Division E: Quarterly Report Part 2 – FlagPlus Football League

Welcome to Week 9 of the FlagPlus Football Spring Season. This is it guys, the stretch run is here. For some teams, it’s all about using the next 2 weeks to get ready for the playoffs, while for others, they will use it as a last ditch attempt to qualify.

In Week 4, I gave you guys my Quarterly Report, where I ranked every team in Division E, based on how they were doing at the time. As I promised you guys then, I would release a second edition. Now, 5 weeks later, I have gotten a chance to see all 30 teams play, and more importantly, each squad has shown us what they are all about.

Just like the last time out, I will use 4 different categories to describe all thirty teams. The only change will be the replacement of the Let’s Wait and See category, by the Sleeper section.

Just to re-cap, the categories are as follows:

• The Rest
• Pretenders
• Sleepers
• Contenders

With the intro all taken care of, here is the second edition of the Quarterly Report.

The Rest

Montreal Raiders (0-8)

As I’ve said pretty much the entire regular season, this team has talent. Their problem has been at the Quarterback position, where rookie starter Derek Hasid, has struggled big time.

In all honesty, this is good group of guys, so hopefully they will come back and try it again in the Winter Season. If they do, they will need to build around the talent they have in Wyatt Bowen, Richard Massey, the electric Tevyn Nicholls, and Hasid, who has shown potential as a receiver.
As I said earlier, the QB position is a problem. If this team hopes to improve even slightly, they HAVE to find an upgrade. Whether they scour the free agent list, talk to lower rated higher division passers, or put an ad up on the FPF Facebook page, the team needs to do something.

Here For The Beer (1-7)

The team’s Week 4 win over the Little Giants, seemed to energize them, as they brought games against FACE Jazz, and the Raccoons down to the wire. Since then, Here For The Beer, has struggled offensively, as they have put up a total of 6 points over the last 2 weeks.

Clearly, this is another team who needs to find a more productive Quarterback, as the combination of Thomas and Ben Provost, who have combined for 10 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, simply aren’t getting it done.

One positive for the team, has been the play of Defensive Back Alexander Franco. In only 6 games this season, the rookie has a jaw-dropping 5 INTs. Besides being a first-year player, the fact that he is doing this without the help of a legit Rusher, is impressive. Franco, is a building block that the team must build around going forward.

DGC (1-7)

While the absence of underrated Rusher Cory Wener, for the first half of the regular season has hurt them, I am still surprised that this team has done so poorly this year. With players like Foti Evangelista, Andrew Di Miele, and Nick Kypriotis, among others, this team shouldn’t be in the basement of the somewhat uninspiring Central Division.

This team’s goal heading into the season was to make the playoffs. Despite their awful record, and thanks to their Week 3 victory over the 12 seeded Fourth & Twenty, that gave them the potential tiebreaker should these teams finish with the same record after next week, they have a chance to make it if they beat either the Montreal Raiders tonight, or the West Delisle Squad in Week 10, and 4:20 blazing loses out.

Friday Night Tykes (1-7)

Unlike all the teams mentioned so far, the Friday Night Tykes, have the Quarterback position figured out, as first-year pivot Tim Horner, appears to be the answer. While he needs to cut down on his interceptions, he has shown the ability to lead his team and make plays.
This is a first-year team, who with a little more experience, and the addition of one more play-maker, to help out Tony Paolucci, and Horner, will find themselves climbing out the basement rather quickly.

Fourth & Twenty (2-6)

This team is a perfect example of why playing the game is what really matters. On paper, this is a squad that should at least be middle if the pack, given the presence of Erik Ciaccia, and Jason Draicchio, who have combined for 16 TDs.

The only thing that can explain their disappointing record, is the one thing that has been their Achillies heel all season, and that is their inability to force turnovers. Heading into this week’s games, the team has a combined 6 takeaways, and nobody on the squad has more than one. That will have to change going forward.

