Fourth-and-Goal (Div 4) – Week 7

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.

 

3 Games Remain

 

For some of you, the ship has already sailed. For those on the bubble and those currently already in, these last three weeks carry a lot of weight. I know I’ve mentioned in the past the idea of attributing an equal amount of importance to every game, but now is certainly the time to turn it up to 11. If there are any tricks left up your sleeve, use them.

 

Some shuffling has gone on in the potential playoff tree. Major changes as follows: Dragons and Family are out (as of now) and Dillon Panthers and Gators are in. These last three games are (depending on your schedule) either entirely divisional games or 2/3 will be. If you’re neck-and-neck with your divisional competition, this is where the tiebreaker is going to happen.

 

This will also replace the power rankings.

 

 

Conference A:

 

1: Brocassion                                     (7-0)            {+ 125}

2: Les Caves                                    (6-1)            {+ 72}

3: Hall of Famers                        (5-2)            {+ 106}

4: Sphinx                                    (5-2)            {+ 73}

5: No Punt Intended                        (6-1)            {+ 62}

6: The Incredibles                        (5-2)            {+ 81}

7: Longhorns                                    (5-2)            {+ 18}

8: 69ers                                    (4-3)             {+ 4}

9: Outlaws                                    (4-3)            {+ 45}

10: Golden Eagles                        (3-3-1)            {- 11}

11: Dillon Panthers                        (3-4)            {+ 16}

12: Gators                                    (3-4)            {- 27}

 

Conference B:

 

1: X-Men                                     (6-0-1)            {+ 57}

2: Le Zoo                                    (6-1)            {+ 64}

3: Hard Knocks                                    (5-2)            {+ 74}

4: Embarrasment of Riches            (5-2)            {+ 104}

5: Mad Monkeys                        (5-1-1)            {+ 99}

6 : Monstars                                    (5-2)            {+ 61}

7: Clockwork                                    (5-2)            {+ 46}

8: Crème de la Crème FFC            (5-2)            {+ 71}

9: The Commission                        (4-3)            {+ 32}

10: Les Eudistes                         (4-3)             {+ 61}

10: Mongoose                                    (4-3)            {+ 61}

12: Beers                                    (3-3-1)             {- 57}

 

 

The Successful GM

 

This week’s two entries are actually two pieces of advice that I took from Ross Castleton’s article a few years ago that I feel bear repeating, as they were important for me.

 

Free Agents – This is a very high risk/reward situation. There’s potential to pick someone off of the free agents list with whom you’ll get along with for seasons, and possibly build a lasting friendship with. However, you have an equally high chance of picking up someone who might not be as good a fit. There’s the possibility that egos will clash, or that it’s simply a player that goes from team to team without paying. So, save yourself the headache, and ask around. Some people might just have a reputation, good or bad. Or, you can go ahead and assume the risk.

 

Huddle Captain – According to the rules, if there’s ever a rule that needs to be questioned, the referees are to speak to the player who was the captain at the coin toss. So, if you feel that you’re not the best person to be communicating with the referees under pressure or in the heat of the moment, have someone calm and collected take your place. Or better yet: two players can go to the coin toss. This means that you can be confident about yourself or a teammate dealing with the officials in the proper manner.

 

Semi-Quick Picks

 

Here’s a quick rundown of what I think will happen in each game. Let’s hope I can come close to being right.

 

X-Men vs. Mongoose – The X-Men have been on top of the rankings, yet floating under the radar all season. Mongoose have had strong outings in the last few seasons. With the absence of Nicholas Abelhauser, however, and Suhael Brohi with a playable injury, things might just be leaning into the hands of Mongoose… Let’s see who’s the most resilient. Cedric Nuckle is also proving to be the standout player on this team.

