Division C: Regular Season Wrap-Up and Divisional Round Preview

Welcome to the FlagPlus Football Divisional Round of the playoffs.

In other words, Division C, welcome to the Real Season.

Before we get into all of the post-season chatter, there are a few regular season things that we need to get through first.

Last week, I talked about the do-or-die, win and you’re in game, between Lights Out, and Les Montagnards.

As expected, the game was a thriller, that went down to the wire, as Les Montagnards, pulled out the (40-32) victory, Tuesday night in Brossard., on the shoulders of backup Quarterback Marc-Antoine Viens, who threw 6 touchdowns, and Wide Receivers Frédéric Viens, and Mathieu Girard-Provost, who both caught 3 TDs apiece.

Full credit goes to Les Montagnards, as they pulled off the win, without their starting Quarterback, in Julien Fiset-Cyr.

Despite the QB hat being a familiar one to Viens, who threw part-time for the team in the Winter Season, the fact that the team was able to drop their third highest point total of the season, against the fifth-best defense in Div. C, with a passer who hadn’t thrown a pass all season, speaks volumes.

For Lights Out, it was a heart-breaking loss, that reeked of irony, as the team that only allowed two teams to score more than 30 points against them during the regular season, gave up a staggering 40, in a must-win game.

On the other side of the ball, with an offense that was one of the worst in Div. C, routinely struggled to move the ball, and only scored more than 20 points twice this year, finally got a performance that they, and a lot of people around FPF, had been waiting for them to produce all year, given some of the weapons they have at Wide Receiver.

Much-maligned Quarterback Drew Keiller, had the best performance of his rookie year, as he connected on 22 of 29 passes, for 258 yards, and 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Lights Out, can do nothing more than play the what if game now, while Les Montagnards advance to the playoffs, and a first round matchup with The Commission.

With this experience, along with a full season now under his belt (he throws in Division E as well) hopefully, Keiller, will grow from it, build on this performance, and use it all as motivation.

The Alpha-T’s, completed the tough task of going undefeated in the regular season, as they beat Lobster Dinner, (31-0).

The path to perfection, is never easy, especially in the playoffs, as you usually face a team who you already defeated in the regular season. Obviously, adjustments will be made by both sides, but the pressure that is facing the team with the zero in the loss column, is real, and it amps up that much more come playoff time. As we saw with the New England Patriots in 2007.

The real test for The Alpha-T’s starts tonight, let’s see how they do.

Speaking of winning, after 9 long weeks, Moist, got their first win of the season, with a (25-24) victory over Broccasion, last Monday at Stade de Montreal. The key to the win, was the team’s resiliency.

 

After trailing at the half by a score of (18-7), a staring a Cleveland Browns winless season in face, Moist, picked themselves up, and went to work.

Quarterback Matt Kirouac, who for the majority of the season, had been inconsistent as a QB, came through with arguably his best performance of the year, as he went 18 of 27 for 139 yards, with 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Helping him out on that side of the ball, was Leonardo Lanni, who had a team-high 5 catches for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns, and his brother Giovanni Lanni, who recorded 4 receptions for 44 yards, and a pair of TDs as well.

On defense, the unit had their best half pf the season, as they held Broccasion, to 6 points, aided by a game-high 8 tackles by Giovanni Lanni, and a huge interception by FPF family member, and good guy Craig O’Brien.

While a 1-win season is surely not what any of the players signed up for, the fact that they were able to avoid a winless season for a team that ironically enough, was named the Browns, until they switched it to Moist earlier this year, has to be worth something. Congrats boys!

 

 

The playoffs, and a championship. Win, or go home. This is what we all play, and sign up for. Welcome to the Real Season…

 

Playoff Preview

 

Conference A

 

(1) The Alpha-T’s versus (8) Vikings

 

Previous Meeting: The Alpha-T’s (51-13) Week 3

As you can see by the score, this game was a blowout, as The Alpha-T’s jumped out to a (26-6) lead at the half, and never looked back.

