Categories: DivisionDivision CSpring

Division C – Week 2 Article

Iggy Magnets back here for your Week 2 article for Div C. FPF is in full effect, but it was a small number of games (3) when looking specifically at Div C in Week 2. This week’s article will have Week 2 Game Recaps, Game Previews for Week 3, the Top 8 Power Rankings, we will identify the Week 2 Fantasy Roster of the Week, share the analysts Div C Game Picks for Week 3, and I will offer you some Bold Predictions for Week 3. Let’s get right into it as the Habs lost out on the Stanley Cup. Time to talk all things FPF, exclusively.

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Week 2 Game Recaps

Ballz Deep 12 – 26 BBALLERS

QB efficiency played a major role in this game. Gianni Casati for the BBALLERS, touted as perhaps the best QB in the division (see/listen to the weekly debate on Calling The Audible), played as clean a game as you can, apart from the 4 sacks. In this case, and much of the time in FPF, taking the sack to avoid an off-balance throw that turns into a pick is the better of the 2 options. With that in mind, Casati finished the game with more touchdowns (4) than incompletions (3), completing 21 of his 24 passes for 4 TDs and 0 INTs and a 137.5 QB rating. On the other side of the field, Justin Weir also opted for sacks (3) over INTs (0) but had a 56% completion percentage over Casati’s 88% for only 93 yards on 13 completions. The QB efficiency translated into 3rd down efficiency, as the BBALLERS converted on 71% of their 3rd down conversions compared to Ballz Deep’s 17% conversion rate; a key reason why Ballz Deep weren’t able to comeback in this game.

On the receiver’s end, Ballz Deep may have the more notable FPF names, with the likes of Ryan Dobbs-Garnett, Richie Mondesir, Matthew Peacock and the like, but we need to start considering players on the other side as high-quality talent that will be the next household names of FPF. Names like Will Trottier and Frederic Senay-Lussier have played in the highest division just last Fall Cup with the Braves Noirs, where both saw individual and team success. William Paquette is another name that constantly appears as a key contributor on the scoresheet and has now eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in his early FPF career. Also, a lesser known name out there, which is quickly jumping the ranks is Phil Pharand. He’s quietly put up 150+ yards and 8 TDs in each of his 2 seasons playing in Div 2 & 3 in his past two Winter seasons. It will be interesting to see how much Pharand will elevate the BBALLERS to an even higher level. In this game though, a reason for the BBALLERS coming out on top was because the duo of Paquette and Trottier were simply better than the Dobbs-Garnet and Mondesir tandem, combing for 144 yards and 4 TDs over the BD duo, which combined for just 78 yards and 1 TD.

A third reason why the BBALLERS prevailed, is due to the quick start BBALLERS got off to in the game, especially since Ballz Deep started with the ball on offence and failed to get a first down on their first 4 plays. BBALLERS quickly turned their first drive into a touchdown, only needing 2 plays to gain 17 yards for the early 6-0 lead. To make matters worse, Justin Weir was sacked on the next drive on BD’s 3rd down play by Jean-Nicolas Brenko, forcing them to punt on 4th down. Kerdley Micourt was able to get a sack himself on Casati on the very next play, but the Casati-Paquette connection burned Ballz Deep for 36 yards on an early, but key 3rd-and-11 down. After that deflating 1st down conversion, it only took 3 plays for the BBALLERS to punch in their second score of the game for an early 12-0 lead that they took to the half. Of course, starting the game on defence, BBALLERS had the ball on offence to start the second half, and put away Ballz Deep for good with a 5-play touchdown drive. While Ballz Deep did make a small comeback, the closest it ever got was a 18-12 score, which all BD hope was squandered when Casati hooked up with Paquette for a killer 40-yard TD bomb on 4th down.

 EZW 12 – 51 The Infantry

Woah, woah, woah. The Infantry clearly did NOT like my 5-5 record prediction, and they looked to shut me up good in Week 2, putting up 51 points on EZW. While put up 50+ points in any FPF game is impressive in its own right, EZW isn’t a team known for their defensive prowess. What impressed me most about The Infantry in this game was their solid defensive performance, limiting one of the craftiest and “makes-it-look­-EZ” quarterbacks in FPF, Jeremy White, to just 93 yards through the air with a 48% completion rate, picking him off 3 times, and most impressively, limiting the DIP-pro to just 7 yards on 2 attempts. EZW’s first 4 offensive drives started with two drives where they turned the ball over on downs (2 key sacks by Rory Semerjian on one drive) and another two drives where White was picked off by Jaylan Greaves and Eddy Lee. The Infantry were able to capitalize with 4 touchdowns coming off all 4 EZW turnovers.

