Hangovers, Delays and Double Headers

Week 3

Welcome back to another week of FPF.  The theme of this week seems to be delays. I apologize for the lateness of this article but as you can see in my title I had a party Saturday and was hungover Sunday. On top of that I had 2 games on Sunday one in Brossard and one in Laval which were both delayed. Brossard was packed with spectators an delayed 30 minutes due to a big soccer tournament. Field 2 in Laval was also delayed by 20 minutes.  I has written a large portion of my article already but I decided wait and add some pieces to compensate for the late post instead of publishing something unfinished. As stated many times before, on our facebook page and the official FPF podcast, teams must have a proper jersey and number this week week in order to receive official stats and the game played. Just a reminder players need 5 games to be considered playoff eligible, so if you see any discrepancy on your roster be sure to contact the league as soon as possible. Week 3 marks a crucial juncture in the season, where teams solidify their positioning an what type of offense and defence works for them. As teams begin to climb the ladder of success and secure a place in the playoffs, the pressure intensifies and rivalries are ignited. If theres one thing I’ve learned during my time in the league is that no one likes losing and players remember which teams got the best of them in the regular season. Let’s dive into the action as well take a look at weekly headlines, top performances and exciting matchups. Theres a lot of games and double header weeks for a few teams should be an exiting week. The Commision, Sharks, Game Changers and Flag fools all play twice this week.

Weekly headlines 

Dirty Birds drop their first 2 games 

Dirty Birds have lost their first two games. Granted their first two weeks were against two of the top dogs in the division as they played Kiss My Inlaws and Sharks. Their week 1 loss to KMI was a tough one as they lost 47-18. The story in that one was turnovers for Dirty Birds as they threw 3 INT’s. In week 2, the Quaid Johnson took over at the helm and had a better outing vs Sharks where they only lost by 3 points. Quaid had a solid day throwing for 210 yards and 4 touchdowns. They were even successful on 2/4 2 point convert attempts. It sucks to start the season 0-2 but I think this team will be able to turn it around and have competitive games like they did in week 2. 

Infantry hang on to a 1 point lead to avoid 0-2 start 

After another week 2 Quarter Back changeup, Mike Roy was under center for the Infantry. 160 yards 4 touchdowns and 0 INT’s is a great recipe for success. They took control of the second half and converted on there extra points to seal the win with one point. They have the sharks this week so they need to keep up that level of play they want to stay competitive. 

Frédéric Paquette-Perrault leads the lead in comp percentage. 

In 2 games Fréd has thrown 44 passes and completed 38 of them. He went all of last season without throwing an INT and has started off this season in similar fashion. His reads and accuracy are some of the best in the entire league and he definitely has the talent and arm strength to be a Div 1/A Qb in the future. Bessette et Ses Potes sit a 2-0 already and I expect their win total to keep increasing. 

Matchup previews 

Preview record (0-1)

Infantry (1-1)   vs.  Sharks (2-0)

This exciting matchup features Sharks and The Infantry who will take the field in Laval. Led by veteran quarterback Cory Walwaski, the Sharks are looking to capitalize on his experience and leadership to get this win. On the other side, The Infantry will likely rely on the momentum generated by Mike Roy’s outstanding performance in Week 2. Cory Walwaski, known for his precision passing, strategic play calling, and redone efficiency will be the driving force behind the Sharks’ offense. With his ability to read the defense and find open receivers, he has proven to be a formidable leader and QB on the field. His experience in high-pressure situations will be crucial in guiding the Sharks’ offense and exploiting any weaknesses The Infantry’s defense shows. On the defensive side, the Sharks will need to rely on their speed and quick reactions when shooting zones to counter The Infantry’s offensive threats.  With Ballers like Noah Groper and Quasie they can definitely disrupt Mike Roy’s rhythm.

The Infantry, coming off an impressive Week 2 performance by Mike Roy, will enter the matchup with renewed confidence after their week 1 loss. Roy’s exceptional athleticism and strong arm make him a good fit at quarterback for them. He also has the ability to escape pressure and make accurate throws on the run which can hopefully create havoc for the Sharks’ defense. If Roy can continue his stellar form, he will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for the Sharks and push the Infantry to a more competitive level while they await the return of the Semerjian brothers. 