TAT’s Quarterback Jesse Dupuis, put on a clinic, as he completed 13 of 15 passes, for 233 yards, and a season-high 7 touchdown passes.

The team’s Wide Receiver tandem of Alexis Gaumont, and Emile Beaudoin had a monster night as well, as they combined for 9 catches, for 182 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

Defensively, TAT’s, was just as good, as they picked off Vikes Quarterback Nicolas Gendron-Vallée, five times, with Dupuis, and Gaumont, getting 2 apiece.

The only positive for the Vikings, was the performance of Marc-André Lapointe, who caught the only two touchdowns that his team produced.

The Alpha-T’s, have the best record, defensive points allowed, plus/minus ratio, in Division C. In addition to all of that, they also have the second best offense. Simply put, when they are on their A-game, they are a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball.

Despite all of that, the team is still beatable. Getting physical with their receivers at the line of scrimmage, and at the top of their route is key, as you will need to throw off their timing.

The Rusher, will have to play a key role as well. Whether it be Simon Gauthier, or Philippe Kotrbaty, the Vikings defense will need to keep Jesse Dupuis, from running wild all over the field, and buying time for his receivers to get open. Easier said than done however, as the 4-time All-Star, averaged nearly 20 yards a carry in their first meeting, with 3 carries for 59 yards, and a TD.

Most importantly, the Vikes will need to be A LOT better on offense this time around. Nicolas Gendron-Vallée, cannot throw another 5 INTs, and the team will need their leading receivers, in Kotrbaty, Gauthier, and Sylvain Paquette, to step it up this time around.

 

Prediction: The Alpha-T’s

 

The defending Winter Season 4A champs, are simply too talented to let the Vikings, knock them off, in what would be one of, if not the greatest upset in FPF playoff history.

 

 

(2) Junkyard Dogs versus (7) Omelette You Finish

 

Previous Meeting: Junkyard Dogs (33-26) Week 5

 

The first meeting, was a close one that came down to the wire, but it should have an asterisks beside it, as Omelette You Finish, have several subs on their roster, who are not playoff eligible, in Will Power, Alex David, and Mike Addona, who filled in at Quarterback for FPF family member Simon Dagenais. Essentially, this is a brand new matchup.

With their regular roster, Omelette You Finish, has playmakers in Justin Lerner, Justin Blanchard, and Jaime Ojeaha.

Those three will be tested, as they will have to outplay the trio of Rory Semerjian, Jonathan Williams, and Alexandre Noel, on both sides of the ball.

The QB battle, is pretty even, between Jason Rossie, and Simon Dagenais, although the latter has the slight advantage in touchdown (43 to 40), passing yards (1,619 to 1,451), and yards per pass (12 YPP to 10 YOP), the former, leads the way in completion percentage (66% – 57%), and QB Rating (108.5 – 99.5.).

One of the key advantages that Rossie posses over Dagenais, is the ability to make plays with his legs.

While Rossie, doesn’t look to run at least on every drive like Jesse Dupuis, Rich Humes, or Jordan Mitchell, he can move the chains. On 15 carries so far this year, 12-year veteran, has 132 yards, and a touchdown, which works out to nearly 9 yards a carry.

On the other side, Dagenais, is like a statue in the pocket. In nine games, the 18-year vet, has 2 carries for 26 yards. Unfortunately for the pivot, his inability to scramble, occasionally leads him to throwing a bad pass when he gets pressured, that sometimes lead to a turnover.

Fortunately, for OYF, Dagenais is a better QB than Addona. His team will need him to be exactly that, if they want to beat what some people feel is the best defense in Div. C.

Besides the players mentioned above, another potential key matchup will be Cornerbacks Shawn Bant, and Alex Jubenville, versus Wide Receivers Joseph Sifakis, and Jonathan Lyristis.

 

Coming into tonight’s game, the Junkyard Dogs receiving duo, have 8 combined TDs in their last 4 games. Both CBs, have been solid all year, but they will have their hands full tonight.

