Good teams make the playoffs, hot teams win the playoffs.

What is up FPF family! Y’all feel that energy in the air? The wind blowing a little less, the sun is beginning to stay out longer, and the heat is only turning up! I’m not talking about the weather, oh nono. The heat I’m referring to is FPF playoffs! Around the corner & READY TO ROLL! Of course, aside from all the potential intriguing matchups we have lineup up for the Playoffs, we inch one week closer to having the answers we’ve all patiently waited 10 weeks for; the award winners. Some folks care about them, others lie & say that it doesn’t interest them (who are you trying to fool)… REGARDLESS, end of the season is near! Before continuing, I would like to shout out the man on the cover photo of this article; Mr. Anthony Siggia. Dude is absolute glitch in the 35+ league. A STL cougar at heart! I couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments this season. Alright alright. back to business. Without wasting anymore time, lets take a look at who’s a pretender, & who’s a contender for this upcoming playoff run.

Division Headlines

Undefeated no more!! Man, I wish I attended the Blessed vs Killa Bees game. 45-44, what a barn burner!! More importantly, I think it’s time for the league to show it’s respect to Stud QB Jeremie Mongeon Duby. Going a perfect 12 for 12 with 7 Tds, VERSUS BLESSED??? Okay big fella, I see you! Harripersaud also threw for 7 tuddies in this matchup, which is crazy when you put into perspective the fact that Blessed only had 3 players from their regular roster suited up for the game. Practically didn’t miss a beat! Losing by one point is always going to be a tough heartbreaker to digest, that’s given. What I will say, is that these tight losses, can make or break the destiny your team has. I’m interested to see how Blessed will respond going into the playoffs. If you ask me, I would argue that both these teams would definitely qualify as contenders. It would not surprise me one bit if these two juggernauts would face each other once again on May 29th. Also, Shoutout to Phil Pharand on the tremendous defensive performance in their matchup vs Bearskins. 3 INTS, 2 taken back to the crib. Okay Champ Bailey, I see you!

Just what the doctor ordered, right? A matchup vs Oompa Loompas before they march into the playoffs, is exactly what Les Gros Coqs needed. Before mentioning the good that came out of this game from LGC, I would like to give a shout out to these Oompa Loompas. Although they didn’t have any wins on the season, and had no shot of making the playoffs, they didn’t forfeit ONE SINGLE GAME. That is what FPF is all about. A bunch of guys who enjoy playing, getting better, and most of all getting their money’s worth. Kudos to them for never leaving an opponent hanging by not showing up because they weren’t motivated. Moving along, Dom Lefort played by far and wide the best game of the season, as he threw for 7 Tds, completing 72% of his passes along the way. His highest completion rate all season! For what it’s worth, the Oompa Loompas held their own first half. Alec Gregoire helped his team stay in the competition with a pick 6 to put the game all tied up at 20 for the half. Unfortunately for Oompa Loompas, LGC came out the gate with a purpose, creating a 22 gap between the two teams before the final whistle was blown. Say what you want, I think that games such as these really help carry momentum leading into the playoffs. It’s back to back weeks that Les Gros Coqs have everyone is walking around the field with a smile, boosting the team morale as much as possible. Heading into the playoffs with the bye, is always nice. If i was forced to make a decision at the moment, I would go ahead & say that LGC is considered a pretender, solely because of the competition level surrounding them. Lets see if they prove me wrong.