As I said earlier when talking about DGC, Fourth & Twenty, hold their playoff fates in their own hands. Coming off of a HUGE upset win over the Farmers last week, if they win against either Here For The Beer tomorrow in Kirkland, or Le Choix de Président next Monday at Stade de Montreal, they stand a good chance of making the big dance.

Raccoons (2-6)

A team built around speed, if they could find a more accurate Quarterback, they would be lethal. What QB Étienne Clément, lacks in his delivery, he more than males up for with his legs, as the rookie has picked up key first downs and extended drives with the ground game.

Defensively, the play of rookies Maxime Lachance, and Alexandre Lemoyne, has really stood out, as they have 5 INTs, and 7 sacks respectively. These are two key players with monster potential, that the team must keep, and build around.

While they might fall short of making the playoffs, given that they finish off with YAMAJO and the Greendale Human Beings, this team is headed in the right direction.

Striking Samurais (2-6)

This is a team with too much talent to be sitting where they are right now. Inconsistent play on both sides of the ball, inexperience, and injuries to key play-makers have been holding them back the last couple of weeks.

Holding on to the 12th and final playoff spot in Conference A, and having the fate of their playoff destiny in their own hands last week, the Striking Samurais, laid an egg, as they lost to the previously 13th seeded Le Choix de Président, 18-12 Tuesday night in Brossard. Now the team must win-out against The Expendables tonight, and the Little Giants next Tuesday in Brossard.

One Speed: Power (3-5)

Sorry Peeze and Chapman, but I am officially off the One Speed: Power bandwagon. My heart has been broken too many times by you guys. Seriously though, this is a talented team, who if everything goes right, could make a deep playoff run, dare I say Finals appearance. Unfortunately, for ONS, they either haven’t been able to pull out the close ones like they did last winter, or their offense puts them behind the eight ball, multiple turnovers.

Regardless of their record, this squad is still in the thick of the post-season race, as they currently sit in 11th in Conference B, one game back of 4 other teams who are currently tied for the seventh seed. The schedule makers didn’t do ONS any favours as they close out the regular with games against Pardon My Swag, and Dirty Mike n the Boys.

Le Choix du Président (3-5)

As I said earlier, they are coming off of a gigantic win over the Striking Samurais, that puts them in the driver’s seat for the final playoff spot in Conference A.

For as much heat as Quarterback Gabriel Béland-Lapointe takes, I have to give full credit to the fourth-year player, as he went out and led his team a much-needed victory.

If these guys hang on to their playoff ticket, they will need their two best receivers in Nicolas Lefebvre, and Gabriel Allard, to continue to step up their game once the second season begins.

The team will also need Rusher Francis Lorrain, to keep up his hot play, as the third-year vet has recorded a sack in 3 out of his last 4 games.

Sons of Mitches (4-4)

Having played this team, I can honestly say that they are better than what their record indicates. The two biggest things that are holding them back however, is their losing record against stronger teams, and their inability to hit the deep ball.

While they have wins over the Striking Samurais, Friday Night Tykes, Raccoons, and the Expendables, they are 0-4 versus teams above .500.
Patrick Manning’s 20 TD passes, and 76.0 QB Rating isn’t too shabby. What is however, is the fact the he averages a lowly 8 yards per pass. While the FPF field is only 40 yards long, Manning, has to do better than that.

With their playoff spot already solidified, SOM finishes off with the Hot Boys Hotline tonight in Lachine, followed by the Pension Plan next Sunday at Stade de Montreal. Can Manning, and the offense find their vertical game before the post-season arrives?

Little Giants (4-4)

This team showed so much promise early in the season, as they started 3-0, earning wins over Moss City, Farmers, and Pension Plan. It appears that a Week 4 upset loss to Here For The Beer just threw off all their mojo, as they have gone 1-3 since than, with their inly victory coming over Sons of Mitches in Week 6. The remnants of that earlier team are still there however, as Dylan Boisvert, and Dylan Drake, have been producing all season.

The key for these guys going into the playoffs, will be the play of QB Shane Hughes. In his first year if extended time at the position, the FPF vet who has thrown at least one INT in every game this year, needs to cut down on the turnovers big time.

