Inside the Redzone, Conference Finals Edition

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO… After a long and grueling season, we finally have our finalists in Divisions A, B and C. However, like I stated last week, nothing is accomplished yet. All the finalists have to find that extra little edge in their game which can push them over the top because, come this Sunday, it will be a battlefield and only the strong will survive (I feel like I am promoting a war movie for Universal Studios). Never forget the following: no one remembers second place teams in the end, especially not the trophy. Second place is the first loser. So make sure you work hard and have no regrets. Pay no attention to the cameras that will be filming every second of your game; if anything, pretend you’re an NFL player and make some highlight reel plays. In any case, good luck this Sunday and May The Force Be With You!

Now for those who aren’t in the Finals, I encourage you to come and watch. Don’t be sore losers, come and cheer on the teams who are there. Plus look at the match ups we have for you:

Game 1 – Division B (7pm – Field 3) G-Men vs. Buckeyes: Do I need to say more? I will anyway. Everyone who was at the Catalogna Soccerplexe Week 9 and saw these two teams go at it (literally) knows exactly how crazy a game this will be to watch. It has everything: speed, intensity, skills, trash-talking and the whole nine yards. Have you ever seen a WWE Royal Rumble or Hell in a Cell match? Well this might be more entertaining than that. In all honesty, I don’t see anything happening from both these teams because they both know what is at stake; however this game still promises to be an absolute thriller.

Game 2 – Division C (8pm – Field 3) Terminators vs. PTC Stomp: Gino Di Fazio vs. Scott Mironowicz, Darren Costello vs. Jonathan Lyristis, 2nd overall offense vs. 3rd overall offense, 2nd overall defense vs. 3rd overall defense, all respectively. Both of these teams know what it takes to win, so be ready for a great showdown.

Game 3 – Division A (9pm – Field 3) Kings vs. Rainmakers: Last year, the Kings played against Carmine Pollice & Rochdi Benabdelkader in the Spring Finals and lost, badly. If you can’t beat them, join them. Therefore in this Spring season, the Kings acquired the above-mentioned players and are in the Finals against a Rainmakers squad that was under the radar all year long. They took out the Shockers and Monarchs and now are looking to put McGill on the map (in FlagPlus Football anyways) by winning their first championship.

No matter which matchup you pick, you are in for some great entertainment and some good football, so come be a part of it!

THE STAR-AWARDS©

Last week, I handed out a few awards that were supplemental to the ones that FlagPlus Football hands out every season. Then I posted some awards on the Facebook group and asked everyone to vote on who should win those awards. Well the votes are in folks and the 2008 STAR-AWARDS© continue:

Best Hands: This award is handed out to a player who has hands like glue. In other words, whether the ball thrown towards him is a great one or a “duck”, he will catch it and make a play. Winners: Rochdi Benabdelkader, Robby Robinson

Best Route Runner: This award is handed out to a player who runs his route to perfection. Whether it’s a 5 yard hook or a post-corner, he knows how to run his pattern and find an opening. Other times, his route running will get others open as well. Winners: Andre Knights, Mike Harrington

Best Pre-Game Routine: This award is handed out to a player who has the best pre-game preparation. Whatever it takes to be ready, he will do it. Fans votes play a big role in this award. Winner: Carmine Pollice (who said in response to this award, “All I do is drink and listen to music, can’t other people be more creative than that?”)

Hardest Throw: This award is handed out to a player who can zip the ball to his receivers at lightening speed. He will throw the ball so hard that players must wear extra padding on their gloves or catch with their bodies (a la Favre) otherwise, there could be a few injuries. Winner: Petro Amanatidis (for those of you who haven’t caught a ball from Petro, make sure you do and then you’ll see why I gave him this award)

Fastest Player: This award is handed out to a player who is just simply a rocket. He will use his jets whether he is in running with or without the ball. They say, “Speed Kills” and this player can do exactly that to his opponents. Winner: Nathan Taylor

Best Athletic Player: This award is handed out to a player who uses his athleticism to out-duel his opponent. He of course also has talent, but he can make any impossible situation into a possible one. Winner: Kishon Thompson

Best Grandfather: This award is handed out to a player who, despite his age, can still get things done. This is not to be taken as an insult but rather as compliment because being a lot older than the rest, he still gets it done every week. Winner: Gino Di Fazio

Best Dresser: This award is handed out to a player who puts on a show, with regards to his apparel. He will wear the best to show that he likes to look good while playing good. Winner: Dale Williams (it does help that he works for Reebok)

Best Trash-Talker: This award is handed out to a player who uses a certain type of language and certain words to get under his opponent’s skin. He will stop at nothing to make sure his opponents lose focus, therefore gaining an advantage over them. Winner: Garrett Taylor

Best Last Name: This award is handed out to a player who has the best last name, simple as that. The fans have a large input in the decision. Winners: STARWAR, Papachristopoulos, Benabdelkader, Hodhod

Best General Manager: This award is handed out to a player who has put together the best team. He uses his persuasive skills to find the best players and motivates his team to make them play at their best. He makes sure everything runs smoothly on and off the field. Winner: Rehan Sarwar

A few extra awards…

Best WEPL Host: This award is handed out to the host who best does his job. He is calm, cool and collected. He will be serious when needed and make wise cracks to lighten the mood. He is organized and is the glue that holds the show together. Winner: Daron Basmadjian

Best Team Name: This award is handed out to a team that has the best name, in terms of creativity. Winner: Fun In The Sun (considering we play indoors)

Best Team Jerseys: This award is handed out to a team that has the best looking jerseys, hands down. Winner: Nixon’s Renegades

Best Writer: This award is handed out to the person who writes best for FlagPlus Football. His articles are entertaining, informative and keep you on the edge. Winner: Rostyn Castleton

Moe Khan Award: This is given out to Moe Khan. Winner: Moe Khan

Good luck again to all the teams who are playing this Sunday, make it count. Next week will be the last article for the Spring season therefore if you have any fun ideas for what I should do, please let me know at [email protected]. Thanks again for reading my blog, this is Rehan “J.J” Sarwar wishing you all luck in your games and I’ll catch you next week, Inside The Redzone.