The Silent Ticklers capped off a 7 game win streak by defeating the Bearskins 35-24. Once again, Daniel Mancini was easily the star of the show, as he found the endzone 3 times during the contest. The W for Silent Ticklers opens up the chances of Jordan Panetta’s squad receiving that first round bye. Panetta has put out his personal best season statistically in FPF thus far, throwing 48 touchdowns with still 1 game to go. The man has a rocket of an arm, & he ain’t afraid to use it! This loss by Bearskins sets them up with a potential first round playoff matchup vs Sheeesh. Sheeeeeeeeeesh, for real! That would be one hell of a hill to climb for Neil Etinson, who hasn’t necessarily had the season he expected. Does this mean that Bearskins are incapable of pulling off the miracle upset win in the first round? Absolutely…. not! The characters on Bearskins have what it takes to pull it off no doubt. The Marco Bertoldi/Jordan Allard Combo isn’t something that should be slept on, as both receivers finished with 5 + touchdowns for the Bearskins this season. However, it comes down to taking care of the ball, as well as captilizing off your opponent’s mistakes, which is something Bearskins struggled with all season long. At this moment in time, I would argue that the Bearskins would fall under the category of pretenders, while the Silent Ticklers would without a doubt be considered contenders. Panetta’s offense is way too potent, I don’t really see many teams causing them problems down the road. They are in the right groove riding the 7 game streak, exactly the momentum you need heading into the playoffs.

EZW took care of business last sunday, as they put the clamps on Lightweight, holding Simon Dagenais to 12 points on the night. Although EZW won the game by double digit points, it is still worrisome to me that Jeremy White is throwing 2 INTs to this Lightweight defence. Don’t get me wrong, Eddy Lee and Justin Blanchard are EXTREMELY talented Dbs with insanely good instincts that they’ve successfully put on display over the years. However, in my eyes if you’re still turning over the ball to teams that aren’t even in playoff contention, what exactly is going to happen come playoff time? As it stands, EZW finds themselves with a first round matchup vs Killa Bees…. If you are going to play with multiple turnovers, expecting to win games vs a well oiled machine such as KB, goodluck!! JMD might just be licking his lips over this kind of matchup. With that being said, I would argue that EZW’s a pretender. In my eyes, this team is one year away from truly reaching their full potential, or at least i think so. Then again, EZW can also pull off an upset, win by 20, and I’ll have to eat my words. Looking foward to it!

The kind of performance that makes you shed a tear. Fred mallette showed that he can sling the ball live and well, as he put up 61 points over Oompa Loompas Sunday evening. Nicholas Gomes Risso showed us why he is should be utilized more often, as he caught all 9 of his targets for a buck 10 & a score to go with it. Older brother AJ Gomes had himself quite the season as well, as he is currently sitting in a comfortable position to obtain 2 way player of the year with his 20 touchdowns on offence as well as his 7 INTs on defence. These two playmakers can open up the score in any game, at any moment. It’s important that this Touch It Catch it team plays with not only a sense of urgency, but more as a team than anything else. The 5 losses they received this season came as a result of not having enough communication on the field amongst one another, resulting in a few mental mistakes that have costed them games. There’s no question Fred Malette has the brain & talent to compete in this division, which is frustrating because the inconsistency throughout the season would tell you otherwise. When it’s going good, its going great. When it isn’t, well, it just isn’t. A potential first round matchup vs Les Maloudes might be exactly what Touch It Catch It is looking forward to facing. Having already played them earlier in the season & won 26-0, I would assume they feel comfortable going into that matchup. Although, it is playoffs, ANYTHING can happen. With that being said, Touch It Catch it most certainly qualify as a contender in this division.

Junkyard Dogs yet again proved that they can run with the best of them, as they took down the 6 win Expendables by a score of 30-12. Jason Rossie is clearly starting to find his Mojo, which could be due to be simply being pissed off at himself from the performance he had vs Past our Prime 3 weeks ago. Since then, he’s posted games completing 85% of his passes, as well as 75% of his passes in his game vs Expendables. Sometimes, all you need is a good kick in the butt to get you fired up. I love when I see a QB bounce back from mediocre performances, to putting out statement games. It just goes to show that FPF moves in a week in week out basis, with most teams having a hiccup every now & then. What matters most is how you respond from those hiccups. I believe Junkyard Dogs have responded in the right manner. As it stands, JD sits with a first round bye heading into the playoffs, while the Expendables are setting themselves up with a date vs Mr Rosenblatt, who might just be QB of the year. Oddly enough, the football gods has blessed us with a preview of what this matchup would look like, as the two teams clash off Sunday night at 7 pm. The question becomes, do you play with a vanilla play calling mindset, so you don’t show all your cards? Or are you doing whatever it takes to set the tone, making sure the opponent knows that they can’t keep up with you, even if they tried. My guess is that both teams will be vanilla as bleep, holding all their cards in their hands to keep that element of surprise open. That should be a quite the solid showdown to see. Catelogna complex’s roof might actually collapse from all the fireworks that will be set off from these two offences. All in all, due to the inconsistency as the pivot position, I would have to say that the Expendables are a pretender. On the flip side, Junkyard Dogs have the talent to go all the way, especially with Studs such as the Semerjian Brothers, who both received double digits receiving touchdowns this season. Parlay all that, with the master of finding the loophole within any system, Paul Lapierre. Whether it be the opponent’s playbook,or the FPF rulebook, Paul will always do whatever he can to put his team in a position to win. I would be crazy to sit here & write that JD isn’t a contender. OF COURSE THEY ARE!!!