 

Prediction: Junkyard Dogs

 

On paper, the Junkyard Dogs are the much better team. Their aggressive defense, led by FPF family member Rob White, is well-designed, and knows how to take away what opposing offenses do best.

Although Omelette You Finish, earned a big (53-20) win over TOPSZN, last week, they still come into the playoffs, losers of 3 out of their last 4 contests. I see the trend continuing tonight.

 

 

(3) Mountain Lions versus (6) Dirty Dawgs

 

Previous Meeting: Mountain Lions (39-26) Week 10

 

Besides planning your vacation on the assumption that the Finals would be on the second weekend of August, only to have them switched back to the first, so you end up missing not one, but two playoff games like me, thanks Rob, the only drawback to not having a Wild-Card round, is the fact that two solid teams like this will have to meet up in the first round.

Another drawback, that has to do with scheduling, is that these two teams did battle just last week.

With more than capable backup Quarterback Andrew Langburt leading the way, the Mountain Lions, who were trailing (13-12) at the break, used an explosive second-half, which saw them put up 27 points, as they cruised to a two touchdown victory.

On defense, Langburt, along with Jordan McInnis, picked off Dirty Dawgs Quarterback Ryan Lelinowski, twice in the contest. Those interceptions were huge, as it not only took points off the board for the Dirty Dawgs, but it gave points to their opponents.

Besides the turnovers, the Dirty Dawgs style of offense also put them in a big hole. Although the dynamic duo of Jelani McLaren, and Div. C Receiver of the Year Dave Chitayat, combined for 9 catches, for 182 yards, and 3 touchdowns, the team got virtually nothing from Cal Pienaar, who had one catch for 31 yards. In fairness to DD, they were missing Yossi Cohen, and Eli Saleh.

Even with their entire lineup present, their dink and dunk offense, that looks to chew up time, and limit time of possesion for their opponents, simply won’t be enough to topple the Mountain Lions, especially with their regular QB in Jake Apllebaum, expected to play tonight.

For the Mountain Lions to win, they will need to do exactly what they did last time. Score on nearly every possesion, and force the Dirty Dawgs out of their comfort zone, by making them become a quick-strike offense, which they have yet to show they can do consistently this season.

For the Dirty Dawgs, to win, they will need to avoid turnovers, and Lelinowski, will need to spread the ball around more evenly, to ensure the team gets some production from their secondary receivers.

Secondly Rusher Cal Pienaar, must create constant pressure on Applebaum, and force him to get rid of the ball early, and in the process, try to force some turnovers of their own.

 

Prediction: Mountain Lions (My pick for Game of the Week)

 

The Dirty Dawgs, are a talented team, who come into the game winners of three out of their last four games. They also came within a play of beating the Backyard Bullies, and the top two teams in Div. C, in The Alpha-T’s, and The Commission.

The Dirty Dogs however, are a predominantly top heavy team, who relies on their big names to constantly get them out if trouble. While, against some teams, that would give them the advantage they need, versus a deep squad like the Mountain Lions, that can beat with just about anybody on their roster, it won’t be enough.

Despite it always being to beat a team in back-to-back weeks, I expect this to be closer than last week’s game, but I think the Mountain are too talented to lose in round one.

 

 

(4) BearSkins versus (5) Backyard Bullies

 

Previous Meeting: Backyard Bullies (36-8) Week 5.

 

In the first edition of the Vinny Gualano Bowl, the Backyard Bullies (Vinny’s old team), laid a whooping on his new one. When I spoke to Vinny after the game, he said that BB, simply had a better game plan on both sides of the ball, than his current squad did.

Digging just a little bit beyond Gualano’s comment, it was the Bullies’ best performance of the season, as they came out firing on all cylinders.

Division C Quarterback of the Year, Rich Humes, looked exactly like the award suggests, as he sliced and diced the BearSkins defense, for six touchdowns, spread out to five different receivers.