Prediction: Mongoose

 

Marauders vs. Misfits – Two teams that are sitting outside the playoffs for the time being. Marauders have a legitimate opportunity to jump back into the hunt, and it all begins with Misfits. While Nick Bawn seems to be on pace to replicating his past John Abbott season, there is still time to turn this around. The Misfits’ defense have been able to turn the ball over, now the offense needs to take what’s given to them instead of forcing passes that aren’t going to happen. However, I don’t think this is going to be so.

Prediction: Marauders

 

No Punt Intended vs. The Incredibles – No Punt Intended are red-hot, and are looking for every chance they can to prove themselves and shake the label of being the 2^nd best team in Conference A. While the Brocassion game isn’t until next week, look for NPI to capitalize against an Incredibles team without a QB. With the possibility of Greg Stern sidelined due to an ankle injury, and the strength of the NPI defense, I give this one to blue.

Prediction: No Punt Intended

 

Outlaws vs. Sphinx – Two of our successful Division 5 alums. While the Outlaws are fresh off of a championship run, Sphinx have already had a year’s head start in Division 4. While the offense of Sphinx will be much better with the return of Etienne Cloutier, it’s going to be the Sphinx defense that’s going to pull this one off. J-M Beaudin and the Outlaws O are going to have to score early and score often if this is going to be a close one. Expect a shootout.

Prediction: Sphinx

 

High Rollers vs. Broccasion – Broccasion are an unstoppable force. In this case, High Rollers are a very moveable object. Expect Jamie Ojeaha to leave with at least one more INT. Bauna Khim is going to have to keep the ball for as long as possible and out of the hands of the Broccasion offense.

Prediction: Broccasion

 

Crème de la Crème FFC vs. The Commission – A game with lots of playoff implications as Creme, Commission and Monstars are all neck-and-neck in the playoff race. Crème are renowned this season for their defense, but this may be the first time that they will encounter a defense that is equally potent. With Bryan Nguyen forcing Loic Savoiz-Séguin to get rid of the ball early, a lot of emphasis will be on those short routes. Look for Sean Avraam, meanwhile, to test the Crème defense every chance he can.

Prediction: The Commission

 

Les Jambons vs. The Family – Les Jambons have an offense that is, at the best of times, inconsistent. The Family are a team that have just lost their playoff spot and are in need of every win that they can. The Family’s defense haven’t been able to muster a stop in the last few games, but J-S Ouellette will be more than able to go toe to toe with the Jambons offense, and come out ahead.

Prediction: The Family

 

Dragons vs. Golden Eagles – Like The Family, the Dragons are sitting just short of the playoffs. Simon Dagenais is going to have to pull out every trick he can muster against a very full Golden Eagles squad with the return of Tam Villaydeth. Hugo Lalonde is on a 4 touchdown streak in the last 3 weeks; will the Dragons D be able to keep their former teammate out of the end zone? If the Dragons are going to win this one, they’re going to need to start with the ball in the 1^st half and keep up the pressure.

Prediction: Golden Eagles

 

Turf Toe Inc. vs. 69ers – Dean Demetriou is strongest on the fly. Whether he’s buying time with his feet, waiting for his receivers to get open, or cutting the field in half when he takes off running, he’s perhaps the most dangerous QB that Turf Toe will face. A team that have only come up with 2 sacks, Turf Toe are going to have to get creative or play a very disciplined defense if they hope to come out ahead against this very mobile opposition. Look for Dean as a potential two-way player of the year too.

Prediction: 69ers

 

Les Eudistes vs. Hard Knocks – THIS is going to be a game. If I had a vote for GOTW in the division, this would be it. These teams are very, very closely matched up…however I’d give the edge to Hard Knocks based on their firepower. The Eudistes defense is going to need to step up, and Benoit Gagnon-Brousseau is going to need to put serious pressure on Philippe Podtetenev and force him to get rid of that ball quickly. In all honesty, I have no clue what to predict for this, but it will definitely be entertaining.

Prediction: Les Eudistes, on a whim.

