Division E: What Percentage Are You?

Welcome to Week 8 of the FlagPlus Football Spring Season. This is one of my favorite times of year, as the CFL regular season is in full gear, NFL training camps are about a month away, and both the NBA and NHL get set to start their wild, wacky, and crazy free agent periods, where tons of money gets tossed around, teams choose make desperate trades to try and save face (I’m looking at you Indiana Pacers), and fans, who put on their General Manager caps, get a renewed sense of hope that their teams will be better this coming season, based on who they added.

 

On a personal note, as a die-hard Knicks fan, I don’t really care who we add in free agency this summer. We already won the off-season by dumping Phil Jackson. The zen-master has killed my Knickerbockers the last 3 years, as his outdated offense, and horrible personal moves set us back big time. I will give him credit, in that he did draft well. Kristaps Prozingis, is a franchise player, Willy Hernangomez, showed a lot of potential last year, and despite his fit in the triangle offense, this year’s first round pick Frank Ntilikna, brings much-needed defense and athleticism to the roster.

 

The roster is still a mess. The Melo situation needs to be rectified, and the biggest problem in owner James Dolan, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel, and the team has a shot at signing some decent free agents now that Phil is gone. I actually went out and bought the NY Post the other day. The same one that was shown on Sports Center, with Spike Lee on the cover rejoicing that the Knicks fired Phil. I felt the same way on Thursday at 4AM when I decided to check my phone after waking up to go to the bathroom.

 

Keep in mind, the whole situation can easily go back into the toilet if we as rumoured, decide to bring in John Calipari (great college coach, the master of the one and done, but essentially the same as Jackson, in that he has no front office experience) plus his record as Head Coach of the New Jersey Nets (72-112) isn’t exactly inspiring. Hiring Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri, would be a great move, especially given how many times he fleeced NY in trades, but it doesn’t make any sense to do it, given the amount of draft picks we would have to give up as compensation.

 

At the end of the day, whatever happens, will happen. At least for the time being, it feels great to be a Knicks fan again!

 

Back to FPF, and the reason why I led with talking about other sports, is that this is an exciting time in the league too. Teams in every division are starting to look at the standings, and see where they can end up, and who they might play in tbe first round of the playoffs. In light of that, I have decided to look at each teams changes of making the post-season, and the likelihood that they can win the championship. To do this, I will give a percentage mark for each area.

 

To make the article easier for myself to write and for you guys to read, I will start with Conference A, and go division-by-division. To kick things off, I will begin with:

Central

 

SPARTANS (4-3) – 80% and 25%

 

The most talented team in the division, is coming off of a key 21-18 win over the West Delisle Squad. The season has been a juggling act for the veteran squad, as they have had to bring guys in and out the line-up, as they’ve been missing long-time regulars in Charles-David Martel, and Alexis Bessette, who have missed time due to injury, and outside interests. Smartly though, the team has added the criminally underrated duo of Alexandre Jubinville, and Alexandre Samson, from last year’s Div. E champs, Trinity.

Despite their far from impressive playoff history, the team has a leg up on the rest of the teams in the Central, as they have the best Quarterback in the Central, in James D’Andrea. One thing that might hold the team back is their schedule, as they finish with the Homosapiens, Greendale Human Beings, and Just For The Reps. The SPARTANS, will have to at least go 2 for 3 in those games to hang onto first place, and secure a playoff spot.

 

Just For The Reps (4-3) – 80% and 15%

 

This team made the Spring Finals as recently as 2015, when they were known as One Man Show. A lot of things have changed since then. The team’s name, the loss of two-way stud Danny D’Amour, and the switch at QB from the Bellemare clan, to Jared Buck.

The one thing that hasn’t changed with this team, is that it is still talented. Whether or not they play up to that talent however, is another story.
Just For The Reps, finishes the regular season with games against One Speed: Power, Prime Time, and a Week 10 showdown with the SPARTANS, that will most likely decide who takes the Central. I predict a 1-2 finish, let’s see what happens.

