Division C: Mid-Season Report

Welcome to Part 1 of the Division C Mid-Season Report. With almost every team having played five games, now is the perfect time to do this. Since 25 is an odd number, I will do 12 teams this week, and the remaining 13 the week after.

Don’t look for grades, as this is not a report card, but rather a midseason report that looks at where teams are, what they’ve done, and what I think they will do the second half of the season.

Here we go…

Les Petites Carottes (6-0)

Their schedule to start the season has been anything but tough, but a win is a win, and Les Petites Carottes sit undefeated through six games.

Looking at their wins, four have been one-score games, while two others have been dominant. The team’s defense has played a huge role in their success, as they have allowed 30 points in just once this year, while the unit is giving up an average of 23 points a game.

The team’s remaining schedule features three games that will test their ability to keep zero in the loss column, as they take on Backfield Penetration, Rico Ryders, and Jagerbomb, before closing out the regular season against Never Overtime. Let’s see what happens.

Team MVP:  Xavier Brault – He leads the team with interceptions (5), defensive touchdowns (2), and is second in receiving TDs (5).

Prediction: (8-2)

Jagerbomb (6-0)

Looking at their schedule so far, Jagerbomb has handled their business against the weaker teams, and were able to gut out victories against tougher ones in Backfield Penetration and Pacemakers, who they beat by a combined seven points.

As they look to keep their perfect record intact, their four remaining games fall into the latter category, as they will be taking on Bleue Dry, Les Petites Carottes, Trapstars, and Rico Ryders. Can this veteran squad keep the wins coming?

Team MVP: Jean-Felix Daloze and Simon Duchesne – I know I am only supposed to pick one, but I couldn’t leave one off with a clear conscience. Daloze, has been phenomenal this year, as he is third in receptions (28), second in yards (353) and first in touchdowns with 15. He also leads his team with four interceptions and two TDs on defense.

Duchesne leads all Quarterbacks with 35 touchdown passes, and in QB Rating with a 130.3 QBR. His completion percentage 75.3% is good for second in the division. See what I mean?

Prediction (9-1)

Rico Ryders (3-2)

Through the first two weeks of the season, they looked like a juggernaut as they demolished both Mengoose and the Killer Rays, while beating them by a combined score of (78-24). They followed it up with a tough three-point loss to the West Island Boys, in what was the Rico Ryder’s first real test of the season.

They followed that up with a tough six-point victory over a 1-win Never Overtime team, as they scored a game-winning TD by Peter Abbandonato with five plays left in the contest. Instead of building off that momentum however, they turned around and got smoked (46-32) by Trinity two days later.

They’re remaining games see them face three tough opponents in Win Diesel, Les Petites Carottes, and Jagerbomb, and two easier ones in Team Ruthless and the Nighthawks. Can the Rico Ryders get back on track?

Team MVP: Greg Kritselas – He leads his squad in targets and receptions with 23 and 27 respectively. He is also tied for the team lead in interceptions with two and is first with 18 tackles and four pass deflections.

Prediction: (6-4)

Mengoose (1-4)

Their upset win over Trinity has been the only bright so far this season for this mostly veteran squad, as three out of their four losses have been by blowout.

Turnovers have been the Achilles Heel of this team, as since taking over at Quarterback during the 2023 Winter Season, Felix-Antoine Lavigne, has thrown 70 interceptions. So far through five games, he has already tossed 11, which averages out to more than two a game.

On the other side of the ball this team just can’t get stops. They have recorded only two interceptions, both by Oliver Turcot, and a combined five sacks by three different players.

Their remaining schedule is on the lighter side, as the only teams they face with a winning record are the West Island Boys and Bleue Dry. Can Mengoose go on a second half run?

Team MVP: Charles Fontaine – He has been the lone standout player offensively, as he leads the team with four touchdowns. On defense, the nine-year vet is tied for first in tackles with 11 to go along with one pass deflection.

