Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 10

The time has finally arrived; the Division 4 playoffs kick off tonight. In a division that features 24 playoff teams, it is very difficult to predict the following five rounds at this stage of the game. At this time last year, an up-and-down team entered the playoffs as a middle seed, no one expected them to get very far, but Mongoose went on a run for the ages by winning five consecutive intense playoff games to be crowned 2012 Division 4 Champions. Will there be another Mongoose this year? Or will a team many consider to win it all follow the script?

 

 

Division 4’s best have Easter weekend off to lick their wounds and scout their Divisional Round opponent. I can assure you the eight teams on a bye are all quite confident the Mongoose 2012 Fairy Tale will not repeat itself in 2013. For those teams starting their journey tonight, the opposite holds true.

 

Let’s get to the games.

 

 

Conference A

 

#NoRegard (5) vs. Falcons (12)

(Previous meeting: none)

 

#NoRegard:

 

After an illustrious 14-0 season in the bottom division of Spring 2012, the move up to play more elevated competition was something that #NR’s critics and opposition yearned for. However, a season going 8-2 has silenced a good deal of them. However, they seem to falter when playing the division’s best (or is it just the CSJV locale?) Regardless (see what I did there?) this season’s incarnation of the squad seems to be the best one yet. With Jeremy “Beastmode” Anderson calling the defense, the squad seems to be much more than their man-only defense of seasons past. With the Moses brothers dominating the field (Travis short and Jordan deep), there’s a versatility that’s put them in the 5 seed.

 

Falcons:

 

After a year off from the touch circuit (retirement?) Pat Lefebvre has made an entrance into the flag world (As a rookie? Comeback tour?) It’s been a mostly successful season for the Falcons, but a few holes appear upon a closer look. Pat Lefebvre has an average of two interceptions per game, and their defense creates few stops of their own. Nonetheless, it’s evident that their offensive players are the workhorses of the team. Despite the INTs, Lefebvre and the receiving corps have skill AND size. Making adjustments on the line and having the hands of St-Amand and Vandelac, and the size of Mede and Bergeron is a great formula for success.    

 

The rundown

 

It’s often the case that the 5v11 match is a trap game for the higher seed. However, I don’t think that it’s the case for this one. The aggressive #NoRegard defense is going to jump a lot of passes and the chirping and lack of maturity is going to definitely going to get under the skin of the Falcons players. If the Falcons are going to keep this one close, they’re really going to need to slow down the pace of the game, not get frustrated and keep their heads in the game. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think that it’ll be the case.

 

Prediction: #NoRegard

 

 

Park-X Streets (6) vs. Patriotes (11)

(Previous meeting: Patriotes – 26, Park-X Streets – 38)

 

Park-X Streets:

 

Kings of controversy on and off of the field, this season has been an infamous one for PXS. However, despite the suspensions, they’ve still maintained a winning record. Despite their dunk passes and overload formation, what looks ugly still works for them. It’s one thing to look at their offensive plays and laugh, and it’s quite another to attempt to cover it. Despite having their biggest deep threat suspended for three weeks, PXS were able to persevere throughout it. Rather than relying on routes, Zermalias, Papadimitriou and the entire PXS team rely instead on their raw skill in order to win them games.  

 

Patriotes:

 

It feels almost like a broken record, but it’s evident the hole the loss of Mathieu Belanger has done to this once-powerful team. However, there has been a silver lining: Alexandre Pereda. In previous seasons where Pereda was just a center with a good snap, he’s flourished into an A1 receiver with his best season yet. Despite their 5-5 season, Etienne Chauvin just came off of one of his best seasons as a quarterback. Focusing on what is rather than what was, it looks like these two-time champions might be taking the necessary steps to get back to their former glory.

 

The rundown

 

They say that the hardest thing in FPF is to beat a team two weeks consecutively. Patriotes certainly showed this last winter losing to PWW in Week 10 in D3 but beating them the following week. Can they make magic happen again? The one thing that worries me is that the Week 10 meeting between these two teams was almost a must-win game for Patriotes, and they didn’t bring their A-game. So, in this case, I’m going to give it to PXS based on the fact that they might just want it more.

