Fourth and Goal (Div 4) – Week 6

The second half of the season is upon us. The intensity’s been turned up to 11, and certain teams are really coming out to play. Others, well, are being made an example of. Just remember: even if you don’t make playoffs, all is not lost. You can still ruin someone else’s chances.

The Recap

Time Double-Check: This week’s standout game that makes you scratch your head and think ‘what happened?’ Obviously a tale of two halves, Discount Double Check looked poised to upset the heavily-favored Crème de la Crème FFC. In the first half Discount put up 15 unanswered points on the stingy CdlC defense, and managed to keep them out of their end zone. La crème, however, decided to show their true colours. Being pick-sixed on the first play of the second half, and then intercepted again on their subsequent drive, Discount Double Check were in trouble. Crème de la Crème had come out swinging, and Discount had no answers and no tackles to stop them. Despite the missed tackles and sloppy play, Discount Double Check had a chance to drive down and tie up the game. However, only after the 5 plays remaining mark did DDC choose to use a timeout, instead of maximizing the amount of plays that they could have had. Instead, this game remains ‘the game Crème de la Crème almost lost.

Playoff Picture

Here’s the update. Remember: the tiebreaker criteria is wins, head-to-head result, divisional record and then point differential, in that order. If more than two teams are involved, the head-to-head tiebreaker becomes irrelevant. If you don’t like where you’re poised to be 4 weeks from now, there may still be time to do something about it.

Conference A:

1: Brocassion (6-0) {+ 89}
2: Sphinx (5-1) {+ 88}
3: Les Caves (5-1) {+ 61}
4: Hall of Famers (3-1) {+ 14}
5: No Punt Intended (5-1) {+ 55}
6: Longhorns (5-1) {+ 29}
7: The Incredibles (5-1) {+ 94}
8: Golden Eagles (3-2-1) {- 5}
9: 69ers (3-3) {- 13}
10: Outlaws (3-3) {+ 39}
11: The Family (2-2) {+ 35}
12: Dragons (2-3-1) {- 9}

Conference B:

1: X-Men (5-0-1) {+ 49}
2: Le Zoo (5-1) {+ 33}
3: Hard Knocks (4-2) {+ 28}
4: Embarrasment of Riches (4-2) {+ 89}
5: Crème de la Crème FFC (5-1) {+ 87}
6 : Mad Monkeys (4-1-1) {+ 72}
7: The Commission (4-2) {+ 40}
8: Les Eudistes (4-2) {+ 67}
9: Mongoose (4-2) {+ 64}
10: Monstars (4-2) {+ 45}
11: Clockwork (4-2) {+ 43}
12: Beers (3-2-1) {- 26}

Stray Observations

 

1. Hébert has actually really grown on me. I love it even more now than I did in week 1 or 2. I think it’s coupled with the fact that I hate playing at Loyola, and have almost no games scheduled at Brossard.

 

2. I’d really like to thank everyone who got back to me after my mid-season report last week. I was very happy, not to mention humbled as well. I really appreciate it.

 

3. Jacob Peterson: Only 5 yards receiving while wearing the red bandanna? Maybe it’s time to rethink the swagger.

The Successful GM

Just when I was uncertain as to whether or not I would be able to continually produce fresh material, a situation happens where I think that with just a little bit of advice, things could have gone differently. Thanks, fate.

Time Clock Management – It’s definitely important to, as a captain, be aware of the clock. You need to know exactly how much time you have and what you’re capable of doing. Ask the referees. You need to know whether you have the ability to milk the clock, or whether you’re setting yourself up to get bitten in the ass if the opposition score and you end up behind. Even more important, though, are your…

Timeouts – When you’re at that last-ditch effort, and its do-or-die to take the lead on that last offensive drive, you really want to maximize the amount of plays you have. You’re given 4 timeouts a game (two per half), and they’re all important. Taking them at surface value, you’re able to call a timeout to have a water break or discuss that super important conversion play. But there is more to it. When you call a timeout, the clock is stopped until the ball is snapped and play recommences. This means, at the 1 minute to 5 plays, you gain the ability to add two extra plays. Come on; who doesn’t love extra attempts?

