Division A & B: Report Card Time!!!!

We are now officially in the second half of the season. Here is my Mid-Season Report. The grades in this are simple, as they follow the same format we used to see in elementary school and beyond. If you receive an A, you are near perfection. B means you are just a notch below elite, and just might need to do one or two small things to get you to that level. C means that your team is good but isn’t delivering on expectations. D is for a team having a hard time stringing together some wins and is struggling for various reasons. There is no F, because each team has at least one win, and let’s be honest, these are the top two divisions in all FlagPlus Football. This summer, Div. A and Div. B are both are deeper than in years past, and getting wins is as easy as it used to be.

Report Card – Division A

Allstars (4-1) – They have won four games in a row, and their only loss of the season came all the way back in Week 1. Kevin Wyeth has the offense flowing, and the defense which came up huge in their second half comeback win over The Apocalypse, maybe be lacking takeaways, but is getting big plays at crucial times from various members. This is the most complete team in all of Division A. The second half of the season sees them play back-to-back games against Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems this Sunday and Monday (this schedule really sucks), and a game against the Party Crashers sandwiched in between two matchups with KGP. Grade: A

Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems (3-1-1) This team has wins over the Party Crashers, and one over KGP. All eyes are squarely on Mo’ Khans Mo’ Problems, as they get set to take on the Allstars twice over the next two days, and then the Braves in two weeks. Can Dan Lazzara and his squad beat these two powerhouses? The more important question is, can last year’s champs generate some momentum and roll into the playoffs firing on all cylinders? Grade: B+

Party Crashers (3-3) – They get the edge for the third spot because they have a Week 2 victory over the Braves. All eyes will be on their rematch next Sunday. Before we get there, the Party Crashers will take on their biggest rivals in KGP, who they beat (48-42) back in Week 4. A sweep over KGP would not only solidify their spot as contenders, but it would serve them well as they prepare to take on the toughest part of their schedule, as they also take on the Allstars, and have a rematch against a Braves squad who is seeking revenge after losing by six points to PC in Week 2. This team is deep and talented and has the potential to go far in the playoffs. After suffering disappointment in the Division 2 playoffs, can this squad learn from it and reach the promised land in Div. A? Grade: B

Braves (3-3) – Winners of two straight, the Braves seem to be picking up momentum, after losing three out of their first four games to start the season. Initially serving as their Achilles heel, one of the biggest parts of their turnaround has been their defense. Over the last two weeks, the unit has held both Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems and The Apocalypse to under 28 points. A win over The Apocalypse tonight in Lachine, would put the Braves over the .500 mark for the first time this season. This appears to be a team that has finally figured it out. The only question that remains is whether or not they can keep up the momentum over the second half of the season. Grade: B-

KGP (2-3-1) – The transition to Division A hasn’t been smooth as evident by their record, but they have a solid victory over the Braves in Week 1, and The Apocalypse in Week 2. KGP is winless in their last three games, but they picked up an important point in their (28-28) tie against Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems Monday night. Regardless of the number of wins, this team has the talent and firepower to hang with anybody in Div. A, and as they have shown repeatedly over the years, they are a different type of animal come playoff time. Getting there however, is not guaranteed, as they have the next team on the list nipping at their heels and only three points back. Grade: C+

The Apocalypse (1-5) – Currently on the outside of the playoff bubble looking in, this team needs to string together some wins, and hope it gets some help in the form of a string of losses by either KGP or the Braves. With the influx of talent this team experienced coming into this season, it is fair to say that they have disappointed. With four games left on their docket, there is still time to turn things around. The task will be tough however, as while they do have one game remaining game against the improving Braves, they also have two tough matchups versus Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems, and one with the Party Crashers. Grade: D

Power Rankings

Division A

Allstars (4-1) – They are the best team in FPF. They have beaten teams in close games and have blown out others as well. They have a chance to essentially wrap up Division A, if they can sweep the next team on the list as they play them in back-to-back games starting tonight. Last Week: 2nd

Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems (3-1-1) – Their (28-28) tie against KGP, sees them drop one spot in the rankings. If they can sweep the Allstars in their two-game series over the next two days they will rise to the top of the rankings, and more importantly have a stranglehold over first place in Division A. Last Week: 1st

Party Crashers (3-3) – This team hasn’t played a game since June 27^th, where they beat KGP by six, but then were on the wrong end of a 25-point beatdown by Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems two hours later. The team’s more than two-week break sees them return to action Monday night as they take on their rivals in KGP. A regular season sweep would not only boost the growing confidence of PC, but it would let them stay ahead of them and the Braves in the standings, and in the rankings as well. Last Week: 3rd

Braves (3-3) – It appears that the early season struggles are over, as this team looks to have found their vibe and winning ways. The Braves have a chance to climb the rankings and more importantly the standings, as they have winnable games against The Apocalypse and KGP over the next week. Let’s see how they do. Last Week: 4th

