Division E: Divisional Round Preview

Welcome to Week 12 of the FlagPlus Football season, aka the Divisional-Round.

 

Sunday’s Wild-Card Round, gave us some exciting football, some blowouts, and even an upset or two.

 

In the first of what should be multiple put-up-or-shut-up games this post-season, the SPARTANS, silenced their critics for the time being, by laying the hammer down in convincing fashion, with a 32-6 victory over Just For The Reps.

 

The stars of the game for the SPARTANS, were Alex Jubenville, Sumi Shan, and Charles-David Martel.

 

Shan, who picked up 4 sacks, was in the face of Quarterback Jared Buck all game long, causing the QB to have to the throw the ball before he was ready, and often into coverage. The Rusher’s constant pressure got so bad, that at multiple times during the game, Buck, would take his eyes off his receivers as soon as the ball was snapped, and fixated on trying to beat Shan. When you get a passer doing that, you know you’ve won.

 

Martel, benefited of the Shan pass rush, as he recorded two interceptions in the first half, including an acrobatic one off of a tip drill. The two-way threat, also came through offensively, as he hauled in 3 passes for a team-high 42 yards.

 

In Sunday’s article, I mentioned the impact the addition of Alexandre Jubenville has made to the SPARTANS, and with good reason. On Sunday night, the third-year player shredded the Just For The Reps defense to the tune of 6 catches for 33 yards and 3 touchdowns. He almost reached the end-zone a fourth time, but was stopped literally a step before the goal-line.

 

SPARTANS Quarterback James D’Andrea, went 12 of 20 for 120 yards, and 4 TDs, in the victory, and in the process, exercised at least some of the playoff demons that have haunted him and his team.

 

For JFTR, it has to be a devastating loss, especially considering how poorly they played. The team seemed to fall apart as soon adversity struck.

 

Their offense, which hadn’t scored more than one touchdown in two of the team’s last three games, failed to show up once again. When the team’s leading receiver Kevin St. Pierre, was held in check for the most part, as he finished with 4 receptions for 40 yards, the team couldn’t anybody to pick up the slack, and make a big play when really needed it.

 

Dirty Mike n the Boys made short work out of Le Choix de Président, as they cruised to a 31-0 victory.

 

DMNTB Quarterback Jordan “Pick-6” Allard, tore apart the LCP defense, as he spread the ball around to six different receivers, on the way to completing 13 of 21 passes for 197 yards, and matched a season-high with 5 TD passes.

 

On offense, LCP, looked like they were stuck in quicksand, as they could barely get past midfield on multiple drives. Despite only registering one sack, the rushing of Gianni Johnston, gave Quarterback Gabriel Béland-Lapointe, problems all evening-long, as he forced the QB to have to repeatedly get rid of the ball in 4 seconds or less.

 

The team’s big-play receivers, in Nicolas Lefebvre, Gabriel Allard, and Philippe Tremblay didn’t help out the offense all that much, as the trio combined for 6 receptions for 60 yards.

 

Despite the tough loss, Le Choix de Président, shouldn’t hang their heads. The team had a good season, and their transformation from the days of Cette Équipe Là and Les Huards, to what they are now, should be applauded. This team has talent, and they seem to be heading in the right direction. Hopefully they will build off of their success.

 

The Smokin Axolotls took their first step on the road to redemption, as they edged out The Expendables, 26-19.

 

Leading the way for Stef Fennes’ team, was the dynamic duo of Chris Brockwell, and Rory Semerjian. On offense, the Snapper, and Wide Receiver combined for 14 catches 126 yards, and 4 TDs.

 

The duo made their presence felt on defense as well, as Semerjian recorded an INT, and Brockwell, picked up a sack, and provided constant pressure on opposing QB David Roaldi.

 

Collectively as a defense, the team played extremely well, as they held their opponents to one first-half score. More importantly, the Smokin A’s completely shut down The Expendables best players, and leading receivers, in Jason Hervieux, and Damien Jean-Jacques, as they each were held to one catch.

