Division C: Quarter-Finals Preview

Welcome to the Quarter-Final Round of the FlagPlus Football Spring Season Playoffs.

After an action packed first round of the playoffs, we are now down to the elite eight, as four teams from each conference remain.

The first night of the playoffs saw defense rise to the occasion, as a total of nine interceptions were thrown across four games, with four of them being returned for touchdowns. In case you were wondering, each team that recorded a pick six, won their respective game.

That’s the funny thing about football, and especially FPF, a lot of teams worry about scoring points, and adding difference makers on offense, and rightfully so. But at the end of the day, stopping the other team from scoring is how you win games at any level of this amazing sport, as Jagerbomb, Dream Breakers, Pineapple Express, and KGP, were able to prove.

Quarter-Finals Preview

 

Conference A

 

(1) Easy-Jake-Oven versus (6) KGP

Previous Meeting: Easy-Jake-Oven (26-6) Week 5

Although a win is a win, there should be an asterisks beside the Week 5 victory for Easy-Jake-Oven, as KGP, was without their starting Quarterback, in Phil Cutler.

Filling in for him was Adam Browman, a Receiver from the Bruthers in Division 5A, who at that point, had thrown 134 career passes, to go along with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Although it didn’t go horrible for well for Browman, in his first attempt throwing in a higher division, it wasn’t roses and rainbows either, as he went 11 of 25 for 85 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.

For Easy-Jake-Oven Quarterback Jake Applebaum, it was business as usual, with the pivot going a near-perfect 20 of 26 for 219 yards, and 4 TDs.

As we have become accustomed to, coming through for his team once again, was Receiver Adam Rockman, who led all players with 8 catches for 80 yards and 3 TDs.

The big man Kevin Smuda, would add another TD for Easy-Jake-Oven, and the team’s defense led by Marty Freedman and Ryan Castiel, would generate two interceptions, pretty much sealing the deal on this contest.

Moving on to tonight’s rematch, obviously, it will be a different game this time around, presumably with Cutler in the lineup. His ability to make plays with both his arm and feet, make it extremely difficult on opposing defenses.

That right there will a huge key for an Easy-Jake-Oven squad that has trouble sacking Quarterbacks, as the team’s Rusher AJ Rashkovan, has struggled mightily this year, recording only 3 sacks.

In order for Easy-Jake-Oven to emerge victorious, they will need to find a way to contain Cutler, and force him into having to rely on the ball all game, which would benefit an aggressive ball hawking defense, led by Rockman, and Yoni Loeub, who have combined for 13 interceptions.

On offense, Applebaum, must do what he always does. Play smart football, avoid turnovers, spread the ball around to all of his receivers, thereby keeping the KGP defense guessing, and pick his spot of where to strike.

For KGP, the key to victory will first and foremost be keeping up the solid play of Cutler, who has simply been a force on both sides of the ball over the last month.

On offense, he must punish the Easy-Jake-Oven defense with his legs, and take advantage of the speed matchups problems, that his Receivers in Joseph Hopmeyer and Julien Paiement, can present to EJO.

Paiement in particular, is coming off a monster contest against GloGang last week, as he had 6 catches for 69 yards, and a game-high 3 touchdowns.

His teammate Jonathan Garfinkle, was no scrub either, with 5 receptions for 61 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

On defense, KGP, must disrupt the timing of the EJO offense, and when possible, get physical with their Receivers, just as they did with GloGang, where they took away the deep ball from QB Arno Desjardins, and held him to a season-low 8 yards per pass, on mostly short and intermediate throws, as the passer was without his number one Receiver, in Alexandre Gravel.

These are two veteran and solid teams, with a lot of playoff experience. There is no doubt that Easy-Jake-Oven, is the better squad, but we have seen KGP, knock off more than a few favorites over the last few weeks.

I am tempted to go with an upset here, but I feel that with a deeper roster, Easy-Jake-Oven, will find a way to pull it out.

