Division D – Week 9

Division D – Week 9

Recaps

D-1

The Sheriff 25 vs. Show Me Your TDs 14

I decided to cover this game because it had big implications for both teams. Show Me Your TDs came into the game needing the victory to keep their playoff hopes alive and The Sheriff needed to try and lock up the number 1 seed. On paper, these are two fairly evenly matched teams but the end result shows us just how well the season is going for each.

While without their starting QB, Show Me Your TDs took a lot of time to get the offense going and it gave us a first half that was the difference in the game. Luis Begin took his time and used his legs to find the open man as he usually does and scored on all first 3 first half posessions which gave them a 19-0 lead at the half. Bessette and Noel, the two most dominant players on The Sheriff all season didn’t need to have a big game and perhaps may be saving some energy for the playoffs.

Alexandre Jubinville was able to get open deep twice and The Sheriffs as a whole were able to use the extra time and find big holes in the Show Me Your TDs defense. It probably should have even been more lopsided as it seems to have been only a shell of the opponent with only Anthony Addona and Alex David around.

As a result, these two teams have two very different trajectories. The Sheriff will look to kick things up a notch in week 10 before enjoying a bye week and Show Me Your TDs will have a lot of free time after this week. I wonder if Luis is paying for a bonding trip down south for the guys or possibly some time on a boat wearing timbs?

 

Les Centaures 25 vs. The Longhorns 24

This game was also interesting because if the result flipped, it could mean a flip in who gets a ticket to the dance at the end of the season. While it wouldn’t have been a sure thing by any means, a Longhorns win in both of their last games and a Centaures loss in both could have given us a different ending. Luckily for Centaures and not so much for the Longhorns, the lone extra point by Jordan Rossie punched their ticket and kept their hopes of a Championship alive.

Les Centaures got off to a strong start in the first half and Jordan utilized his primary trio of receivers well. Jason Rossie, Hugo Allamanno and Chris Brockwell did most of the damage as they often do and they certainly needed it because the second half told a different story. The Longhorns defense started to figure out Les Centaures’ game plan and put Adam Rosen and Patrick Jazon in position to make plays and try to take back the game.

It’s not a Longhorns game without big plays by both Rosen and Jazon and they combined for 12 tackles and 3 interceptions and were the story in this one. While Eugene McLaren did well, he just couldn’t convert an extra point and will now spend the entire off season drawing up new plays.

Just like the previous matchup, both teams now have different plans for the next month. The Longhorns will get some rest after a disappointing season by their standards and the Rossie brothers get yet another chance in the playoffs together. Les Centaures might not be a favorite moving forward but they have the experience to surprise a few teams.

 

D-2

Baby Sharks 28 vs. GLC 27

The Baby Sharks finally get back into the win column for the first time in 3 weeks after an extremely close game with GLC. The win solidifies a playoff berth for the Baby Sharks and now GLC is on the outside looking in. For the Sharks, Nicolas Schaefer had a typical Schaefer game – I’m sure he’d even agree with me. He has a strong arm and likes to take chances so when he’s on point, you’ll see a game with about 50% completion rate and lots of yards and touchdowns which is exactly what we got.

More importantly, the game really came down to a score of 4-3 in extra points which is actually fairly impressive by both sides. Both quarterbacks did a great job spreading the ball around. Oliver Turcot and Marc-Antoine Chaput had big games for the Baby Sharks and Farid Amer-Ouali along with the always dangerous Mendy Cardichon did the damage for the part for GLC.

One of the big differences in the game came on an interception by Hai Minh Luong, giving the Baby Sharks the extra possession they needed to stay on top. GLC spent most of the game trying to come from behind and ultimately fell just one point short.

GLC now have an extremely difficult game against the top ranked Finessers and hope for the upset to give them a chance at the playoffs. If they win, it may just be enough because Les  OG’s, who are tied with GLC in the standings, have an equally tough game against Les Voyous. It should be a photo finish.

 

Renegades 25 vs. Underducks 24

Both teams came into the game with the same record of 4-4 in an extremely tight conference. You could make the argument that winning this game didn’t mean anything as the Underducks are still in the final playoff spot, however their fate is now anything but certain. If they lose their final game and the Fighting Amish find a way to win, things get interesting in the bottom of Conference A. Winning the game meant a lot more certainty for the Renegades.

Both quarterbacks had similar games, each filled with a few highlights and mistakes. Labonte almost let the game get away from him a few times with 2 costly turnovers, but made up for it on a nice run for a score. Kevin Gauthier had a huge game for the Renegades and I’m surprised it took them so long to lean on him. For the Underducks, Renaud St-Laurent dominated as he usually does and this was definitely a game for big strong receivers.

The story yet again was the inability for Mathieu Domon to draw up the right play in the redzone and convert on extra points. The Renegades were able to convert once and it was enough for the win. It may not mean a whole lot now, but this can be a first round preview if things stay as they are.

