FPF Cup Tier 1: Comebacks on Tap

Week 3 was action-packed, with a plethora of comebacks on the menu. The biggest one of them all was reserved for a veteran gunslinger making his return in triumphant fashion to FPF, as Chad Byers showed that ten years off is no problem.

The two-time All-Star returned to the field against Royaume Luminaire and didn’t miss a beat as he threw for 246 yards and six touchdown passes in his team’s (40-30) victory. What makes the numbers even more impressive is the fact that he tossed a TD pass to six different Receivers, as Matt Bond, Kevin Laliberte, Guillaume Paquet, Hugo Quintin, Anthony Vendrame, and Julian Feoli all found the endzone. The only mistakes Byers made among his seven incompletions, was that one of them was run back for a touchdown by Defensive Back and opposing Quarterback Jesse Dupuis.

Just as their Quarterback did, the Maroons 2.0 defense showed up and made some big plays, as both Laliberte and Paquet recorded an interception off Dupuis. The unit was also buoyed by Rusher Zackary Alberts-Gill, who picked up two sacks, both of which produced in turnovers, as the first came on fourth-down, while the second resulted in a safety.

Throwing six touchdowns a game might not be sustainable the entire season, but if the team can continue to receive All-Star level production out of Byers and get stellar play on the other side of the ball, they will be hard to beat.

It only took three weeks, but we already got our first tie, as the #NR and Run It Once battled to a (28-28) draw, in a game that saw a comeback by the latter squad. I am of the belief that one point is better than none, but in speaking to multiple players and officials around the league, they would rather lose than experience a tie. Part of me can understand that line of thinking because having no winner is frustrating, but again, getting that one point is important especially when the playoffs seeding rolls around.

The scoring didn’t take long to happen in this one as on the very first play of the contest a bad snap by the Run It Once offense resulted in a safety and two points being awarded to #NR.

#NR, would add on to their slim lead as they scored the game’s first touchdown on a 21-TD pass from Quarterback Ryan Kastner to Jaylan Grandison, to put them up (8-0) seven plays into the game. The team’s defense matched the start by their offense, as they were able to force a turnover on downs, on a drive that was highlighted by a six-yard sack by Rusher Julian McLaren-Thompson on QB Jeff Rosenblatt. #NR would take advantage of the extra possession as Kastner would connect with Kenny Baye, who was making his regular season debut, for an 18-yard score.

Looking to avoid a blowout, Run It Once finally got on the board as Rosenblatt led a four-play drive that resulted in a 29-yard touchdown by Receiver Quaid Johnson. The momentum gained from their scoring drive would be short-lived however, as #NR hit paydirt again on another TD from Kastner to Baye.

Both teams arrived at the break with #NR up (28-14). The second half started just as bad as the first for Run It Once, as Rosenblatt was intercepted by Rashawn Perry. The QB’s defense would bail him out though, as they would force a turnover on downs. The change of possession would turn into points five plays later when Rosenblatt and Johnson would connect for their second TD of the evening.

The positivity wouldn’t stop there as four plays later, James Ohayon would intercept Kastner, giving Run It Once one last chance to tie the game and potentially take the lead. The former would come to fruition as Ohayon would make another impact play as he and Rosenblatt would connect for a 3-yard TD.

After giving up a two-touchdown lead, #NR had four plays to correct their error. Kastner would find Baye, Kendal Mayers, and Grandison on completions, setting up one final play. In a game full of big plays, a toss to the endzone was batted down by Johnson to end the contest.

Credit to Run It Once for showing the resiliency and guile to pull-off the second half comeback. For #NR, it is a tough loss in a game they appeared to be in full control of.

The same mistakes would doom #NR in their second game of the week, as they gave up another two-touchdown halftime lead in their (32-26) loss against 450 Ballers. Adding salt to the wound was the fact that Kastner would throw two interceptions and the offense would go one for three on 4^th down attempts.

Playing a huge role in the comeback victory was the performance of Rusher Raffaele Morelli, as the four-time All-Star collected four sacks.

For those of you that know Will Power, you know that he is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. While he didn’t lead his team to 70 points like the Fins’ QB did versus the Denver Broncos, Power, did his best Tua Tagovailoa impression, as he tossed five touchdowns in Blessed’s (38-35) win over Terror Squad, that saw him and his team rally from a (22-12) halftime deficit, to outscore their opponents (26-13) in the second stanza.

Filling in for the team’s usual starter in Stephen Harripersaud, Power, was able to find his version of Tyreek Hill in Ariel Librati for a game-high three touchdowns. He also connected with Marvin Steinberg for a Jaylen Waddle-like 10 receptions for 114 yards and a TD.

Terror Squad QB and FPF Hall-of-Famer Tam Vilaydeth, had an equally solid performance with five touchdown passes of his own in the contest, including tossing a pair to Raphael Dagenais and Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne, but his two interceptions the latter of which was returned for a TD by the underrated Craig Browning in the second half, would prove to be costly.

We have three marquee matchups tonight, as Terror Squad and #NR go head-to-head as both teams look to shake off disastrous second halfs. Mangoose, has come close in both games to start the season as they have lost by a combined total of eight points. They look for their first win as they take on Royaume Luminaire, who lost their game against the Maroons 2.0, but then responded in a big way by blowing out a Never Overtime squad, who have the unenviable task of going up against 450 Ballers at Marie-Victorin. KGP who had a bye this past week, have two big games on tap for this week, as they play Royaume Luminaire tomorrow, and the Maroons 2.0 on Wednesday.

After blowing out the Cap Friendly Braves, the 450 Ballers look to make it potentially three wins in a row as they take on Run It Once in St. Laurent, while the latter look to bounce back when they go up against Terror Squad Thursday evening at Loyola. This week should be fun.

Picks (Favourites in bold)

Maroons 2.0 vs Cap Friendly Braves – Maroons 2.0 (Upset Special)

#NR vs Terror Squad – Terror Squad

Royaume Luminaire vs Mangoose – Royaume Luminaire

Never Overtime vs 450 Ballers – 450 Ballers

KGP vs Royaume Luminaire – Royaume Luminaire

KGP vs Maroons 2.0 – Maroons 2.0

450 Ballers vs Run It Once – Run It Once (My pick for Game of the Week and Upset Special #2)

Cap Friendly Braves vs Terror Squad – Terror Squad

Last Week: (5-1-1)

Regular Season: (9-1-1)

Upset Special: (2-0)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games tonight and this week.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.