However, The Infantry’s success will not solely depend on Roy’s performance. The supporting cast will need to step up and make plays. Their ability to create separation, catch passes, and break tackles will be critical in sustaining drives and putting points on the board. Defensively, The Infantry will need to disrupt Walwaski’s timing and put pressure on him in order to disrupt their offensive flow. Ethan Adrian has rushed for the Infantry the past 2 weeks and has only racked up 2 sacks. He will need to have a great game in order to keep the sharks offense from putting up massive numbers. Ultimately, this matchup promises to be a battle of veteran leadership. Both teams will need to execute their game plans flawlessly. The outcome will likely hinge on the ability of the Infantry’s defense to contain Walwaski’s explosive offence. 

My prediction for this game is that the sharks will take over offensively and win this one with style and win it 38-20

RECAP

Sharks win 41-30 

Micheal Roy did in fact play Qb for the infantry again this week and had a solid game. He threw for over 175, 5 TD’s and 1 INT. Corey Walwaski also there 5 TD’s but also ran for a beautiful triple spin to find the endzone. The sharks also did not turn the ball over or punt once in this game. They were extremely efficient. I think the Infantry’s inability to convert on any extra points is what really set them apart this game where the sharks outscored them 5-0 on XPT’s. DonnDre Borden was the game changer as he led the sharks in all receiving categories scoring 3 TD’s on 6 catches for 55 yards. A great performance and an early candidate for next weeks Wr of the week. The infantry did score more points then I thought they were going to so this team is definitely on my radar when at full strength. 

Kiss My Inlaws (2-0) vs. Repeat offenders (1-0)

Get ready for an epic showdown as Kiss My Inlaws, the 2-0 powerhouse, takes on the Repeat Offenders in a huge matchup. Led by the reigning Quarterback of the Year, Iggy Manzanedo, Kiss My Inlaws are looking to maintain their perfect record. This team is still unbeaten in 2023. This quarterback battle also serves as a rematch from the 2022 tier 3 Fall Cup semi-finals, pitting Iggy against the versatile Aj Gomes.

Kiss My Inlaws have been dominating their opponents throughout the season, with Iggy  at the helm. With his exceptional accuracy and ability to make quick decisions, Manzanedo has established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league. His skills and leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in guiding his team to their undefeated record and last seasons championship 

The offense of Kiss My Inlaws thrives under Iggy’s command. His impressive arm and capability of making big throws and threading the needle between defenders. His vision and awareness allow him to exploit the smallest openings in the opposing defense, while his ability to extend plays with his legs makes him a tough qb to play against. The Repeat Offenders’ defense will our their hands full trying to contain Kiss My Inlaws offensive prowess.

The Repeat Offenders, on the other hand, will be seeking redemption from their Fall Cup semi-final defeat for the Blue Dreamers. Led by AJ Gomes, a talented and experienced player and quarterback, we have the potential to challenge Kiss My Inlaws’ undefeated record. AJ has a strong arm and the ability to make accurate throws under pressure. His poise in the pocket and ability to beat rushers with ease with his speed and elusiveness is bar none.

To counter Kiss My Inlaws’ potent offense, the Repeat Offenders will need their defense to step up. This is where I step in and have to pressure Iggy on every throw to attempt to disrupt his timing and forcing him into hurried throws and back foot releases. Our secondary must maintain tight coverage and capitalize on any potential interceptions to swing the momentum in our favour. Iggy doesn’t make many mistakes so its up to us to really make good on those few chances. 

I won’t offer a prediction since this is my team but I am really looking forward to facing off against Iggy this season. 

RECAP 

Kiss my Inlaws go 3-0 after a huge comeback win

Unfortunately these teams were both looking for subs on Sunday as we both had some last minute cancellations. Kiss My Inlaws fielded 7 men with Samuel Pelchat as a sub and Repeat offenders came out with a 6 man team with (as he likes to call himself “The best snapper in the world”) Dom Benevento as a sub to save us from playing with a 5 man roster. The game started off pretty well for us as we ended the first half with a pick six in the last 5 plays of the half which gave us a 24-14 point lead. Iggy marched down the field to start the second half and thats when his time took over. They scored, went for the onside kick, were awarded a flag on a physical play by AJ up the middle and capitalized again to take the lead. We took ur foot off the gas and ran out of steam. KMI’s defence was also a factor as they intercepted AJ 4 times in the entire game. This team is for real and theres a reason I put them #1 in my div C rankings. 

Les Blues Branleurs (0-1) Vs.   Junkyard Dogs (0-2)

Because both of my Matchups of the week were both played on Sunday I wanted to bring another in that will be played later this week. 

