The Final Stage.

I’d be lying if I said the Finales didn’t matter. Everyone signs up to play and the regular season is fun and important; a lot of the players get to learn the game and show just how talented they really are over the course of 8 weeks. Games are fun and we get to see fantastic things happen.

But then, the playoffs come rolling in and the atmosphere changes. People take their game to the next level and greater things occur.

With the Finales in a few days now, I can officially say, I’m very proud of the way every single team played this season and fought to make it to Thursday.

Let’s get started.

 

Playoffs

Longhorns shocked the world by beating the Cougars and almost upsetting the Lions, Dusters look unstoppable, Tigers gave Panthers a run for their money, Yellow Jackets got a pretty serious scare and Mustangs stepped up big time to make the championship game.

 

Recaps

Varsity Division

• Cougars vs Longhorns: Olivier Gauthier had his best outing as a QB in his first ever playoff game, but the Longhorns took the nation by storm with a great performance to advance. With great throws to all 5 receivers, the Cougars were marching and competing with only a 4 point deficit at half, but Alex Kahan took his team to new heights in the second half with a key interception late to turn the tide in their favor. Sam Crudo had a very good game for his team as he quickly turned into his QB’s new favorite target and moved the chains more times than I could count. With a nice rushing TD and good 2-point converts, Longhorns pushed their lead and finished 6 points ahead although both teams scored the same amount of times.

 

• Lions vs Longhorns: Probably the best game one could possibly hope for, Longhorns fought the Lions to the very end and took every single bystander by surprise. After their victory over the Cougars, the Longhorns had a renewed hope in their season and never gave up. Trading scores and interceptions, this game soared to new heights late in the second half. Lions were up by 8 with very little time left on the clock and Longhorns were marching. After getting the touchdown, the most important play of the game came on the two point convert as the Longhorns were down 34-32 with not enough plays to get another drive in if they failed. Alex Kahan evaded the rush, moved around in the pocket and decided to run up the middle. With a nice juke and a spin, two defenders missed his flags and the game was tied at 34. With 4 plays left, Evan White went back on offence to do what he does best and connected over top for a 40-yard touchdown to put this one to bed. 7 point lead, not enough plays for Longhorns to generate another comeback, Lions advance.
• Voltigeurs vs Mustangs: In Simon Boudreault’s absence, Noah Lachance was asked to guide yet another team in the playoffs to the Finals, but the absence of star receiver Felix Joly was felt as Voltigeurs’ offence struggled in the second half to get anything going. Some really good rushes forced hurried throws and shorter runs than expected and resulted in Voltigeurs turning the ball over instead of moving the chains. Mustangs’ offence was uncharacteristic as it struggled to punch it in within enemy territory, but Coby White was magic late in the second half connecting with his receiver and buying time in the backfield to put the game away after a 2-score lead. Mustangs advance and will face the Lions in the finals on Thursday night.

 

Sophomore Division

• Wildcats vs Fighting Irish: Against the division’s best defence, everyone wondered how well William Bradford would perform without Jaden Frenette out there to help him out on key downs. Well, he did not need his services as he distributed the ball around very well to 5 different receivers (4 of which got touchdowns) and the Wildcats’ offence looked great. Matteo Latulippe gave Fighting Irish new life after being asked to play QB later in the game, but the 14 point deficit at half was too much for overcome for the boys in green. Rusher Noah Smallwood had a great impact on the game early forcing a few 4 and outs to give his team momemtum and a significant lead they’d never look back from. Fighting Irish definitely improved throughout the season and Ben Arnovitz 36 yard touchdown was a thing of beauty, but the Wildcats were firing on all cylinders on Saturday.

 

• Yellow Jackets vs Wildcats: After Satuday’s game, the Wildcats were not backing down from a fight and the Yellow Jackets weren’t ready for this kind of opponent when the first whistle was blown. William Bradford continued what worked well for him the night before and distributed the ball well offensively as 4 different receivers caught touchdowns, but no one seemed able to contain Jonathan Jagermann who flared up for 84 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on the day as he elevated his game to, yet another level. With two sacks from Evan Dias-Juliao, the Yellow Jackets’ defence made just enough plays to bail out Garner Ross’ two interceptions and allowed him a chance at redemption which he took and made the best of. With a 32-25 win in what was a highlight of both team’s seasons, the Yellow Jackets advance to Thursday’s finale.
• Hurricanes vs Dusters: The Dusters lost no time on Sunday and proved their late season performances were no fluke as they beat the Hurricanes 25-12. Adam Malinoff found a way to get around Brenden Urquhart and move the chains offensively as the Dusters finished the night with 4 offensive touchdowns. Lewis Epstein (1) and Evan Shiveck (2) managed interceptions defensively to give their team momemtum and stall Hurricanes’ offence just a little bit more and allow their offence to do their thing. With a defence playing this well and containing Marco Gentile to only one rush for 5 yards, they’re looking prime for a big game on Thursday night against the Yellow Jackets.