Thor’s hammer, what more can I say about this prolific, unprecedented, unpredictable season they are having? Coming into this season, I thought they would be nice with the roster they had. What I didn’t know, was that WR of the year Anthony Brisebois was going to be taking steroids all season long. 23 Touchdowns, with only 7 games played? Is this a joke? Just last week alone vs Past Our Prime he dropped 170 yards and FIVE TDs. Talk about video game-like numbers! You add that firepower with the All worldy talent in Dawson Pierre, no KIDDING Jeff Rosenblatt has a smile from ear to ear as soon as he parks his car and starts walking to the field. The Stud QB can literally close his eyes, toss up the golden pass, and watch the magic happen… every, single, play! Despite the young talent Thor’s Hammer has, they also feature it’s fair share of vets on the team as well. Snapper Johnathan Lyristis has had a phenomenal year catching the rock, as he found the endzone 9 times himself. Although TH’s defense only had 10 INTs on the season, they allowed least amount of TDs on the season, which is a testiamate to the kind of defence they’ve been playing all year; bend but don’t break! As mentioned earlier, TH is currently looking at a first round matchup vs The Expenables who they are facing as the last opponent on their regular season schedule. To be honest, one can make the argument that this game is worthless, and shouldn’t even be played at all. However, it’s FPF. Something we all look forward to playing week in & week out, so forfeiting the game is out of the question. In my eyes,Thor’s Hammer is not only seen as a contender, but a lethal one at that. I can very well see Jeff continuing to put out a great brand of football, possibly leading his squad to the finals.

Sheeeesh, has had a season that reminds me solely of the goliath at laronde. So many ups and downs, it’s actually crazy when you think of it. This team had their sights set out to absoluetly take over this division, or at least i thought so. They began the season showing extreme promise at 4-0. Unfortunately, once they lost to Blessed, it was as if the team lost all it’s juice, & decided to not invest anymore energy into the regular season. QB Andrew Langburt was on his Tony Romo ish, vacationing around the world for the half the season. It’s all fun and games if you’re still winning. However, whenever you drop 3 games in a row, it’s definitely an area of concern. Most recently, Sheeesh finished their season with a 2 point win over Les Maloudes. If you would have asked me what I thought the final score of this game would be, back in february, I would have said that they wouldn’t have been able to play the final 5 plays of the game, due to winning by 18+. Instead, Langburt had thrown 2 INTs in the contest, yet still got the W. It’s concerning to say the least. I would argue that it’s also disappointing, seeing the talent that this Sheeesh team has rostered. Ariel Librati & Noah Groper have proven that not many people can keep up with the speed this receiving core has. It just comes down to taking care of the football. 2 Ints might have gotten you the win vs Les Maloudes, I’m not so sure the same results would occur in their potential first round matchup first Bearskins. All things considered, this team is way too gifted both mentally and physically to be not considered a Contender. I just hope for their sake, they fix their flaws and play to their abilities. There’s no reason this Sheeesh team should be putting up anything less than 35 a game.

Fantasy team OF THE YEAR.