In an exciting clash of two teams hungry for their first victory, Les Blues Branleurs and Junkyard Dogs will battle it out on the football field on Tuesday. Both teams are eager to avoid falling further behind in the standings and secure a much-needed win. The Junkyard Dogs, especially, are determined to avoid a 0-3 record, considering the tough matchup they face against Dime and Bougie in Week 4.

Les Blues Branleurs, coming off a tough loss to Dime and Bougie in Week 1, are looking to bounce back and establish themselves in the win column. Led by quarterback Olivier Pilotto, they will aim to exploit the weaknesses in the Junkyard Dogs’ defense and regain their offensive rhythm. However, keep an eye on Minh Ton-That, who showcased his potential by throwing eight passes and a touchdown. The quarterback situation for Les Blues Branleurs might present an interesting dynamic and add versatility to their offensive game-plan. Offensively, Les Blues Branleurs will need to find their footing and establish a balanced attack. They must rely on their receivers to create separation and make clutch catches. It will be crucial for their offense to spread the ball and take a few deep shots to keep DB’s honest and respect their deep zones. Defensively, Les Blues Branleurs must focus on containing the Junkyard Dogs’ offensive threats. Justin Gauthier and Chris Brockwell have combined for 4 TD’s in 2 games. Their secondary needs to be disciplined in coverage, preventing big plays and capitalizing on any mistakes. Their rusher must also apply pressure to disrupt the timing and decision-making of the Junkyard Dogs, as they were unable to get any sacks or INT’s last game

On the other side, the Junkyard Dogs are determined to avoid falling to 0-3. Their offense must find a way to ignite their scoring potential and exploit any weaknesses in the Les Blues Branleurs’ defense. The quarterback for the Junkyard Dogs, Jason Rossie, will need to make smart decisions and deliver accurate passes to their playmakers. Defensively, the Junkyard Dogs must bring their intensity and physicality to the field. Les Blues Branleurs have some good height at wide receiver and the junkyard dogs need to try and keep those windows tight and don’t allow Olivier Pilotto to buy time.

Both teams enter this matchup hungry for their first win, and it will come down to execution and capitalizing on opportunities. The outcome will likely hinge on which team can establish their offensive flow, make crucial defensive stops. I know the Junkyard Dogs are hungry for their first win but I think Les Blues Branleurs take this one 34-30.

Week 2 Top Performers 

QB: Jack Zergiotis- All Madden 

Jack Zergiotis for All Madden almost had a record breaking day. He led the QB’s in yards touchdowns with 308 and 8. A wild 8TD, 1 INT night and a big win. I might regret putting them in my bottom 5. This stat line really makes me want to pull up to their next game and watch what these guys can do.

WR: Jordan Panetta- Game Changers 

Jordan Panetta blew the top of that All Madden Defense going for 5 catches 137 yards and 4 TD’s. He even hauled in a 2 point convert which puts his point total for the day as 26. A truly impressive performance that if can be repeated, Jordan would launch himself ahead of the WR pack early on in the season. 

DEF: Arthur Doyon- Dime and Bougie 

Arthur Doyon has been a menace on defence ever since he stepped on an FPF field last spring. In 3 season Arthur has already tallied up 13 INT’s. He has averaged one a game so far this season and is on pace for another all star season. He helps his team get extra possessions every game which they tend to capitalize on as you can tell with their 2-0 record and 68 plus-minus. 

2-WAY: Alex Noel- Kiss My Inlaws

Kiss My Inlaws vs. 4th & Shlong did not disappoint as they game was decided by 1 point. Both QB’s threw 2 interceptions but it was Alex Noel that intercepted Micheal Caparelli both times. He truly shifted the game in KMI’s favour as he was also able to score twice on offence on 2 big catches each going for 20+ yards. This team is going to be successful for a very long time if their players are able to take over games and put up stats like this on a weekly basis

Weekly Predictions 

(Prediction record 17-1)

Bessette Et Ses Potes   vs.       Game Changers 

Dime and Bougie            vs.       Air Force 1.2

Flag Fools                          vs.       Backyard Bullies

Dirty Birds                    vs.        All Madden

Trapstars                           vs.       Hot Sauce Sports

Primal                            vs.        Bible Study

The commission             vs.        Mengoose

Never Overtime               vs.        Game Changers

FlagFools                          vs.         Green Munch 

Air Force 1.2                     vs.         Les Blues Branleurs 

The Commission                vs.        4th & Shlong 

Sharks                                 vs.        Killer Rays 

Thats all for this week! See you everyone at the field this week and stay Healthy!