Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 2

Well, we’re already done Week 2. I feel torn – it feels like the season is flying by, and yet it takes forever for the next game to happen. So rather than wait, here’s what was big this week:

 

Who Impressed?

 

(FTP 2.0 vs. Toute Garnie) Brian Eudoxie. With 2 TDs over 71 receiving yards, as well as 7 tackles and 3 PDs, Brian was literally all over the field. Seems to be flourishing under new management, as he’s already caught up to his Winter 2012 TD count. Despite the fact that Ed Shoshan seems to be spreading the wealth among all of his receivers, Brian will be one to watch in the coming weeks.

 

(Yari’s Autonomics vs. The Incredibles) Jacob Peterson. While Vince Nardone wanted to prove me wrong for picking The Incredibles to lose, it was Jake who was a driving force in this week’s victory. He’s creeping around in the backfield, he’s creeping around in the end zone…definitely someone who you always want to keep sight on whether he’s on offense or defense. And especially if you’re matched up against him.

 

(Underrated vs. Falcons) Laurent Foucault. Put the team on his back in every sense of the phrase. Filling in for Gabriel Coté as QB, and being a driving force with 2 INTs on defense is definitely a definition of clutch if you’re looking for one. It would also be interesting to see Foucault throwing to Coté, instead of the other way around.

 

(Cool Kidz vs. Knights) Giovanni Lanni. Obviously you’re going to expect big things from the smallest Lanni, especially in D4. But what the stats (8 of the 11 completions for 122 yards and 2 TDs) don’t tell is that Giovanni was also the motivational difference for the Knights. Being shutout at halftime, Giovanni led by example; becoming very vocal and ensuring that his team was pumped up and hungry enough to win.

 

(#NoRegard vs. Clockwork) Alex Holowach. The Great Bamboozler himself had a great outing, managing the clock well and keeping the ball from a hungry Clockwork defense. Definitely a step up from his Week 1 performance, and a huge factor into why his team came out on top.

 

Power Rankings

 

Due to the fact that there are more than 10 teams that are still 2-0, a lot of this work is done for me. Still, putting teams in order is a tough job.

 

1. La Sauce – Despite playing a new team with a depleted roster, La Sauce are still the real deal in my opinion. While they do have a bit of a lax schedule for a top-tier team, a win will still be a win, and La Sauce will be raking them in.

 

2. Toute Garnie – I guess that Ed Shoshan is looking to show last Winter’s QB of the year that he can do just as good (if not better). Having thrown 7 TDs in both games thus far, he’s definitely an early frontrunner. Not without saying, however, that the rest of the team should go without praise. Look for the wealth to be spread evenly amongst the playmakers.

 

3. The Family – Looking as strong this year as in seasons past. With zero controversy at the QB position, they’ve decided to set their sights back on the prize. Also, the move of J-L Bastien from rusher to DB, while not as publicised as the QB move seems to be working wonders for them.

 

4. The Incredibles – Sad I ever doubted them. While I’m sure they’ll forgive me, the undefeated season thus far may be a nice consolation.

 

5. The Commission – With the wealth that they have at their disposal, they have no reason not to be here. One of the more dangerous teams that will get little press, due to the fact that they keep their presence to a minimum on the sidelines and on the walls, and their presence to a maximum when they’re on the field.

 

6. Park-X Streets – Playing some of the ugliest football is sometimes all that you need. While it doesn’t look pretty, it certainly gets the job done. Rather than relying on finesse, raw talent and athleticism helps them get by. And with speed aplenty mixed with ballhawks, that’s all that they really need.

 

7. Broccasion – Looks like the musical chairs has ended, and brother Kristian is back in the saddle after injury. Showing that he’s just as good as his fill-ins, Kristian has needed zero transition time to return to being a winning QB.  

 

8. Smokin’ Aces – A team that is slowly hyping themselves up on the walls (and with good reason), the Gentile to Petrone and Apostolakis combination seems to be a deadly one. They’re going about their business quietly, but for how long?

 

9. Certified Flyguyz – Karim Chaoual back in D4, where his successes began. Knowing what works due to his experience in the higher divisions, this might be just what the Flyguyz need to be successful. Karim will need to thread the needle with his receivers this week, as they’ll be going up against a very physical Les Buddays team.

 

10. Mustangs du Gridiron – Being at the bottom of the list isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’ve put them ahead of the remaining 38 teams, and with good reason. 6 points allowed in 2 games is definitely something to boast about. They made a big change in moving up last season, and now they bring that knowledge with them to D4. Not a team to take lightly.

 

 

Random Thoughts

 

– Seeing Mario Choueri with passing completions reminds me of the D4 Raiders of 2009. Maybe a QB switch for Ball Busters would be in order, considering he went 4 for 4 this week?

– I wonder how much web traffic the site got this week of players consistently refreshing their team’s page to see if the team photo was up.

– While it’s a testament to the depth of the league’s growth, it’s odd to see the addition of Martin Tougas and Pat Duplessis to the FOTC roster in a losing effort this week. Hopefully they can help turn it around for the team.

– Despite being 2-0, Les Buddays and Knights have been omitted from the Power Rankings largely due to their wins coming from weaker teams.

– I’m expecting the Dark Side roster to break 20 players this season.

– That broken clock drawing on the FPF wall by Deemy Feelgood made me laugh. In a good way. Can we see some more of that?

 

Quick Picks

 

So I went 13/24 last week, which I’m not too proud of at all. Still, my consolation will always be that I did better than Simon. Let’s see if I can keep my average up in the coming weeks.

 

Maccabi vs. Nutcrackers – Nutcrackers

Gunslingers vs. Sphinx – Sphinx

Ball Busters vs. Coyotes – Ball Busters

SWCP Bulldogs vs. Bruizers – Bruizers

Broccasion vs. Football Old Timers Club – Broccasion

Channel 4 News Team vs. Backyard Bullies – Channel 4 News Team

Smokin’ Aces vs. KGP Lite – Smokin’ Aces

Cool Kidz vs. Vis Motus – Cool Kidz

The Family vs. Gators – The Family

La Sauce vs. Rogues – La Sauce

Green Nation vs. 69ers – 69ers

Les Buddays vs. Certified Flyguyz – Les Buddays

The Incredibles vs. Patriotes – The Incredibles

Past Our Prime vs. The Commission – The Commission

No Punt Intended vs. Mustangs du Gridiron – No Punt Intended

Longhorns vs. Spartans – Longhorns

#NoRegard vs. Dark Side – #NoRegard

Thunder vs. FTP 2.0 – Thunder

Knights vs. Pitbulls – Knights

Clockwork vs. Park-X Streets – Park X Streets

Underrated vs. Discount Double Check – Underrated

Marauders vs. Toute Garnie – Toute Garnie

Falcons vs. Sea Assassins – Sea Assassins

Outlaws vs. Yari’s Autonomics – Outlaws

 

Next week, I’ll be looking at the teams that are still winless and give my evaluation on what I think can be done for them to have one chalked up in the win column. It’s also a way for you to not hear about the same teams week in, week out. So keep an eye out!

 

Well, that’s it for me this week. No quote of the week, because no one said anything funny while I was in earshot! If you’d like me to be in earshot during your next game while you spout comedic gold, feel free to email me at [email protected]