Division A/B: Winless No More and Law of Averages Look Back

Welcome to Week 5 of the Flagplus Football Summer Season.

As the old saying goes, and then there was one. I am talking about none other than the Braves, who managed to stay undefeated with a (38-33) win over Khantraband Sunday night in Lachine, in a contest where both teams traded big plays and touchdowns all game long.

Leading the way for the Braves in the win, was Quarterback Jonathan Maheu, who threw for six touchdowns and 226 yards on 27 for 35 passing.

In last week’s matchups section, I talked about Alex Pilon taking on his brother Serge Pilon Jr. Both brothers made an impact, as they led their respective teams on both sides of the ball.  

In the affair, the latter Pilon recorded five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, while adding a game-high nine tackles on defense. The former Pilon however was even more impressive, as he led all players in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns with 11, 10, 79, and three respectively.

Fast-forwarding to the final drive for both teams, after Alex Pilon scored his second touchdown of the game to give the Braves a (32-26) lead, Khantraband had to march the field and reply.

Khantraband Quarterback Dan Lazzara would start off the possesion with bang, by hitting Serge Pilon Jr., for a 16-yard completion. His second pass of the series was intended for A.J Gomes, but it would be knocked away by Braves Defensive Back Guillaume Beland.

On second down, Lazzara would connect with Isiah Allard for a gain of 10 yards and a first down. The veteran QB would go back to Gomes again, this time for a 12-yard gain, putting the ball at their opponent’s two-yard line.

After an incomplete pass intended for Receiver Domenico Manno, Lazzara, would look for Gomes once more, and the pair would connect for a two-yard score. The Khantraband offense was also successful on the 1-point conversion, as Allard would score it, giving their team a (33-32) lead with just over two minutes to the five plays warning.

Now it was the Braves who were down to their last chance. Unfortunately for them, their drive did not start off as smoothly as their opponents, as they failed to complete a pass on their first three downs.

Now facing a do or die 4^th and long, Maheu, was able to connect on a strike to Jean-Daniel Chevalier for a 16-yard gain and a new set on downs. Chevalier, would have a strong outing on both sides as the ball as well, with seven catches for 64 yards, two touchdowns, and the game’s only interception.

With only five plays remaining in the contest, the Braves, would find themselves in the redzone, as Maheu would take off for a nine-yard scramble, and then on the very next play, he would hit Alex Pilon for a 10-yard gain with three plays remaining.

After back-to-back passes intended for Mike Pierrecin fell incomplete, both teams were facing the all-important final play of the game, with the ball at the Khantraband five-yard line.

On the final play the star of the game would strike again, as Maheu would find Alex Pilon for his third TD of the game. Final score (38-33) Braves. It was a fantastic ending to a game of the year candidate.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Khantraband. Luckily for them and for us, they face off with the Braves one more time in the regular season, Week 9, Sunday night August 22^nd in Lachine.

In last week’s article I talked about the law of averages. I specifically mentioned the Junkyard Dogs, BYOB, and KGP, and how their performances so far throughout the season, could predict how they would preform in their next game.

For KGP, after scoring 14, 32, and then 12 points through their first three games, the law of averages suggests that they would open the flood gates offensively in their game versus Get Off Our D. The law did not pass, as the KGP offense struggled for the second week in a row as they managed only one trip to the endzone, in what was an ugly (25-6) loss.

 KGP was at a disadvantage in the contest, as they were without starting Quarterback Phil Cutler. Despite his team’s up and down start to the season, the versatile Cutler is a dual-threat passer, who has tremendous chemistry with his Receivers.

Filing in for Cutler, was former Concordia Stinger Safety, and 2-time FPF All-Star Quaid Johnson. Although he is known more as a Receiver and Defensive Back in his time in FPF, he does have some experience playing the game’s most important position, as he played Quarterback for Lonzo Ballers in the both the Winter 2019 and 2020 season.

Unfortunately for Johnson and KGP, that previous QB experience did not really help them out, as the team was kept off the scoreboard in the first half and turned over the ball six times. Technically there was seventh turnover, as Johnson did intercept BYOB QB Mathieu René, just before halftime.

Looking ahead for KGP, whether they get back Cutler or not, they will need to get their act together quickly, as they take on Khantraband Sunday night in Lachine.   

Kudos to the BYOB defense that I talked about last week, as they continued their stellar play. Backup QB or not, holding a team to six points and their offense to less than 100 yards (93), is still impressive.

The law of averages held true for The Junkyard Dogs in last Sunday’s game against Here For The Beers. After scoring 33, 6, and 31 points respectively over their first three games of the season, JYD struggled to move the ball all game long against HFTB.

Here For The Beers Quarterback Sean Avraam, continued his dominance over Junkyard Dogs QB Jason Rossie in head-to-head matchups, as he had what by far was his best game of the season, throwing for 223 yards and five touchdowns on 17 for 23 passing. The HOF passer even looked like the Avraam of old, as he added a 14-yard run to the stat sheet.

Three of those touchdowns were caught by Wide Receiver Jordan Allard, who had another strong contest, finishing with seven catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns, along with two interceptions on defense, all of which were game highs.  

For JYD who were down (20-6) at halftime, they did wake up on both sides of the ball in the second stanza, as the defense held Here For The Beers to only two scores, and Rossie was able to ignite the offense at least temporarily with touchdown passes to Charles-Olivier Lavigne and Rory Semerjian, but it was too little too late, as the hole was just to big to dig out of for the Junkyard Dogs.

Currently sitting at (1-3), and with being consistently inconsistent as their biggest problem right now, JYD, must find a way to find some consistency as we approach the midpoint of the season. Luckily for Jason Rossie’s team, they get another crack at Here For The Beers, in two weeks at Lachine.

