Division A & B: Semi-Finals Preview

The playoffs kicked off last week, and what a fantastic start. Five games in total. Some were blowouts, and others were simply phenomenal. I think the games we have coming up will resemble the latter.

There was only one game, but the Division A playoffs started with a bang, as The Apocalypse faced off with Mo’ Khan’s Mo’ Problems in an instant classic Sunday night in Laval.

I stood on the sideline watching, and I caught myself saying wow out loud on several occasions, as the game featured highlight plays, more than a little physicality, tons of trash-talking, and an ending that left many in attendance including yours truly, happy that they had a chance to watch.

The start of the game was all The Apocalypse, as they scored the game’s first touchdown on four plays with a 24-yard touchdown catch by Marty Freedman on a corner route to the left of the endzone, as he beat the tight coverage of AJ Gomes.

After a turnover on downs by the Mo’ Khan’s Mo’ Problems offense, The Apocalypse extended their lead two plays later, as James Ohayon got behind the defense on a 24-yard touchdown of his own. Just like on the first TD, the conversion attempt was no good, so TA led (12-0).

After a first drive that was full of drops and errant passes, the team’s second drive started off more promising as Quarterback Dan Lazzara, was able to connect on consecutive passes to Tam Vilaydeth, Rory Semerjian, Ben McMahon, and AJ Gomes. With the offense finally starting to march the field, Lazzara looked for paydirt, as he tried to gun a pass to towards the endzone to Gomes, but the throw was intercepted by Stephan Osman, who got in the passing lane, tipped the ball to himself, and secured the deflection. It was an outstanding play by the veteran defender.

 Looking to keep the flames hot, Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt, would connect on passes to Freedman, Raoul Baroudi, and Ohayon to extend the drive. The last throw seemed to ignite the Mo’ Khan’s Mo’ Problems defense, as they proceeded to force four straight incompletions, and their first turnover of the game.

The performance by the defense seemed to spark their offense, as they appeared to come back on to the field with a renewed confidence. Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems, didn’t wait long to capitalize on the momentum, as Lazzara would hit Sean Semerjian for a 50-yard touchdown on a catch and run slant route that saw him split the tackle attempts of Osman and Baroudi. It was a fantastic show of speed and agility by the three-time All-Star. Gomes would add a 1-point convo, making the score (12-7) The Apocalypse.

Three plays later, Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems would capture their first lead of the game, as Gomes would pick off a pass from Rosenblatt over the middle of the field and run untouched to the endzone. The negative on the play, was a celebration by Gomes, as he flashed the peace sign to Camera Operator Chris Rivest who was standing next to me filming the game on the sideline. In all honesty, the play was exciting, and got the crowd that was in attendance on their feet. The touchdown stood, although it shouldn’t have because the penalty occurred before Gomes got to the endzone, but the infraction meant that the MKMP offense would have to attempt their 1-point from 10 yards further back, and the player was ejected ten plays for objectionable conduct.    

The Apocalypse would retake the lead with two plays left before halftime, as Sanders Armand, would find the endzone on a seven-yard TD grab that saw him leap over defenders Tam Vilaydeth and Ben McMahon.

A Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the first half, from Lazarra, in which he evaded a double rush to Rory Semerjian, fell jut short of the endzone. We hit the break, with The Apocalypse holding on to a (18-14) lead.

Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems, wasted little time answering back, as three plays into the second stanza, they recaptured the lead with a 27-yard score by Sean Semerjian, who evaded tackle attempts by Osman and Tyrell, and ran up the right sideline for the TD.

The Apocalypse attempted a comeback of their own, but it was thwarted by a sack from Isiah Allard, and then another interception by Gomes in the endzone, on an overthrown pass by Rosenblatt.

On the following offensive series, Gomes had a chance to extend the lead for his team as he got a step on the coverage by Osman on a corner route, but the usually sure-handed Receiver couldn’t haul in the dime that his QB threw.

After an incomplete pass on third down, Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems, faced fourth and long from the midway point of the field. With The Apocalypse playing a man defense, Lazzara, smartly recognized it and called his own number, as he took off on a 33-yard scamper down the right sideline, for a first down in the redzone. The offense would punch it in two plays later, as the pivot would hit Gomes on a slant for a 5-yard TD to give their team a (26-18) lead.

A few plays later, the Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems defense took a page out of their opponent’s playbook, when they had a lapse in coverage, as they left Baroudi wide open near the left sideline, and the Receiver took advantage of the miscue, running 24 yards to the endzone. Rosenblatt would do a good job avoiding a sack attempt by Allard, and find Tyrell for the 2-pont conversion, tying the contest at (26-26).

