Food For Thought (D4) – Week 6

With less than a month before the start of the playoffs, the standings are slowly starting to solidify. Like a fresh batch of concrete, several teams seem to be clinging to the same spot while some are inching always closer to their objective. Favourites have been identified, and underdogs are being watched closely…just in case.

For most players, the championship trophy seems the only obtainable hardware, but for others, surfing on promising statistical achievements, individual recognition is a mirage no more.

The individual awards are the following: QB of the Year, Receiver of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Two-way Player. Players who play regularly in a higher division are not eligible.

 

In the QB of the Year category, five pivots stand out. Maxime Forget (The Family), Étienne Cloutier (Sphinx), Philippe Podtetenev (Hard Knocks), Mike Mendell (Maximum Carnage) and Nicolas Ostiguy-Barrière (Sharks) are the only quarterbacks currently in the top 10 in yards per game, TDs per game, completion percentage and passer rating. They all show passer ratings above 104 and their combined TD passes vs INTs differential is +83. Their combined win percentage (while playing QB for most of the game): 87%… But most impressive of all, apart from FPF veterans Mike Mendell and Nicolas Ostiguy-Barriere, they all have less than two seasons of FPF experience. Since everyone knows how hard adapting to a small field can be for a QB, their early success is surprising to say the least.

If my vote had to be cast today, Maxime Forget would be receiving his second award in a row. After a breakthrough rookie season in Division 5, he is showing that he can still dominate against stronger opponents. His passer rating of 127.6 (17 points in front of his closest rival) and his 8+ yards per offensive play are simply staggering. He is, by far, the most efficient quarterback in Division 4.

 

Most times, receivers each serve a specific role on a football team. Some are required to run longer routes and complete long yardage plays. Others are relied upon for their safe hands in important situations. Finally, some key targets are regarded as point-scorers, real threats in the red zone. However, every now and then, a unique player with the tools necessary to excel in all of the above situations comes along. Mathieu Fafard is such a player. Playing with the Sphinx, he currently sports the most TDs in all of FPF with a mind-blowing total of 17 in 6 games, on pace for 28. With a TD in every game he played, including four performances of 3 TDs or more, Fafard is establishing himself as the most dangerous offensive player in Division 4. In first place for yards per game as well as second for receptions, Mathieu is the only receiver to crack all three categories’ top 5.

The other receivers currently in the running for the best receiver award would be Louis-Christophe Lafontaine of les Eudistes (only other receiver in all three statistical categories’ top 10), Maxime Couture from The Family and Hard Knocks’ Kris Bastien. While Bastien and Couture aren’t relied on as much by their QB, they have still amassed a considerable amount of yards as well as their fair share of TDs.

 

On defense, Samuel Bibeault (The Family) is the clear favourite at this point with 11 INTs and a defensive rating* of 35.5. However, Samuel will need to continue his interception streak because both Maïko Zepeda (Barbarianz Squad) and Akeem Hoyte-Charles (Monstars) are close behind him. While Maïko and Akeem are their teams driving force on both offense and defense, Bibeault plays only on the defensive side of the ball. Clearly an advantage of his team’s deep roster, his “specialization” might help him keep up his pace and give him the big plays that should earn him his first FPF honor.

*Defensive rating = TKL x 0.5 + INT x 2 + SK x 1 + PD x 1 + Defensive TD x 3

 

The final trophy, awarded to the best two-way player, might prove to be the most difficult to agree on. With no players dominating on both sides of the ball, we need to dig a little deeper to find the best all-around performers. The first name that pops up when analyzing potential candidates is Derek Daoust (Primetime). With the 9th best defensive rating and offensive numbers that rank him 4th in total yardage and 6th in yards per game, Daoust is definitely on his way to his first individual trophy. In the race with him are Raymond Barisselle (Sphinx) and Akeem Hoyte-Charles. While Barisselle’s defensive game is definitely above average his work with Mathieu Fafard in the Sphinx’s double-threat offense has earned him far more accolades. On the contrary, Akeem plays on a resolutely defensive team which sort of dims his offensive exploits. Still, his offensive numbers are not to be shunned, especially his impressive 15 yards per catch average.

 

While some teams already seem out of contention, it isn’t too late for everyone. Some teams currently outside and looking in may still creep up on their opponents and shock their way into the playoffs. Here is a short list of teams to watch out for:

 

Run’n’ Wild: Riding a three game win streak, Run’n’ Wild seems to have turned their season around. With QB James Floreanis slowly getting into his groove and MVP Kenton Lowe dominating on both sides of the ball, these Division 5 alumni are poised for some late season upsets. The key to making the playoffs will be their ability to play a better defensive game, an area where former all-star Mark Guerriero will surely help.

