In their own words: Game Recaps

Everyone loves upsets. Well, not the team that loses of course. Only a few teams entered the second week of February undefeated. Then Cupid showed up on Game Day, and Upset Weekend quickly followed. That is when things got weird. The Gators were bitten by the upset bug. The Green Lantern Corps lost their power ring as well as their first game in the process. The J’s are turning a new leaf. The U is starting to get acclimated to their new home. The Pack won with their backup QB. The Golden Flashes sticking around the top-tier teams after downing Sticky Hands. Les Guerriers de L’espace snapped a 5-game losing streak.

On the road to the second half of the season, Week 6 was definitely the first detour of many. That being said, I don’t think that I will be hitting the reset button on the power rankings just yet although a few teams may have switched spots.

We’re living in express mode, trying to turn our shack into the penthouse Puddle to a lake, Canoe into the love boat Upgrade your life, but too much sunshine it’s sunstroke Relax a bit, Loosen up your suit and tie And your collar quick, Before you call it quits

This week’s agenda is as followed:

Recaps: In their words Podcast

 

Not the same old J’s

This year has been different. Sitting at an all-too-familiar losing record of 0-2 to open the season, why has this team felt so different during the last four weeks of football? The J’s have already matched last season’s win total and appear poised to surpass their best single season win percentage in franchise history when the club finished with a 6-3-1 record in the 2013 winter season.

Their traditional slower tempo on offence has taking a back seat as of late and the team is opening up the playbook a little more especially after being behind in last week’s tilt against Fan of the Cougars.

“We were trailing by 12 at the beginning and our offensive timing was off at first. But it wasn’t long before we started to connect,” said Hai Minh Luong.

Their defence certainly played well forcing 3 picks, one of which was returned to the house to get them back in the game.

“With the experience that we have, we were able to adjust our selves and start to read their offence and defence. We did have a plan before each game and follow it perfectly especially against a really fast QB like Etienne. It’s all about team effort and team spirit.”

 

 

The J’s have not only won 4 games in a row, but have taken down some quality opponents in the process. With wins over TDs and Beer and Fans of the Cougars in recent weeks, this should give them momentum in the final weeks of FPF action.

Everyone seems to be stepping up their game and this team is playing with confidence right now. FPF veteran and long-time member of the J’s Fadi Nasralla hauled in a crucial TD grab last week against Fans of the Cougars, the first of the season.

 

X-Men stage a big comeback in win over the Gators

No one gave the X-Men much of a shot in this one. I am certain that the Gators didn’t think for one second that a loss was in the realm of possibilities. All signs on the wigi board pointed to the Gators winning. So much for that theory as the X-men edged out the Gators 25-24.

“This was a sweet victory considering we needed a win to remain relevant, and this, against a formidable opponent such as the Gators,” revealed Nicholas Banks, one of the classiest players in our division. “Our win can be characterized as a true team effort, starting with our offensive leader Gautama. Regardless of a tough first half kept, he kept his composure and led our offence to three scores in the second half.”

Trailing two scores to one at the end of the first half, Gautama Swaminadhan shrugged off those interceptions and found a way to get the job done. Certainly the veteran leadership on this team would not be denied.

Those three second half majors came courtesy of Suhael Brohi and Wade Williams’ playmaking abilities. Both ball hawks recorded timely interceptions, putting the ball back into the hands of the offence.

“Those plays shifted the momentum of the game in our favour,” added Banks. “Marty and Vivek’s sure hands jumpstarted our offense, only to be matched on defence by our grinders in the trenches Alex and Dave, who made key stops and tackles. This game had it all,” concluded Banks, who hauled in touchdown last week.

 

These guys travel in Packs

In pondering the potential impact of teams not having their starting quarterback in the lineup, not many would like their chances. The Pack had other ideas. When Daniel Krebs, their starting pivot was unable to make it out for the team’s week 6 matchup against the Road Warriors, The Pack were able to lean heavily on Bobby Mikelberg.