Given their extensive history together both inside and outside of FPF, it should go without saying, that when Lazzara needs to make a play, he looks for Gomes. After receptions by Rory Semerjian and Vilaydeth, the QB tried a deep shot to his number one target on a post-corner, but even though the Wide Receiver was open, the pass fell just out of his reach.

The duo didn’t let the blown opportunity stifle them for long, as they would connect for a score on a beautiful sliding catch at the goal line with Baroudi seemingly glued to the Receiver’s back, to give Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems, a (32-26) lead with less than a minute to five plays.

The next five plays saw four different pass-catchers for The Apocalypse make a reception, with Freedman and Ohayon picking up first downs along the way.

A six-yard gain by Baroudi, and an incompletion, set up third and short in the redzone. With three plays remaining but unable to pick up a first down, The Apocalypse, realistically had two chances to extend their season.

On third, Rosenblatt tried to  find Sanders Armand on a drag route, but the pass was incomplete. Luckily for them, they were bailed out by an illegal contact penalty on Vilaydeth, who was covering Armand at the 1-yard line. This gave TA an automatic first down, and a re-do that still left three plays on the clock.

After a first down shovel pass to Baroudi, that was broken up by Rashawn Perry, who had superb coverage on the play, The Apocalypse were able to punch it in, as Rosenblatt found Freedman for a 1-yard TD.

With the game now tied, The Apocalyspe decided to go for the 1-point conversion. On the play, Jeff Rosenblatt tossed a jump ball up at the front of the endzone to James Tyrell who was blazing down the goal-line. Tyrell jumped up with a defender in his back pocket, made the catch and survived the contact with the ground, to give his team the go-ahead marker with a (33-32) lead.

One play remained for Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems to keep their season alive. As the offense took the field, they had a look of confidence on their faces. With the length they have at Receiver, you could understand why.

The Apocalypse sent two Rushers at Lazarra, after showing some mobility earlier in the game, the QB did so again as he sprinted to his left, avoided the pressure, wound up, and uncorked a rainbow shot to the endzone. Unfortunately for Mo’ Khan Mo’ Problems, the pass would fall incomplete, bringing an end to a fantastic contest.

Final score (33-32) The Apocalypse.

The trash talk between both teams didn’t end once the game was finished. This wasn’t very surprising as the game was physical and intense. I understand that things get heated, but it’s never a good look when you lose, and you still see the need to talk trash. Both teams played hard, fast, and unforgiving. It is unfortunate, but one team has to win and the other needs to lose.

What made things worse was the chirping at the referees well after the game had finished, as Rashawn made his displeasure known to the three refs that worked the contest. The officials smartly ignored the taunts, although they could have easily gave him …….a which would have rolled into next season. I completely understand the frustration with missed calls. I literally played right before this showdown on field #1. There were at least four calls that were either missed or ignored which resulted in big plays going against my team, and our opponents as well. Yes, all refs are getting paid to work the games, and naturally there are some that are better than others but swearing at the refs after the game is done, doesn’t do anything, and won’t change the outcome. Don’t let the game be close so that a bad or missed call can play a factor.  

The nonsense at the end didn’t take away from the fact that this was a great game, between two good teams. Every player that touched the field made a play, and the game was entertaining from start to finish.

The dramatic win by The Apocalypse, sets them up for a showdown with the number one seed in the Allstars.

(1) Allstars versus (4) The Apocalypse – Monday Stade de Montreal @10PM

Previous Meetings:

Allstars (42-30) Week 3

Allstars (34-32) Week 5

In the first meeting, both Quarterbacks delivered stellar performances, as Kevin Wyeth threw six touchdown passes and had only seven incompletions, while Jeff Rosenblatt tossed five TDs, and had 10 passes fall incomplete.

The real story of the game, however, was the performance of Quaid Johnson, who had a game-high four touchdowns, including the game-winner, on six receptions for 61 yards.

Although he only scored only one touchdown, veteran Receiver Chris Milard had a huge game as well, as he recorded six catches for a game-high 109 yards. He also made an impact on the other side of the ball with four tackles and two pass deflections.

In the second meting, The Apocalypse defense contained Johnson, as they held him to two catches for 23 yards. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t do the same to Patrick and Matt Kirouac, as the Hall-of-Fame duo combined to score all five of the team’s touchdowns.