With 2 winnable games remaining against the Friday Night Tykes, and the Striking Samurais, the Little Giants have a chance to jump up all the way to 5th (with a ton of help) in the Conference A standings.

FACE Jazz (4-4)

I was ready to move these guys up a category, but their blowout losses to Moss City and the Pension Plan in back-to-back weeks has me thinking they are right where they need to be.

For this team to make ne or anybody else a believer, they will need to beat the West Delisle Squad tonight in Lachine, and the Super Troopers next Sunday at Stade de Montreal.

To have any chance at doing either, they will need their offense, which has scored a combined 12 points in the last 2 weeks, to wake up, and fast.

Pretenders

The Expendables (4-4)

I almost forgot to include these guys again. Just kidding. What’s also funny, is their record against winning teams, which currently stands at (1-3).

What isn’t a laughing matter, is their nail-biting loss to the Sons of Mitches last week, which blew a chance for the team to jump all the way up to the 6th seed in Conference B. Now, they are tied with 4 other teams for the seven seed.

The team has two big games remaining. Tonight they take on a banged-up and under-manned Striking Samurais squad, followed by a huge matchup against one of the teams they are tied with for the aforementioned 7 spot, in the Smokin Axolotls, in Week 10.

The Expendables will need to take of business in both games if they want to be taken seriously in 2 weeks.

Super Troopers (4-4)

Another team with way too much talent to be where they are, the Super Troopers, come into the final 2 weeks of action, winners of 2 out of their last 3 games. While two of those wins came against lowly DGC and Le Choix de Président, the team’s 5-point loss to TBA in Week 7, shows that they aren’t far off from being the better team many of us, including themselves, thought they were going into the regular season.

Any team with Zackary Alberts-Gill, and Zach Zwirn, always has a chance to win. Getting continued solid play out of Quarterback Gabriel Wiseman, who has thrown 10 TDs versus 4 INTs over the last 3 games, would go a long way towards letting that happen.
In too many games upper echelon teams this year, Wiseman has looked shaky at best. That has to change.

The Troopers finish with the Pension Plan, and FACE Jazz, will they be able to enter the playoffs on a row?

Farmers (4-4)

With wins over Los Avocados, and Dirty Mike n the Boys, I really wanted to put these guys in the next category. Losses to Here For The Beer, and Fourth & Twenty last week, made me instantly change my mind.

If I was going to compare teams, I would call the Farmers, the One Speed: Power of Conference A. Both teams are littered with talent, but the play of their Quarterback, has the potential to make or break them. When QB Benoit Robidoux is on, he is spreading around the ball, and giving his receivers a chance to make a play, on short and intermediate high-efficient passes. When is off, he is rolling to one side of the field, chucking the ball up, and hoping for the best.

Over the last 2 weeks, Robidoux, has thrown 7 TDs and only 2 INTs. He and the team finishes with games against Le Choix du Président, and the Montreal Raiders. The QB will have a chance to finish strong, and use that momentum when the playoffs begin.

SPARTANS (4-4)

In the past, I would’ve placed this team in the Sleeper or Contender category, but I have learned my lesson, as the squad always disappoints come playoff time. The team’s, and QB/FPF employee James D’Andrea’s annual vowel to power through, along with their pregame chant, has fallen on deaf ears this time around.

The SPARTANS, finish off with a tough matchup against the Greendale Human Beings, followed by a meeting with Just For The Reps in Week 10. For James D’Andrea’s team to be taken seriously, and more importantly for them to climb up the Conference A standings, where winning-out can see them jump all the way up from 7th to the 3rd seed, they need to win two straight.

The Pension Plan (5-3)

Truth be told, these guys deserve credit for their 3-game winning streak. The only problem J ha e with it, is the fact that it came against 3 teams who aren’t over .500, in the Striking Samurais, FACE Jazz, and One Speed: Power. In fact, if I look at their 2 other wins, they came against the Friday Night Tykes, and DGC. Not exactly a murderer’s row.

