Flo’s Forecast: Midseason Report

We’re already at the midpoint of the season. Time is running out for teams the struggling teams out there. FPF is a 10-game season and no more missteps can be afforded for all you teams under .500 right now. Step up or forever hold your peace.

 

Week 5 Recaps:

Div. A

Monstars 32, All Black Everything 32

The Monstars took the field confident after their first win last week and played their brand of football perfectly as they were able to come out with a point against ABE. As they had done against Montreal’s Finest, the Monstars went into halftime with the lead. Only this time, they would be no epic collapse and they were able to not let ABE come out with a W. But depending on how you look at it, the Monstars actually had a two-score lead at some point in the second half and allowed ABE to come back to tie the game with five plays remaining, so in that sense, I’m sure this is a tie that stings the Monstars a little bit while it has to be a relief for ABE. Both quarterbacks intercepted each other (Masciotra twice, Mashtoub once) and were able to reach the end zone five times apiece. Mashtoub was able to connect with Fred Viens over Marco Masciotra’s head for a deep score (which you could see on the FPF Instagram account), while Theo Ojeaha had himself a game, catching 10 balls for 106 yards and two touchdowns. For ABE, now standing at 2-2-1 at the midway point, it’s a little worrisome for sure but with half the season to go, they’ll get their kinks worked out. As for the Monstars, they keep impressing and go into the second half of their schedule on a real high note and with the belief that they can indeed make some noise.

Div. B

Laval’s Finest 39, VPC & FF 21

From the opening whistle, VPC & FF looked overmatched as Laval’s Finest jumpstarted to a 20-7 halftime lead aided by a Nathan Taylor pick-six. Rod Mashtoub found his favourite target Theo Bekelis five times for 64 yards and two of his five scores. Robbie Robinson had by far his worst outing of the season finding the end zone just three times and throwing three interceptions. Mashtoub put the exclamation mark on the game with a pick of Robinson and a wide open 40-bomb to Nathan Taylor on the last play of the game to extend the margin of victory. For Laval’s Finest, it was a big rebound game after two double-digit losses in a row with a date with the Dans on the horizon. As for VPC & FF, they go back to the drawing board before facing The Incredibles this week.

Midseason Grades

Div. A

1. Montreal’s Finest (5-0)

After an uncharacteristically subpar winter season that saw them not make the finals for the first time in a long time, the Finest have retooled and come back with a vengeance. Kevin Wyeth has been his usual self, chucking 28 touchdowns to just 1 interception thus far, while the additions of Pat Jerome and Pat Chenard have paid dividends. An underrated Karim Binette at snapper has filled that void nicely.

Grade: A+

Projection: 10-0

2. Rainmakers (3-2)

Expectations were high for the Rainmakers this spring after the big splash they made in free agency picking up the Pilon twins along with Rochdi Benabdelkader. Results have been mixed so far with the offense clicking on all cylinders for the first three games but failing to put up 30 points against the big dogs in the last two weeks. Still, at 3-2 they are in good shape and will use the second half of the season to continue to build chemistry for some big late season showdowns.

Grade: B-

Projection: 6-4

3. All Black Everything (2-2-1)

If you asked any player on the ABE roster if they’re happy with where they’re at right now at the midseason point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a guy who is satisfied. It’s been an underwhelming first five games for this group to say this least. They’ve had their injury issues, which has played a role but the good news is that things can only go up from here…right?

Grade: C

Projection: 6-3-1

4. Top Guns (2-3)

This is a team that’s been in every game except for their opener against the Finest. Their two wins against ABE and Legends have been decided on the last play of the game so without a few bounces going their way, this team could easily be 0-5. However, they’re a very talented team that could easily flip the script in the second half of the season.

Grade: C+

Projection: 3-6-1

5. Monstars (1-3-1)

The key additions of Fred Viens and Quaysie Gordon-Maule have been huge for this team. This team has not backed down from any challenge this season and actually held the lead after the first half in each of their games this season except for the game against the Legends, quite an impressive feat in their first division A action. After beating Top Guns and earning a tie against ABE in their last two games, the Monstars look to continue to build momentum and be a force in the second half of the season.