The Apocalypse got off to a great start, as they were able to intercept Allstars Quarterback Kevin Wyeth, in addition to scoring two touchdowns on fourth downs, by James Tyrell and Sanders Armand. They went into halftime with a (24-12) lead.

Just like in the first meeting, the team’s offense ran out of gas in the second stanza, as they were able to only muster eight points on a touchdown reception by Stephen Osman on the second to last play of the game. While a win was out of the question, The Apocalypse had a chance to go for the tie on the 2-point convo, but the pass by Rosenblatt fell incomplete, giving their opponents the win.

This is the third and final meeting between both teams. The objective is simple, win and advance to the championship game, or lose and go home.

For the Allstars to complete the sweep, they will have to continue to make their opponent’s defense pick their poison, as they did in the first two contests. In Jérome, Kirouac, Johnson, Milard, and Lalla, this team has options, and armed with the best QB in FPF history, there is no stopping this offense. Your best chance is to try and slow it down. Keeping defenses guessing is one of the things they do best. The Apocalypse have rock solid defenders in Raoul Baroudi, James Tyrell, Sanders Armand, Stephan Osman, and Kendal Mayers. Despite that, this group will have their hands full Monday night.

 For The Apocalypse to continue their season, they will first and foremost have to carry over the momentum from Sunday’s win over Mo’ Khan’s Mo’ Problems into Monday night. They were the underdogs (slightly) headed into the game against a team that was better on paper, but as we all know the games are played on the field, and that is all that counts. This squad is talented, but just as important, they are tough both physically and mentally.

Besides relying on those traits, to get past the best team in FPF, they will also need to score more conversions. In both games combined, the team is 2 for 10 went going for extra points, with both coming in the last contest. To do that, the team’s offense will need to avoid falling asleep in the second half, as they have scored a total of 20 points after the break versus the Allstars.

I think this game will be similar to the second encounter, as it should go down to the wire. I wanted to pick The Apocalypse last week, but I talked myself out of it. I honestly like this team, and they have been playing their best ball of the year the last few weeks. The Allstars are still the Allstars however, and I am going with them, but cautiously.

Final Score: Allstars (38-32)

(2) Braves versus (3) Party Crashers – Monday Stade de Montreal @ 9PM,

Previous Meetings:

Party Crashers (58-50) Week 2

Party Crashers (38-6) Week 7

One game was a shootout, and the other was blowout.

The more entertaining showdown saw the Braves and Party Crashers combine for 108 points. Both Quarterbacks combined for 14 touchdown passes. Fred Dupuis of the Party Crashers threw for 292 yards on 16 of 19 passing, while William Trottier filling in for Jonathan Maheu, passed for 280 yards, but had three interceptions.

Multiple Receivers had stand-out performances, as Anthony Brisebois of the Party Crashers had four touchdown grabs, as did Guillaume Beland of the Braves. Georges Gariépy, Francois Hogue, Louis-Philip Thibodeau, as well as Brisebois, all came close to surpassing the 100-yard plateau in the contest.

 The best performance of all, perhaps belonged to Phil Angers, as the Party Crasher’s two-way threat had a touchdown as a Receiver and recorded a pair of pick-six TDs including the game-winning score.

The second meeting happened on paper, but in reality, the Party Crashers beat a Braves team who consisted entirely of subs. Alex Pilon was one of those players. For as phenomenal as he is as a Receiver and Defensive Back, he is not a QB. The Hall-of-Famer finished the game 4 of 26 for 43 yards one touchdown and three interceptions. His counterpart Fred Dupuis, finished the contest 16 of 21 for 230 yards six TDs and one INT. Louis-Philip Thibodeau made an impact as well, catching one of Dupuis’ TD passes, and registering two INTs.

 The Party Crashers can go score for score with anybody. The only negative is their penchant for falling in love with the deep ball. The Braves will look to take advantage of that, as Mike Pierrecin, Jean-Daniel Chevalier, Maheu, Gariépy, and Beland will be ready to defend the deep ball. The question of course, is can Dupuis beat the Braves defense while sticking mostly to the short game with timing and precision routes and passes? At least one member of the Braves doubts that he can.

The Braves come into this game on a two-game winning streak to end the regular season, with wins over Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems and KGP. After losing in the second round of the Division B playoffs as the B-Raves, you have to figure that Maheu, Pierrecin, Trottier, and Gariépy will want to take out a little frustration now that their chance to win two championships has gone up in smoke.