Prediction: Easy-Jake-Oven (28-22)

 

 

(2) Keyport Lock versus (5) Dream Breakers

Previous Meeting: Dream Breakers (37-25) Week 4

Aside from a (19-19) tie against the Backyard Bullies in Week 8, the defeat to the Dream Breakers, is the only blemish on an otherwise impressive (8-1-1) regular season record for Keyport Lock.

On the surface, you could say that the game was as simply a case of Keyport Lock Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt, having his worst game of the season with three interceptions, including a pick six to Pierre-Alexandre Taché.

 

While on the other side, Sebastien Dallaire, had his best outing of the year, as he connected on 15 of 22 passes for 189 yards, and a season-high 5 TDs.

If you dig a little further however, you will see that Taché, had a monster game, (speaking of things we’re accustomed to seeing) as he recorded all three of Rosenblatt’s interceptions.

 

If that wasn’t enough, the fourth-year player made an impact on the other side of the ball, as he led all Receivers with 6 receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown.

Also making an impact for the Dream Breakers offense, was Vincent Lagniere, who had 2 catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns, as well as Francois Dessureault, and Jasmin Prince, who both reached the endzone as well.

One positive for Keyport Lock in the loss, was that their offense got touchdowns from four different receivers.

Another plus for Keyport Lock, is that they didn’t show any quit, and they were in fact the better team in the second half of the game, as after being down (24-6) at the break, they nearly stormed all the way back, as they outscored their opponents (19-13).

To get to this point, the Dream Breakers, used an opportunistic and aggressive defense, that produced two redzone interceptions, including a pick six by Defensive Back Youri Belanger in regulation, and kept their opponents off the scoreboard in overtime, in their (32-31) OT win versus the Game Changers.

What the team also showed, was resilience, and the ability to by other players not named Taché to make plays.

 

Belanger, was one of those players who stepped up, as he not only nabbed the aforementioned pick six, but he also recorded two receiving touchdowns.

Receiver Ramez Popal-Hamidi, also made a huge impact, as the former All-Star, had 6 catches for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns.

While he had a really good game with 4 touchdown passes, Sebastien Dallaire, play was just as important on defense, as he registered an interception off of Game Changers QB Anton Sakiz.

Looking ahead to tonight, I expect a lower scoring game between these two teams this time around.

Needless to say, I am sure Jeff Rosenblatt, won’t test Pierre-Alexandre Taché, as many times as he did last time out.

As is usually the case, the regular season and the playoffs, are two different things, and often lead to completely different results.

The one thing that is the same however, is both teams have playmakers. The question of course, is which one will step up? Will it be the team with a ton of experience in Keyport Lock, or will it be the youth of the Dream Breakers, who have only been around since last spring?

Baroudi versus Taché, Belanger versus Lyristis, Aridi versus Dessureault, Boustany versus Prince, Laganiere versus Balourd, the potential matchups are intriguing to say the least.

In last week’s article, I mentioned that the Dream Breakers were (0-4) when Sebastien Dallaire throws an interception. Looking at Keyport Lock, they are (2-1-1) when Rosenblatt throws an interception, but (0-1) when he tosses more than one.

Truth be told, I think this game will come down to defense. Nobody left in the playoffs, are better than Keyport Lock, in points allowed. Despite the explosiveness of the Dream Breakers Receivers, I feel that they won’t be able to beat the Keyport Lock experienced defense consistently.

I also know that Rosenblatt, is a better QB than Anton Sakiz, and he won’t throw the backbreaking interceptions that the Game Changers’ pivot did, last Monday night, therefore, I am going to give the slight edge to Keyport Lock.

Prediction: Keyport Lock (28-21)

 

 

Conference B

 

(1) Mercenaries versus (4) Jagerbomb

Previous Meeting: Jagerbomb(22-21) Week 6

I remember watching the Week 6 contest, and thinking it would be fantastic, if we got to see rematch in the playoffs. Presto! Six weeks later, and here we are.