Grade: B+

Projection: 2-6-2

6. Legends (1-4)

This team needs more consistency, not only in terms of play on the field, but also in terms of their roster. Only three players (Pecker, Rosenblatt, Moses) have played all five games and that cannot happen if you want to be a successful team in FPF’s highest division. They’ve shown that they can compete but they need to cut down on mistakes and finish games better.

Grade: C

Projection: 3-7

 

Div B Conference A …(Conference B next week)

1. STL (5-0)

They’ve handled each challenge well this season and sit pretty at the top with an undefeated mark at the midseason. Kyle Lebofsky and Jamie Ojeaha have proven to be one of the best if not the best 1-2 punch at receiver in the division and the additions of Guillaume De Palma and Justin Cerantola have also added a lot to the team. They’ve been great on both sides of the ball and may very well be undefeated by the time they play Star City in week 10.

Grade: A

Projection: 9-1

2. Star City (5-0)

Star City have been exactly that through five games…Stars. They’ve dominated in every game so far and have looked really impressive in doing so. They absolutely look to be a favourite to win it all this season. What I will say though is that they’ve had a cakewalk schedule thus far facing three 1-4 teams, a Rod Mashtoub and Jordan McLaren-less Laval’s Finest team and a #NoRegard team that is struggling to put up points. Their second half schedule is brutal and featured games against the other two remaining undefeated teams so we will see just how dominant Star City is.

Grade: A+

Projection: 9-1

3. Kings (4-1)

This team is almost the Monstars farm team with a few more solid additions in Thierry Gerville and Mathieu Lepage, and with Mathieu Rene behind center. They’ve had a great start to the season with their only loss coming against undefeated STL. They’ve shown that they can measure up to solid teams and win close games, which is such an important quality to have. Sure, they’ve played a few shorthanded teams in the process but they took advantage and stand at 4-1 at midseason. They have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way.

Grade: A-

Projection: 7-3

4. Predators (2-3)

I don’t remember the last time the Preds were under .500… I really don’t. But that being said, it’s no reason to panic. After losing Antonio Lanni after just one game to injury, they’ve been scrambling for players weekly and have now found a solid replacement in Fred Viens. For some odd reason, the Preds, even with all the roster changes made and a lot of key guys being lost from last spring’s championship roster, they were given pretty much the most brutal schedule in all of division B, as Vince Nardone pointed out as well this week. Two of their losses could have gone either way and the blowout loss to Grip N Rip was an anomaly where everything that could have gone wrong did. Expect a big second half of the season from the Preds.

Grade: C-

Projection: 6-4

5. #NoRegard (2-3)

Their core is one of the best defensive cores around and that will always keep them competitive. The addition of Hugo Lalonde at rush has been huge for this team and they are ranked 3rd in the league in points against behind only Star City and STL. Unfortunately, their offense has not been able to keep their end of the bargain putting up just 22.8 points per game so far and they hit the midseason mark at 2-3. With a cakewalk schedule the rest of the way, I expect a big second half out of these guys.

Grade: C+

Projection: 6-4

6. Darksiders (1-4)

One of the bigger disappointments this season has got to be the Darksiders. With a revamped roster from last spring’s 9-1 team, I had high expectations for them. Their defense has been strong once again but their offense has just not clicked for whatever reason. Fred Morissette (when he’s been there), has not been good, and if they want to squeeze into the playoffs they’ll need more from their quarterback.

Grade: D

Projection: 3-6-1

7. Casket Closers (1-4)

Another disappointing team thus far has got to be Casket Closers. With a roster loaded with FPF vets with higher division experience, it’s just been ugly so far. Averaging less than 20 points per game offensively is not going to get it done in division B and with the weapons he has around him, Leon Holder has to step up and play better for this team to squeak in the playoffs.

Grade: D-

Projection: 3-7

8. Gladiateurs (1-4)

The quarterback switch from Frank Lebeau to Alex Lever has just not panned out for this team. In their 5 games, the Glads have scored 19, 18, 19, 13 and 19 points. Luckily, their defense has kept them competitive for the most part but FPF is an offensive league. If your team can’t put up more than 20 points on a weekly basis, more often than not, you’re going to lose.

Grade: D

Projection: 2-8

9. Red Raiders (1-4)

They have a lot in common with the two previous teams. Their defense keeps them in games for the most part, but they can’t score. The only time they’ve reached 30 points a game was in their first game against a brand new mashup of players that hadn’t played together. They also have the ugly distinction as the only team to get shutout this season. They need to turn things around offensively and fast, or similar results await them.

