Food For Thought (Div 3) – Week 8

Five teams have already clinched their playoff spot and 22 others are still fighting (or praying) to grab the remaining 11 spots. While next week I will focus on the each teams concrete chances of making it to the post-season and the different scenarios involved, today I focus on the state of Conference B.

 

 

 

Dirty Birds (7-1)

 

Joe’s Birds are definitely flying high once again. After claiming their second championship last Spring (Winter 2009 Div 4 and Spring 2011 Div C), this NFL jersey-clad bunch is aiming for more. The additions of Daniele Gentile and Colin Taylor to replace the injured Jon Young as QB/Rusher turned out fantastic for the Birds. They could arguably have some use for an extra receiver like the former Dirty Bird Victor Kozlowski but Daniele and his receivers seem to be connecting well enough. Once again the trifecta of Gordon Hogan, Eric “Dragon” Bishara and Matthew “Golden” Bishara will have to be the motor on defense if they wish to delve deep into the playoffs. Marco “Playmaker” Ritondo should benefit from all the attention his teammates will receive in the upcoming weeks to pad his stats.

 

 

Grindteam (2-6)

 

A team that I definitely overhyped at the start of the season, Grindteam never delivered on its early promises. Apart for one game, all of their loses were by a TD or less. A lack of depth and some tactical deficiencies seem to be what caused their demise. Also, Mathieu René was only the shade of his former MVP self as he threw 13 INT and competed only 53 % of his passes. Nevertheless, Ryan Perry, Thierry Fontin and Wesley Joseph are still a highly valuable trio. On a more balanced team they would constitute a two-way wrecking crew. For now, they will have to accept their role of end-of-season party crashers.

 

 

Souljahs (1-7)

 

Finding a suitable QB has been the Souljahs main problem for the past 4 years. While Angelo Garofalo has performed fairly well whenever he ventured behind center, he cannot be considered as the long-term QB for his franchise. Finding that promising pivot and sticking with him should be their goal for the next few seasons. For now, the addition of Frank Kaye is definitely a plus. Frank is an experienced receiver and his speed can still fool unprepared DBs. Let’s see what Garofalo does about his QB problems.

 

 

Sons of Cyr (0-8)

 

It’s always tough to make it as a rookie team in D3. As a returning team in Spring or next Winter, they will have the luxury to drop down to a division more suited to their development. The good news is that in looking at their roster from top to bottom, there is not one player tat stands out statistically above the rest. This means this team has a solid foundation, and is not overly dependant on one player. Look for them to make some noise in a lower division soon enough.

 

 

Terror Squad (6-1-1)

 

An early season favourite to win it all, Terror Squad still needs to refine their game in order to take out the best teams in D3. With a scrambling QB and two Receiver of the Year recipients, their offense is in no immediate trouble. On D, if Weiland Prosper and Sadrak Gervais manage to successfully step their game up, the Squad might become invincible. Look out as Jo Duclair and Gabriel Cournoyer are very likely to catch on fire come playoff time.

 

 

Eagles (5-3)

 

I’ve already mentioned their play-action offense and the importance of Francis Leblanc in last week’s article. However, mentioning the Eagles without praising Jonathan Goyette would be an aberration. Goyette, one of the longest serving players on the franchise, is an underrated receiver who excels at completing big plays. His stats (41 catches, 601 yards and 17 TDs) say it all. On defense, rookie Danny Murray is having a pretty solid season helping out Francis Leblanc carry the load. If the Eagles want to hang around long enough in the playoffs, their QB Danny Bellemare will need to protect the ball a little better.

 

 

Bandits (4-4)

 

The moment Jimmy Kiraly left his week 7 game with an injury, the Bandits chances of reaching the post-season took an ugly turn. With his brother Bobby now under center, the receiving core is thinner than ever. Corey Belliveau and Adamo Recine will need to have monster games against VR6 and the Eagles if they want to make that jump from 9^th to 8^th in Conference B.

 

 

VR6 (3-5)

 

VR6 is basically built around 4 players: QB Karim Chaoual (a Div A/2 caliber quarterback), Kevin Challenger (one of the best receivers in the league’s history), Nicholas Arsenault-Hum (a talented shutdown DB for 5 seasons at Concordia) and flag-football veteran receiver Kim Hoyte. While this core is one of the most impressive in D3, the supporting cast has not been up to par this season. Just like Grindteam, their lack of depth makes them vulnerable on defense as well as inside the red zone where space is scarce. Can they still pull a miracle playoff run? Absolutely, but they will need some help.