As you can tell by the score, the first meeting between both teams was a back-and-forth affair, that didn’t lack for trash talking, and physicality. It is fair to say, that there is no love lost between both squads.

This game delivered a lot of big plays on both sides, of the ball, and we even got to see the rare and always incredible, dive and tip the ball to yourself and secure the interception, by Rusher Isiah Allard.

The defensive contest also showed a tale of two halves, as the Mercenaries jumped out to a (15-8) first half lead, while Jagerbomb marched right back in the second stanza, outscoring their opponents (14-6).

Neither Quarterback can claim they played their best game in the first outing, but both passers kept their respective teams in the game. The difference was turnovers, as Gino Di Fazio of the Mercenaries threw two interceptions, to one by Jagerbomb’s Simon Duchesne.

In addition to his highlight of the night INT, Allard, made an impact on offense as well, with a team-high 3 catches for 53 yards, and 2 TDs.

For Jagerbomb, the combination of WR/DB Felix Fontaine-Larouche, and Rusher Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, that helped carry the team to victory.

Larouche, led his team in tackles, catches, and yardage, with five, and 5 for 61 yards, to go along with an interception, while Lavoie-Patry, had a game-high 2 sacks.

To get to this point, Jagerbomb, knocked off The Commission, (46-30), in what was their best offensive performance of the season.

Jagerbomb Quarterback Simon Duchesne, was able to pick apart the holes in the TC defense, and exploit them for big gains, as he repeatedly killed with the deep ball, and took advantage of blown coverages.

After finally getting their first defensive stop of the game via a three and out, and then scoring on the ensuing drive to bring TC to within 8 points, Jagerbomb, answered right back, and scored on a 40-yard bomb for a TD to a wide open Felix Fontaine-Larouche, on the very first play of the following drive.

On defense, it was a repeat of last year’s playoff game between both squads, where TC Quarterback J.F Marquis, threw some inexplicable interceptions, that unfortunately cost his team some points, which Jagberbomb, turned around and took advantage of.

 

For the rematch, I expect another tough and gritty hard fought game. Both teams have firepower, speed, experience, and neither QB is afraid to air it out.

This season has been a bring it back campaign for veteran QB Gino Di Fazio, as the Hall-of-Famer, has looked superb all year long. He is also a smart passer who knows how to exploit holes on opposing defenses.

On the other side, while he does fall in love with the deep ball, Simon Duchesne, is effective at beating teams with his arm and legs, and can go throw for throw with any QB in Division C.

This game has a lot of solid potential matchups’ as well, with names like Kendal Mayers, Jean-Felix Daloze, Francois Hogue, Alexandre Blais, Gabriel Moreau-Paquette, Justin Weir, and of course, the duo of Larouche, and Allard.

The Mercenaries, are a team that can beat you in a few different ways. Despite being the complete opposite, Jagerbomb, is more of a one dimensional squad, but they are very good at what they do.

I think that while the Mercenaries have the better record, there isn’t much separating either squad.

Jagerbomb did it once, on the same field as tonight’s game (#2) no less, and I think they can do it again.

Prediction: Jagerbomb (28-27).

 

 

(2) Simon Says versus (3) Pineapple Express

Previous Meeting: Simon Says (27-6)

It feels like the first meeting was a million years ago, as both teams have changed since then.

During that game, Pineapple Express, hadn’t jelled yet, and they were relying on subs in Zach Zwirn, and Mike Badd, to help carry the load.

The same thing also applies for Simon Says, as they also hadn’t fully jelled yet, as new pieces Vadim Chernyak, Nicholas Groppini, and AJ Gomes, were still find their way.

Fast forward 12 weeks later, and both teams have become two of the best teams on both sides of the ball in Division C.

Simon Says, has the best offense in all of Div. C. They can beat you deep, or with the short game, as their receivers have the speed to short passes all the way to the house.

On defense, led by Justin Blanchard, Justin Lerner, and the aforementioned Gomes, the team is just as aggressive, as their defenders love to jump routes, and the team has the speed and agility on the back end, to take advantage of any pass that hangs in the air a little too long.