Plan and simple, I need to see these guys beat a good, or at least middle of the pack team, before I jump on the bandwagon. Beating the Super Troopers tonight at Stade de Montreal, in convincing fashion would be a good start.

Hot Boys Hotline (6-2)

Before you guys start thinking I am, crazy, let me explain. Yes, they have a great record, and are likely to extend it, as they close out the season versus Sons of Mitches, and Here For The Beer, but the problem I have with these guys, is that with the exception of their Week 4 win over the Smokin Axolotls, they haven’t beaten anybody all that impressive. While they did best the West Delisle by one in Week 6, WDS, gift-wrapped them the game-winning TD, by taking a bunch of stupid OCs on HBH’s final drive.

While I am not trying to take anything away from these guys, their somewhat soft schedule has a bit to do with their current, and more likely final record. That right there, makes me doubt whether or not they can get the job done when the playoffs roll around, and the intensity picks up as the games and competition get harder and harder. I have my doubts.

West Delisle Squad (5-3)

I wanted to put these guys on the next list given their (5-3) record, but upon further examination, they barely squeezed by a good, but not great Just For The Reps team (more on them in a second) , and beat a Moss City squad in Week 1, that hadn’t put in Andrew Farrier at QB yet, I feel that WDS is in the right spot. (Losing to us in Week 2 also didn’t do them any favours.

While I knew Michael Khazaka, would be the main attraction of the team as soon as I saw him on the roster, I must say, I’ve been impressed by the play of teammates Joseph Haddad, Alexandre Delisle, and Olivier Thompson. The trio have been just as important to the team’s success as last winter’s candidate for two-way player of the year in Div 6.

Currently sitting tied for 6th with YAMAJO in Conference A, WDS has a chance to jump all the way up to third, if they can win one of their final two remaining games (FACE Jazz and DGC), and Just For The Reps, who they are tied with atop the Central, lose either of their two final contests.

Interesting times indeed.

Just For The Reps (5-3)

After the heated podcast exchange between Peeze and I, with Just For The Reps member Justin Occhionero during and after our weekly podcast, I was tempted to drop these guys off the list entirely. Just kidding. Seriously though, as I said on the podcast, the addition of Quarterback Jared Buck, has certainly paid dividends for this squad. His connection with the always reliable Alex Grey, and break-out Wide Receiver and good guy Kevin St. Pierre, has been impressive, as the receiving duo has combined for 18 TDs.

The team’s defense has been no slouch either, as led by the trio of Buck, Pierre, and Grey, who have combined for Justin Matteo 17 INTs, and Rusher Justin Matteo, who has 9 sacks.

What I also said on the podcast, and what I’ll say again here, is I don’t take these guys all that seriously, because they haven’t beaten an elite team to date so far this year. While they will probably counter with the fact that they beat YAMAJO in Week 3, let me be quick to point out that the rookie squad started the season (1-3), and hadn’t evolved into the squad they are now.

Peeze, and I, also said that while Just For The Reps has some really good players, they don’t have an elite player who can just takeover a game at the drop of a hat. As good as Grey, and Pierre gave been, they have combined for 1 TD against Dirty Mike n the Boys, and Pardon My Swag. Each player missed a game (Pierre vs Swag) and (Grey vs DMNTB), but if you’re team is that good, you should be able to find a way to pull out the win. That’s the difference…

Sleepers

Homosapiens (5-2-1)

This team is arguably 3 plays away from being (8-0). Led by François Deslauriers, the Hetu-Frankel brothers (Shaden and Tristian), and G.M. Kolethras (this team is full of long last names) they can score with just about anybody.

Although they lack a true pass rush, their defense is impressive as well, as it is led by Kevin Foster, and a number of other ball-hawks.
The only question facing this team, and the only thing keeping them out of the Contenders category, is will they be able to pull out the close games, that they couldn’t against Prime Time, Super Troopers, and the Greendale Human Beings, when the bright lights of the playoffs come on?

The Homosapiens finish two tough games to wrap up the regular season, as they face Dirty Mike n the Boys and TBA. What better way to get some practice?