 

Little-used receiver Leslie Déjoie, stepped up for the team to fill the void offensively, with a team-high 5 receptions for 80 yards and two TDs, but unfortunately for the Sophomore and his team, it wouldn’t be enough.

 

Just like Le Choix de Président, after experiencing a lot of losing (The Expendables finished 0-10 in the winter season) the team seems to be headed in the right direction. Hopefully they keep up the momentum going forward.

 

After leading only 6-2 at halftime, The Pension Plan, used a dominant second-half to pull away and defeat FACE Jazz 25-8 Sunday at Stade de Montreal.

 

While Wide Receiver of the Year finalist Anthony Siggia, had his usual big offensive game with two touchdowns, who really steeped up his game for The Pension Plan, was Giovanni Giammarella, who had a team-high 6 catches for 36 yards.

 

On defense, the team got stand-out performances by various players, but none bigger than Joe Marziliano, who was second on the squad with 4 tackles, and picked up an INT, that he returned for a TD.

 

For FACE Jazz, it was a disappointing performance to say the least, as they were only able to find the end-zone once all evening, curtesy of a TD by Josh Hannah.

 

The only real positive other than the TD, was the 2 sack performance of Rusher Sascha Kavanagh-Sommerer, and the game-high 84 yards that Wide Receiver Azeem Bailey registered.

 

If you’ve seen them play, it’s clear that as a team, FACE Jazz has speed to burn. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough to win many games, and get to where they want to go collectively.

 

Prime Time beat DGC 49-0. There’s honestly not much I can say about it, other than Quarterback Stephen Harripersaud, looked like surgeon (excuse the pun, cause he actually works in the medical field) as he sliced and diced the DGC defense for 6 TDs, and spread out the ball to multiple receivers.

 

For DFC, the writing is on the wall, that they need an upgrade at QB, as neither Nicholas Borrelli, nor Andrew Di Miele, are up to the task. This team has talent in Cory Werner, Di Miele (playing DB/WR), and FPF vet Foti Evangelista among others, but until they address the most important position on the field, this will be the result.

 

Now for the upsets…

 

In the classic Dennis Green (R.I.P) rant on Monday Night Football, the Farmers are who we thought they were. After surprising everybody by finishing with a (6-4) record, which included huge wins over Los Avocados (more on them shortly), and Dirty Mike n the Boys, Benoit Robidoux’s team looked like their old selves Sunday night, as they failed to show up, and looked lost against the Little Giants, going down in defeat 26-6.

 

Part of the reason for their abysmal showing, was the play of Robidoux. The hot and cold QB, was cold as ice Sunday night, as he went a disastrous 6 of 20 for 90 yards, with 1 TD and one INT.

 

Even the dynamic Simon Viens, couldn’t do much to save the team, as the WR had a relatively quiet night (by his standards) with 3 catches for 32 yards and a TD.

 

In Sunday’s article, I mentioned that one of the keys to victory for the Little Giants, would be the ability of Quarterback Shane Hughes, to protect the ball. Hughes, did exactly that, as he didn’t throw an INT, and finished the game with a 122.2 QB Rating, while going 16 of 24 for 144 yards, with 4 TDs.

 

Helping Hughes, and the team out in a big way was the receiving tandem of Dylan Boisvert, and Dylan Drake. Each player recorded a game-high 6 receptions, while Boisvert found the end-zone twice. Drake, would add an IBT on the other side of the ball.

 

Another team who followed the Farmers game plan, but having a solid regular season, that was defined by a big win (over Greendale Human Beings) was Los Avocados.

 

For the majority of their game against Sons of Mitches, LA resembled the team that showed up last winter, as missed throws, numerous drops, and blown coverages on defense, were displayed on almost a drive to drive basis.

 

For as much firepower as they bring from game to game, having averaged nearly 30 points a contest (28.5), the Los Avocados offense was pretty one dimensional Sunday, as it was either a run by QB Josh Vasquez, or a deep shot to Wide Receiver of the Year Thomas Zorko.

