Division B: Quarter-Finals Playoff Preview

After nearly three months of action, we have finally arrived at the real season. Welcome to the FlagPlus Football Division B playoffs.

This is the greatest time of the year. The regular season is the tune-up, and the playoffs are what we all play for. The next three weeks will be full of action, excitement, heartbreak, and great football. Let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Here is your Quarter-Finals playoff preview:

(1) Beers and Brownies versus (8) Mangoose

Previous Meeting: Beers and Brownies (53-48) Week 6

In the previous game both Quarterbacks put on a show as Nicolas Schaefer and (Iggy) Ignacio Valdes Manzanedo, combined to throw 15 for touchdowns. The only negative was that they also each threw three interceptions.

Receivers feasted in this game, as nine different pass-catchers scored at least one touchdown. Leading the way was Mangoose’s dynamic duo of Marvin Steinberg and Thomas Coutu, as they scored three TDs apiece. Beers and Brownies countered with the combo of AJ Gomes and Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne, who both reached the endzone twice.

The 101 points scored was the highest scoring game in Division B, but that didn’t mean that the defences took the night off, as Steinberg recorded two interceptions, while his teammate Olivier Suri notched one. For Beers and Brownies, Jeremy Augustin registered three sacks, and Dabe Champagne, ran back an INT on a 2-point conversion for the score.

When you look past the individual stats, this game was a tale of two halves. Beers and Brownies jumped out to a (38-12) lead at halftime, only to be outscored (36-15) in the second stanza.

Coming into the playoffs, Beers and Brownies have won two in a row and five out of their last six games. To get the win in the rematch, they will have to avoid a second half let down as well as mistakes via interceptions, as that almost caused them to lose the previous game.

For Mangoose to get revenge and advance, they clearly need to show up in the first half of the game, but just as important, they will need to perform better on conversions, as they went a jaw-dropping 0 for 7 on extra point attempts. For a team that scored the most points in the division, I have a hard time believing they will be shutout in that area a second straight time.

Regardless of seeding, these are two good teams, and I expect another thriller Tuesday night.

Prediction: Mangoose (48-44)

(2) Poseidon’s Kiss versus (7) Silent Ticklers

Previous Meeting: Silent Ticklers (44-18) Week 7

This is somewhat of a rematch of the Division B Finals from last year, as Silent Ticklers took on the Moretti Crime Family, in a game that saw the latter walk away easily with the Div. B trophy. The only real difference in this meeting is a different name and starting Quarterback for Poseidon’s Kiss. That QB is Rocco Christiano. The dual-threat pivot has a dangerous offense and isn’t afraid to air it out all game long. In the previous meeting however, Poseidon’s Kiss had only five players in the lineup. To make matters worse, Receiver Juwan Edghill, sprained his ankle early in the game rendering his mostly ineffective the rest of the way.

The Silent Ticklers took full advantage of the situation, as they roared to a (22-6) lead at the half, and then put up another 22 points in the second stanza, to 12 for their opponents.

The Silent Ticklers had a different QB of their own for the game, in Paul Lapierre, as regular starter Jordan Panetta was out due to an upper body injury. Lapierre, who was only making his second start of the year with the team looked like he had been playing the whole season, as he threw six touchdown passes. Receiver Daniel Mancini had a monster performance with six catches for 107 yards and a game-high three touchdowns.

Poseidon’s Kiss is now healthy, and they come into Tuesday’s rematch winners of two straight, and three of their last four overall. To keep up their winning ways, this team must protect the ball, as besides being intercepted twice in the previous showdown, Christiano has tossed five INTs in his last three games, and at least two in three of his last five contests overall.

The Silent Ticklers come into the matchup fresh off a (48-18) blowout loss to Blessed, and two losses in their last four games overall. To complete the sweep and pull off the upset, the Silent Ticklers must find consistency on offense. Jordan Panetta is back behind Snapper. In his two games since returning from injury, he looked fantastic against Mangoose, as he threw eight touchdowns, and his team scored a season-high 56 points, but then only managed three TDs verses Blessed. Going back even further then that with Lapierre, this squad put up 39 points in a 1-point loss to Ambush, but then only managed only 20 points against the non-playoff Beer Belly Brigade. The Ticklers have talented playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but they will need to show up Tuesday night if the team wants to have any shot at winning.

I think this will be a much different affair than last time, as both teams appear to be healthy. I see a change in the result as well.

Prediction; Poseidon’s Kiss (35-28)

(3) Blessed versus (6) B-Raves

Previous Meeting: B-Raves (37-34) Week 1

The first meeting feels like a lifetime ago, as it took place at the beginning of May. That showdown was an exciting contest that came down to the final moments. After Blessed scored a touchdown to take a (34-29) lead, the B-Raves had one last chance to win the game.  

After a nine-yard pass from Quarterback Jonathan Maheu to Guillaume Ranger to start the drive, the Blessed defense forced two straight incompletions forcing a huge 4^th and 1. The B-Raves were able to convert, as Maheu would connect with William Paquette for a 23-yard gain to extend the series. On the very next play, the QB would hit HOF Snapper Mike Pierrecin for an eight-yard TD to put their team ahead (37-34) with one play remaining.