KGP (2-3-1) – The Winter Season Division 2 championships currently occupy the final playoff spot in Division A. They are coming off a (28-28) tie against Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems. If KGP wins out, they will automatically qualify and even climb the standings in the process. Doing so however is anything but guaranteed, as they have the toughest schedule remaining, with games versus the Braves, their archnemesis in the Party Crashers, and two against the Allstars. Not exactly a cakewalk. Last Week: 5th

The Apocalypse (1-5) – This team is better than their record, but the reality is that they sit at one win and will need help to get into the playoffs. They have a tough remaining schedule as they play the Braves, Party Crashers and have to games against Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems. The hill is not impossible to climb, but it won’t be easy. Last Week: 6th

Report Card – Division B

B-Raves (5-0) – They have a zero in the loss column, and the best defense in Division B. Most importantly, they have championship pedigree. The B-Raves currently sit in second in the standings, but they have three games in-hand on BYOB. Winning the regular season title will probably be their end result. Their ultimate goal however, is ending the playoffs in the top spot, will they be able to get there? I wouldn’t bet against them. Grade: A+

Thor’s Hammer (3-2) – They have solid wins over BYOB and the Moretti Crime Family. The two toughest games left on their schedule are the Silent Ticklers (tonight) and the B-Raves next Sunday. After that they have back-to-back contests with the Junkyard Dogs (the horrible schedule strikes again!), and a regular season finale versus Touch It Catch It. Thor’s Hammer could run the table, or at the very least finish with just three or four losses. Led by veteran Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt, and a stable of game-breakers at Receiver, this is a talented team that could go far in the playoffs, perhaps all the way. Can they, do it? Grade: B+

Silent Ticklers (3-1) – They have only played four games so far, making It hard to get a solid read on this team. They scored a big victory over BYOB to kickoff the season, then they got blown out by Brand New the next game. After that, they edged the Junkyard Dogs by four points in a (38-34) shootout and beat Mangoose by twenty. Are the Silent Ticklers a team that simply beats the teams they should, and got lucky in knocking off an upper echelon squad, or are they simply a team who is starting to put it together with a Hall of Fame Quarterback in Rochdi Benabdelkader, and a solid squad, who is gaining momentum before making a second half run? A showdown against Thor’s Hammer tonight, followed by games verses the B-Raves, Brand New, and the Moretti Crime Family will show us who this team really is. Grade: B-

BYOB (5-2-1) – They may be in first place in the standings, but four of their five wins have come against teams with losing records. While they have blown out Touch It Catch It and Mangoose, the only impressive win on their resumé came against (3-3) Brand New. Losses versus the Silent Ticklers and Thor’s Hammer leads to question whether BYOB can consistently beat the other top teams in the division, both now and in the post-season. This team has talent from top to bottom, and should be capable of beating anyone in Div B, but can they? Grade: B

Brand New (3-3) They have early season standouts victories over Thor’s Hammer and the Silent Ticklers. Looking at the other side of the coin, Brand New also has a loss to the Moretti Crime Family and suffered double-digit defeats to BYOB and B-Raves. The question this team must answer is whether or not they should be taken seriously as a championship contender, especially with a defense that has surrendered the second most points in Div. B. The path to respect for this squad starts with rematches against the Silent Ticklers and Moretti Crime Family. Completing the sweep against the former, while getting revenge on the latter, would set them up well as they make their push towards the playoffs. Grade: C+

Moretti Crime Family (2-3) – Don’t let their record deceive you. This team has three losses, but they are all by a touchdown or less, and they all have come against winning teams. The Moretti Crime Family’s two wins have come against Brand New, and the Junkyard Dogs. This squad has Talent and although they haven’t won one as a unit, they also have championship experience. The second half of the schedule sees them have standout matchups with the Silent Ticklers and Touch It Catch, in addition to a rematch against both Brand New and BYOB. Can the MCF steer the ship and add some more numbers to the win column? Grade: C+

Touch It Catch It (2-4) – This team doesn’t lack talent, but they are missing chemistry and most importantly execution. After getting blown out by both Mangoose and BYOB, Touch It Catch It put up a good fight Thursday night in a (35-30) loss to Brand New. Simply put, this team needs to start putting together some wins. Doing so will be easier said than done, as their remaining schedule sees them play the Silent Ticklers, B-Raves, Moretti Crime Family, and Thor’s Hammer. Good luck. Grade: D+

Junkyard Dogs (1-4-1) – Two out of their four losses were one possession games. They are coming off a (19-19) tie against BYOB, and the week before they went blow for blow against the Moretti Crime Family. As of late, the Junkyard Dogs have the appearance of a team that plays up to their competition. In short, this team has proven that they can be a tough out. Led by Jason Rossie, this team has plenty of big-game experience, but they need to start putting together some wins to guarantee a spot in the post-season, as the Mangoose are only one point behind JYD for the eighth and final playoff spot in Div. B. Having the head-to-head tiebreaker because of a (37-31) victory in Week 1 is huge for the dogs but finding a second win with a schedule that features games against Thor’s Hammer, Brand New and the B-Raves won’t be easy. Grade: D.