 

West Delisle Squad (4-3) – 85% and 20%

 

This first-year team got off to a fantastic start, as they won 4 out of their first 5 games, and came within a play of making it five straight, when they lost 20-19 to the Striking Samurais.

Since their fast start, the West Delisle Squad, has lost 2 straight games by a combined 4 points. Questions about their ability to pull out the tight ones are starting to rise, as is the potential of their offense, as they have only scored 30 points or more once this season.

I gave them a high chance of making the playoffs, due to their relatively easy remaining schedule, which features games against Here For The Beer, FACE Jazz, and DGC.

 

Striking Samurais (2-5) – 50% and 5%

 

This team currently sits in the 12th and final playoff spot in Conference A. It is also fighting multiple injuries, hasn’t tasted victory since Week 3, and has been anemic offensively over the last month.

One advantage of having only 6 players the last few games, has been the playing time given to several rookies on the roster, which will bode well for the future.

Focused on making the playoffs this year, the team will need talented but inexperienced Quarterback Kevin Marcil, to use the whole field, and become more aware of down and distance when calling plays.

The Striking Samurais, face a must-win game Tuesday night against a Le Choix du Président team that is fighting for their own playoff lives themselves.

Le Choix du Président (2-5) – 50% and 2%

 

Despite their record, this veteran-laden club has talent. Their main problem this year, has been that they have yet to play an entire game. They either start off hot and but can’t continue it in the second half, or they start off ice cold, then rebound, but fall short at the end.

Le Choix du Président, is coming off of a huge 19-13 win over DGC. The team will need to carry that momentum this week in their playoffs or bust matchup with the Striking Samurais, and over the final 2 weeks, as they face the Farmers, and Fourth & Twenty.

 

East

 

Los Avocados (6-1) – 100% and 80%

 

One week after shocking all of Division E by beating the Greendale Human Beings, Los Avocados, took care of business, as they laid a 39-19 beat down on Fourth &Twenty.

This team is completely different than the squad we saw in the Winter Season. Last year’s (2-7-1) record served as a learning experience for the team, that has seemingly paid off. The addition of talented Wide Receiver/Rusher Thomas Zorko, has helped as well, as he has put the team’s offense on his back, with a team-leading 46 catches, for 498 yards, and 16 touchdowns. By comparison, the team’s entire receiving corps last season, only found the end zone 15 times.

If Zorko, and the emerging Samuel Damours (257 yards and 5 TDs) can continue their stellar play, this team can go far.

 

Greendale Human Beings – 100% and 90%

 

The shock of their aforementioned loss to Los Avocados has appeared to have worn off, as GHB laid the hammer down on the Smokin Axolotls 39-19.

Despite the loss, that currently puts them in second place in the East, this is still the best team in Div. E. As I said in last week’s article, the shine of invincibility has worn off, but GHB, has a chance to create a new one, as they finish the regular season with games against YAMAJO, SPARTANS, and the Raccoons.

 

YAMAJO (4-3) – 75% and 25%

 

This team is two games up on teams 12 through 14, and one game up on Sons of Mitches who they beat 37-19 in Week 1.

The only thing that can stop these guys from making the playoffs is themselves, and a tough schedule, that sees them play the Greendale Human Beings and Los Avocados over 2 of the next 3 weeks.

To survive those brutal games, YAMAJO, will need their triple-headed threat of Terrence Dobson, Anton Sakiz, and Dvd Joseph to continue their stellar play as of late. Over the team’s last 2 games, the trio has combined for 8 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 10 tackles.

YAMAJO, is coming off of a statement victory over Dirty Mike n the Boys, Tuesday night in Brossard. That win not only gave them a valuable 2 points, but it proved to Div. E, and quite possibly themselves, that they can take down one of the division’s heavyweights.

 

Sons of Mitches (3-4) – 60% and 5%

 

This team currently sits in 11th, 2 points up 3 other teams, a d is coming off of a huge 19-18 win over the Raccoons, that gave them a bit of breathing room.