Blessed had one final opportunity to pull out the victory, but a 25-yard from Will Power to James Langshaw did not find its way to the endzone, sealing the win for the B-Raves.

After a blowout loss to Ambush on Week 4, Blessed, has responded by winning 5 out of their next six games. Theu along with Run It Once are the only teams to beat the first place Beers and Brownies. The key to their success, has ben their ability to adapt to what their opponents do on both sides of the ball, and the team’s overall diverse style of play. The latter has showed itself in their ability to beat teams via blowout, and in close contests.

For Blessed to get the win, they will need to utilize that diversity, and use their skill at Receiver to try and create mismatches when they are on offense. One key is the presence of Phil Pharand. He knows the B-Raves’ strengths and weaknesses as he plays with the Braves in Division A and is a vital part of the success of Blessed, as he is their leading Receiver. Quarterback Stephen Harripersaud must avoid turnovers, as he threw two interceptions in the first meeting. Giving Jonathan Maheu extra series on offense is always a recipe for disaster.

The B-Raves come into Tuesday’s showdown going (3-2) over the second half of the season. Their two losses were against Beers and Brownies and Run It Once, while the team’s three wins came over Ambush, EZW, and the Beer Belly Brigade to close out the regular season last Sunday. One impressive victory, and two that they were expected to win.

For the B-Raves to get the win, they will need their defense to make some splash plays as they did in Week 1. In that contest, Isaac Paquette recorded three sacks, and Guillaume Ranger returned a Harripersaud interception to the house. Unfortunately for this team, Paquette will not be n the lineup, as he is ineligible for the playoffs, so the team will need their veteran playmakers in Mike Pierrecin, William Paquette, or Emile Chateauvert to force a turnover. Perhaps we see Maaheu chip in a Safety.

The first match went down to the wire. There is no doubt who the better team is here, but I think the rematch will see another close affair.

Prediction: Blessed (33-32)

(4) Run It Once versus (5) Ambush

Previous Meeting: Ambush (21-20) Week 2

This was a low-scoring affair to say the least, as both teams recorded their lowest offensive outputs of the regular season. Both Quarterbacks threw three touchdown passes and an interception. Ambush’s top Receiver in the game was former Concordia Stinger James Ohayon, who was the epitome of efficient, as he had a trio of touchdowns on three catches for 62 yards. His last TD clinched the game for Ambush. On the other side of the ball, he led all players with six tackles and two pass deflections.

Unfortunately for Ambush, Ohayon won’t be in their lineup as he didn’t play enough games to qualify for the playoffs. Luckily for them however, they will have both Sean and Rory Semerjian, who both missed the previous game due to suspension.

Ambush is like an enigma. They can match talent with any team in the division. They have shown that both their offense and defense can light up the scoreboard, and the latter can also generate stops, as they rank fourth in points allowed.

What troubles me about them is that while they have big wins over Run It Once, Blessed, and the B-Raves in the first half of the season, their second half performance is a little less than inspiring, as they have losses to the very same B-Raves, as well as Mangoose, and Poseidon’s Kiss. Their wins came against the Silent Ticklers and Beer Belly Brigade, in contests that they are expected to win.

Run It Once comes into the game winners of three in a row, and four out of their last five games overall. Looking at their entire schedule, this team has signature wins over the B-Raves, Beers and Brownies, and Mangoose last Sunday night to close out the regular season.

Just like their opponents however, Run It Once is perplexing. They had a 1-point win over EZW two weeks ago, and they have two losses versus Blessed, and another against Poseidon’s Kiss. This leads to the question of whether their victory over Beers and Brownies was a one off, or are Run It Once true contenders?

One of the biggest matchups in this game will be Quarterback Ben McMahon going up against Rusher Francois Hogue. Each player is blessed with speed and the ability to change directions on a dime. Hogue was kept off the stat-sheet in the first game, will we see a repeat on Tuesday?

This is the toughest matchup to predict because both teams are so close. Each side has a loaded roster. I think that the rematch won’t be a defensive slugfest like last time. Jeff Rosenblatt and Ben McMahon are stand-up guys, and good Quarterbacks. The duo has playoff demons that they are looking to exercise. Which QB will be able to do it and help their squad advance? I think it will be Ambush.

Picks

Beers and Brownies vs Mangoose – Mangoose (Upset Special)

Poseidon’s Kiss vs Silent Ticklers – Poseidon’s Kiss

Blessed vs B-Raves – Blessed (My pick for Game of the Week)

Ambush vs Run It Once – Ambush

Last Week: (1-1)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games on Tuesday. I had a game tonight in Brossard, and it’s the reason why I didn’t finish the article before midnight. My team held a big lead in the first half, and then hung on for a tough 3-point win. I didn’t play in the Winter Season or the FPF Cup, so it was my first taste of post-season football since last summer. The intensity, fun, and rollercoaster of emotions of the playoffs is something I missed. It feels great to be back and playing in the real season.

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.