There are a lot of potential matchups in this game that stand out, perhaps non bigger than Georges Gariépy versus Anthony Brisebois. Both players are dynamic two-way threats that have size, speed, and skill to spare. If they line up against each other, get your popcorn ready.

An undefeated record is impressive, but despite being (2-0) versus the Braves, the Party Crashers have yet to beat them when the former has their full roster intact. There are whispers that this version of the Braves is not as good as they used to be given their regular season record, the ascension of others in Div. A, and the loss of All-Star Rusher Julien Paiement. I guess we will find out Monday night. I think this game will be close, but I still see the Braves pulling it out.

Final score: Braves (42-33)

Division B Semi-Final Preview

(1) Silent Ticklers versus (7) Touch It Catch It – Tuesday @ Loyola 7PM

Previous Meeting: Silent Ticklers (36-25) Week 6

In their Week 6 meeting, the Silent Ticklers, rode to the 11-point victory on the shoulders of a three-touchdown performance by Receiver Adam Rosen, who had four catches for 61 yards.

The Silent Ticklers also got the benefit of playing against a team that was missing their starting Quarterback, as Fred Mallette missed the game. Filling in for him was Jesse Dupuis. The 7-time All-Star and 6-time champion is an good QB, but his game is based on chemistry and timing, and both were severely lacking for the fill-in passer, as he stared the game by taking a sack for a safety, then throwing an interception on the team’s second possession. When it was all said and done, Dupuis, completed only 10 of 20 passes, and the offense picked up only three first downs.

One of the key questions heading into the contest is who will play Quarterback for the Silent Ticklers? Will it be Rochdi Benabdelkader or Jordan Panetta? If it is the former, it will mean that the latter will line up at Receiver where he is just as dangerous. Against Touch It Catch It, Panetta recorded a touchdown on four catches for 36 yards. Except for the regular season finale against the Moretti Crime Family, the 5-time All-Star, has recorded at least one TD. That streak continued in the Quarterfinals against Mangoose, as he had seven grabs for 81 yards and a trip to the endzone.

Adding Panetta to a group of Receivers at includes Rosen, Daniel Mancini, Vincent Dagenais, and Andrew Blevings, makes an already deep group a little deeper and faster as well. Touch It Catch It, will have to find a way to slow that unit down.

For Touch It Catch It to pull off the win, the defense will also need to generate some turnovers. Luckily for them, they are playing a Quarterback in Benabdelkader, who despite being in the HOF has been prone to throwing interceptions this season (nine in five games) and has completed more than 50% of his passes in just four of his six starts this year including the playoffs. He only threw one INT against TICI, but with a defense featuring the likes if Isiah Allard, AJ Gomes, Marc-André Lapointe, Michael Gattuso, along with Malette and Dupuis, you must be aware of where they are on the field and protect the ball at all costs.

For the Silent Ticklers to get the win, their defense will need to step up as well, as they are taking on a Touch It Catch It offense that is brimming with confidence, as they have scored more than 35 points in three of their last five games and are coming off a huge upset win over the B-Raves in the Quarterfinals. To do that, they will need to make sure they take away the deep ball and short crossing routes by the TICI offense, and Rusher Mike Zenobi along with his teammates, will need to force Fred Mallette into bad throws by making him rush his passes and throw off his timing. If they can’t they might be in for a long night, as the team will have to deal with the speed of Nicholas Gomes-Risso, AJ Gomes, Isiah Allard, Nicholas Groppini, Michael Gattuso, as well as the size and route-running ability of Mathieu Houle.

 Both teams come into this matchup after winning relatively easy playoff opening victories, with the Silent Ticklers beating Mangoose, and Touch It Catch defeating the B-Raves. Second round of the post-season or not, this game will not be one-sided.

The Silent Ticklers won the first meeting against a short-handed Touch It Catch It squad. For as good as the former is, I think that the latter just has too many weapons on offense for their defense to contain all game long.

I am going with the upset special in this game.

Final Score: Touch It Catch It (34-32)

(5) Moretti Crime Family versus (6) BYOB – Tuesday @ Loyola 8PM

Previous Meetings:

BYOB (32-25) Week 1

Moretti Crime Family (38-33) Week 8

The first meeting feels like a lifetime ago, but it was an exciting contest that went down to the wire, as BYOB, pulled out the victory with a 45-yard touchdown by Sebastien Simon, with three plays left in the game. The loss for the Moretti Crime Family wasted a four TD outing from Joel Malkin. Although it was all the way back in Week 1, the question that still needs to be asked is, how do you lose when you get that many TDs from one player?