Power Rankings

A little bit of movement here and there, but it’s mostly going to be consistent from here on in.

1. Brocassion – You’ve heard it all before, so rather than tell you how they’re the division powerhouse, I’ll focus on how Brocassion have very poor rushing stats. They’re destroying teams in the air; can’t they do the same on the ground?

 

2. X-Men – A serious, serious contender. Without a doubt the smartest team in the division, games are won by smarts and by routes. Even if you’re a much more athletic team, don’t think you’ll get off easy against X-Men. They’ll make you earn every yard, and surprise you when it counts the most.

 

3. Sphinx – Sphinx have shied away this season from simply relying on Mathieu Fafard, and the results have been fantastic. Their defense has also grown leaps and bounds in the last two games, ready to put on a show that matches what their offense has to offer.

 

4. The Incredibles – Won this week without even relying on Peterson. Stern has an incredible 80 completions that have averaged over 15 yards a pass; he’s the most efficient deep passer of the division. Watch out, they’ve come back hungry for another finals visit.

 

5. Les Caves – It’s hard to talk about Les Caves without mentioning GPK, because of the cohesiveness that both teams possess. They’re really a unit, and they drive up the field as one. Maybe there can be an FPF equivalent of the Mighty Ducks’ ‘Flying V’?

 

6. No Punt Intended – Looking very, very well-rounded as of late. I once again mention how the move of Lachapelle from QB to receiver and rusher has really allowed him to focus on cutting up both offenses and defenses alike, and the Mendell-Mongeau connection continues to flourish.

 

7. Le Zoo – As long as Le Zoo continue to believe in the team as a whole, and the system, they will continue to win. There’s no I in team and certainly not in Zoo, no matter how hooked on phonics you are.

 

8. Crème de la Crème FFC – Showed that perseverance is the most important thing when you risk coming up short. Their defense is still the best in the division, and if you’re going by numbers, the second best in the league. Unsung hero Frédéric Fortier is currently the Division 4 sack leader.

 

9. Mad Monkeys – No longer really under the radar. Their athletic play and ballhawking abilities are a solid asset to have, which will bail them out of a lot of bad situations and has prevented a lot of mistakes other rookie teams face.

 

10. Hard Knocks – Had a rough outing this week being only 6, but were able to keep pace with a crafty and smart X-Men squad. Two top-flight receivers in Jonathan Mack and Kris Bastien forces a lot of defenses into bad situations.

 

11. Longhorns – Are 5-1, but are heading into the bulk of their schedule. Currently, 8 players have a touchdown to their name, and Moodie has run in 4 to boot. Haven’t lost since week 2; they’ve managed to consistently build on the momentum each week.

 

12. The Commission – Finally starting to get back to a consistent roster. Worth mentioning is the pickup of Keeshon Mayers, who has been an instrumental part of the Ruff Ryders/Alkoholics dynasty. A team previously known for their defense, under Sean Avraam, they have yet to score less than 4 TDs a game.

 

13. Les Eudistes – Pounded on an inexperienced team this week, but are still able to run with the best of them. Their upcoming game in two weeks against Hard Knocks will either show them to be a standout team, or just another squad with a winning record.

 

14. Hall of Famers – Won despite being without their QB. Provided that they can still be on the same page as Smolar when he returns, all should be fine and dandy. Heads-up Jacob Peterson, Adam Crystal is closing in on the ‘Receiver of the Year’ race real fast.

 

15. Mongoose – A statement game this week against Embarrassment of Riches. Shutting down a power-offense certainly brings them into the power rankings. As speculated, Mongoose are catching fire late in the second half of the season amidst a sea of playoff teams, giving us a preview of what they’ll do in the postseason.

That’s it for me this week. Advice on what apparel can be considered swagger can be sent to [email protected]