Compared to White’s struggles, Corey Walwaski was on fire, with his near perfect, 147.5 QBR, completing 82% of his passes (18/22) for 218 passing yards and 7, yes, count it, 7 TDs! Not only did he put up the big numbers, but Corey spread the ball beautifully so the EZW defense could not focus on just 1 or 2 receivers. Four of his receivers had more than 42 yards, and each of them had at least 1 touchdown and accounted for all 7 TDs put up on the scoreboard.

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Week 3 Game Previews

Blessed vs. Ballz Deep

A week 2 bye for Blessed? If you think there will be rust, you didn’t read my week 1 article (https://www.flagplusfootball.com/en/article/early-season-div-c-predictions). There won’t be any rust here. Sacking Steve Harripersaud won’t be a factor in this game, as Steve releases the ball way too fast for most rushers to be an impact against him. So for his offence, with all the talent to go around his WR core, I can see them scoring on 7/8 drives. The only way Ballz Deep will have a chance to win this game is to score on all their drives. When you are facing the towering defenders of Marvin Steinberg, Jonathan Svetna down the middle, and Kevin Smuda, you better have a gunslinger QB to thread the needle through tight windows. I don’t think this is Justin Weir’s game, as he’s more the mobile, athletic QB who can make plays on the run. Unfortunately for him, he will be facing Terry Babalis, rusher extraordinaire, who will look to keep Weir in the pocket and force Weir to beat them with his arm. Ballz Deep have a really tough first 3 opponents (The Infantry, BBALLERS, and now Blessed), and were only able to put up 12 points in their first 2 games. I’ll give them an extra drive that results in a touchdown vs. Blessed, but I should probably go with their statistical average of 2 TDs, but either way, it won’t be enough against a powerhouse like Blessed, bringing Ballz Deep to the early 0-3 whole while Blessed, with the predicted win will be undefeated at 3-0.

Final Score prediction: Blessed 44 – Ballz Deep 18

Blue Dreamers vs. South Harmon Institute of Technology

Looking at the South Harmon lineup, I would usually like the names I see, and pick them to win against many teams…. if I was analyzing Div D or Div E. While SHIOT can, with their 2nd, 3rd and 4th best defenders, just barely match up against players like Anthony Siggia, Nick Groppini, and Sebastian Gomes, no one can defend AJ Gomes, not even Matt Lepage. Blue Dreamers simply have more of what South Harmon brings to the table, and more. SHIOT has athletic ability, but Blue Dreamers have more. SHIOT has speed, but Blue Dreamers have more. SHIOT has some size, but Blue Dreamers have more… yeah… it’s gonna be tough for South Harmon.

Keys to Victory:

Blue Dreamers will win if:

  1. AJ Gomes shows up to the field.
  2. Anthony Siggia can compliment the Gomes family in supporting cast role.
  3. Ale Barazzoni throws the same # of TDs as his first 2 games: Five

South Harmon Institute of Technology will win if:

  1. Noah Groper can outrun/disrupt Barazzoni and cause turnovers.
  2. They score on every offensive drive and slow the game down to limit the # of Blue Dreamer possessions.
  3. Groper and company can frustrate Blue Dreamers and cause their emotions to boil over.

Final Score prediction: Blue Dreamers 45 – South Harmon Institute of Technology 13

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Power Rankings – Top 8 (Note: Team records shown are from the conclusion of Week 2)

  1. Blessed (2-0) (This week: #1, Last week: #1): Bye week in week 2. Why should anything change?
  2. Blue Dreamers: (2-0) (This week: #2, Last week: #2): So far, no one can stop AJ Gomes, with back-to-back 100 receiving yard performances to start the season. Barazzoni has a TD:INT ratio of 5:1 so far. Keeping that stat up will win you many games in Div C. Also, 5 different players have interceptions after 2 games. Nice.
  3. BBALLERS (2-0) (This week: #3, Last week: #3):  After suggesting in week 1 that they limit the points they give up to opponents, giving up 12 in week 2 is awesome, especially given the dangerous potential this team has on offence to put up the points.  
  4. The Infantry (2-0): (This week: #4, Last week: #5): Can I have a mulligan on my pre-season prediction for this team? They just DESTROYED a very, very good EZW team by 39 points. They have a double-header coming up, so let’s see if they can continue that dominance against Les Gros Coqs and Mangoose. I say they get the sweep and end up with a 4-0 record by the end of week 3. Am I too quick to jump on the bandwagon? No. I say my mistake was my pre-season prediction.
  5. Les Centaures (1-0) (This week: #5, Last week: #4):  A week 2 Bye Week. Only team to jump them is The Infantry.  
  6. Mangoose (0-1) (This week: #6, Last week: #6): Week 2 Bye Week. 💁‍♂️
  7. Sheeeesh (0-1) (This week: #7, Last week: #8): Week 2 Bye Week. They jump Les Gros Coqs after LGC drop their game to Blue Dreamers in week 2.
  8. Les Gros Coqs (1-1): (This week: #7, Last week: #7): I realize they didn’t have Dom Lefort, their usual QB1 in their week 2 matchup against Blue Dreamers, but they will be facing an Infantry team that actually has more weapons than Blue Dreamers. Mayyyyybe Alex Bresse can cover one of the Semerjian brothers, but I don’t think anyone can cover Jaylan Greaves on Les Gros Coqs side. That being said, Thomas Lemay is a reallllly good rusher and will have to be the reason why LGC would be on the winning side against Corey “Wonder” Walwaski.