 

Much to their credit, Sons of Mitches, smartly played bracket coverage on Zorko all night long, and didn’t let him have anything deep. Due to that, the WR who averaged over 10 yards a catch this season, was forced to settle for 5-7 hooks, and slants all night long.

 

On offense, Sons of Mitches Quarterback Patrick Manning, dinked and dunked his way up field, with passes to multiple receivers, including Matthew Augustine, Jarred Stewart, and Jordan Farray, who had a team-high 5 receptions for 56 yards, and 2 TDs.

 

Even though the 14-6 halftime score might not have reflected it, the Sons of Mitches dominated the first stanza.

 

The second half was completely different, as Los Advocados, found a bit of life curtesy of their best player, in Zorko, who adjusted his game, and used his speed and elusiveness, to break out of more then a few would-be tackles, to extend drives and find his way to the end-zone.

 

There was a 7-minute stretch that where it appeared that Los Avocados would walk out with the come from behind victory. Down 20-6, halfway through the second-half, and facing third and goal from just outside the SOM 5-yard line, Vasquez threw a horrible lame-duck pass that floated in the air forever, and seemed destined to be intercepted. Instead of picking it off, Free Safety Jarred Stewart had a brain-cramp, and decided to emphatically bat the ball down. While the spike would’ve been impressive if he were playing volleyball, Stewart, for all intents and purposes, could have iced the game right there, as his team would have been able to work the clock, and even if they didn’t score on what ensuing drive, they would’ve given the ball back to their opponents with not enough time left to score twice. Naturally, Los Avocados scored on the next play, to shrink to lead to 20-12.

 

On the next SOM possession, Los Avocados, were gifted the ball on a turnover on downs call, that appeared from my vantage point as well as the scorekeepers’ to be a case of a bad spot. On 4th and 1 with the game conceivably on the line, Quarterback Patrick Manning, decided to pick up the first down with his legs. On his scramble, he looked like he had just gotten the first by a quarter of a step. One half of the ball was placed exactly where the 1st down marker was, but the refs deemed that it wasn’t enough for the first down.

 

After the huge turnover, Los Avocados would score again to bring them within two points 20-18, but LA would miss the 2-point conversion.

 

After an SOM punt with 3 plays remaining, LA failed on two Hail Mary attempts, and it was game over.

 

The final upset of the weekend saw One Speed: Power beat Pardon My Swag, in what ended up being the game of the night 37-32.

 

The shoot-out started from the very first play, as Peeze hit Daniel Bornstein, for a 40-yard TD.

 

Both squads would exchange blow for blow in this one. The only thing that seemed to stop them was halftime, and an interception, as Peeze was picked off by PMS Rusher Pat Deschenes, on what had to be the play of the game at least early on (spoiler alert) and he returned it for a touchdown. What made the whole thing stand out even more, was two things. Firstly, was the fact that Deschenes, picked off the pass from his own red-zone, and ran it all the way back. Although they are rare, I’ve seen the always appreciated, and usually amazing Rusher pick-6 plays, but, I have never seen one performed from end-zone to end-zone before. WOW.

Secondly, the pick which gave Pardon My Swag a 32-31 lead, came with 90 seconds left to 5 plays.

 

Naturally, this forced One Speed: Power, to have to march up field. In his best Brett Favre impression, gunslinger Peeze, hit his receivers on short and intermediate routes. With 2 plays remaining, he connected with Daniel Bornstein on a quick slant for the game-winning touchdown.

 

This truly was a fantastic game, as many players from both sides came through with big performances. Sadly, there can only be one winner, and on Sunday, it was One Speed: Power.

 

 

Divisional-Round Preview

 

Conference A

 

Greendale Human Beings versus (12) Sons of Mitches

Last Meeting: N/A

 

After getting beat twice this season, the defensing Division 6 champs, the Greendale Human Beings, righted the ship, and finished as the top seed in Conference A. Their gift for doing that, is a matchup with a Sons of Mitches team, who are coming off of an upset victory over Los Avocados.