Smokin Axolotls (4-4)

Most people would say given their .500 record, that their record, the Smokin A’s should be in a lower category. Usually I would agree, but these guys did make the Finals last spring, and they have too many weapons to just dismiss them so easily.

One of the reasons for their slip this season, has been the team’s reliance on star receiver Rory Semerjian. While the sophomore is tied for second in TDs in the division with 16 with the Farmers’ Simon Viens, he also has twice as many catches as anybody else on the roster. With solid WRs in Chris Brockwell, and Jason Rossie at QB Jason Rossie’s disposal, that is unacceptable.

Currently on a two-game losing streak, Stef Fennes’ team has a chance to get their act together over the next 2 weeks, as they face Los Avocados and The Expendables.

Prime Time (4-3-1)

Despite their barely over .500 record, this team has the classic look of a team that NOBODY will want to face come playoff time. They have speed, smarts, athleticism, and the firepower to beat anybody in the division. Most importantly, having won 4 out of their last 5 games, they are playing their best football of the season, at precisely the right time.

A re-match against Moss City, after their Week 6 shoot-out, hopefully awaits us in the post-season.

Prime Time wraps up the regular season with games against Just For The Reps tonight, and Pardon My Swag the following Sunday. Don’t be surprised if the boys in blue go 2-0, and enter the playoffs on fire.

Contenders

Pardon My Swag (5-3)

Pardon My Swag, has all the appearances of a team that plays up and down to their competition, as evidenced by games against Just For The Reps, Smokin Axolotls, Hot Boys Hotline, Greendale Human Beings, and Dirty Mike n the Boys.

No one is questioning whether or not they have the talent to go all the way, but whether can they pull it out when it really counts?

With their regular season finale against Prime Time, and then the marathon that is the playoffs right after, we are all about to find out.

Moss City (6-2)

Has there been a more hotter team the last few weeks than this crew?

Since the team has inserted Andrew Farrier, in as their starting Quarterback in Week 4, they have gone on a 5-game winning streak. The rookie passer, has put up jaw-dropping numbers in that period, as he has thrown an incredible 24 TDs and only 3 INTs.

While some people might say that Farrier and the team, and the had the luxury of beating lesser squads like the Raccoons, Fourth & Twenty, and FACE Jazz during the aforementioned run, Moss City also beat Prime Time, and smashed the Hot Boys Hotline, during the streak as well.
The team has the talent and skill to go all the way. Let’s see if they do.

Dirty Mike n the Boys (6-2)

There is no question this team can ball. They are fast, cocky, and aggressive. That’s usually a good combination, but the cockiness has come back to bite Dirty Mike n the Boys this year, in losses to the Farmers, and YAMAJO.

With wins over Prime Time and Pardon My Swag, they have shown that they can beat some of the top teams in Div. E. In the playoffs, they will get every team’s best shot. If DMNTB, don’t bring their A-game, there’s a good chance they will get knocked off.

Starting this week with a game against a tough Homosapiens squad, Jordan “Pick-6” Allard, will need to keep his team focused on the prize.

YAMAJO (5-3)

Their (26-24) win over the Greendale Human Beings (more on them in a minute) last week, and their victory over Dirty Mike n the Boys the week before, catapulted YAMAJO into the Contender bracket. Congrats!

With Terrence Dobson, Dvd Joseph, Anton Sakiz, and Jack Antaki, among others, no one doubts that this team has the talent to go all the way.

The only question that peiple including yours truly had about YAMAJO, was consistency, as a narrow win over a middle of the pack The Expendables, and an earlier loss to Just For The Reps, had me thinking this team wasn’t ready to join the elite of the division. Looks like I was wrong.

All eyes will be on the team’s Week 10 game against another top squad in Los Avocados. Let’s see what happens.

Greendale Human Beings (6-2)

A couple of speed bumps on the road in the form of losses to Los Avocados, and last week to YAMAJO, have knocked the defending Winter Season champs off course.

