Food For Thought (Div B) – Week 13

As 2010 comes to a close for FlagPlus Football and great moments are slowly turning into cherished memories, the most important game of the season is about to unfold. But instead of immersing ourselves in the crucial debate of which team is bigger, stronger, faster and louder, I will formally introduce you to the individuals partaking in Sunday’s final, and explain exactly how they fit into their team’s offensive or defensive scheme.

 

 

Giant or Prestigious?

 

The difference between being good and being great is measured in how far you can push  your limits in order to achieve what no one else will. Being the last team standing was the goal for the G-Men since the start of this campaign and will serve as the fuel that motivates each and every player on their team.

 

On the flip side of things, Alex Lever’s quest for a second straight Div B championship (Kingz 2009) will most likely undergo some serious stress after having been barely rattled during the last month…

 

 

1. The Head

 

The brains behind the G-Men operation is first-time all-star Gianni Settino. The most efficient QB in his Division this season, Gianni is the key to the G-Men’s possession game. Why? Simply because he turned the ball over only once this year! His 41-1 TD / interception ratio through 11 games is indeed astounding to say the least.

 

Facing him will be gritty playmaker Alex Lever who developed a very dangerous obsession with the deep ball recently. If he can avoid turnovers and actually keep piling up the big yards through the air and on the ground, anything will be possible for his highlight reel offence. If he can combine a stellar offensive showdown with some big plays defensively, he might single-handedly write the story of this game.

 

 

2. The Hands

 

While their QB toils hard not to cough the ball up, the G-Men receivers make sure it sticks to their fingertips. Leading this athletic crew is the machine of a man, Nareg Yessayan. Silent as a clam and mute as a carp, he takes the saying “show, don’t tell” to new heights. He will be the prime target on 3rd and 4th downs as well as for conversions and overtime, if need be.

 

Pat Jérôme has been working with extra coverage since the beginning of the playoffs, but has, through his sheer reputation, made it possible for his fellow receivers to get open when he wasn’t. And even with all that extra attention, chances are, he is coming down with anything thrown his way, as a receiver AND a DB. All he needs is one 40-yard catch or a timely “pick-six” to spark his teammates into a frenzied momentum swing.

 

3. The Soul

 

All great clutch receivers need a set-up man and here is where Paul Kamel comes into play. Three days after his 25th birthday, Mr. Kamel will be trying to recapture the magic that made him a champion exactly 2 years ago. Regarded by many as one of the best receivers without an extensive tackle football background, Paul might be the key for the G-Men as they try advancing downfield. With Nareg tightly covered and the deep ball being regarded as highly dangerous against an athletic Prestige World Wide defence, the reverses, runs, short passes and tenyard hooks completed to #10, might very well end up being the backbone to the G-Men’s offence.

 

Some voodoo magic seems to have taken place inside Prestige World Wide’s locker room,  as Phil Leduc looks to be channelling Pat Jérôme’s  X-factor Mojo. With a clutch interception and 11 tackles on defence, as well as a playoff-leading 5 TD catches, Phil could conceivably capture the playoff MVP title if he is able to carry his recent performances into this season’s finale. If there is one player I would be afraid of, it is definitely him!

 

 

4. The Arms

 

Having a much more subtle impact on the game, Paul’s brother Farris Kamel will nonetheless be touching the ball on every play. Dedicated and intense, the G-Men centre might be the difference between a punt and a 1st down on numerous occasions as he might benefit from the increased attention his teammates get in crucial situations.

 

A very important contributor to his team’s success, centre Jean-François Trudeau is often overlooked by his opponents when they plan against his team. This, coupled with his great hands, make him a lethal weapon down the middle of the field as well as a great 2nd or 3rd option on broken plays. The chemistry he has with Lever both on offence and defence enables him to make clutch plays on both sides of the ball. As a matter of fact, he is the only player to have successfully intercepted G-Men QB Gianni Settino this year.

 

 

 

5. The Legs

 

Playing the role of defensive mastermind and “last-man-back”, Nathan Taylor will be the brains and the muscle for his team’s defence. While he will occasionally be taking Paul Kamel’s RB spot in the backfield on offense, Taylor’s main priority should remain shutting down Prestige World Wide’s all-star receivers and denying them access to the house from outide the red zone.

 

Trying to elude coverage when faced with 3rd and goal will likely be short-gain machine Matthew Brethour. Second on his team with 4 TDs in 2 playoff games, Matthew is known for his sure-handedness, his quick feet and his goal-line hooks. In close, he is very tough to cover and will most likely garner at least 1 TD catch or 1 point conversion in Sunday’s game.

 

 

6. The Feet

 

As Jon Young and Daniel Calla will be alternating rushes against Prestige World Wide’s quarterback Alex Lever, they stand a very good chance, if they stay disciplined, to either deflect the ball or, even better, to grab that elusive flag belt at least a couple of times in the game. They will also most likely be asked to contribute on offence from time to time, enabling some of the regulars to catch their breath.

 

For the 3rd week straight, Gianni Settino will be faced with a first class rusher in Patrice Blouin. Only rusher to record an interception during the season, Patrice, who managed 2 sacks and 2 passes defended in the semi-finals, might actually stand a chance at upsetting a usually calm and composed Settino. His play will most likely dictate the start of the game as he could very well inhibit the G-Men QB from going downfield or even worse, forcing him to punt after a timely sack.

 

 

7. The Heart

 

Last but not least on the G-Men side, Alexander Khamis (aka captain K) will be patrolling his short side of the field where his tacking abilities will surely be tested against speed hungry opponents. Any big play he makes will be a bonus to his team, as we saw two weeks ago.

 

Because his role is mostly limited to a couple catches per game, many observers often forget about receiver Frank Grenier. Known for his on-stage antics more than his football prowess, Frank is nonetheless a confident utility player who, in cases when Matthew Brethour is unreachable for short yardage, might prove to be a great replacement solution for a scrambling Alex Lever.

 

 

As it is already quite apparent, Sunday’s game is set-up to be a memorable match-up between two well-rounded teams, full of polyvalent utility players and landmark two-way game-changers. The only thing left will be to sit back and enjoy while these teams and the six others partaking in this Spring season’s finals demonstrate the extent to which football is one of the most interesting sports in the world.

 

If you can’t make it to the field this weekend, be sure not to miss next week’s Division B finals recap, which will also constitute my last article in 2010.

 

 

It is always a pleasure to keep you informed as you continue entertaining me weekly.

 

For any questions or comments, simply formulate them via [email protected]