FPF Fall Cup Tier 1: Finals Preview

Welcome to the FlagPlus Football Fall Cup Finals. After 11 teams and five weeks of playoff action we are finally here. The 450 Ballers and Royaume Luminaire are left standing for the right to call themselves FPF Tier 1 champions.  

Before we get into Sunday’s Finals matchup, let’s look at how both squads got here. As two teams who finished in the top six in the Tier 1 standings, both automatically qualified for double-elimination, meaning that they were allowed one playoff loss.

The 450 Ballers came into the post-season as the number six seed. After beating Blessed in the Divisional Round, they defeated the Cap Friendly Braves and Sunday’s opponent in Royaume Luminaire, in the Quarter finals to punch their ticket to the Finals.

Royaume Luminaire entered the playoffs as the number two seed as they fell one point short of the top spot that went to the Cap Friendly Braves. After blowing out the Maroons 2.0 in the first round of the Quarterfinals, but then falling to the 450 Ballers, Royaume Luminaire kept their championship dreams alive with a dominant (38-12) victory over the Cap Friendly Braves in the Semifinals Monday night in St. Laurent.

(2) Royaume Luminaire versus (6) 450 Ballers

Previous Meetings:

– Royaume Luminaire (35-30) Week 8

– 450 Ballers (32-25) Quarterfinals

The first meeting literally came down to the final play of the game. The rematch was just as exciting as Jarryd Taylor threw a touchdown pass to Jeanslee Alexis with a minute to five plays left in the contest. The 450 Ballers then produced a defensive stop in the last four plays to seal the victory.

This is the ultimate rubber match as both teams have a win against each other this year. Looking at the tale of the tape the 450 Ballers have the more athletic roster as well as the speed advantage, while Royaume Luminaire have size and the toughness factor going in their favour.

Looking at the matchups, how does Royaume Luminaire slow down AJ Gomes? The FPF Hall-of-Famer has 11 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns against them this them. He is the best receiver in this game and is the main cog in the engine that makes this team go both sides of the ball. Three different Quarterbacks this season, no problem. The connection between the two most explosive players in FPF in Gomes and QB Jeaslee Alexis has been lethal. Jarryd Taylor and Gomes have played together on several teams in previous seasons, so the chemistry is there for them as well.

Speaking of Alexis, his insertion into the QB spot as a replacement for the injured Dan Lazzara, has been the key to this squad making it to the Finals as the two-time All-Star who will also going for a second championship on Sunday as he will be leading his Coed 1 Division The IG Team into battle against Kiss My Endzone, has proven that he is capable of leading a team to the league’s top trophy as a passer.

For as remarkable as Alexis has been, he hasn’t done it all by himself, as the other QB option in Taylor who like Alexis can also punish teams with his arm and legs, has continually come up big for this team both in the regular season and playoffs, as a Receiver and Quarterback.

Between 2-point conversion attempts and deep ball situations, Taylor is guaranteed to throw at least five passes in the game. How Royaume Luminaire deals with Taylor as a Receiver, but just as importantly as a QB will be key.

On the defensive end Taylor, along with Gomes, combine to provide the backend with two ballhawks who have speed, range, and can seemingly pluck balls out of the air that for most players would seem uncatchable.

The team’s secondary is aided by the Rush of Raffaele Morelli. The speedy four-time All-Star who finished the regular season with 10 sacks, is slowly starting to climb the rankings in FPF, and placing himself in the conversation as one of the best Rushers in the league. He will have his hands full however, as he will be tasked with slowing down another duo-threat in QB Jesse Dupuis. While the veteran passer doesn’t run as much he did in past seasons, he still is good at keeping plays alive with his legs, and taking off for big gains when he needs to. His ability to look defenders off, and arm strength to throw deep balls cross-body and off his back foot are a huge part of his game.

In last week’s article I wrote about Alexis going up against Royaume Luminaire Rusher Ethan Aidan. Just like Morelli, he is also a young Rusher who is coming off a solid regular season and has played a key role in his team’s success. While he has yet to collect a sack against Alexis or Taylor, Aidan, he has forced both passers to get off-balance and throw the ball early. Most importantly he can keep both runners in front of him. Adrian missed the Semi-Final meeting last Sunday, which played a part in his team’s loss.

The size advantage I talked about earlier comes in the form of Alexis Gaumont and Nicolas Gendron-Vallée. Both Receivers have made clutch plays for their team throughout the post-season and are deceptively fast despite their length. In Monday’s matchup against the Cap Friendly Braves, the duo combined for 108 yards and three touchdowns, as they found holes in their middle of the CFB defense and shredded them repeatedly.  

The Receiver the 450 Ballers will need to worry about the most is Emile Beaudoin. Whether they go by The Alpha-T’s, Urgence Medic, or now as Royaume Luminaire, he is the key to the team’s offense, as he is a superb route-runner, and has glue-like hands. His ability to get open both in the short and deep passing game, makes him almost uncoverable. His biggest attribute is that he steps up his game the bigger the stage. In Urgence Medic’s upset Division 2 championship victory over Vengeance, Beaudoin recorded two touchdowns and an interception.

Looking on the other side, Khalil Kerr will be the Receiver that Royaume Luminaire must pay the most attention to. Despite his lack of size, the speedy and shifty former U of M Carabins Running Back, is the 450 Ballers’ deep threat, and can take a 5-yard hook pass to the house. His ability to create separation at the top of his route is next to none.

Both sides have trophy experience, as they have a combined 33 championships between them, so the bright lights of the final weekend of the season shouldn’t be too bright. There are five players however that are still looking for their first titles. For the 450 Ballers it is the trio of Jourdain Alexis, Alex Poulin-Rioux, and Nellis Jacobs. On Royaume Luminaire, it is Jacob Dupuis and Ethan Adrian. Which side will be able to take their names off the list once everything is said and done?   

On the last Sunday of the season, it is only fitting that Tier 1 is the final game of the year. Having two elite teams set to square off for the top prize in the FPF Cup, with exciting players all over the field only adds to the excitement of this showdown.

The first two meetings were thrillers, and I fully expect the third and final one to be the same. Can the 450 Ballers knock off Royaume Luminaire for the second time in a week? We will find out tomorrow afternoon.  

Prediction: 450 Ballers (34-28)

Picks

Royaume Luminaire vs 450 Ballers – 450 Ballers (Upset Special)

Last Week: (2-1)

Playoffs: (8-4)

Upset Special: (10-8)

That is for the FPF Cup. It was my first time writing for this season. I came in not knowing what to expect, as I only played the first season it launched. The schedule was wackier than usual, but the playoff format was fun. Thanks to everyone who took the time to read my articles and give me feedback, I appreciate it as always. Happy holidays and see you in 2024!

Good luck to both teams tomorrow.

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.