 

Les Caves vs. Certified Flyguyz – The Flyguyz are looking to sneak into the playoffs, but it all starts with Les Caves. The Caves offense and Marc-Antoine Viens have been the ones getting recognition, but it was the Caves defense that stepped up huge and gave them the win against the Longhorns. Pier-Luc Beauregard is going to need to use his chemistry with his receivers as an asset in order to keep the Flyguyz’ hopes of a postseason alive. I’m thinking we might see an upset.

Prediction: Certified Flyguyz

 

Primetime vs. Gators – A message from the Gators’ Charles Diodati: “We’re gonna turn some heads; the Gators are making the playoffs.” The Gators offense is on pace, but James Eaglesham seems to be turning Primetime around. As such, we’re going to be seeing a gritty, scrappy game from a team trying to grab a playoff spot and a team trying to rekindle a lost dynasty. This game is going to come down to the last drive.

Prediction: Gators

 

Hall of Famers vs. Dillon Panthers – Without Ben Joseph or any swagger, is there really any point? Patrice Blouin has returned from injury and apparently has not missed a beat. The question is: can the Panthers D keep Adam Crystal out of the end zone? I’m curious to see which side uses the deep ball more; this is going to be a shootout. The result of this game is entirely contingent on which Dillon Panthers players show up to play.

Prediction: Hall of Famers

 

Mad Monkeys vs. Beers – The Mad Monkeys have been a breath of fresh air. A relatively new team, only Anthony Beauchamp-Frezza and David Stoykov have had seasons in the league before. And yet, they’ve done much better than expected. The same can be said about Beers, and their counterparts in Gabriel Coté and Laurent Foucault. The Mad Monkeys have been resilient and adaptive in all of their games; Beers are going to need to find the weak link and exploit it if they can hope to win this one.

Prediction: Mad Monkeys

 

FTP vs. Lobster Dinner – FTP are a group of friends that decided to give it a shot. However, with Lobster Dinner having a tough season this year, they’re going to shoot for every win they can get. FTP may need to once again call upon Theo Ojeaha in order to add some depth to their roster come Saturday. Lobster’s methodical and paced offense will, however, be the difference in this game.

Prediction: Lobster Dinner

 

Team Bring It vs. Monstars – With musical chairs being the popular option for Team Bring It’s quarterbacking, you can never know what to expect. However, they never really fall into a rhythm. With the strength of the Monstars’ defense, TBI are going to need to make the most of every opportunity. Because they may not get many.

Prediction: Monstars

 

Those Guys vs. Embarrasment of Riches – Both teams are coming off of a win. EoR are looking to fight off the opposition and keep a hold on the top of the Conference B east. Those Guys, however, will be looking to ruin those plans.

Prediction: N/A

 

Longhorns vs. Flight of the Conchords – The Longhorns will surely be looking for revenge from last spring’s playoff quarterfinal loss to FOTC. FOTC have managed to stay relevant in games even without their quarterback, but are a whole different entity with Jonathan Lemieux at the helm. I’d say that this time, FOTC will be the ones grazing in the pasture.

Prediction: Longhorns

 

Clockwork vs. Le Zoo – Watching these two teams play, they couldn’t be more different. Clockwork seem to be a bunch of talented individuals playing together. Le Zoo, alternately, seem more like a family or tightly-knit group. So, it’s interesting to see how both teams handle pressure. In all honesty, despite the firepower that Clockwork have, I’m giving the nod to Le Zoo because of their chemistry and smarts.

Prediction: Le Zoo

 

Trapstars vs. Discount Double Check – These two teams are very similar in their style of play. However, while the Trapstars haven’t won since week 1, we’re seeing a late season surge in Discount Double Check. Experience, however, tells me that there has to be at least one tie this week, and this one is going to be it.

Prediction: Tie

 

 

I’m out. Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]  I’ll entertain suggestions about what to do with this Andrew D’Anna situation.