abundance of players, the Salt’s n a Pepper appear to have balance, as the team’s defense has just been as impressive as their offense, with the unit surrendering less than 20 points so far in three games this season. This is a strong team. Let’s see where they go.

Show Me Dem TDies

They already have one of, if not the best name in the division 6. This squad also has an impressive roster led by veterans in Daniel Caruana, Denis Koutavas, Daron Migdesyan, Greg Kritselas, and Mathew Yanakoulias, this team should be one of the last ones standing when it is all said and done.

The set-up this team has is smart. They have a veteran QB in Yanakoulias, who even though he can’t throw in Div. 6, he can be a valuable resource for Caruana, who is relatively new to the position. The team’s experience along with a solid of mix playmakers, should help carry them as their QB gets more experience.

Towers FT

This team is fast, long, explosive, and aggressive. Those are four solid attributes to have on any team. Towers FT isn’t just any old team. They have a Quarterback in Davide Bartolucci who isn’t afraid to air it out from any down and distance.

I watched this team play Wednesday night in Laval and I came away thinking that with a few less self-inflicted wounds, they will be a tough out, as they have a fearless confidence and style of play that is not only hard to play against, but tough to mimic.

Meat Fiddlers

They are (2-0) on the season and appear to be a team that is a force to be reckoned with, as they have beat teams with a smothering defense, and a consistent offense that is showing signs of growth and confidence.

How far this team can go will be contingent on two things. Firstly, can Quarterback Manny Bizogias continue his stellar play? In two games, the seven-year veteran has continued where he left off from the Fall Cup when he tossed 37 touchdown passes and completed nearly 60% of his passes.

Secondly, can the team’s defense which has given up an average of 13 points a game, continue their solid play? Rusher Leo Diakoumakos has only one sack, and the unit has only recorded three interceptions. The team will have to step it up in both categories if they want to make a championship run.

Les Super Turbo Navets

FlagPlus Football just like any other tackle or flag league is predicated on offense. The rules are designed to boost points and production. That is based on the idea that offense, touchdowns, and scoring are what people want. I played tackled football for over a decade, and flag for the same amount of time. I can tell you with 100% certainty that defense wins championships.

No team in Division 6 has played better defense than Les Super Turbo Navets, as they have yet to allow a single point through two games. It doesn’t matter who you play, a shutout is a shutout. With the rules bent towards offenses, keeping an opponent off the scoreboard is something that should be celebrated. Good job gentleman.

ALLBALL

Speaking of defense, ALLBALL, has struggled on that side of the ball so far as they have given up 63 points. To put that into context, only four teams have surrendered more scores than them. On the positive side, those other squads (Tex4s Chooches, Winded Warriors, Chomedey Chodes, and DG Shootas) are a combined (2-10), while ALLBALL is (2-1).

The team will have to get their defense fixed, as not only will it help them add more checks in the win column, but it will also allow them to keep them on pace with the rest of the teams in Group C, as no other team has allowed more than 37 points. That matters for playoff seeding when it comes to tiebreakers.

Picks

The Mortadel’s vs Le Speakeasy – The Mortadel’s

Meat Fiddlers vs ALLBALL – Meat Fiddlers (My pick for Game of the Week)

No Fly Zone vs Les Flags Daddies – No Fly Zone

Mutation vs Nard Dogs – Nard Dogs (Upset Special)

Last Week: (9-2)

Season: (9-2)

NFL Picks

Clearly, this article is coming out after the Divisional Round. I will make sure to have this week’s article out before the AFC and NFC Championship games Here’s who I picked this past weekend.

Ravens

49ers

Bucs

Bills

Last Week: (2-2)

Playoffs: (7-3)

My apologies for the late article release this week. Things will be back to normal this weekend.

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.