On defense, the Bullies, were just as impressive, as they flew to the ball, and made Quarterback Mark Belvedere, looked average at best, as he threw a season-high three interceptions, and completed a season-low 50% of his passes.

Interestingly enough, Belvedere, went into the mid-season, as the popular choice for many, including yours truly, as the QB of the Year. Unfortunately, he and his team never really recovered after the blowout defeat.

Fast-forward six weeks later, and both teams are heading in somewhat opposite, but yet, similar directions.

The BearSkins, have lost three games in a row. Their last win, was a (38-34) nail-biting victory over the Vikings, back in Week 7.

The Backyard Bullies, come into the matchup, winners of two straight. Those wins however, came against non-playoff teams, in Lobster Dinner, and Game Changers.

While you can’t blame the Bullies, for simply playing who is on their schedule, it doesn’t hide the fact that with the exception of the BearSkins, this team hasn’t beaten anyone else with a .500, or better record.

The same thing applies for the BearSkins. Besides their (47-24) win over the Strangers, in Week 4, they haven’t produced a win over anybody of note either.

Tomorrow then, will be put up, or shut up time for both teams, as both squads are talented, and have a wealth of championship experience, but for multiple reasons, haven’t looked all that impressive this season.

For the BearSkins to win, they will simply have to be one hundred times better on offense this time around. Gualano, who led his team in receiving in the loss with 3 receptions for 29 yards, and a TD will need to do a lot more, as will Marco Bertoldi, Guillaume Bourassa, Ryan Etinson, and Kyle Britton. That of course, comes back to Belvedere, who is the key to everything.

On defense, the BearSkins, will need to find a way to deal with speed of the Bullies receivers, most notably Jordan Allard, Steve Sanner, and Alex Moreau.

For the Bullies to win, they will need their defense, which has sprung more than a few leaks this season, to do what they did in the first meeting, namely – shut down Gualano, and Bertoldi, and force the other BearSkins receivers to beat them.

 

Prediction: Backyard Bullies

 

Besides the point that the Bullies are the much deeper team, the BearSkins, essentially have backed into the playoffs, and look exactly like a team who losses in the Finals one year, but then either misses the post-season completely, or gets bounced in the first round the year after. AKA, the Super Bowl Hangover. I think that’s what will happen tonight.

 

 

Conference B

 

 

(1) The Commission versus (8) Les Montagnards

 

Previous Meeting: The Commission (35-25) Week 5

 

Despite the differences in overall records (9-1) to (3-7), these teams played a close game six weeks ago. The only real difference, was an interception thrown by Julien Fiset-Cyr, of Les Montagnards, and the fact that The Commission, was successful on more conversions than their opponents.

Les Montagnards, come into the contest, winners of two straight, including the aforementioned win and you’re in game versus Lights Out, this past Tuesday in Brossard.

At their best, the team is mixing up their offense, with a combination of drag and short crossing routes, with a dose of deep shots to keep opposing defenses honest. Despite struggling to get into the post-season, Les Montagnards, are one of only ten teams to score more than 300 points this season.

The Commission, come into the playoffs, looking to repeat as Spring Season champs, after beating the BearSkins, for the title last year.

At their best, TC, is a team who can trash talk with the best of them, beat you with an offense that has the ability to attack short and deep, and uses their speed on defense, to put opposing teams in 3rd and long.

For Les Montagnards, whether it be Julien Fiset-Cyr, or Marc-Antoine Viens at Quarterback, their key to winning the game, and pulling off the upset, will be to win the time of possesion battle, and not turnover the ball.

Despite being the defending champions, The Commission, have turned over half their roster. For as good as Quarterback Jean-Felix Marquis, and his brother Wide Receiver Vincent Marquis, have been as a duo, both were not among the finalists, for player of the year at their respective positions.

 

In addition, the Marquis brothers, along with Kenny Boutilier, and Alexandre Samson, the team’s other new additions, have only experienced success in lower divisions. How will they respond on a bigger stage?

