Food For Thought (Div 3) – Week 11
29-03-2012 12:00 AM
The first round of the playoffs saw some favourites get man-handled by their underdog counterparts. Prestige World Wide, the Dirty Birds and the Big TDs all had tremendous offenses. Sadly for them, their respective defensive corps failed when the stakes got higher…
Here are this week’s matchups in detail:
Served with Ice (1)
The youngest team still alive in D3, the kids from SWI have shown they can ball. While their offense is well balanced, it’s their defence that most impresses me. Their biggest strength seems to be their understanding of the game. They anticipate and adjust depending on what the opposing team gives them. The only team that could perhaps crack their defence at this point would be the improvisation-friendly Briscoe High Hawks (who, ironically, they beat earlier this season). Until then, I don’t believe they can be fazed by any wannabe stormtroopers.
Player to watch on defense: Pascal Tshilambo
Pascal is not the fastest player on his team. However, with his sense of anticipation and his height he remains a nightmare to all opposing QBs.
Player to watch on offense: Jean-Daniel Chevalier
J-D, just like most of his teammates, aspires to play regularly in the CIS. Meanwhile, he seems to have transposed his tackle football determination to his FPF play. This guy simply never quits on a play.
Reg. Season offense: 11th
Reg. Season defense: 4th
SWAT (6)
Nathan Thompson’s performance, in round one, was as unexpected as it was extraordinary. He dominated the Big TDs in such a way that left many speechless and dumbfounded. I was so shocked at the result that it took me almost 48 hours to realized his performance was probably one of the best ever registered by a QB in a playoff game. Even more surprising was the fact his snapper was, for the first time this season, none other than the emperor himself Gino Di Fazio. With 6 catches, 59 yards and a TD, it is safe to say Gino had the performance of his career. Now, will he keep Jon Lyristis out of the lineup for two consecutive weeks, or will both resume their regular spots in the lineup?
Player to watch on defense: Rashawn Perry
After capturing the defense player award for winter 2011, Rashawn’s numbers dropped significantly this season. However, his highight-reel INT against the TDs could be the first of many in the post-season.
Player to watch on offense: Nathan Thompson
Thompson will be faced with a task of a much different magnitude against SWI, this weekend. While the TDs looked flat right from the get-go, Served with Ice will be eager to prove that their week 1 loss was only a fluke. A spike in Thompson’s INT total is very likely this week.
Reg. Season offense: 12th
Reg. Season defense: 10th
Previous matchup (Week 1): SWAT 33 – Served with Ice 18
Predictions: Served with Ice 33 – SWAT 26
D-Boys (2)
Of all the teams still in the running in D3, the D-Boys have the lowest scoring offense. How long will their defense cover up for Marco Masciotra’s growing pains? Still new to the position in D3, the D-Boys pivot is not the most accurate of passers. His strong arm as well as his receivers’ talent has gotten his team this far. Will he shy away from “Taylor Island” or will he venture into INT territory?
Player(s) to watch on defense: Giovanni and Antonio Lanni
The Lanni brothers are just really good. It’s hard to explain. Yes, they benefit from the great rushing of Matt Kirouac. However, what sets them apart is their selflessness. With absolutely no regard for the well being of their bodies, they jump, lunge and fly to catch every ball possible (and impossible).
Player to watch on offense: Leonardo Lanni
Leo, known as “the other brother”, is slightly more offensive-minded than his siblings. He is Masciotra’s primary target and his quiet game probably averted an even more lopsided score against the outmatched Park-X Streets…
Reg. Season offense: 16th
Reg. Season defense: 1st
Briscoe High Hawks (5)
The Hawks are one of the most enigmatic teams left in the D3 playoffs. Their offense is catered to the homerun and most of the routes and plays are improvised. Obviously, the fact they ranked 6th in points scored all season is a testament to their natural ability. Scott Kelly, much like his counterpart from the D-Boys, makes up for his low completion rate with a cannon for an arm. His experience at the position and the fact he won a championship as a QB should give him an edge over Masciotra. Ah, yes, he also has Nathan Taylor playing for him…
Player to watch on defense: Nathan Taylor
The perennial D1 all-star safety has been wrecking havoc in his little brother’s regular stomping grounds. Since Garrett Taylor was not available, the Hawks settled for his big bro and they haven’t regretted it. His speed and aggressiveness virtually forces the opposing QB to use a smaller portion of the field to avoid him which benefits his equally talented teammates.
Player to watch on offense: Theo Ojeaha
Theo is the perfect compliment to Taylor. While he benefits from the attention generated by his teammate, Theo is a solid receiver in his own right. After garnering 17 TDs during the regular season, he picked up where he left off with a 2 TD performance in round one. How he and the rest of the offense will fare against a D-Boys squad who played them less than two weeks ago is still uncertain though.