 

They also have a solid Rusher in Groppini, who has a relentless motor.

For Pineapple Express, their offense has shown that they can go toe-to-toe to with any team in the division.

While their can occasionally give up the big play, they have ballhawks of their own in Shyanne Stewart, and Joel Malkin, who are quick to jump any inaccurate pass.

The team also has a dominant Rusher in Julian McLaren-Thompson, who has the speed to make live miserable for opposing QBs.

To get to this point, Pineapple Express, was able to knock off P.O.P, last Monday night at Stade de Montreal (41-33), behind five touchdown passes by QB Chris Olson, three TD receptions from Wide Receiver Joel Malkin, and three interceptions, including a pick six by Shyanne Stewart.

As far as tomorrow’s rematch is concerned, it will be a big test for both Quarterbacks, in Olson, and Simon Dagenais of Simon Says.

For as good as the reigning QB of the Year has been throughout his career, he has choked in the post-season, and still has a zero next to his name when it comes to championships.

For Olson, he continues to be the driving force behind his team, but this matches the farthest he has ever gone in the post-season while throwing for a higher division team, after making it to the second round of the playoffs with The Commission, back in the 2018 Winter Season.

If you look at both rosters, Pineapple Express, has the deeper one, and they have more impact players than Simon Says, as I believe Eddy Lee, Brandon St. Jacques-Turpin, and redzone threat Kevin Loiselle, are a more dangerous trio than Jean-Daniel Joly, Vadim Chernyak, and Justin Lerner.

As I said before, much has changed since the first meeting between both teams. The biggest thing will be the presence of AJ Gomes, who missed the first meeting. The 5-time All-Star, is arguably the best player in Division C, and he has the ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.

AJ Gomes, against Joel Malkin, will be the biggest matchup during the game, as both individuals are the best player on their respective teams. Both playmakers will lineup against each other at least a few times tonight.

 

The last time both players went head-to-head,  Malkin who played for The Commission, had the better offensive night, going for 9 catches for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Gomes, got the last laugh, as he helped the Cougars seal the (26-25) win, with a redzone interception of an ill-advised pass by Chris Olson, with less than five plays remaining in the contest.

Another intriguing matchup will be Julian McLaren-Thompson versus Justin Blanchard.

 

Just focusing on offense, both Receivers, are the fastest player on their respective teams, and they give both Olson and Dagenais, a deep threat that can take the top off a defense, or an underneath option that can take a five yard in all the way to the endzone.

Without a doubt, Blanchard, has the better hands between the two, but McLaren-Thompson, has the slight in speed and athleticism.

I don’t think I am going out on a limb by saying that tonight’s game will be much loser than the first outing.

At the end of the day, this game will come down to Olson versus Dagenais.

Which QB will come up with more clutch plays, and which one will make the least amount of mistakes?

 

Over the last month (regular season and playoffs combined) both QBs have been similar (22 TD – 3 INTs for Dagenais) and (20 TDs – 2 INTs for Olson).

Olson, has led his team to a better record (3-1) compared to (2-2), and he has continued his hot streak last week against P.O.P, while Dagenais and his team, were on a bye. Due to that, and Dagenais’ playoff history, I am going with Pineapple Express.

Prediction: Pineapple Express (32-30) in overtime.

 

Picks

 

Easy-Jake-Oven vs KGP – Easy-Jake-Oven

Keyport Lock vs Game Changers – Keyport Lock

Mercenaries vs Jagerbomb – Jagerbomb (Upset Special)

Simon Says vs Pineapple Express – Pineapple Express (Upset Special)

Last Week: (0-3)

Playoffs: (0-3)

Terry Tam: (0-1)

 

That’s it for this week. I will be back next time out, with a preview of the Semi-Finals.

Good luck to everybody in their games tonight.

As the old football saying goes, defense wins championships. Through the first round of the playoffs, it helped four teams advance to the second week of action. Will the message hold true again?

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or on Twitter@BADNEWSB51

Cheers!