Divisional and Quarterfinal Rounds – Chaos, Comebacks, and Cinderella Stories!
Phillip Roberts
29-11-2024 09:43 PM
Tier 4 Playoffs Recap: Divisional and Quarterfinal Rounds – Chaos, Comebacks, and Cinderella Stories!
The Tier 4 playoffs are living up to their reputation as a spectacle of thrilling finishes, breakout performances, and the rise of unlikely heroes. From razor-thin victories to dominant displays, the playoffs are now on fire! Let’s dive into what went down during the Divisional and Quarterfinal rounds and what lies ahead in the semifinals.
Divisional Round: The Plot Thickens
Big Fat Panini 18 – 16 Double Dippers
(As predicted: Big Fat Panini targeted AJ Zeppetelli early and often, and it paid off!)
Big Fat Panini came into this game needing to lean on their stars, and quarterback Daniel Curiale delivered. Curiale connected with Zeppetelli for 92 yards and a touchdown, as well as Luca Leccese for two additional scores. They secured the win in a defensive slog, with timely contributions from their defence, including an interception by Michael Cristofano that stalled the Double Dippers’ momentum.
For the Double Dippers, it was heartbreak. David Brisson showed flashes of brilliance, but his two interceptions proved costly. Christian Pedroza was a menace with 88 receiving yards, but Big Fat Panini’s disciplined defence held firm when it mattered most. In the end, Panini was too hot to handle, and the Dippers were dunked out of contention.
Salt’s n a Pepper 21 – 24 Les Flagouilleurs
Les Flagouilleurs shocked the world (well, Tier 4) with an upset that has us all asking: Who can stop them now?
Quarterback Alex Poitras was cool under pressure, tossing four touchdowns to guide Les Flagouilleurs to victory. Andrew Poitras showed his playoff pedigree with two clutch touchdowns, while Gabriel Wiseman added another. On defence, Tristan Redmond played like a man possessed, notching two pass deflections to stymie Salt’s n a Pepper’s potent offence.
Salt’s n a Pepper leaned heavily on Kyle Folkerson and his connection with Mathieu Lafortune, who caught all three of the team’s touchdowns. Folkerson didn’t throw a single interception, but the offence stalled in critical moments. The result? Les Flagouilleurs proved they weren’t just here to play; they’re here to win. Cinderella, your ride awaits!
Super Troopers 34 – 25 Hard Knocks
The Troopers didn’t just win; they bulldozed their way to the semifinals!
Kenny Boutilier is quickly becoming the face of these playoffs. Throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for 58 yards, Boutilier was unstoppable. His top target, Zackary Alberts-Gill, accounted for three of those scores, terrorizing the Hard Knocks defence. Giovani Antonacci sealed the game with a pick-six, leaving no doubt about the Troopers’ dominance.
Hard Knocks showed grit, with DonnDre Borden passing for four touchdowns and Keenan Dezeeuw-Caruth racking up 90 yards and three scores. However, they couldn’t overcome the Troopers’ relentless offence. Hard Knocks may be out, but they earned their stripes in a battle of Tier 4 titans.
Pack is Back 12 – 36 In N’ Out
Call the fire department – In N’ Out is sizzling!
This wasn’t just a win for In N’ Out; it was a statement. Nicolas Katerelos was in full Patrick Mahomes mode, throwing four touchdowns and looking as poised as a ten-year NFL veteran. Samuel Deland was his go-to guy, racking up 49 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Simon Boyer added flair with a pick-six, ensuring In N’ Out’s dominance.
Pack is Back couldn’t keep up, with quarterback Sam Anastasopoulos tossing two touchdowns but struggling to find consistency. As I said before, In N’ Out is on a finals run. With the way Nicolas Katerelos is playing, who needs Mahomes when you’ve got Katerelos? And with a last name like Pacheco on the roster, are we sure this isn’t an NFL expansion team?
Pasta Arrabiat 26 – 32 Mean Machines
In what was arguably one of the most evenly matched games of the weekend, the Mean Machines edged out Pasta Arrabiat in a thrilling 32-26 contest. Quarterback Jeremy Steinberg was masterful, completing 20 of 30 passes for 131 yards and four touchdowns. Avi Korman was the star of the night, hauling in seven receptions for 51 yards and three touchdowns while adding six tackles on the defensive side. The Machines’ offence was methodical and efficient, leaning on short, precise passes and converting key plays in the red zone.
Pasta Arrabiat refused to go quietly. Nic Delisi threw for an impressive 180 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing a connection with Joe Morgese, who reeled in three touchdowns on seven catches for 50 yards. Despite a strong first half, Pasta Arrabiat struggled to stop Steinberg’s rhythm, with the Mean Machines scoring on nearly every possession.
