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After an amazing and legendary season, we have finally arrived to the top of the mountain. Two teams blessed with a feeling of accomplishment and are left standing remain to fight for their right to be crowned champions. The sentiment of fulfillment is comparable to most success stories in life, except no bond is greater than one of a championship team, no matter the sport or venue. It’s unfortunate that so few get to feel the amazing fulfillment of lining up for that final game. I can’t say I feel bad for any of you who have yet lived to be in a final. Honestly at the end of the day, hard work always pays off. One thing I can tell you: if you have yet lived an FPF final, please come out Saturday night to get your socks knocked off.

 

Quick Review:

-First off I’d like to thank Simon Dagenais for the great article he wrote last week while I was away. I know you guys were disappointed you didn’t get to read an article from ME… but very appreciated Mr. Dagenais!

-The unfortunate truth about last weekend is both games were blowouts. No one likes to see anyone get blown out, especially not this far into the playoffs. I can’t say that the teams who lost didn’t deserve a better faith, but no one is about to bend over for you at this point.

-LMC vs #NoRegard quickly got ugly. I barely had time to walk over from my game when the score was already 19-0. Goes to prove when you don’t hype up their posts on Facebook, they don’t have much fuel for the fire.

-LMC defense is very serious! They are strong, agile, and very well organized. They made a very good offense in #NoRegard look below average.

-N. Centomo had a field day at the QB position. I cant say I’m surprised since he’s been nothing but solid all year. He found J. Mercile on four different occasions all of which ended up in the end zone

-On the other hand I was happy to see that the game never got out of hand in terms of emotions. There was some questionable contact after some plays but nothing to cry home about. This is a man’s league after all; there is bound to be some irrational and impulsive behaviors, but like I said, it wasn’t the case.

-Unfortunately, I was playing at the same time as the Prestige World Wide game so what I know is based on good sources; stats never lie.

-It was a bigger beat down in this one then the other. 33-0 at the half is definitely not how you want to start the game. Alex Lever threw to 6 different receivers, and the majority going to my favorite freak snapper Anthony Comeau (soon to be my teammate this summer).

-Leandre Ethier picked one hell of a game to have his worst outing of the season. Sometimes when you’re no longer able to carry a heavy load and you look to others to share that weight, but no one answers the call, this is what happens. 74 yards through the air in a semi- final game has to be an all time low. I respect you Ethier but C’MON MAN! This reminded me of the final he threw four picks into my hands. Maybe he doesn’t do pressure? I guess we’ll find out next season.

Top Clutch Players:

1. Alex Lever- When the curtains go up and the lights are on, you can always count on Lever to do big things! 26 completions for 225 yards and 7 touchdowns.

 

2. Patrice Blouin- You guys know how much I love a hard grinding rusher! If you haven’t had the luxury of a serious rusher, invest now before they’re all gone. Nothing beats being able to trust your rush will no allow more then 4 seconds, play after play after play! 4 sacks at this point of the season is quite simply amazing!

 

3. Jean Christophe Mercile- if you can’t score, you can’t win. Having a player who has the nose for the end zone like Mercile is quite the treat. 4 receptions for 49 yards and 4 touchdowns.

 

The Grand Finally!

Prestige World Wide VS Les Monsieur Chats.

 

Key Match-ups:

1. Lever VS LMC defense: Like I alluded to before, LMC has a very solid defense. They will disrupt your routes off the line of scrimmage and they do not mind being in man. Timing is usually key for Lever and his receivers. I can guarantee LMC will not allow you to maintain your composure. The key is for Lever to use and abuse Comeau like he knows he can. Work that middle until they adapted, which will create space for your studs on the outside. LMC defense needs to do what they do best: stay confident in your ability to cover, keep a close eye on Comeau and matchup size on him. Lever can shred you if you show what you’re doing. He doesn’t mind if you’re in man because he has some preferable match ups in Gradowski and Comeau. Mix it up, but continue doing what has been fruitful. I’m worried about the lack of consistency at the rushing position; they can’t allow Lever to be comfortable. If Lever finds his groove, this one can get ugly.
2. Rush VS Rush: Patrice Blouin just showed everyone what he’s capable of doing against a scrambling QB, now imagine if you’re not moving. LMC has not had any solid rush from anyone all year. Simon Gauthier has the most sacs on the season at 4. It is a way too important of a position on any team to be neglected like it has been in their case. Thy need to find someone who will disrupt Lever and stick to him.
3. Big VS Big: JS Gradowski was named two-way player of the year for a reason: his ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball. LMC will have to have him accounted for at all times; let him out of the cage and he will bite! On the other hand, you have the QB of the year AND the receiver of the year! Centomo and Mercile came together 46 times for 639 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season. Last week they showed their ability to find another one once again with 4 touchdowns. Gradowski should most definitely line up across from Mercile and show us what he’s learned under Coach SPY at CONU.
4. Centomo VS PWW D: Centomo has had one of the best seasons Div 3 has ever seen. He has also showed that when things get rough and he starts turning the ball over, the story tends to change dramatically. He will typically remain composed and has not yet proven to get irrational. The games LMC lost this year were irrelevant and he didn’t force anything. He has yet to be seen behind in a game that really matters. They have to make him chase a lead. Important to not allow him to get out in front, to force him to use plays he’s not comfortable with, to plant a seed of doubt and finally to throw him off his game. If you do not disrupt his timing and/or rhythm, he will light up the sky without hesitation!
5. Mano E Mano: I’m not trying to take credit away from anyone on either roster; everyone deserves credit for the role they have played to get where they are now. You can go up and down each roster and make a case for a potential mismatch against whoever lines up across the field. This game is going to be insane!

I’d like to congratulate both teams for their current achievements. Unfortunately, Saturday night at 10:00 there will only be one winner. I suggest you do everything in your powers to be the team hoisting the trophy. Leave no room for doubt. Do not create the thought that you should’ve done more or you should have made that play. The team who is perfect will walk away with the victory. Fight for every ball, believe and stay confident no matter what the situation is. Be perfect so no matter the outcome you can walk away with your head held high!

 

 

The link for the podcast has already been posted. Check it out for sneak peak to the final game, and listen to the interviews for some insights! Follow me @VinceNardone for very little action on twitter or stop me at the field to chat. Thank you for reading, till next time… Get in the gym.