While they only lost once this season, for The Commission to win tomorrow, they will need to stop Fiset-Cyr, from running around and creating plays with his legs, if he is the QB.

 

If Les Montagnards roll with Marc-Antoine Viens, TC, must get after him quickly, and prevent him from getting in rhythm, especially on the deep ball.

More importantly, The Commission, must remain focused on the task at hand, and not worry about the championship, or who they play next week. Will they be able to?

 

Prediction: N/A

 

 

(2) Jagerbomb versus (7) Friends in Low Places

 

Previous Meeting: Jagerbomb (30-26) Week 3

 

The first meeting, was a tale of two halves, as Friends in Low Places, jumped out to a (20-6) lead, only to see their opponents storm back for 24 second-half points, and the victory.

 

Friends in Low Places, are one of the hardest teams to figure out. They lost to The Commission, and Jagerbomb, by one possesion, but then lost by more than two touchdowns to Keyport Lock, and TOPSZN.

At their best, Friends in Low Places, is a team you don’t want to play in the first round of the playoffs, they are good at keeping the score in the mid-twenties, and then having their dual-threat Quarterback Danny D’Amour, hit Jared Buck, Alex Holowach, Michael Timmis, Justin Santillo, or Brenden Sabloff with a game-winning touchdown in the game’s dying seconds.

 

Defensively, this team is led by D’Amour as well. Despite his modest (by his standards) stats 14 Tackles, 3 INTs, and 3 pass deflections, the 5-time All-Star, is still the best Safety in Div. C.

After getting bounced in the opening round last year by Show Me Your TDs, Jagerbomb, appears to have stepped up their game, as least offensively, as they are the second highest scoring team in Conference B.

The key to their turnaround, is Quarterback Simon Duchesne, and his trio of Wide Receivers, in Jean-Felix Daloze, Cédric Nuckle, and Felix Fontaine-Larouche. All together, the four players have combined for 31, of the team’s 39 offensive touchdowns.

Although they have been known as an offense-only team over the years, Jagerbomb, can play some solid defense too. Led by Div. C Defensive Player of the Year, the aforementioned Nuckle, the unit has the second most takeaways among playoff teams, with 21.

For Jagerbomb to win, they must do two things. Firstly, they will need to get after D’Amour, and force him to make off-balanced throws while on the run. That job will fall to Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, who was the leading Rusher in Div. C, with 15 sacks, two of which came in the first game between both squads.

Secondly, they must use their speed on defense, to disrupt the timing on the various crossing, and rub routes that Friends in Low Places likes to run.

For Friends in Low Places, for what they lack in elite talent on offense, they make up for it in heart, and a grind it out style of play. 

 

For FILP,  to pull off the upset, they will need to play mistake-free football on offense, aka no drops, and turnovers.

The team will also have to find a way to rattle Duchesne, and get him to get rid of the ball early, before his speedy targets can get to the top of their route.

 

Prediction: Jagerbomb

 

The last game was close, and I think this one will be too, but I think Jagerbomb, will get off to a better start in the rematch.

More importantly, Jagerbomb, has shown that they are a battle-tested team, having gotten wins over playoff squads in TOPSZN, Les Montagnards, and Blue Chips, the last few weeks, while with the exception of Strangers, who they lost to (38-31) in Week 9, Friends in Low Places, have taken on the likes of sub .500 teams in Moist, Broccasion, Game Changers, and the playoff-bound Vikings, recently.

 

 

(3) TOPSZN versus (6) Strangers

 

Previous Meeting: TOPSZN (54-40) Week 2

 

To say these teams hooked up in a high-scoring affair, would be an understatement, as the 94 combined points, qualified the game as shootout, and was the highest total put up by two teams this season.

The difference in the game, was the three interceptions thrown by Strangers Quarterback Gino Di Fazio, as two of them got returned for touchdowns.

