Like it or Not
This will be my first, full, english article. I’m only subbing for Nardone, no worries, he’ll be back, and he’s just on vacation, somewhere, forgetting all about his most recent defeat. I have no intention of introducing myself; no one really cares for all that stuff anyways.
Let’s jump right into it.
Quick Recap
Last week, FPF saw some very surprising outcomes, once again, but also some fantastic finishes.
I’ve been a fan of Les Buddays since their very first game in FPF, which was against me. They’ve pulled a heck of a goaline stand against KGP Champs on Sunday to obtain a place in their conference finale. I think I’ll remain a fan for quite some time.
I can’t say I’m surprised to see #NoRegard winning in the playoffs; I was surprised they made it into the playoffs, in all honesty, but #NR has always been very clutch and they’ve proven others wrong multiple times when they’ve bet against them in playoff games. Nonetheless, hats to them for taking down AJ’s Fight Club.
Prestige World Wide came back from a small deficit against the giant killers at half time to prove that they can beat the same team twice in the same season. Alex Lever was helped offensively, but played brilliantly on both side of the ball and gave his team a pass to the conference finale.
Les Monsieurs Chats almost blew an impressive lead last week against The Commission who were coming back slowly, heck, a bit too slow. Although Bryan Mongeau had a HUGE game when it mattered, les Monsieurs Chats got that one last interception to seal the deal. LMC won’t win if they can’t convert and it might hurt them this week.
Players of the week
Seeing how Nardone likes his freaks of the week segment, I assumed I’d take my very own segment and use it in his article, we all know he stole it from me anyways.
Bryan Mongeau (The Commission) : With 4 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, Mongeau had the game his team needed regardless of the outcome.
Alex Lever (Prestige World Wide) : Throwing an interception is huge in the playoff, getting a pick six is even bigger. Lever managed to get first downs, march down the field, score and get his team through.
Robbie Pecker (Legends) : With 5 catches for 85 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception in a quarter-final game, Robbie Pecker chose the right time to shine.
Jeremy Anderson (#NoRegard) : With so many players pooling in from #NR, Anderson managed to get a touchdown on offense and two interceptions on defense. These two interceptions clearly pushed his team forward and he deserves his award this week.
Julien Paiement (Les Buddays) : Known for his speed and ridiculous amount of sacks, when facing Phil Cutler, he needed to be ontop of his game, and he was. With 6 sacks, Julien Paiement is more than worthy of this mention this week. In the words of Vince Nardone, FREAK !
Looking Ahead
Les Buddays (8-1-1) vs Prestige World Wide (8-2-0)
Previous Matchup : N/A
Les Buddays have been playing tremendous football since the beginning of the season. I expected them to be competitive, but I didn’t foresee them finishing first seed this season. They’ve been moving up and they’ve been improving vastly. Starting in Div. 5, they’ve fought their way to this moment and I believe it’s their time to shine. With Julien Paiement leading their defense, it’s pretty hard to look the other way, even a single second. Their offense has too many weapons to name and they’ve been firing on all cylinders since week 1. Just when you think they’ve met their match, they finish off stronger than they’ve started and push through. They’ll face steep competition this week in a experienced and talented PWW squad.
With Gradowski on the roster and led by Alex Lever, I expected nothing else but Prestige World Wide to make it this far and possibly further. Although finishing first seed, PWW had tough games to make it where they are now and they’ve managed to pull through every single time. They’re getting even more clutch with every passing season and I’d hate to face them in the playoffs regardless of the season. They’ve been one of those franchise people tend to fear when they see the name on their schedule with reason. Alex Lever will have to rely on his arm more than his legs this week and he might have to condemn his third read if all goes wrong. This is the type of game that will require both their offense and defense to play their best game yet if they are to succeed.
Lever has been clutch for many years, hell, he’s an Hall of Famer, but I believe that this week, Julien Paiement might have his number and he won’t be able to go toe-to-toe with Les Buddays’ final score.
Prediction : Les Buddays
Les Monsieurs Chats (8-2-0) vs #NoRegard (6-4-0)
Previous Matchup : 28-12 for Les Monsieurs Chats
I’ve mentioned previously that Les Monsieurs Chats won’t keep winning if they can’t convert and this week, it’ll be truer than ever. Facing an experienced squad, they’ll have to fight more than they expect to if they plan on making the finale this season. #NoRegard are a different kind of tough when it gets to eliminating them from finale contending and LMC will have to come out guns blazing if they want to keep the lead. With weapons on both side of the ball like QB of the year and Receiver of the year, I have no fear that their offense will find a way to get going no matter what and will prevail. It’ll come down to whether they can manage the clock and make that last, mistake free, drive.
#NoRegard made it this far against most odds. Alex Holowach isn’t having a dream season, but they’ve managed to win the right games and push their way into the playoffs. At this point, it’s any man’s game and whoever wants it more usually gets it. That’s what #NoRegard does, they want it more. They’ve faced steep competition this far and I think they’ll face something different in Les Monsieurs Chats at this point of the season. We’ve known them for their defense, but Sunday, they’ll have to make a name for themselves on offense. Unless they put a good 30 points on the board, they’ll have to pack their bags and wait a month before their next game.
It’ll come down to the wire with #NoRegard on offense and an opportunity to win it all, but Les Monsieurs Chats’ defense will come through for them and send the boys in grey home.
Prediction : Les Monsieurs Chats
That is all for me this week. I don’t plan on having to write next week’s article, but comments are always appreciated. You can contact me via email at [email protected] and twitter @DagenaisFPF. I’ll try to keep track and answer in the next couple of days for you guys, it is my first English article after all. This was simply to show Peeze that writing an article in English isn’t that hard.