The lethal combination of the Aylward brothers (Danny and Brandon), along with Daron Migdesyan, the underrated Greg Kritselas, and red-zone threat Satchel Carriero, will always make this team a contender, but as I ha e said before, with sheen of invincibility firmly gone, and with the rise of more challengers to the Div. E title, can GHB reclaim their spot as the best team in the division? We will soon find out.

Los Avocados (7-1)

This is the team who made the biggest jump record-wise from the Winter to the Spring Season.

After going 2-7-1, in the winter campaign, Los Avocados have gone a remarkable 7-1, and have been the best team in the division the last few weeks. A shocking 37-36 victory over the Greendale Human Beings in Week 6, not only shocked FPF, but seemed to be the turning point in the LA season.

Since the win, Los Avocados have won two other games in blowout fashion, over Fourth & Twenty, and the Raccoons. Critics, who aren’t impressed with those wins, will get to see what LA is all about, as they close out the regular season against the Smokin Axolotls, and YAMAJO.

TBA (7-1)

Their only loss so far this year has come at the hands of the Greendale Human Beings. The loss was ugly, as GHB was in charge from start to finish, and came away with the 39-19 win in Week 4. Since that embarrassing loss, TBA, has won 4 straight games, including some tight ones against veteran squads in the Smokin Axolotls, and Super Troopers.

The team’s dangerous offense, headlined by Quarterback of the Year candidate Clay Sequira, and game-breaking Wide Receivers Eric Vosko, Pat Bourque, and Owen Wars (he needs to play in 2 more games to qualify for the playoffs) can put up points on anybody.

The team’s defense led by Sequira, Vosko, and the less-heralded Jer Friedman, is just as lethal, as they use their speed to jump routes, and track down inaccurate deep passes. The only thing they are lacking is a quality Rusher.

Monday night’s game against Moss City, not only is a potential Game of the Year candidate, but could serve as a possible playoff preview. Whoever comes out on top, could very well represent Conference B on August 6th.

Picks

Prime Time vs Just For The Reps – Prime Time

Pardon My Swag vs One Speed Power – Pardon My Swag

West Delisle Squad vs FACE Jazz – West Delisle Squad

Striking Samurais vs The Expendables – N/A

Little Giants vs Friday Night Tykes – Little Giants

Hot Boys Hotline vs Sons of Mitches – Hot Boys Hotline

Montreal Raiders vs DGC – DGC

Super Troopers vs Pension Plan – Pension Plan (Upset Special #1)

TBA vs Moss City – Moss City (Upset Special #2 and My Pick for Game of the Week)

Smokin Axolotls vs Los Avocados – Smokin Axolotls (Upset Special #3)

Fourth & Twenty vs Here For The Beer – 4:20 Blazing

Homosapiens vs Dirty Mike n the Boys – Dirty Mike n the Boys

YAMAJO vs Raccoons – YAMAJO

Le Choix de Président vs Farmers– Farmers

Greendale Human Beings vs SPARTANS – Greendale Human Beings

Last Week: 9-5

Season: 69-42-1

Brent versus Marc-André

Marc-André Picks

Little Giants vs Friday Night Tykes – Little Giants

West Delisle Squad vs FACE Jazz – West Delisle Squad

Fourth & Twenty vs Here For The Beer – 4:20 Blazing

Homosapiens vs Dirty Mike n the Boys – Dirty Mike n the Boys

Montreal Raiders vs DGC – Montreal Raiders

My Picks

Moss City vs TBA – Moss City

Greendale Human Beings vs SPARTANS– Greendale Human Beings

Prime Time vs Just For The Reps – Prime Time

Farmers vs Le Choix de Président – Farmers

Pension Plan vs Super Troopers – Pension Plan

Last Week 3-2

Season: 17-13

That’s it for this week guys. I apologize to the late article. This took me a heck of a lot longer than I thought it would.

After a one-week reign, this is now officially the longest article I have ever written for FPF! On a totally separate note, damn you copy/paste and spell-check for last week! I hate your guts!

Good luck to everybody this week!

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