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Week 2 Fantasy Roster of the Week

Again, not too many games in Week 2, but still some outstanding performances, and so, here are your top performers of the week in Div C’s Week 2 Fantasy Roster:

Top 2 QB’s:

  1. Corey Walwaski (The Infantry): 18/22, 218 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INT, 147.5 QBR
  2. Gianni Casati (BBALLERS): 21/24, 180 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 137.5 QBR

Top 3 receivers

  1. AJ Gomes (Blue Dreamers): 8 targets, 5 receptions, 106 yards, 4 TDs
  2. William Paquette (BBALLERS): 8 targets, 8 receptions, 98 yards, 3 TDs
  3. Sean Semerjian (The Infantry): 4 targets, 4 receptions, 42 yards, 3 TDs

Top 3 Defenders

  1. Eddy Lee (The Infantry): 2 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PD, 1 Def TD
  2. Kerdley Micourt (Ballz Deep): 1 tackle, 3 sacks, 1 PD
  3. Sean Semerjian (The Infantry): 1 tackle, 3 sacks

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Week 3 Game Picks – All Analysts

Home AwayPeeze PickMoe PickIggy PickAlexi PickBrent PickFrank Pick
Silent TicklersBBallersBBallersBBallersBBallersBBallersBBallersBBallers
Top SauceEZWEZWTop SauceEZWEZWTop SauceEZW
Les CentauresSheeeeshSheeeeshSheeeeshLes CentauresLes CentauresLes CentauresLes Centaures
Les Gros CoqsThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryThe Infantry
The InfantryMangooseThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryThe InfantryMangooseMangoose
Blue DreamersSouth Harmon InstituteBlue DreamersBlue DreamersBlue DreamersBlue DreamersSouth Harmon InstituteBlue Dreamers
BlessedBallz DeepBlessedBlessedBlessedBlessedBlessedBlessed

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Iggy’s Bold Predictions

Before wrapping this baby up, I want to give some Bold Predictions for Week 3.

First, I’ll say that both Blessed and Blue Dreamers win by 35+ points (I know this goes contrary to my game predictions from my preview section, but it’s a different segment and I gotta go bold!).

For my second bold prediction of Week 3, I’ll say that Les Gros Coqs upset The Infantry and that both Jaylan and Rory Semerjian get ejected from the game. Nothing personal, just making a bold prediction 😉. My rational predictions are above, in the other 95% of the article!

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Well that does it for the this weeks article for Div C, hope you enjoyed, and if you have anything you want to see in these articles, or think the article could use improvement on, hit me up on socials IG @iggymanz and Ignacio Valdes-Manzanedo (see why Iggy is easier?) on FB, and for those still using email: [email protected].

Remember to catch the weekly FPF Podcast, Calling The Audible and don’t forget to tag @flagplus in all your on-field Instagram videos! The league is still growing, and we need the help of the community more than ever to be our eyes and ears to display all the incredible talent and jaw-dropping moments.

A special shout must also go to both Lance Daniel and Chris Rivest for the amazing work they do, supplying the FPF media with its share of quality content. The best way to say thank you to them is to go out and catch the premiere of their first feature short film, #NOREGARD: The Greatest Recreational Sports Story Ever Told, on Thursday July 15th at the downtown move theatre, Scotiabank Cinema.

Watch the Trailer and Promo videos here:

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noregard-the-greatest-recreational-sports-story-ever-told-tickets-154582990887?fbclid=IwAR2QakWU_q6Ek9hFERyXh7i-YXR3KokenzakGaL-pqWYLGYP6mFXcFGb-aM

Or, alternatively, for ticket purchases, you can message Lance Daniel on Facebook @ Lance JS Daniel and send him an e-transfer to get tickets!

With the purchase of your ticket, you will automatically be entered to win several prize giveaways, which include:

  • Cupcakes from Stephanie’s Bakery (facebook.com/cupcakemtl)
  • #NOREGARD clothing apparel (www.noregardshop.com)
  • 2 Tickets to an upcoming movie at Scotia Bank Cinema

Cheers,

Iggy