Inside the Redzone (D4) – Week 8

Welcome everyone to Inside The Redzone a la week 7, the March Madness edition. Last week saw the revival of the Cobras team that was a bit shaky as of late but defeated the Triple Sixers to regain their contender (STARwar) status. Furthermore, the Eagles are in a bit of a mess right now and need to regain their focus quickly. This is what March Madness is all about and the trend will continue next week with a lot of great match ups which either send some teams to the playoffs or send them packing home. A lot of teams have clinched playoff berths and a few are still fighting for their lives but might be sent home packing if they don’t win in week 9; don’t you just love football? I will discuss the state of the teams who are still in the hunt for a playoff spot but until then, let’s recap last week’s action in division 4.

 

Week 8 Review

 

 

Cobras 35 – Triple Sixers 26: Last week, I put the Cobras in the Moe Khan category and obviously they weren’t a happy bunch. However instead of complaining about it, they decided to prove me wrong in the best way possible; defeating one of the favorite teams to win division 4, the Triple Sixers. The Cobras has their best outing of the season and probably the best win in the franchise. In the game, the Triple Sixers scored first and went up 7-0, then the Cobras came back and scored but failed the convert; hence team 666 was still up 7-6. On the ensuing Triple Sixers drive, Karim Chaoual couldn’t handle the snap and dropped the ball in his end zone resulting in a safety. Then the Cobras got picked off on a ball which was popped up by a receiver. The game went back and forth and at the half, the Cobras led by a score of 15-14. In the second half, both teams exchanged a score however then Ben Gendron of the Cobras intercepted Karim Chaoual for a TD, putting his squad up 29-20. On the next drive Mr. Chaoual was picked off again in the Cobras’ end zone by M.A. Daigneault which would lead to a Cobras offensive TD. At this point the game was out of reach and the Cobras wound up winning the game. Karim Chaoual had a decent game throwing for 179 yards and 4 TDs along with 2 INTs where as Alex Lever had similar numbers, throwing for 169 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs. The difference was the Cobras defense because they came up big in the second half with the “pick six” and also limiting Karim Chaoual to 4 rushing yards. A big shout goes to Marc Drolet who had an incredible game by catching the ball 6 times for 74 yards and 3 TDs. Needless to say the Cobras are now showing signs of greatness, kind of like at the beginning of the season, and are ready to make a drive towards the playoffs. They will face Chaos next week while the Triple Sixers will take on Snookers.

 

VPC 38 – Eagles 12: Can anyone tell me what is going on with the Eagles? They started the season 6-0 but have lost their last 2 games and are now 6-2; ranked 5th in Conference A. VPC had a similar losing streak (lost in week 6 and 7) but now have regained top form, especially with a convincing win over the Eagles. VPC is ranked 3rd in Conference A. Louis Richard of VPC threw for 227 yards, 6 TDs with 1 INT, also rushed for 40 yards. Brent Gartner of VPC caught 5 passes for 115 yards and 2 TDs, plus he had 5 tackles along with 1 INT on defense. VPC defense intercepted the ball three times and were up 26-6 at halftime. From that point, they never looked back. As for the Eagles, for a second straight game they have allowed over 30 points and only averaged 18 points for, something they definitely have to work on if they intend to go far in the playoffs. However let’s not take anything away from VPC; they knew that they had to win this game to snap out of their losing funk. And what better way to accomplish that than to create separation in their division from the Eagles. VPC take on the Cowboys in week 9 and the Eagles might have an easier match up against the Brew Crew, depending on which Eagles team shows up.

 

The Flying Weasels are gaining speed at the right time of the season. Last week, they won a close one over the Raiders by a score of 30-26. Both QBs, Mario Choueiri of the Raiders and Frederic Arsenault of the Flying Weasels, threw four interceptions and both defenses had a “pick six” special. Raiders were up 26-6 at the half but were outscored 24-0 in the second half; thus they lost the game. This was an important match up for both teams because with a win the Flying Weasels clinched a playoff berth and are ranked 5th in Conference B. Whereas the Raiders dropped to 8th spot and are the only team in Conference B who haven’t secured a playoff spot.

 

Trapstars had a great win over the Brew Crew by a score of 41-0. Trapstars defense definitely played lights out and Pedro Pana played the game of his life. He went 9-15 for 138 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT. He rushed for 75 yards and had a rushing TD. Furthermore, he had a huge game on defense: 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PDs and 2 INTs one of which was returned for a TD. This young man definitely took the team on his shoulders and performed exceptionally and credit also goes to his teammates who were a great supporting cast. Combined with a Green Machine loss, the Trapstars are only 1 point out of a playoff spot.

 

I will not recap the other games because the teams that should have won did win so there is no point discussing those match ups. And now you’re up to speed in division 4.

 

 

Three STARwars of the Week:

 

 

3rd star: Brent Gartner (VPC) proved why the VPC shouldn’t be taken lightly despite their two game losing streak. He caught 5 balls for 115 yards with 2 TDs and had 4 tackles and 1 INT on defense.