The rematch between both squads was interesting. At the half, BYOB held a (21-14) lead. In the second stanza, the Moretti Crime Family would double up their opponents, outscoring them (24-12). The thing that stands out is how the MCF did it. Instead of airing it out and going for fast scoring plays as BYOB elected to do for most of the contest, two of the team’s three offensive series were long and deliberate drives of eight and nine plays respectively, the last of which resulted in a game-winning TD by Rocco Christiano, with two plays left in the game. (Zach Zwirm also recorded a pick-six for MCF) Not only did both possessions result in touchdowns, but they killed time off the clock, and frustrated the opposing defense. In fairness to the MCF, they started using this method of attack to close out the first half, as an 8-play drive resulted in a trip to the endzone by Justin Lerner. That is the perfect combination of taking what the other team gives you, and playing smart football.

The Moretti Crime Family got to this point with a blowout (42-18) win over Brand New, that was highlight by three touchdowns by Receiver Joel Malkin, and a trio of interceptions by their defense led by Eddy Lee.

BYOB, advanced by knocking of Thor’s Hammer (34-33), in an upset victory that was a classic. Despite both teams combining for nearly 70 points, it was the winning s team’s defense that sealed the win for the underdogs.

For the Moretti Crime Family to get the win in this contest, Quarterback Joey Taylor will need to keep the BYOB defense guessing as to where he is going with the ball. This team has several playmakers at Receiver, in Malkin, Benevento, Gabriel Wisemen, Justin Lerner, Brandon Aylward, Zach Zwirm, and Rocco Christiano. If Taylor can find a way to get all of his options involved, there stands a good chance we could see MCF advancing.

For BYOB to advance, they will need to their defense to throw off the timing of the Joey Taylor’s offense. To do so, the BYOB defense will need to get physical within the rules, against the Moretti Crime Family Receivers, and allow Rusher Julien Paiement the extra second he will need to get to Taylor, as the QB likes to get the ball out of his hands quickly. In short, they will need to stop the long scoring drives that killed them a few weeks ago.

BYOB, will also need to be physical on the offensive side of the ball as well. When I say that, I don’t mean that Quarterback Mathieu René needs to air it out all game as he prefers to do. What I am saying, is that his Receivers have the size advantage over the MCF Defensive Backs, they need to use that when catching balls over the middle. For as good and as crafty as guys like Gab Wiseman, Zach Zwirm, and Dom Benevento are, they aren’t exactly the biggest guys, so Receivers like Mattey Ossom, Ryan Perry, Sebastien Simon, Mathieu Lepage, and Vincent Benjamin, need to use their size and strength advantage when going for ball and gaining seperations. This isn’t tackle football, but it is still football, and there are elements and a mindset that transition to flag.

When looking at these two teams, there are two potential matchups that have caught my eye. The first is Joel Malkin going up against Ryan Perry. Both players are fast, physical, have size, are not afraid to make a play, and the straw that stirs the drink for their respective squads. Both can stretch the field deep, or simply take a 5-yard slant to the house.

The other matchup I hope comes to fruition is Justin Lerner versus Mathieu Lepage. Both guys have wheels and can make plays down the field. I go back to Lepage’s Winter Season playoff championship run with KGP. That team doesn’t get to the Finals, let alone win it without his ability to take away the deep ball, as he was constantly on an island against The Apocalypse, Party Crashers and Terror Squad. Lerner, has shown throughout his FPF career that he has the speed to score from anywhere on the field, and has no problem taking defenders deep. The long bomb isn’t his QB’s specialty, but the BYOB defense will still have to respect it.  

I honestly feel this game could go either way. On the podcast a few weeks ago, I picked the Moretti Crime Family as my dark horse choice to win the championship. I am sticking with my pick.

Final Score: Moretti Crime Family (40-38)

Picks (favorites in bold)

Allstars vs The Apocalypse – Allstars

Party Crashers vs Braves – Braves

Touch It Catch It vs Silent Ticklers – Touch It Catch It (Upset Special)

Moretti Crime Family vs BYOB – Moretti Crime Family

Last Week: (2-3)

Regular Season: (39-19-3)

Playoffs: (2-3)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everybody in their playoff games. I am leaving for a mini vacation this afternoon, but I will be at Loyola on Tuesday to watch the Division B games. Sorry I couldn’t find a better cover picture for the article. I am trying to hit the gym, and come home and grab both a bite and a shower before I leave. I will do better next week, I promise. Have a great weekend!

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