Prediction: (3-7)

Team Ruthless (0-5)

The rookie squad is bleeding points on defense as they give up 40 points a game and struggling to put them on the board on offense with only 75 scored. That is not a recipe for success.

Except for their five-point loss to WAREHOUSE, all their other losses have come via blowout.

The second half of the season starts for Team Ruthless today with a showdown against the Rico Ryders. That game along with contests against Fins Up in Week 8 and the Big Fat Bats in Week 10 look like losses.

Not everything is bleak however, as games versus the Nighthawks in Week 7 and Mengoose in Week 9, on paper, could be winnable games.

Team MVP: Tommaso Deangelis – He leads the team with tackles and sacks with 12 and one respectively. On offense, he is second in touchdowns (2), receptions (17), and targets (23).

Prediction: (1-9)

Friends with Danny (4-2)

They followed a gutsy comeback win over The Commission last Sunday, where they scored the game-winning touchdown with six plays left, with a (52-18) blowout win over the Trapstars two nights later. The two wins give the team three victories in their last four games. They enter the second half of the season playing their best ball of the year.

The key to their success has been the play and presence of Quarterback Jared Buck. When he plays, the team is (4-0). The veteran QB has 24 touchdown passes and only two interceptions while completing nearly 65% of his passes.

With four games remaining, Danny with Friends has a chance to continue climbing the standings. Two of those matchups are versus Backfield Penetration and the Pacemakers, while the others are against the Killer Rays and Team Ethnik. They should win at least two of those games.

Team MVP: Jared Buck – The team is undefeated when he plays, and the offense goes from averaging nearly 40 points a game (39.5) to 24 PPG.

Prediction: (6-4)

Trinity (2-4)

The team is coming off a huge (46-32) victory over the Rico Ryders, which snapped a three-game losing streak for Trinity. Quarterback Jean-Félix Marquis was outstanding in the win, as he went a perfect 11 of 11 for 182 yards and five touchdowns in a vintage performance.

Looking at their remaining schedule, Trinity has a chance to extend their winning ways as they have WAREHOUSE, Never Overtime, The Commission, and Les Renards Vifs on tap to close out the regular season. Can this veteran squad maintain their momentum?

Team MVP: Luis Begin – In his first year with Trinity, Begin, has brought his trademark speed, physicality, and playmaking to the team on both sides of the ball, which has helped him record eight total touchdowns.

Prediction: (5-5)

Team Ethnik (1-4)

Another veteran squad who is struggling to find their way this season, Team Ethnik’s, calling card under Captain David De Andrade has been their defense. Unfortunately, the unit has been the biggest source of the team’s problems.

The team’s offense has been even worse, as they have reached the 20-point plateau only twice this season.

Focusing on the positive, Team Ethnik still has a chance to turn their season around, as they close out the regular season with games against Trapstars, Backfield Penetration, Air Laval, and Killer Rays. Can this team reverse its fortunes?

Team MVP: Afdaal Martin – His impact on both sides of the ball is what is keeping the team afloat, as the veteran leads his team in touchdowns with four and is second in interceptions with one.

Prediction: (2-8)

Never Overtime (1-4)

This is basically the same team that played in Tier 1 of the FPF Cup as they bring back the dynamic playmaking duo of Rhami Aboud and Mack Dessources, along with Quarterback Ryan Kharouf. Unfortunately, the continuity hasn’t led to many wins, as their only victory of the season came two weeks ago versus the winless Killer Rays.

The second half the season starts next Sunday versus the Big Fat Bats, followed by games against Trinity, WAREHOUSE, The Penetrators, and Les Petites Carottes. Let’s see if Never Overtime can add to their win total.

Team MVP: Rhami Aboud – He leads the team in targets, receptions, and touchdowns, and he has only played three games. If this team wants to make a playoff push, it will start with the play of their best player.