 

Primetime: Having lost their last three games in some very tight defensive matchups, Primetime’s QB Doug McKernan will need to step up his passing game if his team is to make it to the playoffs. While their defense has been stellar of late, their offense needs to get more completions and less dropped passes. They need brothers David and Devin Daoust to step up their offensive game and provide additional quality targets for their QB. Derek can’t do it all alone…

 

Sharks: The Sharks had a tough schedule to start the year, but they still managed to stay in contention up till now in great part due to QB Nicolas Ostiguy. With a phenomenal running game and some inspired passing, the Sharks’ offense is currently ranked 7th in Division 4. If they can continue to exploit their QB’s foot-speed and provide him with some decent defense (which has been lacking lately), they could break into the playoffs unannounced. The key will be to win their divisional matchups against Those Guys and The Commission.

 

 

These days, the hottest subject around the Division seems to be the dominance of some teams’ defense. Five teams have allowed less than 100 points in six games and three of them are currently tied in first place for points against with 92. Who has the best overall defense…The Family, Park-X Streets, or Mongoose?

Park-X Streets gave up the most TDs (15) but also recorded the most sacks (8). Teams have run more often against them but they managed to allow the fewest run yards per game (22.1). The passer rating of their opponents when facing them is of 81.1, the highest by far between the top 3 defensive teams. Opponents have passed for an average of 109 yards per game (2nd) and completed 44.8% of their passes (2nd).

The Family has shown they have a knack for the big turnovers with 18 INTs. Their sack total is low (only 4 sacks) but they also have allowed the fewest TDs (13). While opposing pivots have achieved a 50.6% (3rd) completion rate as well as 135.5 (3rd) yards per game, they still can’t do better than a 65.8 (2nd) passer rating against The Family. Of all three teams, they have faced the best offensive teams (only one opponent with less than 120 points scored).

 

The best defensive team in Division 4 is the Mongoose. With opposing QBs completing only 37% of their passes and boasting an abysmal 54.3 passer rating, they have proven to be a nightmare for most offenses. Being the only defense who has not yet allowed more than 3 TDs in a game, they have kept their opponents to an average of 101 yards per game. The fact their offense has been disappointing this season contributes to the aura surrounding their impenetrable defense who continues to perform under pressure. If their offensive game can finally click, their chances of delving far into the playoffs would be as good as any.

 

Power Rankings

 

1. The Family (6-0): With their biggest test just around the corner, The Family will have a hard time keeping their cool against their great rivals the Sphinx. They will win, but by a very small margin.

The Family 33 – Sphinx 32

 

2. Sphinx (5-1): They will arrive at the field totally pumped for their matchup against The Family. They know they’ve beaten them in the past and the same could very well happen again this weekend. They will lose a very close game.

Sphinx 32 – The Family 33

 

3. Longhorns (5-1): Will the Longhorns overcome the defensive woes that plague them against quick and athletic teams? Their offense will carry them through this one since they are facing one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

Longhorns 39 – Barbarianz Squad 27

 

4. Gators (5-1): Coming off a tough loss against the surging Kludgies they will need to get their act together to face Lobster Dinner. Jeff Chabot will be the best player on the field and he will ultimately be the difference.

Gators 28 – Lobster Dinner 19

 

5. Top Guns (5-1): Maybe the toughest opponent of the season for the Top Guns, Primetime will provide them ample opportunities to show that they belong in Division 4’s Top 5. But I have a feeling Top Guns won’t capitalize and Primetime will finally get it together.

Top Guns 20 – Primetime 26

 

6. Hard Knocks (5-1): A tricky game against The Commission who seems to find new ways to win every week. The Commission needs the win badly and they will fight hard for that “W”. In the end, Philippe Podtetenev will simply be better than Jonathan Williams and Hard Knocks will win.

Hard Knocks 33 – The Commission 19

 

7. Mongoose (5-1): For this epic defensive struggle against Monstars, the Mongoose will be without their leaders Alex Gaudet and Jason Lachapelle. This will prove to be their downfall. The game will be close nonetheless.

Mongoose 13 – Monstars 18

 

8. Patriotes (4-2): What seems to be an easy matchup could very easily turn sour for the Patriotes. The Sharks’ offense has been lethal of late and the Pats defense will have their hands full. However, the Pats offense will be way too strong for the meager Sharks defense.

Patriotes 33 – Sharks 28

 

9. Park-X Streets (5-1): With Mike Mendell back in the lineup, Maximum Carnage will be looking to halt their two-game skid. If Park-X Streets defense is able to step up big at the start of the game, they might affect Mike Mendell who has not thrown for the last three weeks. Nonetheless, I have a feeling Maximum Carnage will manage to edge out their opponents in this one.

Park-X Streets 20 – Maximum Carnage 25

 

10. X-Men (4-2): An easy one this week against the Rams. If X-Men limit the yards gained by Justin Hétu and Gino Conforti, this game will be theirs quickly enough.

X-Men 32 – Rams 18

 

 

Once again, I hope you have enjoyed this article. Good luck to all for this weekend’s games. For those who don’t like my predictions, I hope you prove me wrong!

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