Divisional Round Preview

Ladies and gentlemen, with Week 10 in the books, and the regular season officially wrapped let me be the first to welcome you all to the FlagPlus Football Spring Season playoffs, aka the real season.

If you’ve been on the FPF site from Tuesday night on, you’ll notice that the matchups have been set. Our playoff format is just like the NBA and NHL’s, where the #1 seed plays the 8th seed, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th, and 4th vs 5th.

Over the years, my experience in this league, as well as playing tackle football has shown me, that when the real season starts, you can almost always throw out what happened in the regular season. The post-season, brings out a different beast in many players and teams. It’s do or die, winner takes all. No second chances, you lose you go home. No one cares what you did from Week 1 to 10, especially if you don’t show up in the playoffs. It’s all about winnning a championship. It’s part of the beauty of the game, and what keeps us all, including yours truly, keep coming back every season.

For this week’s article, I am going to focus on the first round matchups. I will break down each game, and pick a winner, and give you my prediction for the final score.

Before I get into the playoff portion of the article however, I would like to thank the Permian Panthers, Goon Squad, FACE Jazz, Rolling Thunder, Jagys & Chill, Victorious Secret, Les Huards, and the KRUSADERS for playing this season. I know the season didn’t go as planned for you guys, but there are some positives you guys can all take from this year. Although it probably doesn’t feel like it right now, the situation you guys are in is a positive. Take the advantage of not having games this weekend, and come and check out the playoff action. Look at what the teams, especially the successful ones do, and try to apply some of it to your team.

The Winter Season kicks off in January. Use the time to work on plays sides of the ball, look at your scheme and your personnel to see what is the best fit, and if you have to, make some roster changes (If you’re going down this route, just remember that’s it’s NEVER too early to start recruiting). I can tell you from first hand experience, I have been playing in FPF since 2007, and I’ve been where you guys are right now. It sucks no doubt, but, I used it as a learning experience, and became a better player, captain, and GM for it. Come out, enjoy the action, and use it to your advantage.

 

Playoff Preview

Conference A

(1) Les Bonhommes Jaunes vs (8) Dirty Mike n the Boys

Last Meeting: Les Bonhommes Jaunes 38-33 (Week 5)

* MAKE SURE YOUR STRETCH YOUR CALVES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE GAME JORDAN! (editor’s note: Jordan Allard plays on Brent’s Div C team as well!)

This has the potential to be a very good matchup, and an upset special. When these two teams met up in Week 5, Dirty Mike n the Boys were 0-4, and hadn’t really found all that much chemistry DMB was also short-handed in the game, as they were missing Wide Receiver Vladimir Marklowski. LBJ was 4-0, and besides having a tough victory over the Smokin Axolotls in Week 1, hadn’t really faced any tough competition up until that point.

Things are little different now, as DMB comes into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in all of Div. E, as they are riding a 4-game winning streak, and first year Quarterback Jordan Allard has not only developed timing and chemistry with his receivers, but has upped his game as well.

LBJ comes into this game with the best record in the entire division at 9-0-1. Their only blemish came last Sunday night in the form of a 33-33 tie with the Super Troopers.

The key to this game will be whop gets enough stops. Over their last 4 games, both teams have averaged just under 30 points.

To get stops, DMB will rely on Jordan Allard, Dylan Segall, and Olivier Sutton who had 2 big interceptions in teams’ last meeting. They will have their hands full shutting down an offense that usually makes you pick your poison, as they have a plethora of receivers to choose from including Marc-Antoine Douillard, Simon Beliveau, and Mark Provost.

For LBJ, on the opposite side of the ball, they can rely on Jeremie Ledoux, Marc-Antoine Vallee, Elliot Lambert, and underrated rusher Maxime Ledoux. They will have to contain Markowski, Segall, and Allard, who can not only beat teams with his arm, but can also do it with his legs, as he led all of Div. E in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with 529 and 7 respectively. In their last meeting, the QB scored twice via the run and put up nearly 60 yards.

I think this will be a tight affair just like the last time. Dirty Mike n the Boys will their full squad, and the momentum they’ve built up over the last month to carry them to the massive upset.

Final Score: Dirty Mike n the Boys 28-26. (Upset Special)

 

(2) TDs and Beer vs (7) Super Troopers

Last Meeting: N/A

This is one of the unique first round matchups, in that these teams didn’t meet up in the regualr season.