Reg. Season offense: 6th
Reg. Season defense: 3rd
Previous matchup (Week 10): Briscoe High Hawks 44 – D-Boys 33
Prediction: D-Boys 25 – Briscoe High Hawks 31
VPC (1)
Even without Vinny Gualano, VPC were able to dismiss the Rude Bwoys with ease. With Gualano in the lineup this weekend, we can expect their offense to be even more daunting. So much has been said about Robbie Robinson’s contribution to the team and yet, I still feel like his QB skills are not yet recognized league-wide. One last time I will repeat it: Robbie Robinson would be able to stand his own in D2 and, with the right supporting cast, even dominate…
Player to watch on defense: Robbie Robinson
With INTs in four of his last six games, Robinson is definitely a game-breaker. While his impact on the offense is obvious, his defensive skills are what make his team so dangerous. He is largely responsible for VPC having the 6th least points against during the regular season.
Player to watch on offense: Louis Richard
With two award recipients on the team, VPC has everything it needs to go deeper into the playoffs. Richard couples crisp route running with an excellent pair of hands making him a dependable target for his QB. He’s been slowed down in the past. Sadly for his opponents, Gualano will be there to make some space for him…
Reg. Season offense: 1st
Reg. Season defense: 6th
Snookers (7)
Tony Tabet pulled off a monster of an upset against the Dirty Birds after qualifying on the last weekend of the season. With a shallow offensive squad, Tabet was able to maximize his receivers’ strength and capitalize on every scoring chance. The Kavaldjian brothers are extremely effective when taking advantage of the extra attention surrounding Andre John. Defensively, it’s a matter of patience. The Snookers wait until the opponent trips up to counter-attack with their powerful offense.
Player to watch on defense: Michael Young
Michael Young might be the reason the Snookers won the Div B championship last spring season. Indeed, he covered Vinny Gualano so well that he is said to be responsible for his QB’s Hall of Fame induction. Well, that’s what Young is all about. A discreet safety who thrives on anonymity.
Player to watch on offense: Andre John
Andre John is a nightmare to contain. He can jump, run and catch just as well as the best of them. He bails out Tony Tabet whenever it is needed and prints an indelible image of despair into his opponents’ minds.
Reg. Season offense: 4th
Defense: 22nd
Previous matchup (Week 8): Snookers 32 – VPC 47
Prediction: VPC 41 – Snookers 36
Terror Squad (3)
The Squad have one of the scariest sets of receivers in D3. However, their defense lacks INT production. Many have said that Terror Squad lacks the competitive aggressiveness to finish off their opponents in a decisive manner. In their last five games, only one was decided by more than one point… Either they are hanging in there or they are having trouble distancing themselves from their foes mid-game.
Player to watch on defense: Weiland Prosper
Having a big man on defense makes all the difference in the world (Terror Squad’s only loss came when he wasn’t there). It cuts down space and forces the opposing pivot to be precise with his throws or some long arms will end up snatching the ball away. Weiland has trouble playing more than 6 games a season. Will he be present throughout his team’s playoff run?
Player to watch on offense: Pat Jérome
This guy is a machine. Uncoverable in man-to-man, his speed and jumping ability have made him famous all over the league. Routinely dishing out 100+ yard games, the king of the full field TD catch will surely add to his total in weeks to come.
Reg. Season offense: 3rd
Reg. Season defense: 18th
Patriotes (5)
Les Patriotes achieved something that is practically unthinkable in FPF: they beat the same team two weeks in a row. Was Prestige over-rated? Maybe. Are the Pats a serious contender? No. Their depth problems haven’t disappeared and their defense remains quite leaky. Nevertheless, Étienne Chauvin is known to catch fire come playoff time and Terror Squad’s defense can sometimes offer up more than it stops. Sadly for them, they can’t match up against Jérome and Alex Giroux, two of the best receivers in FPF.
Player to watch on defense: Sébastien Pereda
The two-way dynamo has been an all-star every season he’s played in FPF (5). Not as fiery as his brother Alex, he is still an aggressive defender that most QBs will avoid especially close to the red zone. Since he manages to get his hands on so many passes, his pass defended numbers are always quite high.
Player to watch on offense: Étienne Chauvin
After a season during which he abused his connection with Sébastien Pereda, he managed to beat Prestige World Wide by spreading the ball around. This will be the key to the Pats success against Terror Squad. If they have at least 4 receivers with 3 or more catches, they will be in a good position to pull another upset.
Reg. Season offense: 8th
Reg. Season defense: 15th
Previous matchup (Week 4): Terror Squad 49 – Patriotes 33
Prediction: Terror Squad 39 – Patriotes 26
Good luck to all and let’s hope this week’s games will be as exciting as I think they’ll be!