 

2nd star: Etienne Guilmain (Flying Weasels) helped his team with a great comeback in the second half. On offense he caught 3 balls for 54 yards with 2 TDs. On defense he had 4 tackles, 2 PDs and 1 INT which was returned to the house.

 

1st star: Pedro Pana (Trapstars) was a one man wrecking crew. On offense he threw for 138 yards with 4TDs, rushed for 75 yards with 1 TD and on defense amounted 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PDs and 2 INTs one of which was a “pick six” special.

 

 

March Madness – I will take a look at the teams who are still fighting for a playoff spot. Listed next to the record are their remaining opponents.

 

Conference A

 

 

6th Trojan Knights (4-3-1): Hulkamaniacs (1-7), Gia Thang (2-5-1)

They can definitely win their next two games to clinch playoffs.

 

7th Team Ditka (3-4-1): Gia Thang, Cowboys

It will be a tough road because in week 9 they face Gia Thang who is also fighting for a playoff spot. Furthermore in week 10, they face the number one team in the conference in the Cowboys.

 

8th Green Machine (3-4-1): Bulldogs, Trapstars

They hold the last playoff spot. They lost a tough one to Those Guys last weekend but have an easier match up against the Bulldogs in week 9. If they win, combined with a Trapstars loss, they can clinch playoffs.

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9th Trapstars (3-5): Gators, Green Machine

The road to the playoffs will require a big upset win in week 9 over the Gators which will not be easy to do however they control their destiny. They can win two in a row and they are in playoffs OR a Green Machine loss in week 9 would set up a win and you’re in scenario.

 

10th Centurions (2-4-2): Those Guys, Bulldogs

They have to beat Those Guys to even have a chance and I do not see that happening.

 

11th Brew Crew (2-5-1): Eagles, VPC

They have a big task ahead of them as they face two of the top teams in Conference A and especially being shut out by the Trapstars in week 9, it looks like the Brew Crew are done this season.

 

12th Gia Thang (2-5-1): Team Ditka, Trojan Knights

Gia Thang had season better than most had expected but now it is definitely crunch time. In week 9 they will face a team who is currently 7th and also looking to make the playoffs. If you want to make the playoffs, you have to prove that you belong there.

 

 

Conference B

 

8th Raiders (4-4): Orangemen, Longhorns

The Raiders can clinch a playoff birth with a win in week 9.

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9th Wonderslugs (2-6): Pompei Roughriders, Cobras

The slugs had a disappointing year but definitely fought hard every game. They definitely have to win the last two games but also need the Raiders to lose their last two match ups.

 

10th Orangemen (2-6): Raiders, Triple Sixers

Orangemen get to face the team they need to beat in order to come closer to a playoff berth therefore step 1 is to beat the Raiders in week 9 which won’t be an easy task to say the least.

 

 

And no article would be complete without the STARwars and the Moe Khans. There was a little shuffling around once again and keep in the mind, teams that are labeled Moe Khans might make the playoffs but will not go far or will not win it all, in my opinion. Furthermore, I have listed the teams ranked from the strongest to the weakest.

 

Conference A

 

STARwars:

 

Cowboys (6-0-2), Gators (6-1-1), VPC (6-2) Those Guys (6-2), Trojan Knights (4-3-1)

 

Moe Khans:

 

Eagles (6-2)*, Team Ditka (3-4-1)**, Green Machine (3-4-1), Trapstars (3-5), Gia Thang (2-5-1)

 

*Eagles are playing some terrible football and just like the Cobras last week, they need to prove themselves before they can jump back up in the STARwars category. A win against Gators in week 10 will definitely help their cause.

 

**This team is in on the rise and is looking dangerous. A little more consistency would render them a STARwar status and they can definitely jump up in that category with a win over the Cowboys in week 10.

 

Conference B

 

STARwars:

 

Dirty Birds (8-0), Snookers (6-1-1), Cobras (5-3), Triple Sixers (6-2), Marauders (7-1), Flying Weasels (5-2-1)*

 

*Started the season horribly however the Flying Weasels have come alive as of late despite losing key players in the off season. They were always known to be a team who prided themselves on being hard working and chemistry oriented; it seems that spirit has joined them again.

 

Moe Khans:

 

Chaos (5-3), Raiders (4-4)*

 

*They lost a close one to the Flying Weasels and I wasn’t impressed with their efforts because the amount of experience on this team should be enough to win every week.

 

 

There are some great games in week 9 and I look forward to seeing how the division 4 playoff picture unfolds itself. For the most part we already know who the top dogs are but come playoff time it is anyone’s game, a la March Madness. And that is it for this week’s edition of Inside The Redzone. If you have comments/suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me on Facebook or via email at [email protected]. This is Rehan “J.J” Sarwar signing off and I wish you all luck in your week 9 match ups. I’ll catch you all next week but until then, Stay Classy Division Four!