 

 

Prestige World Wide (6-1-1)

 

Still considered a darkhorse by many despite their convincing record, Prestige got lucky with their three rookies. They decided to give an opportunity to Samuel Drapeau via the free agent page (yes, this sometimes works!) and have not been disappointed. The 20-year old collegial division 1 safety has proven to be a blessing for their defense. Kevin Tousignant adds to the team’s size (they might have the tallest team in all of D3) and Christian Delforge has proven to be a reliable role player. The two most important pieces of this team’s puzzle, however, remain the “big guys” Max Laflamme and Anthony Comeau. As a center and a MLB, Comeau is a monster of a player on both sides of the ball as he is practically uncoverable on offense and impossible to get around on defense. Laflamme’s height has been a key element to his 6 picks and 9 TDs. Add to the mix former two-way player of the year Charles Baillargeon as rusher and receiver and you have one of the scariest teams in D3.

 

 

Rude Bwoys (4-4)

 

Thank God for rookie Jeremy Cloutier, because the Rude Bwoys offense simply hasn’t been up to par. However, the biggest surprise remains their inconsistent defense. Known as a defensive powerhouse, the Rude Bwoys have failed in two occasions to limit their opponents to under 40 points. These slip-ups have them on the brink of elimination as they hang on to the last playoff spots available. That said, they have the necessary playoff experience to upset some higher seeds. If they do make it into the post-season, they should be viewed as a darkhorse.

 

 

Patriotes (4-4)

 

The loss of Mathieu Bélanger for the season was a huge blow that the Patriotes were never able to recoup from. The Pereda brothers, Alex and Sébastien, remain key figures on the team but they need help, especially on defense, if they want to maintain their playoff positioning. Also, Étienne Chauvin has been a little off in recent games. Is this a momentary struggle or will it hamper his team’s season?

 

 

Langers (3-5)

 

Louis Blanchette is a definite gunslinger. The guy looks like wants to get that 40 yard TD every play. Sadly, this brings his INT total up (17). His ball management skills aren’t there just yet but, as he matures as an FPFer he might be able to turn this around. Hugo Ferland Dionne and Alex Frisko are the big dogs on both sides of the ball. Ferland Dionne, especially, could be considered as one of the 10 best two-way players in D3. Of all the new teams this season, they are the most successful in my opinion and are not facing automatic relegation.

 

 

VPC (7-1)

 

Louis Richard and Robbie Robinson were already a force to be reckoned with. Now with Vinny Gualano at their side, the two-way trifecta is wrecking havoc on D3. Robinson is a sure shot Hall of Famer as soon as he becomes eligible. He is one of the few FPFers to excel at QB, receiver and safety. With a pressure-less role player contingent including Dan Dick, Brent Gartner, Mike Boyer and Matt Broadbent, VPC is calmly seated in the driver’s seat.

 

 

CF (4-4)

 

With two “free” wins coming off forfeits, Armenia’s new team is well positioned to reach the playoffs. Their short-term fate will most likely be determined by a duel against their good friends from the Snookers. Up until now, Raffi Bastadjian has carried most of the load for his team on offense. His teammates Shahar Varjabedian and Arto Khatchikian will need to step it up on both sides of the ball if CF is to have any chance of reaching the playoffs.

 

 

Snookers (3-5)

 

Andre John and Tony Tabet are a dangerous duo on both sides of the ball. However, the depth present on their Spring 2011 team is absent from this Snookers edition. If Michael Young misses a game, the defense becomes very vulnerable (ie. the game against VPC). Can they turn it around? With games against CF and Maniax, anything is still possible.

 

 

Maniax (2-6)

 

Controversy sticks to this team like old mouldy turf on an FPFer’s socks. Their recent forfeit loss due to an illegal player is the most recent on a long list of disciplinary fallouts. With their regular QB possibly back this week, the Maniax might have a chance at taking out the Snookers and VPC to finish the year strong. However, if they wish to make a playoff push, Godfrey Abu, JR Verger and the Fontaine twins will need to hope for some help from the teams preceding them in the standings.

 

 

 

Who IS this guy?