 

Prediction: Park-X Streets

 

 

FTP 2.0 (7) vs. Dark Side (10)

(Previous meeting: none)

 

FTP 2.0:

 

A rag-tag group of friends mixed with skill and talent, FTP are proof that you don’t need properly numbered jerseys in order to be a successful team. A mix of FTP from last winter and the Stunnerz from the spring, they’ve gotten more wins than both of those seasons combined this winter. Nigel Thomas is a beast (or hulk?) on both sides of the ball. With Chris Olson distributing the ball, he’s got a plethora of capable receivers. Guertin, Thomas and Cardichon have the physicality to match up against pretty much any defender.

 

Dark Side:

 

What is there to say about a Gino Di Fazio team that isn’t flagrantly obvious? Get as many athletic players as possible and keep mixing them up until you find a successful group. It’s obvious that the additions when the team was doing poorly is what changed them from being an 0-5 team to a 5-5 team.

Leon Holder, when he’s on a roll, can be unstoppable. However, it’s all about getting him there.  So long as Gino, Moreau and Haney can stay on the same page as him, they can do just that. There’s enough experience on this team to know what works and what doesn’t, and they have the capability to be a darkhorse in Division 4.

 

The rundown

 

It’s odd predicting a game where the lower seed is the favorite to win it. FTP, however, have the numbers advantage and will need to use it every chance that they get. Many (myself included) think that the lack of eligible players will hurt Dark Side. Yet I’m not 100% convinced. In all honesty, of their roster, those who are eligible to play for Dark Side in the playoffs are the best possible roster.

 

Prediction: Dark Side

 

 

(8) Clockwork vs. (9) Knights

(Previous meeting: Knights – 25, Clockwork – 26)

 

Clockwork:

 

With all the hype that Marco Masciotra built up around his squad on the facebook walls leading up to the season, I’d have expected them to have won out a few of the closer games on their schedule. However, it’s evident that the talent is there and that their game has room to improve. Their offense has capable receivers from Jackson to Pampena to Iadeluca, but it seems to be the Marco show on defense. Is this cause for concern when they face steeper competition? Or can they hold their own when the going gets tough?

 

Knights:

 

Since last season, Stefano Spinelli has upped his TD count and lowered his INTs, which is a significant sign of growth. Despite an average pass completion ratio, he’s doing well with the weapons that he has. Their Lanni-led defense is very strong, and the experience that Anthony De Carvalho has compliments that as well. Utilizing the supporting cast of the Ruffolos and Derek Del Grosso might just be a key that’s missing.

 

The rundown

 

A lot of this falls on the Knights. There are times where they rise to their opposition, and times where they look very exposable. While there was talk of Antonio Lanni not being able to make the game, this might not be the case anymore and the Knights will be with his services. Since the last time these two teams played each other, I see Knights having learned something from the loss. While Clockwork are good, I’m thinking that they might get taken by surprise this week.

 

Prediction: Knights

 

 

Conference B

 

Smokin’ Aces (5) vs. Backyard Bullies

(Previous meeting: Backyard Bullies – 14, Smokin’ Aces – 30)

 

Smokin’ Aces:

 

A team of buddies who are relative newcomers have come together under Daniele Gentile for a surprising amount of success. Having never lost by more than a touchdown and convert, it’s evident how close these games can be for Smokin’ Aces, even when they’re on the losing end of it. So long as the Bulldog can keep his team motivated, they’ll keep those drops to a minimum and games will be close all the way through.

 

Backyard Bullies:

 

As of week 9, it looked like slim pickings for the Backyard Bullies team. However, a Week 10 win and some math gave them the jump into the playoffs. While some outside help from Vinny Gualano helped them make the jump, it’s important to note that QB Rich Humes has less interceptions than a lot of the teams that are currently in the playoffs.  

 

The rundown

 

While this is a game between two first-year teams, it has all the appearances of a David versus Goliath matchup. The Smokin’ Aces just narrowly missed the bye week and were the top seed in their division at one time. It’s going to be tough for the Bullies defense to keep Daniele and the SA receivers in check. Hopefully the Bullies were able to learn something from their Week 2 matchup and have…something…up their sleeves.

