Inside the Redzone (D4) – Week 4

It’s that time of the year again, SUPER BOWL. Therefore there will not be any games scheduled this weekend for Division 4. So you guys can just relax, watch the big game but don’t eat and drink too much because you’re back next weekend! We are also nearing the midway mark of the Division 4 season and so far everything has gone to schedule, with the usual few exceptions here and there. Triple Sixers, Warriors, Snookers and Time Bombs are still undefeated while PLC Gunners, X-Men and Tyrants are winless. We have two divisions out of four that could be labeled the “division of death”, which makes every game more exciting to watch. All in all, I like what I see in the standings and am thinking this is the year of the underdog!

 

 

Headlines

 

THIS.. IS.. SPARTA!

 

Too cliché? Well Spartiates earned their first victory of the season and I can assure you they were quite happy, defeating a strong Jets squad. Jean-Mathieu Vidal threw for a mere 102 yards with 4 TDs and had 43 rushing yards with a TD. It was the Spartiates defense that came up big as they held Stephane Thibault (QB of Jets) to ONLY 9 completions out of 27 attempts. What’s more important is that the Spartiates got the win at the right time to get things going. Next, they face a struggling team in the Cowboys.

 

Two in a row

 

Marauders won yet again, this time against a Flight Of The Concords team, in a very tight affair, 26-25. Denis Beauregard didn’t have his best game, statistically, but got the job done. He was 10 of 24 for 186 yards with 4 TDs and 2 INT. The story of the game was missed extra points by the FOTC that cost them the game. Even with the addition of Vadim Chernyak, they’re a mere 1-3 and have to start putting some wins together very soon. In the same boat are the Guerillaz, who are on a two game losing streak. Although both games were lost by 1 point, they are now 2-2 and enter a crucial game next week against the Falcons.

Marlowe continues dominance

 

He is having a MVP like season thus far and this past weekend was just another day at the office for Kevin Marlowe. He went 15 of 21 for 184 yards with 5 TDs, solid numbers to say the least. 5 receivers had at least 2 receptions and 3 receivers had at least 1 TD. The Sharks might be 1-2-1 after this game but they’re a veteran team meaning we can’t take anything away from the Gators, except maybe their defense has to play a bit better, but they’re a definite contender , I have no doubt in my mind about that.

 

Served With… Notice

 

It is quite early to start making predictions in Division 4, however I predict Served With Ice will win the Conference B South division. Currently they’re tied with the Falcons and Guerillaz. However they have won two in a row and I had mentioned last week to look out of this team as they’re getting hot at the right time. Last week they demolished a Cobra Commander squad and will take on Gieuth in week 6 who are 1-3 (also in the same division) but gave the mighty-Warriors a run for their money.

 

Three STARwars of the week

 

3. Jordan Pancetta (Served With Ice) 17 of 25 for 209 yards with 6 TDs

 

2. Andre John (Snookers) 6 catches for 60 yards and 3 TDs; 3 tackles and PD.

 

1. Gabriel Marcoux (Served With Ice) 2 catches for 33 yards and 2 TDs; 1 tackle and 2 INT.

 

Sarwar Standings (power rankings)

These take into effect overall record, x-factors, skills, clutchness and the STAR-warness. They are all contenders in my opinion. I’ll update this list on a weekly basis.

 

T-1. Triple Sixers (4-0): 170 points scored in 3 games.

 

T-1. Warriors (4-0): 50 points allowed in 4 games.

 

3. Snookers (4-0): They are still allowing approx. 15 points per game and the entire team is stepping up in key situations.

 

4. Time Bombs (4-0): They won another tight match up, which speaks volume for this team’s leadership and character.

 

5. Gators (3-1): Kevin Marlowe having a MVP like season, just defeated a Sharks in a close one. Standout Jeff Chabot continues to fly under the radar.

 

6. Balls Deep (3-1): A dominating win this past week moves them higher in the rankings.

 

7. Served With Ice (2-2): Jordan Pancetta has this group firing on all cylinders, winners of 2 in a row.

 

8. Jets (2-1-1): A loss to the Spartiates has them at the bottom of the rankings.

 

9. Marauders (2-2): Winners of their last two, they’re making a statement that they’re back and strong contenders but I won’t bump them up just yet!

 

10. Guerillaz (2-2): They are on a two game losing streak, but I am confident they have enough talent, experience and leadership to bounce back.

 

On the bubble: Falcons (2-2), Briscoe High Hawks (2-2)

Rehan’s Role Players (RRP)

 

This week’s RRP is Marc-Andre Benoit from the Time Bombs. I first came across this tenacious player in Winter 2008 season when he was playing for Gia Thang. He is not tall or muscular however he makes a big impact on the field. In the 2009 Winter season he had 7 tackles, 12 sacks and 1 INT with Gia Thang but they didn’t make playoffs. In the Spring 2009 season, he signed with the Green Machine (Gia Thang’s core made a team called Mongoose) and had 2 tackles and 7 sacks with them. Furthermore, Green Machine went on to upset the Cobras and Marc-Andre Benoit was an integral part of the team.

 

Currently he is playing with the Time Bombs and has 3 sacks in 4 games. In speaking to his close friend Chris Rivest (also playing with Time Bombs and both of them played on Gia Thang), he notes that Marc-Andre is a fierce competitor and is relentless in his attack. Even the infamous WEPL personality Daron Basmadjian had expressed his liking for this young man’s talent during the Spring 2009 season. He is a great team player without an ego and will go to any length to help his team win; an asset to any team. Therefore Marc-Andre Benoit, you ARE a RRP!

 

 

What’s On Tap

 

The only game this weekend is the Super Bowl which features the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. As I have stated on the WEPL, I am confident Peyton Manning will be able to handle anything that will be thrown his way and hence win his second Super Bowl championship in the last decade. After the bye week, there are a couple of match ups that caught my eye such as Time Bombs vs. Briscoe High Hawks; Falcons vs. Guerillaz, and Warriors vs. Balls Deep however the main event will be:

 

Snookers (4-0) vs. Gators (3-1)

 

Both of these teams are in the Conference A South division and are looking to make a statement. This will be the Snookers’ first real test of the season, while the Gators are already battle tested (lost by 4 points to Triple Sixers). I believe that will have a big impact on this game, combined with the fact Snookers are getting it done on a weekly basis but still don’t have a solidified QB, whereas Kevin Marlowe is on a tear right now.

 

The Gators defense will have a daunting task in stopping Andre John however the Snookers defense have bigger issue with stopping Kevin Marlowe, Shawn Haney, Jeff Chabot and Eddy Martinez. Therefore Snookers will have their first loss of the season in week 6 and Gators will take over the top spot in Conference A South division.

 

Thoughts and Prayers

On behalf of FlagPlus Football and WEPL, I would like to send my deepest condolences to the Rostyn Castleton and his family for their loss. It is never easy to lose a loved one and Paula Hassani will be in our prayers. As Moe Khan mentioned, you have the entire community of FPF and more to lean on buddy. Be strong Ros, we’re here for you!

 

That’s it for this week’s column. As usual if you have any comments/suggestions, email me at [email protected]. Since there are no games, I wish everyone a great Super Bowl weekend and see you all in a couple of weeks but I leave you all with the following:

 

“The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.” – John Madden