Mangoose (1-6) – Their only win is a blowout victory over Touch It Catch It in Week 4. Mangoose, were a play away from having three wins, so you know this team has talent. They also have three huge blowout losses, where their offense failed to show up. That has been the biggest issue holding this team back as they have scored a Division B low 120 points. Quarterback Nicolas Schaefer who has thrown at least one interception in every game this season, will need to protect the ball, as his team attempts to get a win versus either Brand New, Moretti Crime Family, or the Silent Ticklers to close out the regular season, as the team is currently one point out of the last playoff spot. Grade: D

Power Rankings

Division B

B-Raves (5-0) – Another week another win for the only undefeated team remaining. Their latest victory was a tough (34-32) win over the Moretti Crime Family, last Monday night at Stade de Montreal, curtesy of a touchdown pass by Jonathan Maheu to J.D Chevalier with two plays left. Good teams simply find a way to win. The B-Raves have a chance to take over the top spot in the Division B this Monday, as they face BYOB, in what many expect to be a game of the year candidate. Last Week: 2nd

Thor’s Hammer (3-2) – Their only loss came to the B-Raves and Brand New all the way back in Week 1. Looking to stretch their win streak to four, Thor’s Hammer will be in tough as they get set to take on the rapidly improving Silent Ticklers, in a huge game tonight in Lachine. Right after that, they have a rematch against the B-Raves. If they can complete the sweep, they will have a legit shot at the top spot in the standings. After those two contests, the team finishes with back-to-back games against the Junkyard Dogs, and one against Touch It Catch It to finish the regular season. Last Week: 3rd

Silent Ticklers (3-1) – Currently in third place due to their division record and their points allowed 116, the Silent Ticklers, who are tied for points with both Thor’s Hammer and Brand New, can give themselves a little bit of breathing room in the standings with a win over Thor’s Hammer tonight in what will be a big game for both teams. Let’s see what happens. Last Week: 5th

BYOB (5-2-1) – They may be in first place in the standings, but their four of their five wins have come against teams with losing records. They followed up their one impressive victory versus Brand New, with a tie against a one-win Junkyard Dogs squad Thursday evening in Brossard. Last Week: 1st

Brand New (3-3) – They ended their two-game slide with a hard-fought victory over Touch It Catch It. They have a matchup tonight against the Junkyard Dogs who have been playing better ball the last few weeks. Getting a win against JYD will be crucial as both teams are only separated by three points in the standings. Last Week: 6th

Moretti Crime Family (2-3) – They suffered a heart-breaking loss to the B-Raves with two plays remaining. Looking at the glass half full, the loss could serve as motivation and a sign that the Moretti Crime Family can not only hang, but belong with the top teams in Division B, or the opposite. We will see which one it is over the next few weeks. Last Week: 4th

Touch It Catch It (2-4) – Their only wins have come against the two teams that trail them in the standings in the Junkyard Dogs, and Mangoose. They come into tonight riding a three-game losing streak, but they did have a strong showing in their five-point loss to Brand New this week. Can they turn that morale victory into some actual wins? Last Week: 7th

Junkyard Dogs (1-4-1) – They are coming off a huge and equally surprising tie versus BYOB. The one point they captured could be the difference between clinching the final Div. B playoff spot or allowing Mangoose to get it. Can JYD hold on? Last Week: 8th

Mangoose (1-6) – Their Week 1 loss to the Junkyard Dogs, along with JYD’s tie versus BYOB, means Mangoose will have to win at least one game and get a little help to get into the post-season. Their best chance for a win, is against Brand New, as their defense is prone to giving up big plays. Last Week: 9th 

Picks (favorites in bold)

Braves vs The Apocalypse – The Apocalypse (Upset Special #1)

Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems vs Allstars – Allstars

KGP vs Party Crashers – KGP (Upset Special #2 and My pick for Game of the Week Div. A)

Junkyard Dogs vs Brand New – Junkyard Dogs (Upset Special #3)

Silent Ticklers vs Thor’s Hammer – Thor’s Hammer (My pick for Game of the Week in Div. B)

BYOB vs B-Raves – B-Raves

Moretti Crime Family vs Mangoose – Moretti Crime Family

Touch it Catch It vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers

Last Week: (4-1-2)

Regular Season: (24-5-2)

Upset Special: (4-1-1)

That is it for this week. Next week I will be back with a more traditional article. I hoped you liked the report card. As I said earlier, if you don’t like your grade, feel free to go out and change it on the field.

On a totally unrelated note, if you had a chance to check out The Roots concert at the Jazz Fest, I am sure you will agree with me when I say that it was an AMAZING show! I met up with a couple of FPF peeps last night, and I know there were a lot more guys and ladies present last night. I missed going to the Jazz Fest, and I couldn’t think of a better show to bring it back than last night. What language you spoke, who you vote for didn’t matter. No covid talk, no mention of discriminatory bills, construction worries, or any other headaches. Just GREAT music, fun times, good people, and a couple of drinks. You can’t ask for anything more than that.

If you liked, loved, or hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected], or reach me on Instagram @brent_b51