 

Prediction: Smokin’ Aces

 

 

(6) Spartans vs. (11) Bruizers

(Previous meeting: none)

 

Spartans:

 

The Spartans defense is a nightmare to play. They present an aggressive coverage and are able to ballhawk every chance that they can. Nicolas Gendron-Vallée has put up just as good numbers as last season, and has kept this team afloat in the difficulty of the higher division. Solid acquisitions in Alex David and Julien Bellavance has done nothing but boost this already stellar team.

 

Bruizers:

 

The Bruizers are another brand-new team who managed to make it into the playoffs where even the more experienced D4 FPF teams didn’t make it. Fred Mallette has taken a strong tackle team and turned them into a strong flag team as well. Raphael Ducas-Lapalme has been putting up beast numbers, and should be every defender’s main concern. It seems like it doesn’t really matter who takes the field for the Bruizers, they will do well. Having a wealth of players who can play both ways really isn’t a problem.

 

The rundown

 

Honestly, I think that despite the skill and the roster that the Bruizers possess, the Spartans are a bit too strong of a team for them to handle at this stage of the game. There isn’t really anyone capable of keeping Gendron-Vallée’s speed in check, and the Bruizers offense might just be stopped flat by the Spartans defense.

 

Prediction: Spartans

 

(7) Mustangs du Gridiron vs. (10) Certified Flyguyz

(Previous meeting: none)

 

Mustangs du Gridiron:

 

The Mustangs have hints of greatness. They measure up well against a lot of the division’s brightest, but tend to fall a little flat when everything is on the line. So thankfully they have the opportunity to get their act together early on and be ready for when they have the opportunity to play the top seeds. TopGun Vallée has been up to the same song and dance, making plays and airing it out to the usual suspects. However, as of late, it seems to be the Mustangs defense that wants to get all the spotlight. With good reason, they seem to be what this team’s focal point is as of late.

 

Certified Flyguyz:

 

It’s quite evident that FPF is a quarterback’s league. So it’s no surprise that the addition of Karim Chaoual would add depth to this roster. However, remember that this team was a successful one in the past as well. Add in Jo Duclair who has experience playing both sides of the ball in a higher division, and you’ve got a winning recipe. Chaoual’s deep ball goes well with the youth and agility of the Flyguyz receivers, and we’ve even seen his confidence rise and he’s taken a few rushing attempts now and again as well.

 

The rundown

 

Yes, Karim is a fantastic quarterback, and yes quarterbacks have the advantage in this league. However, I feel that while Chaoual will be able to read the Mustangs defense, the Flyguyz offense will have a great amount of difficulty actually penetrating it. I see this one going into the hands of the Mustangs.

 

Prediction: Mustangs du Gridiron

 

 

(8) No Punt Intended vs. (9) The Family

(Previous meeting: The Family – 38, No Punt Intended – 31)

 

No Punt Intended:

 

NPI are one of the few teams in D4 that have really grown as a unit, sticking together through thick and thin. It seems like every year for them is stronger than the last, and it might just be their time. Mike Mendell has been sticking to what works, and the NPI offense has never been stronger. Of course, it would be erroneous to mention both the offense and the defense without mentioning everything that Kevin Lubin brings to them. While they’ve stayed the same, considerable depth has been added.

 

The Family:

 

It would appear that we’re back to seeing the old Family. Despite a few hiccup games, The Family have looked quite solid with J-S and Maxime both flourishing back at their usual positions. The Family know how playoff football should be played, and have the chance to jump back into it as a full unit. While their offense is a marvel, I’d like to now see their defense return to it’s former glory.

 

The rundown

 

This one is going to be close. Honestly, the teams match up so well against each other that it’s really difficult to pick a winner. But I think that overall, The Family have fewer weak links. I see both teams going score-for-score with each other throughout the matchup, and it being a question of extra-points.

 

Prediction: The Family

 

 

Good luck to all 16 teams playing in this wild card round of the Division 4 playoffs. We’re all curious to see who can build up enough momentum to slay some of D4’s Goliath’s next week, in the Divisional Round. Remember, momentum can be your greatest asset this time of year.

 

Enjoy the games.