 

Regardless of the two blemishes on their record (Los Avocados and YAMAJO), GHB, comes in with the highest-scoring offense in Div. E, with 337 points. They have the best QB/WR tandem in the league, in Danny, and Brandon Aylward. Teams that try to shut that down (good luck with that) also have to deal with Daron Migdesyan, and Greg Kritselas. In short, it is no easy task.

 

For Sons of Mitches, with their win over Los Avocados, (despite how hard they tried to give it away late in the second half) they have proven to themselves, and Div E, that they can knock off a good team. They are now playing an elite team however, and pulling off an upset will be even harder, considering they lost their Rusher Adriano Arciero, to an Achillies injury in the first half on Sunday. Hopefully the injury to the big man, isn’t as bad as it seemed on the sideline.

 

Even with Arciero in the line-up however, I honestly don’t think this game will be close, as the Greendale Human Beings, are simply too talented.

 

Prediction: Greendale Human Beings 36-6

 

(2) Homosapiens versus (10) Little Giants

 

Last Meeting: Homosapiens 13-12 (Week 7)

 

If you love defense, the Week 7 affair was one to watch, as the game was tied 0-0 at halftime, and both François Deslauriers, and Shane Hughes, combined to throw for 5 interceptions. The difference in this game came down to conversions, as the Homosapiens were able to get one, to opponents’ zero. This time around, hopefully both Quarterbacks, and offenses, don’t forget their games at home.

 

For the Homosapiens to complete the two game sweep, they will need to rely on more than just the play of G.M. Kolethras, and Jonathan Brown, as they did last time to get the victory. The team must get a big game out of Kevin Foster (who missed the first meeting), and another good performance out of Tristan Hetu-Frankel, who threw for, and caught a TD.

 

With no consistent pass rush, the team must also find a way to make Little Giants Quarterback Shane Hughes, get rid of the ball fast.

 

For the Little Giants, they will need to ride the momentum of their blowout victory over the Farmers in the game tonight. One way to do that, is to make the Homosapiens pick their poison, by spreading around the ball evenly to their receivers, and by finding ways to incorporate secondary weapons Sergio Sicoli, Kevin Walsh, and Brandon Doyle more often.

 

This game can definitely go either way. I am hesitantly going with the Homosapiens, because they are the better team, and because I feel that the Little Giants, who played their best game in a long time this past Sunday, might have a hard time doing it again.

 

Prediction: Homosapiens 26-18

 

(3) West Delisle Squad versus SPARTANS (8)

 

Last Meeting: SPARTANS 21-18 (Week 7)

 

In the first match-up, the game came down to the wire, and the SPARTANS, were able to escape with a victory.

 

Leading the way for the boys purple, was Daniel Hernandez, who had an impressive 5 catches for 61 yards, and 2 TDs.

 

For the guys in green, it was Joseph Haddad, who finished with 7 receptions for 43 yards p, and two scores of his own.

 

For the SPARTANS, they got the victory without the explosive Alexis Bessette, who missed the game due to injury, and the aforementioned Alex Jubenville. Clearly the team is MUCH better with those two in the line-up, as they give QB James D’Andrea, two more targets to go along with Hernandez, Martel, and Snapper Samuel Bessette.

 

For the West Delisle Squad to pull out the victory, they will need to keep this a tight and low-scoring game. To do that, they will have to play an aggressive defense that disrupts the timing off their opponents’ offense, and they must do a much better job of defending the short middle, than Just For The Reps did. Multiple times on Sunday, the middle of the JFTR defense looked like it was doing a re-enactment of the parting of the Red Sea.

 

This game might also come down to the play of the Rushers. Olivier Thompson, who finished second in Div. E with 10 sacks, wasn’t able to bring down D’Andrea. The same holds true for Sumi Shan, who didn’t record a sack on Alexandre Delisle, who ran 4 times for 36 yards in the game. If one team can get an advantage in this department, it might mean the difference.