The Super Troopers come into the game undefeated in their last 3 games 2-0-1, while TDs and Beer are 2-1 in their last 3 contests.

For a veteran team like TDs and Beer, the playoff spotlight is nothing new. They have been there and done that before. The only problem for them is that they change from a dominant regular season that looks ubeatable, to a team that looks flawed, nervous, and can’t complete simple passes. Even with the likes of Isi

For the Super Troopers, with the exception of QB and FPF vet Gabriel Wiseman, this is an all-rookie team that has exceded expectations. They know when it’s time to get serious, as they proved this past Sunday against Les Bonhommes Jaunes, but they also have the vibe of a just happy to be here, not worried about pressure kind of team. That’s definitely a positive.

For TDs and Beer to come out with the victory, they will need to spread the ball around to all their receivers, to keep the Super Troopers’ defense guessing. With receiving options like the Keiller brothers (Brandon and Myles), Scott Booth, Pat Deschenes, and Thomas Mascarenhas among others, it shouldn’t be a problem.

For the Super Troopers, firstly, it will be about not commiting turnovers. Wiseman leads all playoff QBs with 20 interceptions. Going against a ball-hawking secondary that includes the likes of Dustin Best, and has 4 other Defensive Backs who have at least 2 INTs will be huge. In their last game this past Sunday night, TDs and Beer, picked off Aliens QB Mathieu Roy-Caissy an amazing 5 times. 

Secondly, the team will need major contributions from receivers Phuc Pham, Gerry Gilbert, and James Taylor. While the team’s leading WRs Joseph Mancanniello, Kenny Boutilier, and big man Zackary Alberts-Gill rightfully get most of the attention, you can be sue that TDs and Beer will be payting attetion to them too. Every year whether in FPF, the CFL, NFL, and in NCAA, we always see a lesser-known player make a name for himself in the post-season. Who says we won’t see it again?

I think this will be an entertaining and close game, but the Super Troopers’ defense won’ t be able to hold down the TDs and Beer offense all game long.

Final Score: TDs and Beer 32-21

 

(3) Smokin Axolotls vs (6)Tigers

Last Meeting: N/A

This another matchup of teams who didn’t face off during the regular season. It also between two teams that have a lot of big time players with a ton of post-season experience. The individual battles in this one should be great, as we will see Jameel Greenidge, Akeem Gordon, and Andrew Denis Lynch, Jay Ramsey, and Raul Mohan take on Jason Kokolakis, Will Power, Joseph Sifakis, and the Rossie brothers (Jordan and Jason). Will Power cover Gordon? Will Greenidge take Jason Rossie? Will we see Ramsey versus Kokolakis? So many questions. We’ll find out the answers tomorrow night.

The Smokin Axolotls come into the game winners of three straight, after last losing June 27th to Jagys & Chill.

The Tigers on the otherhand, enter the playoffs as arguably least motivating squad out of all 16 teams, as the have lost their last 3 out of 4 games, with their only win coming against the winless Permian Panthers last Sunday night.

Besides it being a playoff game with all the chips on the line, this is a big game for both teams.

For the Smokin Axolots, they have a chance to make a statement and show that they are the best team in Conference A’s East Division.

It also gives the team and their Quarterback Jordan Rossie a chance to show whast they can really do with a much-improved squad, after they were bounced out of the playoffs last Winter Season in the opening round by a Francois Martin led Diablos team.

For the Tigers, this is team who appears to be at a crossroads. Throughout the years has been as talented as any other team that has qualified for the playoffs in either Division 6 and E. They always seem to choke when the post-season lights come on. They have size, speed, and chemistry. Will we see the production we’ve all been waiting to see come with it?

Records aside, I think that the Smokin Axolots are the best team in Conference A. I don’t see them tripping up here.

Final Score: Smokin Axolotls 33-18.  (My pick for Game of the Week)

 

(4) Aliens vs (5) Beastmode

Last Meeting: Beastmode 35-12 (Week 8)

These teams are literally separated by 1 point in the East Division standings as the Aliens earned 12 points to Beastmode’s 11.

The Aliens come into the palyoffs with a 2-2 record in their last 4 games, while Beastmode has won their last 4 games in a row.

This game will come down to points and turnovers. Despite their 5-4-1 record, Beastmode has shown that they can hang with anybody when it comes to putting points on the board. Their QB Charles-Olivier Lavinge in first in Conference A with 39 touchdown passes, second to only The Warrior’s Michael Solimene for the Division lead (44). Lavigne is also a threat on the ground, as he has 5 rushing TDs, and averages nearly 10 yards a carry.

