Division C: Change, Routine, Elite 8 Shake-Up, and Luke Cage

Welcome to Week 8 of the Division C FlagPlus Football season.

As the old saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Week 7 in Div. C, proved that was truer than ever.

Pushed to the brink once again, the Alpha-T’s, showed their championship pedigree, as they managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as their offense outlasted Omelette You Finish, in the second half, by scoring one more touchdown than their opponents, on the way to a (41-32) victory.

In last week’s Matchups section, I highlighted the Alexis Gaumont versus Jaime Ojeaha battle. Both players delivered for their respective teams and than some, as they combined for 4 catches for 104 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

The real standout performer of the game however, was Omelette You Finish Wide Receiver Justin Lerner, who finished with a game-high 6 receptions and 116 yards, along with 2 TDs, as he shredded the TAT’s defense all night long.

The difference for TAT’s, was the performance of their Quarterback Jesse Dupuis, and their defense.

While Dupuis, was outplayed stat-wise by his counterpart in Simon Dagenais, (194 yards and 4 TDs to 245 yards and 5 TDs) Dupuis, showed why he is the best dual-threat QB in Div. C, as in addition to throwing for 4 TDs, he also ran for one, and added a sixth score via a pick-6 off of Dagenais.

While I did mention the solid night by Lerner, the TAT defense, still played well. Besides the aforementioned defensive touchdown, the group also shutdown Receiver Justin Blanchard, as they held him to a season-low 1 catch for 10 yards. Coming into the contest, the 2-time All-Star, had 15 receptions for 181 yards, and 4 TDs in his last 3 games alone.

Up next for The Alpha-T’s, as they look to keep their perfect record alive, is a matchup with the Backyard Bullies, Monday night at Stade de Montreal.

For Omelette You Finish, it was a tough loss, and their third of the season by less than 10 points. Currently sitting in 7th place in Conference A, they have a big matchup this coming Monday, when they face the Vikings, who are in the eight spot, and only two points back.

The Mountain Lions, made it five wins in a row, as they dismantled Moist, (37-12), Monday night at Stade de Montreal.

One week after filling in for an absent Jake Applebaum at Quarterback, and leading his team to victory versus the Vikings, Andrew Langburt, returned to his normal role as a Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. The move was also successful, as the Mountain Lions beat Moist, (37-12).

In addition to catching a team-high 4 passes for 28 yards, Langburt, had 4 tackles, 3 pass knockdowns, and an interception.

Also coming up big in the game for the Lions, was Adam Rockman, and Zack Goldstein.

Rockman, who has at least one touchdown in all but one game this season, continued to be a scoring machine, as he registered a team-high 56 yards, and 2 touchdowns on 4 receptions.

Goldstein, was even more impressive, as he recorded 3 catches for 24 yards, and 2 TDs of his own, but also added 3 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup on the other side of the ball.

While some critics might feel that they are being helped by a somewhat less than stellar schedule, the fact remains that the Mountain Lions, have won five games in a row, and are playing their best football of the season right now.

Up next, is a matchup against an offensively challenged Lobster Dinner squad, this Tuesday in Brossard, followed by games against Omelette You Finish, and the Dirty Dawgs to close out the regular season. On paper, the Mountain Lions, should win all three, but upsets always happen, and more importantly, this is why we play, right?

For Moist, it’s another week, and yet another loss. While the team got solid two-way efforts out of players like Terry Tam, and Giovanni Lanni, and a lesson in toughness from Quarterback Matt Kirouac, who despite playing the last few games with a serious lower body injury, is still gutting it out.

Unfortunately, despite all that, this team is still winless, and is running out of time to find their first victory of the year. The team’s best chance at avoiding a Browns-like finish (sorry guys, but I had to), is this Monday night in at Stade de Montreal, when they take on Lights Out.

 

If Moist can find a way to not turnover the ball, force QB Drew Keiller into bad throws, and figure out how to contain Jamal Gittens, (easier said than done), they have a good chance. Let’s see what happens.

As it relates to change, and upsets, The Commission, tasted their first loss of the season, as they fell (50-36) to Blue Chips, in a contest that severely impacted the Conference B playoff standings.

Full credit to the Blue Chips offense, which feasted on a TC defense that was missing starters in Eddy Lee, and Kenny Boutilier, as the 50 points scored, was the most the team has given up since the 2016 Spring Season, when they gave up 43 points to the Eskimo Brothers.

The Jordan Mitchell versus Zackary Alberts-Gill, that I looked at last week, was won by well, Mitchell, as both Jordan, and Marcus Mitchell, rotated at Quarterback throughout the game, in an attempt to ware down the All-Star Rusher.

The smart ploy by Blue Chips worked, as both passers combined for 7 touchdowns via the pass, one on the run, and connected on passes with 9 different receivers, including themselves.

Due to the solid win by Blue Chips, they leapfrogged both The Commission, and Jagerbomb for 1st place in Conference B, while the loss dropped TC, from first to third.

