Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 12

Thanks are in order. I’d like to thank Sphinx, Gators, Les Eudistes, Hall of Famers, Monstars,LesCaves, Clockwork and Hard Knocks.

 

I thank you for the time you’ve spent with us in Division 4. I thank you for being a part of our FPF community, both on and off of the field. We’ll hopefully see you in the Spring, or again next winter.

 

Bye Week

 

Well, my suspicion was valid. Of the eight teams that earned a bye week, only two remain. There’s no more chance to see a 1-seed vs. 1-seed final. As they say, the playoffs are a completely different season…

 

 

Quarterfinal Preview

 

It’s business time.

 

 

No Punt Intended (5) vs. Outlaws (6)

 

Previous meeting: N/A

 

No Punt Intended – It seems as though adding an extra body to the old Maximum Carnage squad is all that was necessary. Now that they’ve planned for injury (and progressed despite it) they’re in a good position to make a push. Mike Mendell, specifically, seems to realize that this may indeed be NPI’s time, and is making the most of it. On the other side of the ball, NPI’s defense is more than a little stifling. Fun fact: Lachapelle, Pogorzelski and Di Poi have the first, second, and third most passes defended throughout the postseason.

 

Outlaws – The Outlaws’ offense is red-hot right now. Jean-Michel Beaudin has spread 11 touchdowns in two games to five receivers. What makes the Outlaws so remarkable is that while you wouldn’t necessarily look twice at them during the regular season, they step up their game immensely come playoff time. Essentially, it’s safe to say this: If the Outlaws can muster one interception during the game, they’re in very, very good shape to win.

 

Keys to Success

 

NPI – No Punt Intended’s defense might just be able to go step-for-step with the Outlaws’ offense. They have the ability to move players wherever they want at any given moment, as anyone is able to step up and do what is required. An alternating rush of Lachapelle and Zorko will certainly keep any QB guessing as well.

 

OUT– Part of the Outlaws’ success comes from taking their opponents by surprise. However, it’s evident that spreading the ball helps tremendously. It’s hard to strategize defensively when every player needs to be covered just as hard as another.

 

Prediction

 

No Punt Intended

 

Mongoose (5) vs. Le Zoo (6)

 

Previous Meeting: Week 10

 

Mongoose – 42, Le Zoo – 14

 

Mongoose – After seeing Mongoose just narrowly beat Discount Double Check, I didn’t think that Mongoose had what it took to progress throughout the postseason. However, after the way that they were able to handle the Hard Knocks attack, I’m officially a believer. Putting up 52 points in any game is a serious feat, a playoff game no less. Gaudet seems to play up to his opposition, and knows exactly what to exploit in them.

 

Le Zoo – Le Zoo obviously need to go back and see what happened in Week 10. I mentioned that it would be important for Le Zoo to learn from their mistakes against Clockwork in order to become victorious this time around. Well, it’s even more important to see a repeat performance this week.

 

Keys to Success

 

MON – Mongoose are going to obviously need to channel what made their Week 10 game so special. But furthermore, they also have the mental advantage. Mongoose can afford to make some risky moves, as Le Zoo may be more careful on offense to compensate for their last meeting.

 

LZ – Frank Kaye is playing like a man possessed. There’s nothing more motivating than having your quarterback being fired up and ready to lead you to success. That, with a solid game plan in advance is advisable, on how to shut down Mongoose.

 

Prediction

 

Mongoose

 

 

Embarrassment of Riches (2) vs. The Commission (10)

 

Previous Meeting: Week 2

 

Embarrassment of Riches – 35, The Commission – 0

 

Embarrassment of Riches – EOR, and Shoshan in particular, have not broken their average of 5 touchdowns per game thus far. However, will they have a contingency plan? Their offense has been a bit more versatile as of late…can their defense keep up?

 

The Commission – Would it surprise you that Sean Avraam is the leading quarterback in rushing yards and rushing TDs in the postseason? It shouldn’t. Not because Avraam is a mobile QB, but because he is successful and smart at taking what defenses give him. They have the manpower to continuously stay fresh and keep from tiring.  

 

Keys to Success

 

EOR – Embarrassment of Riches need to start from scratch. Take almost nothing away from their Week 2 meeting with The Commission, and just start fresh. They are going to need to play their game and stick with what works, rather than trying to adjust to a Sean Avraam offense that they are not used to.

 

TC – It’s been two consecutive weeks that The Commission have shut down a rhythmic offense; can they make it three in a row? The defense is and has always been The Commission’s strong point, but the offense has been stepping up equally well. Having filmed Embarrassment of Riches’ last game shouldn’t hurt either.

 

Prediction

 

N/A

 

Broccasion (1) vs. The Incredibles (8)

 

Last Meeting : N/A

 

Broccasion – Broccasion recovered from the scare that the Gators gave them. Even a team that goes undefeated in the regular season had something to learn. The lesson: teams want to beat them. Badly. Since they’re now aware that teams are stepping up in hopes of toppling the king, the team needs to fire themselves up. Weekes showed a bit of rust after the bye week, throwing two INTs. Hopefully, they can get back on pace.

 

The Incredibles – Two back-to-back 6 TD, 0 INT performances for Greg Stern. The Bertoldi and Peterson connection has been more than evident these past few weeks. It may, however, be important to involve some of the other warhorses in order to prevent Broccasion from catching on. The Incredibles have worked hard all season, and are not about to let up.

 

Keys to Success

 

BRO – Keep doing what’s brought them this far. An evaluaton of Norman Weekes’ game would also be fair, as they want to avoid coming as close to early vacation as they did last week. Incorporating everyone may be what separates these two teams.

 

TI – The Incredibles are going to need to focus on their defensive game this time around. While their offense has been their key, victory may lie in creating a few turnovers and possibly scoring on D. Oh, and keeping the ball away from Jamie Ojeaha.

 

Prediction

 

Broccasion

 

Reminder: If you are to win this weekend, the semifinals will be taking place on THURSDAY, APRIL 12^TH, at 7 or 8 PM. If you win this week, seek out a league representative for info on the press conferences.