“I channeled the high school quarterback in my subconscious,” chuckled Mikelberg. “Our captain Ryan Lefcort stepped up in a big way to get my QB rating done and luckily it was below the required rating to throw in this division,” he continued en route to leading his team to their second victory following a solid outing.

After a squandered opportunity to find the end zone on a perfectly thrown ball on the team’s first offensive drive, The Pack knew they had a chance with Mikelberg, who traded his receiving mitts for an armband. Both teams traded a pair of touchdowns and the score was tied at 12 at the half.

“At halftime, we just adjusted a little to get a few more quick routes, which in turn would allow me to get the ball out sooner. I also neglected our snapper a bit in the first half so he got to touch the rock more in the second half,” explained Mikelberg who tossed 5 passing TDs.

Zack Goldstein certainly found a way to shine some of that spotlight on him after posting ridiculous numbers at the receiver position. His 3 scores didn’t go unnoticed from the guy throwing him the ball either. “Goldie certainly made a couple of great catches in the deep game. Over 100 receiving yards.”

 

The U picking up a second consecutive win and some of that Miami swag

For the first time this season, The U—a new team in FPF—are on a two-game win streak. Fresh off their most impressive performance with the offence gelling as they cruised past the Rednecks 46-26 to remain in playoff contention.

“Coming into this week we understood that this was a must win game,” admitted quarterback Dustin White, who only tossed two incomplete passes to go along with his 4 tds last week. “We had a job to do and we did it. Our team is filled with talented players, who are committed to winning.”

Committed they were. Shaq Lattimore, Josh Abramovitz, Josh White and Kyle Pedvis each found the end zone last week, proof that this team is capable of spreading the ball and finding the open receiver. With the season winding down, let’s just say their timing is perfect.

“Being a new team, it just took some time to settle into this league and figure out some of the tricks. We’re still a work in progress, but we’re moving in the right direction,” added White.

 

Golden Flashes Sticking around the top tier teams

The Golden Flashes put together a complete game to strengthen their grip on the division.

“Prior to the game we knew that Sticky Hands was a tough opponent on our schedule,” cautioned Alexandre Guertin following his team’s impressive 26-18 win. “We certainly wanted to keep our game plan as simple as possible and just go out there and make the same plays that we have been doing all year. We went short when we needed to and deep when it was possible.”

The Golden Flashes’ quarterback tossed two touchdowns in each half. Yannick Doston hit Jean-Christophe Ferland, Alexandre Guertin, Simon Dufort and Patrice Lindor for majors.

“Offensively, Yan threw nice passes and kept finding the open receiver. I have to take the blame for his interception… I tipped the ball into the defender’s hands,” revealed Guertin, who didn’t want his QB to shoulder the blame. “Defensively, Dave De Andrade and Pat Lindor gave us a huge edge with their interceptions. In the end, it was a great team effort. Everyone played hard until the last whistle, just like every game we’ve won this year.”

 

Les Guerriers de L’espace blank Les Loups

Les Guerriers de L’espace displayed their best football of the season after shutting out their opponent on Saturday, blanking Les Loups 22-0. The victory marked the club’s first win of the season and they certainly did in style.

“I think a lot of credit goes to the defence on this one,” admitted Alexandre David, who witness first-hand how they held Les Loups to a messily 27 passing yards. “Shutouts are extremely difficult in flag so good on them. We had their receivers blanketed all game,” he added. “Guys like Charlesbois, Munn, Yannick, Baril, Francis all had great games.”

His team led 15-0 at halftime and spent the next 30 minutes making sure the opposing offence never got comfortable. Francis Hachey intercepted his first pass of the season—the first of his young FPF career. With a 22-point lead, the defence remained in control and never took their foot off the pedal.

“I think they are getting a hang on how to play in this league. Our schedule has been pretty tough and we’ve been missing guys every game since week 2.”

 

Podcasts

Don’t forget to listen to the Division 5 podcast on Thursday nights at www.theunclemikeshow.com. The show is hosted by Moe Khan and Terry Tam.

A few of you have already done so, but feel free to reach out to me via twitter at: @BryanMongeauE. If you have info about your team you wish to share or anything really, this is where I can be reached or on the field. Good luck this week.