Categories: Division 1Division 2

Forfeit, Matchups, Power Rankings, and Picks

Three wins away from completing a perfect regular season, a team with loads of both big game and championship experience in Vengeance, committed an inexcusable mistake of violating the player cap in their game last week versus the Moretti Crime Family. Instead of earning the brilliant (34-32) win that I described in detail in last week’s article, instead, they were given an automatic forfeit, giving the game to the MCF by a score of (30-0).

The cap violation was not a result of Kevin Wyeth, who has a Quarterback rating of 93.9, throwing in Division 2, as he has done so all season. The violation is due to due to team being up against the offensive cap of 515 points before the game began. To allow Wyeth to throw, Vengeance would have needed to clear points off their cap. They did not, hence the infringement and subsequent forfeit.

The loss was not only the first of the year for Vengeance, but it also opened the door for three teams – Run It Once, Urgence Medic, and the Moretti Crime Family – to have more than an outside shot at getting the top spot in Division 2.

In most cases when we see a forfeit due to the player cap, the offending party is usually a lower division team, who are unfamiliar with the rule. This time that was not the case. There is no excuse as the veterans on this team should have known better. Everyone has a phone so they can check online, or worse case scenario, ask the scorekeeper (which happened to be me for that game) to verify. It’s a shame because it wasted what was a fantastic game. Hopefully this is just a one-time thing.

Matchups

Sam Mashtoub (Kangaroos) vs Phil Pharand (Braves)

There are more than a few head-to-head battles I want this see this week. The Braves versus Kangaroos matchup has a litany of players I want to see lineup against each other, but the one I am really hoping to see is Phil Pharand and Sam Mashtoub. Both are solid Receivers, and they make plays om defense as well. Although there are bigger names on their respective rosters, this duo can take over a game in a moment’s notice. Whoever wins in this showdown, might very well lead their team to victory.

Jonathan Garfinkle (KGP+) vs Guillaume Robert (Flag Moi L’Sac)

Both players are key cogs on their squads they rank second and third respectively in catches on their team, while also making contributions on the other side of the ball as well Each team is coming off a loss and hungry for a win as they look to climb the standings. Who will make more plays for their side this week?

Sanders Armand (Double Straddle) vs Kevin Wyeth (Allstars)

One of the best Safeties in the league in Armand, against the best Quarterback and some might say player in all of FPF in Kevin Wyeth. Armand is the last line of defense. Will he be baited down to help cover the short passing game with players like Pat Jérome and Snapper Matt Kirouac, or will he stay deep and try to eliminate the deep shots to Quaid Johnson, Rory Semerjian, Chris Milard, and Jérome?

AJ Gomes (Kangaroos) vs Ryan Dobbs-Garnett (Bulldogz)

Water is wet, fire is hot, and when AJ Gomes and Ryan Dobbs-Garnett step onto a field, there will be some trash talking. The game might not be close, but the potential back and forth has a chance to be legendary. I hope I am wrong about the former.

Will Power (Blessed) vs David Amani Kabwe (Got Skills)

Both players are long, fast, explosive, and know what to do when the ball is in their hands. Whoever ends up making more plays for their team, might lead their squad to an important win.

Matthew Rupcic (Moretti Crime Family) vs Khalil Kerr (KGP)

One team’s best defender in Rupcic, taking on the other team’s best offensive weapon in Kerr. Both teams are looking for wins, as the Moretti Crime Family are trying to keep their dreams of finishing first alive, while KGP, who have lost several heartbreakers the last few weeks, are looking for their win since Week 3.

Normand Simard (Braves 2.0) vs Jourdain Alexis (Party Crashers Blue)

Both players are tough as nails, have speed to burn, fun to watch, and make plays on both side of the ball. Who will come out on top in this matchup?

David Dumas-Goulet (Killa Bees) vs Anthony Brisebois (Run It Once)

This one is as simple as mano a mano. The best Receiver on a team, going head-to-head with the other team’s best Defensive Back. The Killa Bees need a win. To get it, Dumas-Goulet, will have to beat Brisebois in coverage multiple times throughout the contest. That will be easier said than done.

Power Rankings

Division 1

1.Allstars – They maintain the top spot in the rankings as a safety by Sean Semerjian basically gave them a win over Flag Moi L’Sac, and in the process moved their record to (6-1) and gave them a three-point lead on top of the standings. A win over Double Straddle tomorrow night would give them even more cushion. Last Week: 1st

2. Braves – Their game against the Kangaroos tomorrow night in Lachine will be a must-see affair, as the Braves will look to avenge a forfeit loss to them back in Week 2. Currently one point up on the Kangaroos and Double Straddle who are tied for third place, a win for the Braves would see them get a little breathing room and keep them in striking distance of the top spot. Last Week: 2nd

3. Kangaroos – They have a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Braves for second and grab a partial hold on first place if they can sweep back-to-back games tomorrow versus Braves and Bulldogz.  Let’s see how they do. Last Week: 3rd

4. Flag Moi L’Sac – After grabbing a one-point lead over the Allstars, elation quickly morphed into heartbreak, as a sack would give the lead back to their opponents for good. A matchup with a KGP+ squad looking to hang on to the final playoff spot in the division, might not be as easy as it appears. Last Week: 4th

5. Double Straddle – They have lost four out of their last five games but are coming off a big (31-20) win over the Party Crashers last Sunday night. Double Straddle will look to keep the momentum going tomorrow as they take on the first place Allstars in Lachine. Last Week: 5th