While Pasta Arrabiat’s defence, led by Carmelo Di Giovanni (five tackles), kept them in the game, the inability to generate turnovers proved to be their undoing. The Mean Machines, living up to their name, marched on with precision and determination, sending a clear message: underestimate them at your own risk.
Quarterfinal Round: Thrills and Spills
Big Fat Panini 18 – 19 Les Flagouilleurs
I said Big Fat Panini had what it took to make a deep run, but Les Flagouilleurs had other plans – and wow, did they deliver.
Once again, Alex Poitras was the difference-maker, throwing three touchdowns to lift his team to victory. Andrew Poitras and Gabriel Wiseman were unguardable, combining for all three scores. The defence stepped up when it mattered most, with Rayane Cherifi snagging a key interception.
Big Fat Panini didn’t go quietly. Daniel Curiale threw for three touchdowns, with Zeppetelli and Leccese continuing to shine. But as they drove down the field late in the game, Les Flagouilleurs’ defence stood tall. This win cemented Les Flagouilleurs as the playoff darlings, and if they weren’t taken seriously before, they sure are now.
Super Troopers 27 – 26 Gooners (Overtime)
Game. Of. The. Year.
This one had it all: drama, elite quarterback play, and a game-winning score in overtime. Kenny Boutilier threw four touchdowns again and delivered when the stakes were highest, hitting Giovani Antonacci for the walk-off score. Théo Médori was everywhere, finding the end zone, as well as a key defensive interception.
For the Gooners, Noah Lieblein left it all on the field, throwing four touchdowns and spreading the ball around. Ethan Cohen’s two-touchdown performance nearly pushed them over the edge. But nearly doesn’t cut it in the playoffs. Super Troopers punched their ticket to the semifinals in a game for the ages.
NoFlagsGiven vs Mean Machines
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 10:30 PM | Complexe CN
NoFlagsGiven enters this matchup as one of the most disciplined teams in the playoffs, relying on their rock-solid defence. Their ability to control the clock and minimize mistakes has carried them this far, but they’ll need to be at their best against the high-flying Mean Machines. Jeremy Steinberg has been nothing short of clinical at quarterback, spreading the ball around and racking up touchdowns. His connection with Avi Korman, who scored three touchdowns in the divisional round, has been lethal.
For NoFlagsGiven, the key will be to limit Steinberg’s rhythm and force the Mean Machines into uncomfortable situations. On the other hand, the Machines will aim to overwhelm NoFlagsGiven’s defence with quick, precise passes and relentless offensive pressure. This game has the makings of a classic chess match between a stifling defence and a well-rounded offence.
Bullshigh vs In N’ Out
Saturday, Nov. 30 | 11:00 PM | Complexe CN
This late-night showdown could be the fireworks display of the quarterfinals. Bullshigh has relied on their balanced attack and defensive consistency all season, making them a tough out for any opponent. They’ll need all of that and more to slow down an In N’ Out team that has been on a tear.
Nicolas Katerelos, the In N’ Out quarterback, has been electrifying, throwing for multiple touchdowns with the kind of poise and creativity that draws comparisons to Mahomes. Whether it’s Samuel Deland slicing through defences or Simon Boyer making game-changing plays on both sides of the ball, this team has been a force to be reckoned with. Bullshigh, however, has the discipline to grind out a win if they can control the pace and keep Katerelos off the field.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the winners of these two quarterfinal matchups will face off in the final semifinal game, currently TBA, on Monday, Dec. 2, with a trip to the championship on the line. Both games promise excitement, intensity, and unforgettable moments as the Tier 4 playoffs charge toward the finish line.
Semifinal Matchups: Buckle Up!
Super Troopers vs Les Flagouilleurs
Monday, Dec. 2, 9:00 PM | Dome Hébert [3]
The Troopers’ offence has been a juggernaut, but Les Flagouilleurs are the ultimate wild card. Can Boutilier and Alberts-Gill keep the momentum going, or will the Flagouilleurs’ defence (and their own Poitras connection) pull off another stunner? Prediction: Super Troopers win in a thriller, but don’t count Les Flagouilleurs out.
Final Thoughts
From Super Troopers’ relentless offence to In N’ Out and Les Flagouilleurs’ Cinderella stories, the Tier 4 playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular. With the semifinals looming, the drama is only just beginning. Who will rise? Who will fall? And most importantly – will anyone stop In N’ Out now?
Stay tuned, folks, because the best is yet to come. Let the games begin!