The schedule makers didn’t do Sons of Mitches any favors, as they finish the regular season with games against The Expendables, Hot Boys Hotline, and Pension Plan. SOM, will need to at least win one of those remaining games to solidify their post-season ticket.

 

Raccoons  (2-5) – 5% and 1%

 

Like I said earlier, they lost a heartbreaker to Sons of Mitches last week. The loss, forces the team into a do-or-die situation, as they have to find at least one win in their remaining games, if they want to have any chance at qualifying for the post-season.

The task will be easier said than done, as they face arguably the toughest schedule out of all the Conference A teams on the outside looking in, with games against Los Avocados, YAMAJO, and the Greendale Human Beings.

Raccoons QB Étienne Clément who has improved this season, will need to bring his A game, if his team is to have a chance.

 

West

 

Dirty Mike n the Boys – (5-2) 100% and 75%

 

The second percentage would be higher, but recent losses to the Farmers and YAMAJO, knocked these guys down a bit. Those are two teams that DMNTB should’ve beat, it’s more than a little telling that they fell short.

With divisional games remaining against the Little Giants and Homosapiens, and a matchup with One Speed: Power to close out the regular season, Dirty Mike n the Boys, have a chance to dust themselves off, and head into the playoffs with some momentum. Let’s see what happens.

 

Homosapiens (4-2-1) – 100% and 75%

 

The first-year team mixed with veterans and rookies, is a few plays away from being undefeated. The key to their season so far, has been the play of Quarterback François Deslauriers. In his first year at the position, Deslauriers, has thrown 23 touchdowns. While the stat might not blow you away, it’s the fact that the pivot has spread around the TD passes to multiple receivers, makes the offense more dangerous.

The team has a similar approach on defense, where they have seven different players who have recorded an INT. Let’s see where their solid play on both sides of the ball leads them, as they close out the regular season with three tough opponents, in the SPARTANS, Dirty Mike n the Boys, and TBA.

 

Farmers (4-3) – 100% and 50%

 

The Farmers, are a puzzling team. It would be easy to say that they are a team that only beats weaker teams, and falls short against the better ones, as they have victories over DGC and Here For The Beer, but have lost to the Little Giants and Homosapiens. It’s not so black and white however, as they also have wins over Los Avocados and Dirty Mike n the Boys.

Luckily for the Farmers, they close off the regular season with the easiest schedule in Div. E, as they face Fourth & Twenty, Le Choix du Président, and the Montreal Raiders, so the team better use those matchups to make sure they hit the playoffs rolling on all cylinders.

 

Little Giants (4-3) – 85% and 25%

 

Doesn’t it seem like a lifetime ago that these guys were 3-0? This team has been up and down all year. Despite that, there is definitely a lot of talent on this squad, headlined by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dylan Drake.

Finding consistency, will be the key for this first-year squad. With games against Dirty Mike n the Boys, Friday Night Tykes, and the Striking Samurais to close out the regular season, the Little Giants will have a chance to find it. If they can find it, they could make some noise come playoff time.

 

Here For The Beer (1-6) – 10% and 1%

 

The saying that anything is possible, clearly applies here as I give them a 10% chance of making the playoffs. Am I the only person that pictures Kevin Garnett yelling that out at the top of his lungs after the NBA Finals, every time somebody says it?

For Here For The Beer to pull off the nearly impossible, they will need to win at least 2 of their 3 remaining games (West Delisle Squad, Fourth & Twenty, and Hot Boys Hotline) – not exactly a murderers’ row, but not a walk in the park either – and hope for some help, as they need to finish with a better record than the Raccoons, who currently sit 2 points up on HFTB, and own the tiebreaker, thanks to their 18-12 victory in Week 6.