Alright boys, the regular season is all but wrapped up. I’ve decided to create a Fantasy Team of the year with all the great statistical seasons each individual has had this season. If you feel left out, maybe you shoulda went into that huddle a-la Terrell Owens, demanding that ball a little more. Or maybe even making the diving effort to get that INT that slipped out of your hands. Regardless, these stud athletes have carried their teams week in week out. It’s time for them to get the recognition they deserve. Each position will have 2 names given. (No affiliation with the award being handed out, this is completely subjective so bite me)

QBs

Jeff Rosenblatt

50 Touchdowns/3 Ints. Absolutely digusting. All while completing 77% of his passes. WHAT. A. YEAR it has been for Jeff Rosenblatt. To say that he has taken a leap in his QB game would be an understatement, as he’s 4 touchdowns away from tying his personal record he set back in 2016 with Keyport Lock. His ability to read and react to whatever coverage the opposing defence is throwing at him, has been truly impressive to watch. He’s been doing a tremendous job of not only playing with confidence, but using his eyes to open the field for his boys to get open. Hopefully his success follows him as he makes his way into the 2022 Playoffs. Great year, Jeff!

Stephen Harripersaud

It’s sad, it really is. In most divisions, most years, 52 touchdowns and only 2 INTs would LOCKKK you in as QB of the year! Stephan proved that he can roll with the big boys this season, as he continues to climb the ladder of QB hierarchy amongst the league’s best. Harripersuad is not only a genius on the field, but one hell of a recruiter as well. He continues to find ways to improve the talent he surrounds himself with every season, which is a testament to his QB play also as many players are the ones reaching out to him to see if he has any spots open. All this to say, hell of a season from one of the league’s best. With outdoor games looming around, I would hate to see Blessed on my scheudule with an outdoor game associated with it. You might end up facing Sunglass Stephan, which as mentioned at the beginning of the season, is equivalent to masked Lebron. Hell of a season, Stephen!

WRs

Anthony Brisebois

An absolute DOG on the field, this man definitely used to run track back in the day, because his speed on those post routes is unmatched. 23 Touchdowns along with 671 yards to go with it, is quite the season to have. Clearly he takes care of the bill for those post game poutines at lachine (fantastic poutines btw) because he gets fed like an animal come gametime. An absolute gamebreaker to say the least! If teams want to lose, they’ll leave Brisebois in single coverage. Ain’t no way this man is being stopped in a man to man situation. Trust me, i’ve seen it with my own eyes, it isn’t pretty for the DBs. Congrats on the killer year, Anthony!

AJ Gomes

Finishing with 20 tds and 500 yards on the year, AJ Gomes was the power source that kept the light open all year long for Touch It Catch it. Whenever a big 3rd or 4th down play was about to go down, you knew where the ball was going, and for good reason too. AJ’s ability to not only burn you off the top with his speed, is second to none. Moreover, his ball tracking skills, areprobably some of the best I’ve ever seen. His work ethtic is impeccable, which is a large reason why he keeps taking his game to the next level year in year out. If Touch It Catch It is going to have any success in the post season, it’s because this man will see the ball on 10+ targets minimum. His team rolls whenever he’s being fed the rock, so it’s going to be important that his QB finds multiple ways to scheme him open. With that being said, AJ’s defence has stood out incredibly this year as well. Snatching 7 Ints, along with 37 tackles on the season. It’s been no doubt a phenomenal season both offensively & Defensively for one of, if not, the leagues best player at the moment. Great season my guy, keep it up!

DBs

Vincent Morissette

Not the greatest season Les Maloudes has had, we’re all aware of that. What flies under the radar for most people, is the 8 Ints this man has had. Morissette is an athletic DB who has a nag for finding that ball once it leaves the quarterback’s hands. No stranger to being at the top of the list for INTs, this will be the second time Vincent has notched 8 Ints on the season. Quite a tremendous accomplishment for a absolute baller. They say that the great ones let their actions speak for themselves, which is exactly what Morissette has exemplified this season. Congrats on the steller year, Vincent!