Beastmode also has a bunch of receivers who can all do some damage, in Jean-Christophe Ferland, Jeremy White, Nicolais Blais, and Felix-Antoine Lavigne. All toll the 4 WRs have combined for  36 TDs.

For the Aliens on offense, it all comes down to Simon Bosquet Beaudoin. He is essentially their end all and be all, and with good reason. his 38 catches for 407 yards and 9 TDs lead the team by a mile.

On the other side of the ball Bosquet Beaudoin can ball as well, as he leads the team with an impressive 11 interceptions, including 4 returnde for TDs. The key player of the team’s defense and of the game will be Cedrick Jette-Lemay. The 4th year player is a beast (excuse the pun) as a rusher, as his 19 sacks place him in third place in all of Div. E. The Aliens will need their rusher extraordinaire to get after Lavigne all game long, and throw off his timing and rhythm, and force a QB who has only throwin 5 INT all year, to throw a few more. In their first meeting, Jette-Lemay sacked Lavinge 3 times. Let’s see him turn up the pressure even more.

While I think Jette-Lemay will add to his sack total, and Bosquet Beaudoin will put up his numbers just like in their first encounter ( 7 catches for 72 yards and a TD), it won’t be enough to knock off Beastmode.

Final Score: Beastmode  28-12.

 

Conference B

(1) SPARTANS vs (8) Gronky Kong

Last Meeting: N/A

This is the epitome of David versus Goliath. The mighty SPARTANS taking on the smaller (literally) Gronky Kong.

If you look at this matchup in a vaccum, you’ll see one team who at 9-1-1 has been crusing for the majority of the season, and who wrapped up their playoff birth weeks ago, and another squad who finished 3-7, and not only needed to win last week, but also required a lot of help from other teams to qualify for the post-season.

Once again, this is the post-season. Regular season records don’t mean a thing. Going out and playing the game is what matters most.

Gronky Kong has some play-makers on offense in Josh Levine, Jean-Sebastien Roussy, and Alexis Labonte. The key for Quarterback Francois Martin, who has big game experience having led the Diablos to the Div. 6 Finals in the winter, will be to get the ball out of his hand quickly, and into the hands of his WRs. While Martin is not exactly the fleet of foot, he has only been sacked 6 times this year in 8 games played. That will be key as he takes on an agressive defense led by Charles-David Martel.

Where Martin delivers the ball will also be key, as the SPARTANS have some ballhawks in their secondary like Alexis Bessette, Anthony Cicchetti, Dale Messi, and Daniel Hernandez. Speaking of Hernandez, he has been hampered by a bad ankle all season long. He played last week in his team’s loss to Trinity, but it was his first piece of real action since a Week 5 tilt against The Warriors. (Don’t let the 9 Games Played on the roster page fool you). The question now is, how healthy is the Corner Back, and how rusty is he?

On defense, Gronky Kong will need to deal with the height and athleticism of the aforementioned Martel and Messi. Both WRs are at least 6 foot 3, and have very long arms which they use to catch balls over defenders’ heads. They are also both sneaky fast. I’ve seen this team a lot this year, containing these two, let alone stopping them has been a problem defenses haven’t been able to solve.

Alexis Bessette is certainly no slouch either, as he leads the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns (32/674/ 14TDs). He has the speed to take the top off of a defense, and his route running and hands are those of a plyer who should be in a higher division. In a totally un-related note, my Div C team is looking for a rusher and safety for the Winter Season, unless our fearless leader Robert Campana, will be nice enough to let my team skip the 5 game minimum rule, and let me add to new guys for our playoff game tomorrow night…

Long story short, Gronky Kong will need to bring their A game tomorrow night in order to keep the SPARTANS offense from going off.

For the SPARTANS, they come into this on not playing somewhat shaky football. In Week 8 they inexplicably tied Les Huards, and this past Tuesday, they got beat rather easily by Trinity. The loss was their firstr of the year, but it’s exactly the type of momentum-sapping game you want to avoid heading in the playoffs. Did the loss reveal a crack in their armour, or just a small bump down the path to where they want to end up? With predominantly the same squad as last year, (they got bounced in the 1st round last winter by TDs and Beer 39-24) they will have to answer that question.