 

 

Conference B

 

 

 

Central

 

Pension Plan (4-3) – 100% and 20%

 

This team climbed up to the 3rd seed, after a big win over the Striking Samurais last Sunday at Stade de Montreal. The key for the Pension Plan keeping their spot in the standings, will obviously be determined by how they finish going forward.

They have a huge match tonight versus FACE Jazz, who they are currently tied with record-wise for first in the Central, but fall back to second due to their divisional records.

Pension Plan, also has games against the Super Troopers and Sons of Mitches. In short, their destiny is in their own hands. Can they handle the pressure?

 

FACE Jazz (4-3) – 100% and 20%

 

As stated above, they have a chance to put a chokehold on the division, if they can knock off the Pension Plan tonight at Stade de Montreal. If they can’t, they will ha e to do it against stiffer competition in the West Delisle Squad, and the Super Troopers.

Would this team consider putting the ultra fast Azeem Bailey, at Quarterback, and put Eddy Rousseau, at his natural Wide Receiver spot? Stay tuned.

 

One Speed: Power (3-4) – 50% and 15%

 

While they are currently 2 points up on teams 12 through 14, they face a tough remaining schedule, as they will take on Just For The Reps, Pardon My Swag, and Dirty Mike n the Boys, which is why I put their chances at making the playoffs at 50%.

One Speed: Power, can win all three games, but it will depend on the play and health of Peeze, as the QB suffered an ankle injury last week, which partly explains his 5 INT performance against Prime Time.

 

Super Troopers (3-4) – 80% and 25%

 

Simply put, this team has too much talent to be in this position, so it’s time for them to put up or shut up. After missing the first half of the season, and taking a while to mesh with the offense, Quarterback Gabriel Wiseman needs to bring his A game every contest going forward, and the defense will need to force more stops.

The Super Troopers have three remaining winnable games, as they play DGC tonight, and then close out versus the Pension Plan, and FACE Jazz. Will they answer the challenge?

 

DGC (1-6) – 10% and 1%

 

Believe it or not, the second-year squad has a chance at making the playoffs. To do so, they must beat either the Super Troopers, Montreal Raiders, or West Delisle Squad over their three remaining games, and hope that the 12th seed Friday Night Tykes, lose at least 2 out of their last 3 contests. Good luck.

 

East

 

Hot Boys Hotline (6-1) – 100% and 50%

 

Whether blowing a team out, or finding a way to pull one out at the end of a game, it may sometimes be ugly, but the Hot Boys Hotline, find a way to win.

The only real question facing this squad, is the level of competition, as so far they have faced teams who are either below, or barely above .500.
The team will have a chance to quiet a lot of critics tomorrow night in Kirkland, as they take on a rapidly improving Moss City squad. Let’s see how they do.

 

Pardon My Swag (4-3) – 100% and 65%

 

This is another team that has the talent to go all the way, but Pardon My Swag’s record against upper echelon teams is a disappointing 1-3.
Over the next 2 weeks, they face the Montreal Raiders, and One Speed: Power. Those are both very winnable games. Their Week 10 contest against Prime Time will be a huge test, and a must-watch game. The outcome will show us how seriously we should take Pardon My Swag as a championship contender.

 

Smokin Axolotls (4-3) – 100% and 65%

 

Last year’s Division E championship runner’s up, faces arguably the toughest remaining 3 games in Conference B, as they go up against TBA, Los Avocados, and The Expendables.

To get beat those teams, and to get back to where they left off last year, they will need to rely on the their historically solid defense headlined by Stef Fennes, and Jason Rossie, to force turnovers, and give their offense more time with the ball than opponents.

 

The Expebdables (4-3) – 100% and 30%

 

They are on in danger of being labelled a middle of the pack, or even an overrated team, due to the fact that they’ve beaten up on lesser competition, reaped the benefits of a rather easy schedule, but have fallen short against stronger squads like the Hot Boys Hotline, and Pardon My Swag.