Grade: D+

Projection: 2-8

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James’ lock of the week: Grip N Rip vs. Blue Chips

Lock of the Week Record: 4-0

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Week 6 Game Predictions

Div. A

Montreal’s Finest vs. Top Guns

Monstars vs. Rainmakers

Legends vs. All Black Everything– N/A

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Div. B

Week 6 Matchups	James’ Picks ATS	Peeze’s Picks ATS	Simon’s Picks ATS
Predators (-5.5) vs. Casket Closers	N/A	Predators	Predators
#NoRegard (-2.5) vs. Gladiateurs	#NoRegard	Gladiateurs	Gladiateurs
Star City (-6.5) vs. Kings	Star City	Kings	Star City
The Incredibles (-8.5) vs. VPC & FF	The Incredibles	The Incredibles	The Incredibles
Darksiders (-3.5) vs. Red Raiders	Darksiders	N/A	Darksiders
STL (-6.5) vs. Fun Boys	STL	STL	STL
Grip N Rip (-14.5) vs. Blue Chips	GnR	GnR	GnR
Laval’s Finest (-3.5) vs. 2HD	Laval’s Finest	Laval’s Finest	Laval’s Finest
Ambassadors of Quan (-6.5) vs. Lightweight	Ambassadors of Quan	Ambassadors of Quan	N/A
Last Week’s Record	6-2	5-3	5-3
SEASON TOTALS	18-14	18-14	20-12

 

FPF Fantasy:

Week 6 (Div. A)

Rod Mashtoub (Monstars) vs. Ryan Kastner (Rainmakers) – I think the Monstars D forces a crucial interception that allows them to pull of the upset as Mashtoub outlasts Kastner.

Matt Kirouac (ABE) vs. Sean Kennedy (Legends) – Kirouac has proved to be a great safety blanket for Masciotra and will get the upper hand here.

MTL Finest D vs. Top Guns D– The Finest defense has played great all year. That won’t stop here.

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Division A Power Rankings

1. Montreal’s Finest (5-0)

They reminded the Rainmakers of who they were.

2. All Black Everything (2-2-1)

Disappointing tie for this group. Expect them to come out on fire against the Legends this week.

3. Rainmakers (3-2)

If you told the Rainmakers they would hold MTL’s Finest to 34 points, they’d take that every time. Unfortunately, they only scored 25.

4. Monstars (1-3-1)

What can you say about the Monstars? Every week they improve and pulled off a tie against ABE. Keep doing your thing.

5. Top Guns (2-3)

In a back and forth game, it came down to the last play as Cory Pecker’s pass sailed through the end zone. Rashawn Perry gave his team a lift when things weren’t going so well.

6. Legends (1-4)

 They were right there and even had a two-score lead at some point. 0-5 on converts was a killer…They need to finish.

 

 Divison B Top 5 Power Rankings

1. Grip N Rip (5-0)

The defense has really come alive as of late forcing Phil Cutler into three interceptions and well below 50% completion.

2. Star City (5-0)

For the first time this year, they didn’t blow their opponents out of the water but still came away with a comfortable 10-point lead. They continue to play great on both sides of the ball.

3. STL (5-0)

Impressive comeback victory in a shootout with the Preds as Kyle Lebofsky was a man on a mission. They should send Joey Vizzi a thank you letter for stepping out of bounds on a potential game-tying touchdown on the last play!

4. Kings (4-1)

 They continue to win and now face their toughest test yet in Star City.

5. The Incredibles (4-1)

They’re 4-1 and winning games, but the offense still hasn’t reached its potential.

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Survivor Pool Week 6 Picks:

James Floreani – Grip N Rip

Sean Avraam – All Black Everything

Danny D’Amour – Predators

JC Mercille – The Incredibles

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Rehan Sarwar – OUT

Terry Tam – OUT

Kendal Mayers – OUT

Doug Mckernan – OUT

Vince Nardone – OUT

Mat Domon – OUT

Simon Dagenais – OUT

Quaysie Gordon-Maule – OUT

Best of luck to all teams for week 6! If you want to reach me for any inquiries or to disagree with me, feel free to hit me up at [email protected] or DM me @JFloMusicMTL on Twitter.