 

Freshman Division

• Panthers vs Tigers: After having played them 4 times this season, this matchup might have felt like a sure bet for some, but many knew this wasn’t the kind of game that would be soon forgotten. In fact, Tigers’ offence really found its rhythm as Noah Swaminadhan connected with Thomas Hemens for 3 big scores and got 20 points on the board (the most they’ve scored all season offensively). Sadly, the Panthers’ defence was on-point all night as they nudged two pick-six and Kevyn De Serres-Payne managed to put together two scoring drives (one rushing, one passing) to elevate his team slightly past the Tigers. In a 24-20 victory, both teams can feel proud of what they’ve accomplished on Sunday and how they’ve played; they elevated their games and left it all on the field. It was a great game.

 

Players of the Week

• William Bradford (Wildcats): In his Saturday game, he was all over the place finishing with 5 touchdown passes, an interception on defence and 72 rushing yards. Well done.
• Alex Kahan (Longhorns): In his team’s first win of the season, he looked like a man possessed finishing with 3 passing touchdowns, one rushing and a key interception on defence to turn the tide. Kudos.
• Thomas Hemens (Tigers): Although his team lost, he left it all on the field finishing his season with a great performance of 3 touchdowns in one game!
• Jonathan Jagermann (Yellow Jackets): 84 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in a playoff game is exactly what this segment is all about!
• Evan Shiveck (Dusters): One offensive touchdown and two interceptions on defence; he’s exactly what the Dusters needed. Great job.
• Evan White (Lions): Finishing the day with one sack, one interception defensively and 6 passing touchdowns (including the game winner) is the kind of performances we all expected out of him.
• Alex Kahan (Longhorns): Although he lost, his performance against the Lions will remain a season’s highlight for years to come. Well deserved shout out. If anything, his run for the game tying two point convert was the play of the game.
• Dylan Hacker (Mustangs): With 78 receiving yards, an offensive touchdown and 2 interceptions; one for six, Dylan Hacker was definitely the MVP of his game.

 

Crystall Ball and Shenanigans

• Musketeers vs Panthers: Although many could say this one’s in the bag for the Musketeers, I wouldn’t count this championship won just yet. In fact, the way the Panthers’ defence played last Sunday shows great promise in attempts to try and stop Kaydon Shaw’s offence. With another great rush performance by Gael Schwarz-Theriault, the Panthers’ defence could maintain this a low scoring affair and help their offence generate just enough momemtum to capitalize at the key moment. They’ll need everyone to be playing their best football as Musketeers didn’t go undefeated for no reason and have all the right players at the right spots making plays for them on every down. Have the Panthers finally found the best way to beat the Musketeers? Thursday night 7:00 PM.
• Yellow Jackets vs Dusters: The most anticipated game of the season is here. The Dusters took some time to get going, but have become the most impressive team in Sophomore division with a stellar defence and a great duo in Adam Malinoff and Matthew Eiley. Needless to say, they’ll need to find a way to contain Charles Presser and Jonathan Jagermann if they wish to keep this game within reach and fight off the yellow menace. I expect both defences to make plays and find a way to bail out their respective offences and for this game to come down to the wire. I can’t wait for Thursday night 8:00 PM.
• Lions vs Mustangs: The Lions were on pace to make the finals after just a few weeks in the regular season, but the Mustangs really surprised most people after a slow start to make it here as serious contenders. The way Coby White has been playing and managing his offence shows how serious these guys need to be taken if you don’t want to be left trailing by halftime. If the Mustangs can find a way to contain Evan White’s offence and force tough throws, they could generate momemtum and allow their offence to do their thing and push their lead with converts. Although the Lions bolster the league’s best defence, there’s no telling how they’ll fare when everything’s on the line. It will all unfold Thursday night 9:00 PM.

 

That’s it for me this week. Hopefully I’ll still have a job by week 2. Happy, annoyed, frustrated, humbled by my comments? Take a second to send me a quick message either via twiter (@DagenaisFPF) or via email ([email protected]) and I’ll be sure to rectify or simply explain my point of view. I’m also at the fields every Sunday; don’t be shy to drop by and talk some football!