While most people fully expect them to beat Sons of Mitches and the Striking Samurais, those games won’t be as easy as everybody might think. If they come out of those games 2-0, we will all get a chance to see how good The Expendables really are, when they face the Smokin Axolotls in Week 10. Let’s wait and see…

 

Montreal Raiders (0-7) – 0% and 0%

 

Despite their record, these guys show up and play hard, which is a lot more than I can say for other teams. This season will serve as a learning experience for the rookie squad. If they can find an upgrade at Quarterback next season, watch out.

 

West

 

TBA (6-1) – 100% and 85%

 

The rookie squad is fast and explosive. They will need both those attributes as they finish with a brutal schedule, that sees them play the Smokin Axolotls, Homosapiens, and a huge matchup next week against Moss City that will most likely decide the winner of the West.

One thing going in their favour, is the fact that they are on a three game winning streak, and have given up only 26 points over that time.

 

Moss City (5-2) – 100% and 85%

 

What a difference a Quarterback makes. After starting off the regular season with a 1-2 record, and sporting an offense that only scored more than 20 points once, the team switched Quarterbacks and went with FPF rookie Andrew Farrier in Week 4. Since then, the team has not only passed the 20 mark, put they have hit the 30 twice, and even the 40 plateau as well. More importantly, the squad has gone a perfect 4-0.

Over the next two weeks, they face the Hot Boys Hotline, and TBA. Those two matches will serve as a barometer to see how good Moss City really is before they begin their playoff journey.

 

Prime Time (3-3-1) – 100% and 70%

 

This is another talented team, who if things break right, could find themselves playing on August 6th in Brossard. They have play-makers on both sides of the ball in Michael Iannella, Meïssa N’Garane, Josh Levine, and Shyanne Stewart. Their Quarterback Stephen Harripersaud, plays the game with his head, and is quick to not only see what defenses are doing in front of him, but to pick them apart as well.

The only concern I have with these guys is their defense. Watching them in Week 6 against Moss City, while their offense didn’t do them any favours by turning the ball over 4 times, they still couldn’t get a stop when the game was on the line. The same thing was true in the second half of their Week 2 loss to TBA, where they gave up 27 points. Against elite teams, that simply can’t happen.

While they can’t catch TBA for the West crown, Prime Time, can leapfrog a glut of teams who are all tied between the 4th and 8th spot in the standings, with a win tomorrow over the Friday Night Tykes, and a little help. All eyes will be on their Week 10 matchup with Pardon My Swag.

 

Friday Night Tykes (1-6) – 25% and 1%

 

They currently sit in the last playoff spot in Conference B, and hold the tiebreaker over Fourth & Twenty after beating them 26-20 in Week 2. For the Tykes to solidify their trip to the post-season, they will need to find a win among their three remaining games, which sees them play Prime Time, Little Giants, and Moss City.

To have any chance at winning any of those games, they will need their offense, which has scored a grand total of 14 points over the last 3 weeks (one of was a forfeit) to wake up.

 

Fourth & Twenty (1-6) 15% and 1%

 

As stated above, they lose out on a tiebreaker to the Friday Night Tykes, due to losing to them in Week 2.

For 4:20 blazing (there you go Chapman and Peeze) to get into the post-season, they will need to win at least one of their remaining three games, and hope the Friday Night Tykes don’t win any of theirs. Luckily for Fourth & Twenty, the schedule makers did them a favor, as they finish off with the Farmers, Here For The Beer, and Le Choix du Président. Can they take advantage?

 

 

Elite 8

 

1. Greendale Human Beings – As expected, they rebounded after their loss to Los Avocados. What wasn’t expected, is how easily they beat the Smokin Axolotls. Let’s see what they do to an underrated YAMAJO team. Last Week: 1st.

 

2. TBA – They escaped with a 5 point victory against a tough Super Troopers team. TBA, will have to be even better this week against an even Smokin Axolotls squad. Last Week: 2nd.

 

3. Hot Boys Hotline – They kept the Montreal Raiders off the scoreboard, by beating them 29-0. A shutout is a shutout no matter what. They move up a spot because of it. Last Week: 4th.