Phil Pharand

Absoluetly a key piece to this Blessed defence. Phil Pharand showed this season that he can lock up some of the most athletic dudes in this league. Having 8 interceptions on the season, is pretty nice. Returning 3 of those 8 for Tds, has probably something to do with being an athletic freak. Pharand’s elusiveness has been on display all throughout the season, which I don’t expect it to come to an end anytime soon. I can very well see Phil being the reason Blessed wins a tight one down the stretch in the playoffs, by making a defensive play to win the game. I can smell it. Nevertheless, impressive season, Phil!

Rushers

Hinsley Adams

A gamebreak all on his own. Adams can take any QB and make him go through hell for an hour on any given Sunday. Registering 15 sacks on the season, Hinsley has been a force to be reckoned with since the kickoff of the winter season. His impact cannot go unnoticed, as he clearly plays large role in the success Junkyard Dogs have been able to obtain this season. Amazing season, Hinsley!

Terry Babalis

Another player with 15 sacks on the season. Terry proved this year that he is more than a guy that can provide pressure every now and then. He is a Grade A rusher in this league, with the numbers backing him up for it. Having only 8 games played, it wouldn’t have surprised me if he woulda finished with the most sacks in div 3 had he played all 10 games. Nonetheless, his relentless pressure on the qb has found ways to impact the game at all times. I think there’s a chance we see Terry move up into the higher divisions as a rusher if he can continue to pull off incredible seasons such as he did this year. Great work all season, Terry!

Power Rankings

Blessed (9-1): It’s tough to win games without a full squad, luckily for them they’ve got themselves THE dude at QB.
Silent Ticklers (7-2): The Panetta to Mancini connection is heating up at the perfect time. Expect this duo to light it up come playoff time.
Thor’s Hammer (7-2): Speaking of the dude at QB, Jeff Rosenblatt is playing lights out football at the moment. I don’t think anyone can stop this train coming through.
Junkyard Dogs (7-2): Whenever this team Plays with confidence, they are really hard to beat. Break that confidence, and you’ll see the flaws begin to show. Alot easier said than done when guys are mossing you every drive.
EZW (7-2): Need to clean up a couple of aspects of their game. Not going far when you’re turning over the ball at a high rate. Nothing to freak out about, but certainly some things needs to be addressed.
Killa Bees (6-3): A perfect game for Jeremie Mongeon-Duby. Can you imagine where Killa Bees would be if he was the starter from day one?
Sheesh (6-4): A team desperately searching for answers. They’re winning, but they aren’t playing THEIR brand of football. Something to keep an eye on.
Expendables (6-3): Huge game this week as they will get a taste of what their playoff matchup will be like. Let’s see if the Expendables have the horses to compete in this race.
Touch It Catch It (5-5): Finishing off the season at .500. It’s time to go out and show the league why this team shouldn’t be slept on.
Les Gros Coqs (4-6): Geling at the right time, this 2 game win streak might just be the momentum boost this team needed to create some noise in the playoffs.
Les Maloudes (3-6): Facing Touch It Catch It for the second time this season, this time in the playoffs… Let’s see if they will adjust to any of the concepts T.I.C.I threw at them the first time around.
Bearskins (2-7): It ain’t over till the fat lady sings, correct? I would love to see some fight outta these boys in their first round matchup vs Sheeeesh.
Mangoose (4-5): Unfortunately out of the playoff race, kudos to Thomas Coutu on the hell of a season.
Past Our Prime (2-7) : Speedy recovery to Craig O’brien. Never want to see someone go down with a gruesome injury.
Speed Academy (3-6): Out of playoff contention, lost too many one score games.
Lightweight (1-8): Depressing season to say the least. This squad is filled with playoff performers. Sucks we won’t be able to see any of that this Postseason.
Oompa Loompas (0-10): Officially done with their misery. A learning curve that was needed in order to have any success in the future.

Thatsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss a wrap folks! As always, if you feel as though someone was left off my list for fantasy team of the year, please feel free to reach out and plead your case! I would love nothing more than to have that conversation with yall. To my fellow NFL fans, we may rejoice as the draft is finally over, meaning we are one step closer to opening kickoff in September. I wish you all a great Sunday filled with many Tds, Pds, and maybe a little Mac & Cheese. Take care y’all!