For The Commission, the loss stings, as they wanted to finish the regular undefeated. It should also serve as a wake-up call to the team, that the path to the Div. C title, assuming they even get there, will not be an easy one.

The Commission, will look to get back on track, this Wednesday, when they take on a better than their (1-6) record suggests, Broccasion squad, in Saint-Laurent.

Up next for Blue Chips, is another tough game, as they take on a very strong Junkyard Dogs team, who is fighting for the top spot in Conference A, this Wednesday, in Saint-Laurent as well. The team showed they are championship material by knocking off a Div. C heavyweight, let’s see if they can do it again.

The theme of change continues, as for the first time in 5 weeks, the Backyard Bullies, were defeated, as they lost (38-33), in a shootout against the aforementioned Junkyard Dogs.

Both Quarterbacks, in Jason Rossie (JYD), and Rich Humes (BYB), had really good games, as they combined for 11 touchdowns, and only 7 incompletions. Wow.

As far as the running game was concerned, Rossie, took a page from the book of Humes, as despite coming into the game with only 7 rushes for 41 yards, the FPF veteran, ran the ball 5 times for 47 yards, and a touchdown as well.

Humes, on the other hand, who came into the matchup averaging 8 yards a rush, on 10 carries for 80 yards, was limited to a season-low 2 yards rushing.

Besides scoring one more touchdown than their opponents, the Junkyard Dogs, who trialled (20-19) at the half, rallied defensively as they held the high-scoring Bullies offense, to just 13 second-half points.

While the Bullies, were missing their best two-way player in Alex Moreau, full credit should still go to Junkyard Dogs, for slowing down a team, and an offense that had been performing like one of the hottest in FPF, over the last month.

As mentioned earlier, the Junkyard Dogs, have a chance to continue their stellar play, when they meet Blue Chips on Wednesday night, in what should be a fantastic game.

The Backyard Bullies, will attempt to start another win streak, but it won’t be easy, as they lock horns with the undefeated The Alpha-T’s, this Monday at Stade de Montreal, in what will most likely be a thriller.

TOPSZN, was also the victim of an upset, (although only minor) as they were beat (32-28), by Jagerbomb.

This game was the classic tale of two halves, as one team started off hot, while the other was asleep at the wheel in the first half, only to see the second squad wake up and turn on the engine in the second half. In this case, the first team was Jagerbomb.

Unlike last week where they came out flat against The Commission, Jagerbomb, came out dropping bombs (yeah, I need to stop) on TOPSZN, as Quarterback Simon Duchesne, threw touchdown passes to three different receivers.

The Jagerbomb defense was just as impressive, as they held the highest scoring offense in Div. C, to a season-low 6 first half points. They even got a touchdown of their own, via a Cédric Nuckle pick six.

Rusher Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, also had a phenomenal game, as he picked up 2 sacks, and limited TOPSZN Quarterback Jarryd Taylor, to just 22 yards on 4 rushing attempts. More importantly, he kept Taylor, from being able to extend plays with his legs, to buy time for his receivers to get open all night long, as the QB was barely able to complete more than half his passes (19 of 32).

 

TOPSZN, responded in the second half, as they out-scored their opponents (22-12). Two-way player Kevin Donnet, led the charge, as he had a game-high 9 receptions for 58 yards, and 2 touchdowns, to go along with a sack, interception, and pass breakup. Unfortunately, for Donnett, and his team, their comeback fell just short, as they couldn’t recover from their early struggles.

For Jagerbomb, it was the perfect way to respond, after getting beaten by The Commission the week before. The win, also helped them stay in the running for first place in Conference B. The team has a chance to build on their momentum, when they face Les Montagnards, Monday night in Brossard.

 

For TOPSZN, the loss kept them in fourth place in Conference B, one game back of The Commission, Jagerbomb, and Blue Chips. First place is still a possibility, but they must finish with a better record than TC, and Jagerbomb. TOPSZN, does however hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Blue Chips, due to their (36-26) win over them in Week 3.

First thing is first however, as TOPSZN, will have to get past a scrappy Braves U team, Tuesday night in Brossard.

 

Matchups

 

Shawn Bant (Omelette You Finish) versus Philippe Kotrbaty (Vikings)

 

With 26 catches, for 373 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 14 yards per catch, Kotrbaty, has more then placed his name in the running for Receiver of the Year.

Currently sitting fifth in touchdowns among WRs, the 8-year veteran, and 3-time All-Star, will probably have to average at least 2 TDs, a game, to ensure he gets the award.

Standing in his way this week, is Shawn Bant. The Omelette You Break Defensive Back, is second on his team in interceptions and tackles, with 3 and 13 respectively.

As I mentioned earlier, both teams are only separated by two points in the Conference A standings, so needless to say, the game, and this potential matchup, looms large.