Prediction: (2-8)

WAREHOUSE (1-5)

Led by veteran Sanders Armand and predominantly a bunch of first and second-year players, this team is struggling to find consistency and their footing this season due to a constantly changing roster. To put it in perspective, if the playoffs started today, the team would only have to forfeit as they would only have four eligible players.

Their one win came against Team Ruthless in Week 1. After blowout losses to Idaho Udapimps and Big Fat Bats, WAREHOUSE, has looked better in recently, as they battled hard in a pair of one possession losses to both Bleue Dry and Win Diesel the last two weeks.

 Before they wrap up the regular season, WAREHOUSE, has a chance to add more wins to their record as they finish with games against Trinity, The Commission, Never Overtime, and Fins Up. Can their improved play translate into wins? We shall see.

Team MVP: Olivier St-Onge – He needs to cut down on his interceptions (10), but a number of those can be attributed to the fact that he is throwing to a plethora of different Receivers almost weekly.

Prediction: (1-9)  

Les Renards Vifs (3-2)

Their losses to Backfield Penetration and Pacemakers were one-possession games, while their three wins against Never Overtime, Fins Up, and Mengoose were lopsided. This tells you that this is a good team.

The second half of their schedule is tough, and it begins this Tuesday with their toughest game of the season, as they take on Idaho Udapimps. That is followed by contests against The Penetrators, Air Laval, West Island Boys, and Trinity. That is not exactly a walk in the park.

This team is fast and deep, and they have chemistry as well as great field awareness. Will all of that be enough to carry them to the post-season?

Team MVP: Jacob Salvail – The diminutive passer has been one of the top Quarterbacks in Division C. His 29 touchdown passes, 75.4% percentage, and 128.7 QB Rating place him in the top three at the position.

Prediction: (6-4)

Fins Up (4-2)

Except for the consecutive victories they earned over Air Laval and The Commission in Weeks 3 and 4, Fins Up, have alternated wins and losses every other week. Finding a bit more positive consistency in the wins department will be key over the second half of the season.

The four games left on their docket are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum for Will Power’s team, as they have a chance to pad their stats against WAREHOUSE and Team Ruthless, but also take on heavyweight contenders in Idaho Udapimps and Win Diesel, in what should be two exciting games. Can Fins Up take over the top spot in the division?

Team MVP: James Langshaw – For as good as Will Power has looked at Quarterback, James Langshaw has been a big reason why, as the speedster already has 10 touchdowns, due to his superb route-running and ability to create separation. On defense he has been just as impactful, as he leads his team with five interceptions.

Prediction: (7-3)  

Picks

Team Ruthless vs Rico Ryders – Rico Ryders

Fins Up vs Win Diesel – Fins Up

West Island Boys vs Mengoose – West Island Boys

Trapstars vs Team Ethnik – Team Ethnik

 Les Petites Carottes vs Backfield Penetration – Backfield Penetration (Upset Special #1)

WAREHOUSE vs Trinity – Trinity

Win Diesel vs Rico Ryders – Rico Ryders (Upset Special #2)

Idaho Udapimps vs Les Renards Vifs (My pick for Game of the Week)

Big Fat Bats vs Bleue Dry – Bleue Dry (Upset Special #3)

The Commission vs Trapstars – The Commission

Pacemakers vs Friends with Danny – Pacemakers

The Penetrators vs Big Fat Bats –Bat Fat Bats

Nighthawks vs West Island Boys – West Island Boys

Last Week: (10-2)

Regular Season: (36-12-1)

Upset Special: (4-4)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games this morning and this week!

Enjoy the great weather coming up this week, it will be a scorcher!

I posted some clips on my IG of an interview I did last week on my podcast called The 514 Show, with the new Owner and bossman at FPF in Jeff Rosenblatt. We talked about his vision of FPF, what the change in ownership will mean for everyone, and what new and exciting things he has planned for the league, along with many other topics. I will be posting the whole interview up on Spotify, as well as Amazon Music and Apple Music before the month is out. I will give you the exact date in next week’s article.

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.