6. Party Crashers – They currently sit two points up on the final playoff spot. They can add a little more space if they can knock off Flag Moi L’Sac tomorrow at Stade Hebert. After an upset win over the Kangaroos, and 1-point loss to the Braves, that momentum was wiped away by a tough loss last Sunday to Double Straddle. A win tomorrow night would see the pendulum swing back in their direction. Last Week: 6th

7. KGP+ – They lost the second half of back-to-back games against the Bulldogz. The loss put them right back to where they were this time last week in the power rankings, and more importantly in the standings, as they are tied for points with the final team in the rankings. A win against Flag Moi L’Sac tomorrow in Lachine, would see them gain separation. Can they pull it off? Last Week: 7th

8. Bulldogz – As mentioned above, they are tied for points (4) with KGP+, although the latter has the advantage for the final playoff spot due to point differential, as they beat the Bulldogz by five, and only lost to them by three. Last Week: 8th

Division 2

1.Vengeance – As I said earlier the cap violation/forfeit loss isn’t a good look, but the truth remains, that no one has beat them when everything is equal. They are off this week, but they have a huge game against a Run It Once squad who are coming off a big win versus Blessed. Last Week: 1st

2. Moretti Crime Family – By hook or by crook, a win is a win. The forfeit victory over Vengeance is important, as it sees the Moretti Crime Family jump one spot in the rankings, but more importantly it gives them a shot at first place provided, they win out and get a little help. The win was a technicality, so the question that needs to be answered is can they beat the top team on the list? Last Week: 3rd

3. Run It Once – They earned a big (38-36) win over Blessed Wednesday night at Stade Hebert, with a furious second-half comeback that saw them comeback from 10 points down to outscore their opponents (20-12), including the game-winning touchdown by James Ohayon with five plays remaining. They have a short turnaround as they take on Urgence Medic tonight in Brossard. Can they keep up the momentum? Last Week: 4th

4. Urgence Medic – They snapped their two-game slide with a beatdown of the Killa Bees last Saturday in Lachine. Tonight, is a much tougher test as they go head-to-head with Run It Once in a battle for second place in the division. Last Week: 5th

5. Blessed – Three days after their heart-breaking loss to Run It Once, they must get back on the saddle tonight as they take on Got Skills, in another battle among teams that are tied for second place. Can Blessed rip off the band-aid and get the win? Last Week: 2nd

6. Got Skills – They are currently on a two-game winning streak and have a chance to make it three straight, as they take on Blessed. A victory over them would send a statement to the rest of the division that Got Skills could be a legitimate dark horse to win it all. Last Week: 6th

7. Terror Squad – Sitting at (4-4), this team has another seven days to wait until their next game, versus Blessed in Lachine. Their last one back on March 1st saw them lose to Touch Foot 450. Will the 17-day layoff be to much, or just what the doctor ordered? Last Week: 7th

8. Braves 2.0 – After losses to Terror Squad and Got Skills, the Braves 2.0, got back to their winning ways with a (49-38) win over KGP last Saturday in Lachine. Up next is a clash with the Party Crashers Blue, who are looking to solidify a playoff spot Monday night at Stade Hebert. Last Week: 8th

9. Touch Foot 450 – They have two wins in a row, but by the time they take on KGP Monday at Stade Hebert, it will have been 19 days since their last game. Currently playing their best ball of the season, they have a chance to keep on climbing the standings and the rankings. Will the long layoff hurt them? Last Week: 9th

10. Party Crashers Blue – They are playing their best ball of the season, as they are coming off a win over Urgence Medic, and came within a touchdown of beating both Run It Once and the Moretti Crime Family. Looking to hold on to the last playoff spot in Div. 2, they can pretty much secure it and climb the standings if they can get a win over the Braves 2.0 Monday night in St. Leonard. Last Week: 10th

11. KGP – A soul-crushing loss that saw them lose to Vengeance on the last play of the game, coupled with KGP playing solid football as of late, should provide them with motivation as they look to overtake Party Crashers Blue for the last ticket to the dance. Last Week: 11th

12. Killa Bees – Still winless, but not for a lack of effort. After suffering one-possession losses in two out of their last three games, the Killa Bees will look to finally get their first win of the season as they take on Run It Once tomorrow night in Lachine. Last Week: 12th

Picks

Braves vs Kangaroos – Braves

Flag Moi L’Sac vs KGP+ – Flag Moi L’Sac

Allstars vs Double Straddle – Allstars

Kangaroos vs Bulldogz – Kangaroos

Blessed vs Got Skills – Blessed

Run It Once vs Urgence Medic – Urgence Medic

KGP vs Moretti Crime Family – Moretti Crime Family

Killa Bees vs Run It Once – Run It Once

Braves 2.0 vs Party Crashers Blue – Braves 2.0

Last Week: (6-3)

Season: (24-16)

The post-season race has started to heat up. In next week’s article I will release my annual Contenders, Pretenders, and We Don’t Know Yet article for both divisions.

If you haven’t had a chance, check out my article on Moretti Crime Family Snapper Dom Benevento. It was a fun interview. https://www.flagplusfootball.com/en/article/flagplus-football-interview-series-part-1-dom-benevento

 I will have a new interview up by the middle of next week.

That is it for this week. Good to everybody in their games tonight and this week!

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, please feel free to reach me at [email protected]