 

4. Los Avocados – They blew out Fourth & Twenty 39-19. Los Avocados, get another easy game Tuesday in Brossard, when they face the Raccoons. Last Week: 3rd.

 

5. Homosapiens – They move up a spot because of their 13-12 victory over the Little Giants, Dirty Mike n the Boys’ loss to YAMAJO, and because they already beat the next team on the list. Last Week: 6th.

 

6. Moss City – They leapfrog the Farmers based off of who they beat last week. Moss City crushed FACE Jazz 38-12. Last Week: 8th (Keep reading…)

7. Farmers – These guys on the other hand, demolished a much-weaker Here For The Beer team by 39 points. Satisfied? Last Week: 7th.

 

8. Pardon My Swag – They got a much-needed and huge win over Just For The Reps 27-20, last Sunday at Stade de Montreal. This team finds itself back on the Elite 8, for the first time in 2 weeks. Let’s see if they can stay here. Last Week: N/R

 

Picks

 

FACE Jazz vs Pension Plan – FACE Jazz

Dirty Mike n the Boys vs Little Giants – Dirty Mike n the Boys

West Delisle Squad vs Here For The Beer –West Delisle Squad

Just For The Reps vs One Speed: Power – One Speed: Power (My pick for Upset Special)

Fourth & Twenty vs Farmers – Farmers

Super Troopers vs DGC – Super Troopers

SPARTANS vs Homosapiens – Homosapiens

Pardon My Swag vs Montreal Raiders – Pardon My Swag

Moss City vs Hot Boys Hotline – Moss City

Prime Time vs Friday Night Tykes – Prime Time

TBA vs Smokin Axolotls – TBA

Los Avocados vs Raccoons – Los Avocados

The Expendables vs Sons of Mitches – The Expendables

Striking Samurais vs Le Choix du Président – N/A

YAMAJO vs Greendale Human Beings – Greendale Human Beings

 

Last Week: 10-4

 

Season: 60-37-1

 

Brent vs Marc-André

 

Marc-André

 

Striking Samurais vs Le Choix du Président – Le Choix du Président

SPARTANS vs Homosapiens – Homosapiens

TBA vs Smokin Axolotls – Smokin Axolotls

Hot Boys Hotline vs Moss City – Hot Boys Hotline – Hot Boys Hotline

Just For The Reps vs One Speed: Power – Just For The Reps

 

My Picks

 

Dirty Mike n the Boys vs Little Giants – Dirty Mike n the Boys

Hot Boys Hotline vs Moss City – Moss City

Fourth & Twenty vs Farmers – Farmers

YAMAJO vs Greendale Human Beings – Greendale Human Beings

TBA vs Smokin Axolotls – TBA

 

Last Week: 3-2

 

Season: 17-13

 

That’s it for this week guys. I’ll be back next with time with a semi- early playoff preview.

 

Just a reminder on a couple of things. Firstly, on the league’s Facebook page, we have put out info for the first ever FPF Cup. The season will run from September to December. There will be a total of 48 teams competing. It should be A LOT of fun. For more info, click on the Facebook page and/or ask El Presidenté Señor Roberto Campana.

Secondly, if you haven’t checked it out already, you guys should look at the updated playoff standings on the site. If you’re not sure how to find them, click on Division E, then Overview. After that, where it says Current Division Standings, you click on Playoff Standings, and there you go. The set is new and pretty cool. It honestly saved me a lot of time in writing this article too, so it definitely gets my endorsement.

 

Thirdly, thus is officially the longestvarticke I have written for FPF, so hopefully you guys like it. If not, I could alwats write longer next time.

 

Finally, don’t forget to check out the weekly Div E Podcast on Wednesday nights, with Peeze and I. A big shout out to the main man, and my protégé Moe Khan for filling in for Peeze last time out. Much appreciated!

 

Good luck to everybody in their games this week. Have a great end of the weekend, and Happy Canada Day!!!!

 

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