Just as important, after completing only 7 of his 14 passes, and throwing 3 INTs in the aforementioned playoff loss, SPARTANS QB James D’Andrea, will also have to answer some questions as well. He’s a stand-up guy, and dominant regular season performer, but are the playoff lights too big for him? We’ll find out tomorrow night.

Final Score: SPARTANS  28-21

 

(2) Gyr vs  (7) Jean Guy

Last Meeting: Gyr 27-0 (Week 9)

Gyr comes into this one on a 3-game losing streak. Their last loss was a 31-25 nail-bitter against the SPARTANS in Week 7 in which Gyr was without their starting Quarterback PJ Belec.

Jean Guy comes into the rematch losers of two in a row, and 3 out of their last 5 games. Their last win was a 21-6 win over the Rolling Thunder in Week 7.

In all honesty, this could be the one game where we see a blowout. Yes, Gyr lead a 27-0 beating on Jean Guy just 2 weeks ago, but my main reason for thinking this one will be over quickly, is that over the last 3 weeks, and really for much of the season, the Jean Guy offense has been horrible. While the loss of QB Emile Lamy has really hurt the team, it’s not as if anybody was going to confuse their O with the Greatest Show On Turf when Lamy was present. In fact, JG who has scored 1 TD over their last two games, have scored the least amuont of points amongst playoff teams with a grand total of 141.

Despite what I just wrote, I do like and respect Jean Guy. They are a defense-first team. They are tied for 1st in Conference B for points allowed, with just 162.

Just as important, they also never give up, and they always play to the final whistle. A lot of teams could learn from them, and despite their offensive struugles, they at least try to get creative to manufacture yards and points.

 JeanGuy will need to do so once again, as they take on a defense led by ball-hawk Jesse Galganov and Rusher/Wide Receiver extraodinaire Nathanael Niedermann who leads Div. E with 21 sacks.

Speaking of QB take downs, Div. E/6 All-Time rush king Simon Laporte, who seems to be wearing down this season (possibly due to playing a lot of WR and QB for his team) will have to channel his former self, and get after Gyr QB P.J Belec if JG wants to pull off the upset. He shockingly only has 8 this season (he did miss 2 games). He will get get at least half that if his team is to have any chance of pulling off the upset.

The rest of the Jean Guy defense will need to figure out a way to slow down Gyr Wide Receiver Nathanael Niedermann. The rookie WR, has been a beast all season, and finished tied for first in TD receptions with 16. First up, might be Defensive Back Jonathan Brule. He might not have the speed to match Niedermann, put he has the size and strength to go up and battle for the jump balls that Belec throws to his WR.

The speedy Daniel Chan and Fred Casgrain who do a lot of their damage on underneath routes, will also pose problems for Jean Guy defense. DBs Xavier Montana, Pascal Savaria, Guillaume Caron, and Lamy (if he suits up) might be in for a long day.

Final Score: Gyr 35-12

 

(3) The Warriors vs (6)Trinity

Last Meeting: The Warriors 26-14 (Week 9)

I am really excited about this game. Trinity has a habit of playing up to their competiton, and they come in winners of 3 out of their last 4 games, including a shocking 26-14 win over the SPARTANS.

As you can see just above, the only loss during the time frame was to their opponents tomorrow night.

In that game, the Trinity offense, for a lack of better words, was horrible. Quarterbacks Jean-Felix Marquis and Alexandre Jubinville combined to go 16 of 31 for 67 yars, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Marquis finished with an impressive 71.4% completion pecentage, but he also averaged under 5 yards a pass (4.9) Those types of numbers simply won’t cut it tomorrow night.

The Trinity offense which has spread the ball around a lot this year (every single receiver has at least one TD) will need to do so against The Warriors, in an attempt to spread out their defense and keep them guessing.

Trinity also wasted a great effort by their defense, as they picked off opposing QB Michael Solimene 5 times. Alexandre Samson had 3 picks, while Jubenville recorded 2.

While I am sure Solimene won’t throw another 5 picks, the rookie QB who led all Div E passers with 44 TDs, has thrown 7 INTs over his last 3 games, so Trinity’s ball-hawking defense led by Vincent Marquis, Antoine Dansereau-Leclerc, Erik Scattolin, and the aforementioned duo of Samson and Jubinville will be trying to get their hands on everything thrown in their direction, as they have to cover The Warriors dangerous array of WRs including Stefano Solimene, Peter Frenna, and Angelo Mourelatos among others.