For Here For The Beers, it was a big first win of the season, as they were able to find at least some semblance of chemistry with their ever-changing roster.  Let’s see if Sean Avraam’s team can build off their momentous victory when they take on the Braves Monday night in Brossard.

Speaking of teams getting their first win of the season, congrats to Chernobyl – 21, on accomplishing the feat with a hard-fought (33-31) upset win (yes, I picked that one as well) over Urgence Médic.

This game can be looked at somewhat as a tale of two halves, as Urgence Médic jumped out to an early (18-6) lead via touchdowns by former McGill Receiver Joel Houle, Hall of Famer Patrick Jérome, and an interception returned for a TD by 2-Time FPF All-Star Alexis Gaumont. At the end of the first half, Urgence Médic, held a (24-12) edge.

Against a team as experienced, championship tested, and prone to feast on the mistakes of their opponents as Urgence Médic is, one would be right to assume that the game would be over.

For Chernobyl – 21 in the second half, they proved exactly why we play the game.

Offensively, Chernobyl – 21 Quarterback Patrick Chénard would start off their first drive of the second stanza by hitting Mathieu Thuot for a gain of seven yards. Two plays later, the pivot was able to connect with Matt Bond for 9 yards and a first down. One play after picking up five yards on a pass to Marc Rémillard, Chénard, would find Bond once again this time for 17 yards.

On the very next play, the Chénard and Thuot connection would strike once again but this time in the endzone on a 2-yard TD, cutting the Urgence Médic lead to (24-19).

Urgence Médic would answer right back eight plays later, as QB Jesse Dupuis, would connect on his second TD of the game to Joel Houle, to extend their team’s lead to (31-19).

After a pickup of seven yards by Trystan Firgues, and a gain of nine by Rémillard, Chénard, would hit Nicolas Arsenault-Hum for the Receiver’s second trip to the endzone of the evening, cutting the Urgence Médic lead back to five points (31-26).

As the saying goes, big players deliver big plays in big games, and that is exactly what Rémillard did, as the third-year player who is making his return to FPF this season after a nine-year hiatus, picked off Dupuis, and ran the INT back for a touchdown to give his team their first lead of the contest (33-31).

No stranger to comebacks, Dupuis, was looking to lead his team to yet another come from behind victory in his eventual Hall of Fame FPF career. The six-time All-Star and champion, would start off the ensuing drive with a 3-yard completion to Anthony Lapointe. On the next play, Dupuis found an opening and connected with Justin Lerner for 14 yards and a new set of downs.

Needing to stop the Urgence Médic offense to secure the win, and more importantly avoiding an (0-4) start to the campaign, Chernobyl – 21 needed to make a stand defensively.

After giving up a completion on a first down pass from Dupuis to Lapointe for a gain of six, the Chernobyl – 21 defense shut the door as they forced three straight incompletions, resulting in a turnover on downs. Chénard, would end the affair with a 16-yard run for a first down. Final score (33-31).

I mentioned just last week that Chernobyl – 21 was a talented team who was just a few plays away from having a drastically better record. This time out they finally made enough plays to secure their first win of the season. Hopefully they can build on this. Congrats guys!    

Matchups

Charles-Olivier Lavigne (Junkyard Dogs) versus Nicolas Arsenault-Hum (Chernobyl – 21)

The defensive MVP of the Junkyard Dogs defense going up against an FPF Hall of Famer, and one of the authors of his team’s upset victory over Urgence Médic. Who will win out?

Jad Aridi (Get Off Our D) versus Jonathan Grizzley (BYOB)

Two difference-makers on both sides of the ball, and players who are vital to their team’s success. Get Off Our D are trying to get back to .500, while BYOB is looking to keep pace with Urgence Médic, in Division B, ahead of their matchup next week. Which player will lead their team to a win?

Jordan Allard (Here For The Beers) versus Mike Pierrecin (Braves)

Allard has been on fire to start the season and is coming off a huge performance against the Junkyard Dogs (7 REC-128 yards-3TDs and 2 INTs). Led by Mike Pierrecin, the Braves defense is second in points allowed with 113 and tied for second in interceptions with four. Can Allard keep his stellar play going, or will the 3-time All-Star, and one of the leaders of the Braves defense in Pierrecin, shut him down?

Gabe D’Amico-Mazza (KGP) versus Domenico Manno (Khantraband)

As we talked about earlier, KGP has struggled offensively to say the least. Can the lowest scoring offense in Division A/B find any momentum as we approach mid-season? If they can, it will have to be on the shoulders of their best Receiver Gabe D’Amico-Mazza.

Looking at an offense that is firing on all cylinders, Khantraband, has a lot of big names in A.J Gomes, David Centomo, and Serge Pilon Jr. A player that flies under the radar but has come up with big plays especially in the redzone, is Domenico Manno. Can he continue to make an impact?

Patrick Jérome (All-Stars) versus Patrick Jérome (Urgence Médic)

Wait what? Just kidding.

In all seriousness, many assume Jérome will suit up for his Div. A team the All-Stars. But, what if he doesn’t? How would they replace him? Obviously if he does as expected, how will Urgence Médic make up for the production and big-play ability that Jérome brings to their offense?

Picks (favorites in bold)

All-Stars vs Urgence Medic – All-Stars

Khantraband vs KGP – Khantraband

Chernobyl – 21 vs Junkyard Dogs – Chernobyl – 21

Get Off Our D vs BYOB – Get Off Our D (Upset Special)

Here For The Beers vs Braves – Braves

Last Week: (5-0)

Upset Special: (2-1)

Regular Season: (10-3)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everybody in their games this weekend!

If you loved the article, hated it, or felt like there is something I left out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]