 

I think will be close just like the first meeting, but I am still going with the SPARTANS

 

Prediction: SPARTANS 26-20

 

(4) YAMAJO versus (6) Dirty Mike n the Boys (My choice for Game of the Week)

 

Last Meeting: YAMAJO 38-31 (Week 7)

 

The first encounter was a game of two halves, as YAMAJO jumped out to a 32-13 lead at the half, curtesy of some extremely sloppy play on both sides of the ball by Dirty Mike n the Boys.

 

DMNTB, finally got their act together, and showed up in the second stanza, as they staged a furious comeback, by scoring 18 points, and holding their opponents to 6. Ultimately, the bad start came back to haunt them, as they lost by 7.

 

Fast-forwarding to tonight’s match-up, I expect it to be another close one, as both teams are arguably playing their best football right now.

 

This game will pit an aggressive, speedy and athletic team in YAMAJO, against an experienced and methodical Dirty Mike n the Boys squad. The biggest question of course will be, who will walk away with the win.

 

I think it will come down to two things. The first, is who makes the least amount of mistakes. Last time out, Jordan Allard’s 2 INTs to Dvd Joseph, were huge, as the rookie ran one of them back for a touchdown. On the other side of the equation, YAMAJO made the mistake of taking their foot off the pedal, as they nearly gave up their 19-point second half lead.

 

The second key, will be play-makers. As good as the DMNTB offense is with Jared Gallant, Jonathan McQueen, and Joel Therrien-Lareault, among others, I am not sure they can keep up score for score with Anton Sakiz, Jack Antaki, Dvd Joseph, and Terrence Dobson (who must protect the ball like he did in Week 7).

 

Because of that, I am giving YAMAJO the slight edge.

 

Prediction YAMAJO 30-28.

 

 

Conference B

 

(1) Hot Boys Hotline versus (11) One Speed: Power

 

Last Meeting: N/A

 

In the battle of FPF employees, One Speed: Power, will try to knock off another favourite in the Hot Boys Hotline.

 

Some people including yours truly, look at the (8-2) record, and say that the Hot Boys Hotline are beneficiaries of a rather easy schedule, as their only quality wins were against the Smokin Axolotls, and the West Delisle Squad, with a little help from multiple OCs.

 

I am not going to go on with too much analysis here, as this game should come down to match-ups, in particular, Vadim Chernyak, Shawn Fontaine and Edwouard Valmé versus William Power, Lucas Blanchard, and Daniel Bornstein. All 6 players are capable of raking the top off a defense, and blowing a game open at any time offensively.

 

On the defensive end, the half dozen, have made huge plays, that have delivered their team victories all year long. Simply put, whoever wins that battle, will win the game.

 

Good Peeze showed up Sunday night, I am willing to make the bet that he makes one more appearance.

 

Prediction: One Speed: Power 20-18.

 

(2) Moss City versus (8) Smokin Axolotls

 

Last Meeting: N/A

 

While this might fall just a little short of being the indestructible force taking on the immovable object, this us still a game that will feature of the best defenses in Div. E, taking on one of its best offenses.

 

Since taking over the Quarterback position in Week 4, Andrew Farrier, has thrown for 30 touchdowns (he missed the regular season finale). The rookie will face his biggest test to date, in a Smokin Axolotls team, who not only have a wealth of experience, but love to switch their coverage before the snap to confuse opposing QBs. The chest match between Farrier, and Jason Rossie, should be fun to watch.

 

As lethal as the Moss City offense is, their defense has been even deadlier, as they gave up a paltry 148 points, which was good for second best in Div. E behind the West Delisle Squad.

 

The impressive D, will have their hands full, as they try to slow down Smokin A’s Wide Receiver Rory Senerjian, along with Chris Brockwell, and the aforementioned Jason Rossie. Red-zone defense will also be key as well, as QB Jordan Rossie, has big targets in Sean Semerjian, and Kevin Fraser as well.