Aiding their cause will be rusher Benjamin Dansereau-Leclerc who finished second in sacks with 20. In their last meeting he only took down Solimene once. He will need to at least double that total, as his constant pressure will be key for Trinity.

For The Warriors, who copme into this game on a 5-game winning streak, it will all about getting their own pressure on Jean-Fleix Marquis. In their last meeting, rookie Steve Masganas picked up 3 sacks (5 for the year). This team has the luxury of two capable rushers, as they can also throw Chris Bikos at opponents. The fellow first-year player has 7 sacks for the season.

Supporting both players on the back-end is a group of DBs that also know how to pick off opposing QBs. Januson Vas, Sam Villafuerte, Savva Stefanidis, and Peter Gainnis have combined for 18 interceptions.  If Marquis isn’t careful, that number could rise.

This game will come down to who makes the least mistakes. While Trinity will be riding high, and looking to build off of their impressive win over the SPARTANS, I think that their offense will make to many mistakes as they try to keep up with The Warriors high-powered offense.

Final Score: The Warriors 28-21

 

(4) Suh-Tang Clan vs (5) The RoadRunners

Last Meeting: N/A

Depending on which Suh-Tang Clan team shows up, this could be t he Game of the Week.

Coming into this matchup, The RoadRunners have won their last 4 games in a row, including a huge 33-27 Week 8 win over The Warriors.

Suh-Tang Clan on the other hand, comes into this showdown on a 2-game winnig streak, and a 2-2 record in their last 4 games.

Those 2 wins however should come with an asterisk beside them, as they needed the help of free agent QB Josh Vasquez to get those wins (over Jean Guy and Victorious Secret). Unfortunately for the Clan, the aforementioned Vasquez isn’t playoff eligible, as he only played in those two games.

The question now becomes, can the Clan who scored the 2nd lowest amount of points after Jean Guy among playoff teams, generate enough points, and win against the high-powered RoadRunners’ offense?

To score points, QB Alex Grey will need to buy time with his legs, and get the ball in the hands of his top receivers Justin Santillo and Joe Giuliano early and often. 

Although they have struggled to get there recently, when the team does get into the redzone, Grey will need to rely on GM Kolethras to make plays for his team.

On defense, Nick Grenon who has just 1 sack in his last 3 games, will need to step out of his mini slump and get after opposing Quarterback Mathew Yanakoulias, who if given time, can be lethal.

Yanakoulias will be looking to get the ball to arguably the best receiver in Div. E, in Justin Lerner, along with WRs Steven Kritselas, Daron Migdesyan, and Emmanuel Sarikakis. This is a deep group, and an impressive offense that has been held to under 20 points only once this year. 

Defensively, while they don’t have a dominant rusher, they have some players that know how to get their hands on the ball including my choice for Two-Way Palyer of the Year Lerner (spoiler alert for my End of the Year Awards), Migdesyan, and Nick Rompotinos.

Suh-Tang Clan has been too up and down for my liking. More importantly, in watching these guys throughout the season, and over the last few weeks especially, I see a team that struggles to score, hasn’t really beaten anyone notable besides Beastmode, and through no fault of their own, has had the luxury of playing in Conference B’s much easier East bracket.

Playoff seedings aside, I honestly feel that The RoadRunners are the much better team in this matchup.

Final Score: The RoadRunners 35-13.

 

 

That’s it for the playoff previews…As is the case every season, especially in lower divisions, there is a bunch of new teams who are experiencing the post-season for the first time. As an FPF vet, both as a player and a writer, as well as the captain of my own team, let me just give the captains a little advice.

Obviously the playoffs is what you singed up for. Don’t blow your shot at a championship over easy and controllable things. If you or any other player on your team hasn’t been playing up to par the last few weeks, or specifically tomorrow night, bench them. Yeah, they might be mad, but when you pay that $1850 in May, that is for the regular season, NOT the playoffs. It’s win or go home, the best players should play. You’re not here to make friends and appease everybody. yoiu’ll have time for that when the game is over, and you’re enjoying a victory beer. The newxt season kicks off in 6 months. That’s a LONG time to wait just because you’re worried about hurting someone’s feelings.

Secondly, don’t get cute. If you been rolling with a set of plays, or a scheme on defense, and it has been working for you guys all year, don’t be an idiot and change it up now.  

Good luck to everybody, stay healthy, and see you guys tomorrow night!

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