This is a simple matchup of speed and athleticism versus strength and experience.

With Khalil Kerr, Jarryd Taylor, Hasani Worrell, Benjamin McMahon, Kevin Donnet, Matthew Canuel, and Justene Edwards (he could technically fall in the other category too) TOPSZN, has a ton of the former, while with Adi Sharma, Carmine Pollice, Junior Spera, Mike Roy, Jeff Brown, Andrew Carruthers, and Di Fazio, the Strangers, have a wealth of the latter.

Simply put, for the Strangers to win the game, Di Fazio, must avoid interceptions, and take what the TOPSZN defense gives him.

 

While the Hall of Fame QB, led all passes in yardage with 1,884 this season, Di Fazio, often gets his team into trouble, when he becomes over-reliant on just one or two receivers, and tries to force passes into too many tight windows, instead of taking the easy, and higher percentage throws.

After giving up the third most points among playoff teams (332), and forcing the least amount of interceptions (5), the Strangers must find a way to stop the bleeding, and get off the field on 4th down.

For TOPSZN, the formula is simple. Speed > little, to no speed…Just in case, they need to use their aforementioned speed against the slower Strangers defense.

 

Prediction: TOPSZN

 

Both teams love to chuck it up, throw defensive responsibilities to the wind, and even engage in a little trash-talking from time to time. Di Fazio, Edwards, Taylor, Pollice, Brown, the matchups could get intense. Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that this game will be as entertaining, if not even more so, than the first meeting.

 

(4) Blue Chips versus (5) Keyport Lock

 

Previous Meeting: Blue Chips (37-20) Week 9

 

Blue Chips, were able to sneak out of Stade de Montreal, with the 7-point victory, thanks to the performance of Jordan Mitchell, who threw for a pair of touchdowns, ran for two others, and picked off opposing Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt as well.

Wide Receiver Marcus Mitchell, also had a big game, with 5 catches, for a game-high 95 yards, and two TDs as well.

Only two weeks later, both teams get to do it all over again.

Keyport Lock, comes into contest, are winners of three out of their last four games. While their only loss did come at the hands of Blue Chips, their trio of wins came over playoff teams in the Strangers, BearSkins, and Les Montagnards.

After going through a early-season slump that saw them lose by 39 to Jagerbomb, as also fall to Lights Out, while settling for a (30-30) tie against Omelette You Finish, Keyport Lock, is now playing their best football of the season.

Blue Chips, comes into the playoffs, losing to Jagerbomb, to close out the regular season, and two out of their last four overall.

Since their (50-35) win over The Commission, in Week 7, Blue Chips, hasn’t looked all that sharp. With a chance to put a stranglehold on first place in Conference B, they got blown out by the Junkyard Dogs, in Week 8. Then, with a chance to finish either second or third, they suffered the previously mentioned loss to Jagerbomb two weeks later.

I am a big believer in momentum, as it relates to life, and especially in football. I also believe that Jad Aridi, and the Keyport Lock defense, will learn from their past mistakes, find a way to contain the elusive Mitchell, and limit the damage he does offensively.

 

Prediction: Keyport Lock (Upset Special)

That’s it for this week, with the short turnaround, I will try to put out another article before the Quarter-Finals kickoff this Wednesday (thanks again Rob!). Make sure to check-out the FPF website to see where and when you are playing.

 

As I said earlier, I am currently on vacation (Santa Barbara, California), I honestly tried getting this out last night, but there are only so many hours in the day. My apologies. Seriously though, if you have never been out here, or to Cali in general, do yourself a favour and go.

 

On a more serious note, I reached out to some of the captains that I know, but I obviously don’t know everybody. Since I physically won’t be at the games tonight, please feel free to send me any important info, key moments, big plays, or otherwise, to the coordinates below. A lot of you guys have been great at doing it all year, but I encourage even more of you to do so now, because it’s the playoffs.

 

Good luck to everybody in their games tonight! Now I am going to back to the beach.

 

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