 

On a team already laden with talent, he manages to lead for TDs, catches and yards despite playing fewer games than his teammates. A relative newcomer on the FPF scene, he is rapidly making a name for himself as one of the surest hands in the league.

 

This week’s player to watch is: Danny Guarna

 

After a breakout season with Park Street Elite last Spring, Danny Guarna is on pace for 38 catches, 506 yards and 14 TDs in only 8 games. Although he isn’t a tall receiver, Danny has some of the best hands in D3. A typical Big TDs receiver, he is a force to be reckoned with inside the red zone and on converts. Danny’s play helps shift the attention away from his QBs other targets, making the TDs one of the most offensively balanced teams in D3.

 

 

 

 

 

PLAYOFF RACE (eliminated teams are absent in the following standings)

 

 

CONFERENCE A

 

1. x-D-Boys (7-1)

2. SWAT (6-2)

3. Served with Ice (6-2)

4. Sandlot Saints (5-2-1)

5. Green 18s (5-2-1)

6. Big TDs (5-2-1)

7. Briscoe High Hawks (5-3)

8. Park-X Streets (5-3)

————-

9. Knockaround Guys (3-2-3)

10. KGP Champs (4-4)

11. Yari’s Autonomics (4-4)

12. Gold Standard (3-5)

13. Dirty Dawgers (3-5)

 

 

CONFERENCE B

 

1. y-VPC (7-1)

2. y-Dirty Birds (7-1)

3. y-Prestige World Wide (6-1-1)

4. x-Terror Squad (6-1-1)

5. Eagles (5-3)

6. CF (4-4)

7. Rude Bwoys (4-4)

8. Patriotes (4-4)

————-

9. Bandits (4-4)

10. VR6 (3-5)

11. Snookers (3-5)

12. Langers (3-5)

13. Grindteam (2-6)

14. Maniax (2-6)

 

x = clinched a playoff spot

y = clinched division

 

 

 

OFFICIAL D3 POWER RANKINGS (and predictions)

 

 

1. Dirty Birds (7-1): It’s fun time for the Birds as they face weaker opponents to end the season. Will this weekend schedule hurt their playoff synchronicity?

 

Predictions: Dirty Birds 39 – Souljahs 19

 

 

2. D-Boys (7-1): The Lanni connection ends the season against three teams desperate for a playoff spot. While they dismissed one already, the next two will be just as difficult to dispatch.

 

Predictions: D-Boys 26 – KGP Champs 24

 

 

3. VPC (7-1): Their high flying offense continues to roll through regular season opponents. However, I am curious to see if their brand of football is playoff-proof.

 

Predictions: VPC 45 – CF 25

 

 

4. Prestige World Wide (6-1-1): The most impressive team of late, Prestige should have no trouble capitalizing on the Rude Bwoys offensive woes.

 

Predictions: Prestige World Wide 39 – Rude Bwoys 18

 

 

5. Terror Squad (6-1-1): With Tam Vilaydeth back on the proverbial horse, the squad is primed for contention once again. Can the Eagles stop the Pat Jérome / Alex Giroux combination? No chance…

 

Predictions: Terror Squad 38 – Eagles 27

 

 

6. Served with Ice (6-2): The “Islanders” showed the league they’re serious by forging themselves a 6-2 record despite my early season prediction.

 

Predictions: Served with Ice 34 – Hurricanes 13

 

 

7. Big TDs (5-2-1): Their core 6 is as solid as they come. Will their additions (Alex Marain, Anthony McComber and Jaaz Payne) successfully qualify for the playoffs?

 

Predictions: Big TDs 43 – Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies 12

 

 

8. SWAT (6-2): Their potential is very high with playmakers like Rashawn Perry, Shawn Haney and newcomer Michael Malinaric. Can they live up to it?

 

Predictions: SWAT 33 – Dirty Dawgers 19

 

 

9. Briscoe High Hawks (5-3): The game of the week in D3. The Autonomics will probably be the best team not to make the playoffs this season. Still, they cling to their last hope.

 

Predictions: Briscoe High Hawks 33 – Yari’s Autonomics 32

 

 

10. Sandlot Saints (5-2-1): With a win they clinch their division and a playoff spot. However, I have a feeling the desperate Gold Standard will go all out to stave off elimination.

 

Predictions: Gold Standard 32 – Sandlot Saints 31