 

 

Hendrick Ambroise (Lobster Dinner) versus Adam Rockman (Mountain Lions)

 

Lobster Dinner, currently sits 9th in Conference A, one point behind the Vikings for the 8th and final playoff spot.

The team’s main problem is their offense. Not only have they only scored 113 points, and average 16 points a game, which is a Div. C low for both categories, they have scored just 12 points in four out of their last five contests.

Despite their (1-5-1) record, and struggling offense, Lobster Dinner has the 3rd ranked defense in points allowed, with 150. Simply put, if the team wants to make the playoffs, they will need to become like the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, and let their D lead the way.

To do that, they will need their best defender, in Hendrick Ambroise, to turn into Ed Reed, and shut down the Mountain Lions best Wide Receiver. Getting a couple of Reed style INTs to give the Lobster Dinner offense more opportunities to score, would be great too.

With 23 catches, for 333 yards, and 9 TDs (all team-leading) that title of the Mountain Loins best receiver, falls on the shoulders of Adam Rockman.

Ambroiae, and the rest of his teammates, will have to find a way to shut him down. No one said the task would be easy. Good luck.

 

 

Dave Chitayat (Dirty Dawgs) versus Vinny Gualano (BearSkins)

 

Arguably the two best Wide Receivers will be going head-to-head Monday night in Brossard, when the Dirty Dawgs, face the BearSkins.

To no one’s surprise, both players are the key to what their teams do offensively. They each have surpassed the 30 catch and 500 yard receiving mark (33 for 510 yards – Gualano), and (34 for 560 – Chitayat). All together, they reached the end zone, a staggering 31 times. To put that in its proper perspective, just counting offensive touchdowns, both teams have scored a combined 396 points. Chitayat, and Gualano, have accounted for 186 of those points. Nearly half. Wow.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Dirty Dawgs, need the win to distance themselves from the 7th and 8th place Omelette You Finish, and Vikings, and put them in a potential tie with the fifth place Backyard Bullies.

A win for the BearSkins, would all but surely guarantee them a top 4 finish in Conference A, baring a collapse during the final two weeks, and it also could allow them to leapfrog over the Mountain Lions, and Junkyard Dogs for second, and put them one game behind first place The Alpha-T’s, provided all three of those squads lose this week.

 

 

Elite 8

 

 

1. The Alpha-T’s (Last Week: 2nd)

2. Blue Chips (Last Week: 7th)

3. Jagerbomb (Last Week: 4th)

4. Junkyard Dogs (Last Week: 6th)

 

5. Mountain Lions (Last Week: 5th)

6. The Commission (Last Week: 1st)

7. TOPSZN (Last Week: 3rd)

8. BearSkins (Last Week: Not Ranked)

 

 

Picks

 

 

Friends in Low Places vs Game Changers – Friends in Low Places

BearSkins vs Dirty Dawgs – Dirty Dawgs – (Upset Special #1)

Lights Out vs Moist – Lights Out

The Alpha-T’s vs Backyard Bullies – The Alpha-T’s (My pick for Game of the Week #1)

Jagerbomb vs Les Montagnards – Jagerbomb

Vikings vs Omelette You Finish – Vikings (Upset Special #2)

TOPSZN vs Braves U – TOPSZN

 

Mountain Lions vs Lobster Dinmer – Mountain Lions 

Blue Chips – Junkyard Dogs – Junkyard Dogs (My pick for Game of the Week #2)

 

Keyport Lock vs Strangers – Keyport Lock

The Commission vs Broccasion – N/A

 

Last Week: (3-7)

 

Season: (33-25-1)

 

 

That’s it for this week. With two more weeks to go after this week’s slate of games, in the next article, I will look at each teams remaining schedule, and the chances everybody has at making the post-season, what they have to do to qualify 100%, or if the shoe fits, how they can play the playoff spoiler.

On a total non FPF note, I just finished Season 2 of Luke Cage, and I have to say it was amazing. In fact, it was even better than Season 1. I don’t want to give any spoilers for those that haven’t seen it yet, but the action, story, music, and writing was well done, and thankfully, there are no lame Power Ranger themed suits, like the one Diamondback rocked last season. I don’t know who gave that the greenlight, but they should’ve been fired immediately.

 

While it was far from perfect, I honestly thought that not only did Season 1 pick up from where Season 2 left off, but they were also able to keep it fresh, by introducing a new villain, tying him into the old characters, and showing how Luke Cage, and everybody has evolved since the last time we saw them all. If you have a chance, check it out during the long weekend.

 

Speaking of which, enjoy the Canada Day long weekend. Be safe, grab a beer, or whatever drink you prefer, to keep you cool over the next few days.

 

Also, if you’re a sports junkie like me, get ready for NBA and NHL free agency. It’s not the NFL, but I am still excited.

 

Good luck to everybody in their games this week.

 

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, feel free to reach me on Twitter @BADNEWSB51, or by e-mail at [email protected]