 

For the Smokin A’s, they will need to be able to put constant pressure on Farrier, as the QB has the speed to keep plays alive with his legs, and buy time for receivers to get open, and his pinpoint accuracy is not to be overlooked.

 

The team’s coverage on Moss City receivers Bruno Provencher, and Victor Rifiorati, and Benjamin De Tilly, must be sharp, because all three players can take off deep in an instant.

 

Moss City is rookie team who gas taken Div. E by surprise, while the Smokin Axolotls, are an experienced team, who is trying to take the last step after losing to Trinity in the Finals last summer.

 

Normally, I would go with experience, but Moss City has the look of a team that appears unstoppable.

 

Prediction: Moss City 33-30

(3) Super Troopers versus (7) The Pension Plan

 

Last meeting: Super Trooper 40-6 (Week 9)

 

The first meeting was essentially a wrap at halftime, as the Super Troopers were up 18-6.

 

The Pension Plan Quarterback, Vince Pisano, had a rough game, as he threw 4 interceptions. A big reason for the high amount of turnovers, was the rushing of rookie Trevor Rendell, who picked up 3 sacks. Ironically enough, the Super Troopers former All-Star rusher Zackary Alberts-Gill, hauled in one of the INTs and ran it to the house.

 

For The Pension Plan to avoid a similar defeat, they will first and foremost, need to protect the ball. Pisano will also need to be accurate with the deep ball the Super Troopers will look to take away the short-game that the veteran QB thrives on.

 

On defense, they will need to get constant pressure in the face of opposing QB Gabriel Wiseman, who shown from time to time, that he will hang on to the ball forever, and throw off of his back foot when hounded repeatedly.

 

For the Super Troopers, the game plan is simple. They must feed Zach Zwirn the ball in the open field, as there is nobody on the opposing defense that can keep up with him, and they also attack the holes in The Pension Plan zone defense, that leaves too many openings in the intermediate

.

I expect this game to be a little bit closer than the Week 9 affair, but I still expect the Super Troopers to advance.

 

Prediction: Super Troopers 32-12

 

(4) TBA versus (5) Prime Time

 

Last Meeting: TBA 33-20 (Week 2)

 

The first meeting feels like it happened a century ago, but the fact remains that TBA won by 2 touchdowns.

 

TBA Quarterback Clay Sequira, only completed 9 passes, but 4 of them went for TDs, with WR Eric Vosko catching 2 of them.

 

A lot has changed since that meeting. Despite having a talented roster, TBA, only scored 30 or more points 2 other times during the season.

 

Prime Time on the other hand, did it on 6 occasions after Week 2.

 

The teams also seemed to go in other directions, in terms of stepping up their game as well. In 8 games since that meeting, Prime Time, has won, including big wins over YAMAJO, One Speed: Power, and Pardon My Swag. The only other losses they suffered, was by 1 to Dirty Mike n the Boys, and by 9 to Moss City.

 

On the flip side, TBA, has won only 5 of 8 contests, with their key victories coming against the Smokin Axolotls, and Super Troopers, but they suffered blowout losses to Moss City, Homosapiens, and the Greendale Human Beings, losing by a combined score of 121 to 56.
Just as important, the team finished the regular season by losing to Moss City, and the Homosapiens.

 

These are two teams clearly headed in the opposite directions. While the TBA should hold a little weight, it happened at the beginning of the season, when Prime Time who are pretty much playing with each other for the first time, was just starting to get to know one another. Now, nearly 10 weeks later, is pretty clear who both teams are.

 

Prediction: Prime Time 32-20

 

That’s it for this week guys. Sorry for dropping the article so close to fame-time, I needed to get all the Sunday results before I started writing last night, and I didn’t want to rush it. I’ll be back this weekend with recap of tonight’s games, and a Quarter-Finals Preview.

 

Good luck to everybody tonight, I’ll see you guys in later.

 

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