 

Power Rankings:

D-1

1. Half-A-Stars (8-0-1) – We’re eagerly awaiting a challenge.
2. Outlaws (6-1-2) – Rough couple of weeks but let’s chalk that up to vacations. They’re still number 2.
3. The Sheriff (7-2) – They’re proving that a mobile quarterback and solid defense can win games in this division.
4. Les Princes de la Rive Sud (7-2) – Are they really that good or are they a product of an easy schedule? We’ll find out soon in the playoffs.
5. Unknown Talent (6-3) – Definitely my pick to upset a few top teams in the playoffs.
6. Bird Gang (6-3) – They have the championship pedigree and have only been getting better as the season has gone on.
7. Hurricane SZN (5-4) – The most talented team in the Division but can they figure things out at the right time?
8. Team Ethnik (5-4) – They have not been at their best but when they have their full roster, they can beat anyone.

 

D-2

1. The Infantry (9-0) – Looks like only 1 team will stay undefeated.
2. Finessers (7-2) – They’ve looked unstoppable lately, can they eventually beat the number 1 seed?
3. Les Voyous (6-3) – They’ve slipped a little bit but still stay above the cluster of teams below them.
4. EZW (5-4) – They haven’t been at full speed, but still very dangerous.
5. Ballz Deep (5-4) – Their name helps, but their play on the field has been consistent as well.
6. Buffalo Wild Wings (5-4) – These guys are solid and should not be overlooked.
7. Underducks (5-4) – They’re proving that size can win football games in this division.
8. Renegades (5-4) – Their close win this past week keeps them relevant.

 

Playoff Preview:

Division D-1

Conference A

• Teams are set, but positions are not quite. It looks like Half-A-Stars and Les Princes de la Rive Sud will have the bye weeks.
• Unknown Talent, Bird Gang, Hurricane SZN, Team Ethnik will most likely compete in the Wild Card week.
• I’d love to make predictions but all 4 teams can win on any given week.

 

Conference B

• I’d bet on Outlaws and The Sheriff getting the week off.
• Will be a battle royale between Super Saiyans, Les Centaures, LOB and Random White Dudes.
• Give me Super Saiyans and Random White Dudes to advance, unless they play each other.

 

Division D-2

Conference A

• Finessers guaranteed to get the bye week, but the second one is still up for grabs.
• Fighting Amish on the outside looking in but there are 3 teams in a dog fight for that last playoff spot.
• Los Avocados officially eliminated.

 

Conference B

• Infantry and Les Voyous are in position to get the week off although it’s guaranteed for Infantry. I’m sure Sean and Rory could use the rest.
• Les OG’s and GLC are neck and neck for that last playoff spot, both with tough games this week.
• I like Ballz Deep and Baby Sharks to escape the wild card round.

 

Awards Race:

A lot of tight races coming down to the wire, should be an interesting final week!

 

Quarterback of the Year

D-1

Benoit Lawlor – Team Ethnik – He’s leading in the major categories but his high INT total and QBR may hurt him.

Andrew Langburt – Half-A-Stars – Can it be possible for him to win it with 1 fewer game? Can we add my stats to his? Either way, His TD/INT ratio is outstanding and he’s only a few touchdowns behind Lawlor.

 

D-2

Jeremy White – EZW – His award to lose. His INT total can hurt him but I think he just has way too many TDs.

Sean Semerjian – The Infantry – The only person who can catch White in my opinion, but I think Sean’s destined for two-way.

 

Wide Receiver of the Year

D-1

Adam Rosen – Longhorns – Still in roughly the same position, his touchdown totals may hurt him.

Mathieu Girard-Provost – Les Princes de la Rive Sud – One of the best all around receivers so far this year.

Danny D’Amour – Random White Dudes – Volume is his best friend.

 

D-2

John Bews – Texass Shorthorns – Now up to 24 TDs, I don’t see how that can be ignored.

Rory Semerjian – The Infantry – Good combination of yards and touchdowns.

Nirosh Suresh – Finessers – Best deep threat out of the 3, if the voters put an importance on yards and yards/catch he may surprise people.

 

Defensive Player of the Year

D-1

Alexis Bessette – The Sheriff – 3rd in tackles and first in interceptions will help.

Andrew Langburt – Half-A-Stars – If he doesn’t win either QB or defensive, I don’t see how he doesn’t win two-way player of the year.

Shyanne Stewart – Outlaws – He’s probably on the outside looking in but he’s having a great season.

 

D-2

Sean Semerjian – The Infantry – 9 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns is impressive.

Gabriel Poisson – Fighting Amish – Definitely the player with the best peripheral stat line.

 

Two-Way Player of the Year

D-1

Andrew Langburt – Half-A-Stars – This award always comes down to players who don’t win any of the other ones but still ball out on both sides of the ball.

Alexis Bessette – The Sheriff – He’s one of the reasons why The Sheriff are so successful and he fills up the stat line on both sides of the ball.

 

D-2

Sean Semerjian – The Infantry – Just like Langburt in D-1, if he doesn’t win any of the other awards he’s a lock here.

Gabriel Poisson – Fighting Amish – The best player on his team, he fills up the stat sheet every night.