Inside the Red Zone (D1) – Week 14

We have our 2011 Division 1 champions: the experienced, the savvy, the intense, the Old Skool. I am sure that never gets too old to hear for them, but nevertheless congratulations are in order to this squad for accomplishing an astonishing feat. At the beginning of the season, they were probably viewed as the fifth in line to win the championship. All season long a lot of us doubted them and didn’t believe they had the ability to raise their games to the next level. They definitely proved all of us wrong. Please don’t forget to watch the Division 1 Road Show which should be out soon. It is packed with highlights, commentary and end zone to end zone coverage.

 

On a side note, I am 3-0 in my finals picks dating back to 2009.

 

What was the key to Old Skool’s success in the playoffs? It starts with the play of Andy Peterkin. He was 3-0 in playoffs, passed for 428 yards, 16 TDs but most importantly, he didn’t allow any interceptions or sacks. That’s pretty damn close to being perfect. He exhibited a great balance between being a mobile QB and a pocket passer. As for the receiving core of Old Skool, Shane Williams led the way with 98 yards and 3 TDs and right behind him was Vinny Gualano with 88 yards and 3 TDs.

 

However the most important factor in them going all the way was their defensive play. They averaged 29.33 points against in the playoffs. And if I count back to week one, they only had one game (out of fourteen) in which they allowed 40+ points, which is very impressive in an offensive-minded D1. I guess it is true, defense DOES win championships. I am sure I could go on and on about Old Skool’s playoff run, but I’ll leave that for the highlight package you’ll soon be able to watch.

 

WHAT NOW?

The Expos came so close to winning their first FPF championship, however they came up just short. Old Skool took the lead on the second-to-last play of the game on a controversial play. It is definitely unfortunate, however as the clichés go, it is part of the game. We witness controversies all the time, professional sports included, and whether or not the right call was ultimately made, it was a bang-bang play that could have gone either way.

They improved upon their 2010 showing – which also ended with a loss in the finals. In the off-season leading to 2011, they picked up Anthony Vendrame and Geoff Beauchesne who were both All-Stars, as well as Patrick Jerome and Phil Leduc. Furthermore, making the finals two years in a row is quite an accomplishment. Especially this season where the finals could have gone either way. Therefore I am sure we haven’t seen the last of the Expos. I fully expect them to return in Winter 2012 and probably make another deep run in the playoffs.

 

THE SEASON THAT WAS AND WILL BE!

 

The 2011 Division 1 season was a dandy. From the first whistle to the last scream of joy, for a second straight season it was the underdogs that stole the show. We saw the birth of a new team (Redhawks), a somewhat new team (Old Skool), return of familiar faces (Demons) and some of the usual squads. They all fought bravely all season. No team was undefeated or winless. Four teams had at least one tie.

All this to say that the Winter 2011 Division 1 season was a success. I think it is always great when we have new champions. The last four Division 1 seasons, we have had someone new being crowned the best in Division 1. Will this trend continue in Winter 2012? We all probably crowned Montreal’s Finest, the Demons or the Expos champions at the start of the season or even the playoffs, however the last two winters, the theme has been to never doubt the underdogs.

In 2012, we’ll see some of the same. Redhawks will be a lot better now that they have some Division 1 experience under their belt. The Demons, Montreal’s Finest, the Expos and the Rainmakers will be contenders as usual. I predict Old Skool will return and might add a few players to make them even stronger. The Express and the CLR Forces should be back as well and I am not sure the impact they will have on Division 1. All in all, Winter 2012 does look promising.

 

That’s it for this season’s Inside The Red zone. I hope you had as much fun reading as I had writing for you. Just before we part ways officially, here are the STAR-AWARDS.

The STAR-AWARDS© VI

 

I am pleased to announce the winners for the sixth edition of STAR-AWARDS.

 

 

Best Scorekeeper – Winner: Alex Porras

 

Best Zebra – Winner: Leo Gervais

 

Best Entertainer –Winner: Kishon Thompson

 

Fastest Man – Winner: Nathan Taylor

 

Adriano Tassone award (Class Act) – Winner: Ryan Kastner

 

Best Hands –Winner: Marc Champagne

 

Best Route Runner –Winner: Shane Williams

 

Best General Manager – Winner: Kevin Wilson

 

Best Trash Talker –Winner: Kishon Thompson

 

The Hulk award –Winner: Geoff Beauchesne

 

Most Improved Team –Winner: Old Skool

 

Most Improved Player –Winner: Andy Peterkin

 

STARWAR of the year –Winner: Kevin Wyeth

 

League MVP –Winner: Chad Byers

 

A few extra awards…

 

Best WEPL personality –Winner: Brian Mongeau-Eastmond

 

The Moe Khan award –Winner: Moe Khan

 

Best Team Jerseys –Winner: Redhawks

 

Best Writer –Winner: Donald Shepherd

 

Merci a tous and see you in 2012!