Food for Thought (Div B) – Week 4

 

Logic and reason are sound fundamentals when it comes to managing the precarious aspects of life. They enable you to make calculated decisions and keep a cool head when gestating over a complex predicament. Even in situations in which brains might be secondary to muscle, logic and reason tend to bestow upon those who rely on it a powerful edge that is often crucial in their accomplishments. Logic, it seems, would be one of the few tools with 100% efficiency in any situation…well, almost…

 

For when it comes down to predicting the outcome of a sporting event, nothing can be more dangerous than logic. Indeed, more often than not, logic gets no respect from sports. Reasonable odds and logical favourites are notions that get crushed into powdered illusions once the first whistle’s screams echo around the stadium. That’s when you start to believe. That’s when all is possible. And logic is dead.

 

 

 

 

 

Illogically logical

 

As of Week 4, two teams have already hit the mid-season mark while the other nine will get there this weekend. Three teams are running after the playoff train, trying to catch it, while eight others focus on hanging on to the speed-hungry engine. Will some roles be inversed from now till July? Probably. While the first six spots are occupied by teams potent enough to stay on top, three teams will be challenging for the last two spots: Maniax, FTMP as well as the Big TDs.

 

Even though they are still winless after 4 games, Maniax possess the strongest roster of those 3 teams and should definitely be considered as a potential playoff-bound team.

 

Big TDs, on the other hand, are currently playing for .500 due to the phenomenal play of their star player Jamil Springer. The only factor I see that could perhaps hinder their progression is the lack of discipline this team has shown this year. After 4 weeks, a league-leading 7 OC penalties have been inflicted upon them. If they can keep their emotions in check for the next weeks, they could easily lock the 7th spot in the standings.

 

Week 7 should be huge for determining who of FTMP or Maniax gains access to the playoffs as the outcome of this match up might very well become a tie-breaking issue down the road. While FTMP will most likely trounce the poor Falcons this weekend, it might end up being their last win this season.

 

 

Here is what the final standings should look like:

 

 

1. Terminators (9-1)

2. Alkoholiks (8-2)

3. Blackshirts (8-2)

4. G-Men (8-2)

5. Prestige World Wide (6-4)

6. Maniax (5-5)

7. Redemption (4-6)

8. Big TDs (4-6)

9. FTMP (2-8)

10. Rude Bwoys (1-9)

11. Falcons (0-10)

 

 

Of course, injuries, tournaments, and voodoo dolls might influence the outcome of the season in a way I had not foreseen…

 

Under Fire

An interview with Tony Khoury of the Maniax.

 

 

Alexandre Porras: What ties do you have to the rest of the Maniax (AMB Eagles) roster?

 

Tony Khoury: I grew up in A Ma Baie (Pierrefonds) where we all played Atom, Mosquito and Pee Wee before joining the Lions and finally the Mustangs of the North Shore program. Most of us have been friends for almost 20 years now.

 

 

A. P.: When did your team arrive in the league?

 

T. K.: Some of us first played in a team called West-side Connection that disbanded a couple years ago. We then decided to form our own A Ma Baie team in Spring 2008 and called it the AMB Eagles.

 

 

A. P.: Most of your players are francophone from Haitian descent. Do you speak French with them on the sidelines?

 

T. K.: I usually call the plays in English but sometimes I’ll throw in some words of French or even Creole!

 

 

A. P.: You play in a lot of outdoor touch-football tournaments throughout Quebec during the summer time. Did you ever win any?

 

T. K.: Sure! I play with Blue Bayous, Rick Nincheri’s team, and we made 8 straight finals recently. I think we rank in the top 5 teams in Quebec.

 

 

A. P.: What do you prefer: touch or flag?

 

T. K.: I like flag because I’m more involved in the action, and its played on smaller fields which means less running. On the other hand, with touch you get to travel and you play for cash prizes.

 

 

A. P.: At which position do you prefer playing: snapper or QB?

 

T. K: I guess my skills are better as a centre, but I really enjoy playing QB. Having great athletes around helps a lot when you’re learning the QB position because they can correct your mistakes.

 

 

A. P.: You think you can still make the playoffs after a 0-4 start?

 

T. K: Definitely. Nobody is worried or stressed out right now on our team because we now we’re going to play a lot better in the next weeks now that we have our full squad. We figured a 5-5 or 4-6 record should get us in.

 

 

A. P.: You definitely have one of the most talented and athletic teams in the division. On the other hand, your greatest flaw as a team is your lack of organisation. Do you think the Maniax can get over that obstacle and be more composed down the road?

 

T. K.: Right now, we are probably still too excited and too emotional when we play. I’m confident that we’ll manage to keep our cool as the season advances. Sometimes we tend to force the big play, which ends up getting us in trouble. Sticking to the game plan will be our main priority form now on.

 

 

The Stars of the Week

 

Once again this week, we were fortunate enough to witness some great performances by some of the best players in the Flag Plus Football community.

 

Here are this week’s 5 Stars:

1. Jamaal Pierre: 5 catches, 82 yards and 2 TDs to secure the win for his team.

 

2. N. Taylor: 2 TD catches coupled with 2 PD and a key interception for the G-Men’s most polyvalent player.

 

3. Gino Di Fazio: Only QB to reach 200 yards this week in Division B, he also threw four TDs and led his team in the tackles column (4).

 

4. Ryan Perry: 2 timely interceptions to go with his best FPF picture award!

 

5. Bryan Nguyen: 4 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 PD for the Division’s most underrated rusher.

 

 

Technically Speaking…

 

For any questions regarding statistics, rules clarification or for any other Flag Plus Football related enquiries please email me at [email protected]. As always, I hope I have entertained you as much as you entertain me weekly. See you Sunday.