Longhorns heat up and again

Welcome to Week 4 of the FlagPlus Football Junior season. The halfway point of the FPF Jr season is here (that was fast!), and the playoff picture is starting to heat up. Speaking of the second season, if you take a trip on to the league’s website, you will find that the post-season schedule has officially been posted. While we obviously have no idea what the seedings will be at this point, (all teams qualify for the playoffs, and the top two teams in the Freshman and Sophomore Division get a first-round bye) you guys will at least be able take a look at the dates, times, and locations of the games. 

 

Bird’s Eye-View

 

 

Are we seeing a repeat from the Longhorns? A year ago, the team was 0-3, and looked destined for last place. After picking up their first victory of the season in Week 5, Dave Allen’s team was able to win their last two regular season games, then run the table in the playoffs ala Aaron Rodgers, and with the inaugural championship. 

After starting off this season 0-2, the team is riding high after big wins against the Spartans and Bulldogs in back-to-back weeks. With their offense led by impressive rookie Quarterback Samuel Crudo, who has thrown 9 touchdown passes during the streak, and a that’s defense spear-headed by sack master Shaylynn Bentley, and a ball-hawking secondary that features 5 players with at least one INT, there’s a good chance that if the Longhorns can keep it up, they’ll win it all again.  

It might be early, but Kaelen Trepanier, is making his case for Two-Way player of the year. The Hawkeye’s rookie, has 9 TD passes, 4 on the ground, and a four game interception streak, and a score on defense as well. He is the biggest reason why his team is undefeated so far this season. 

I’ve been playing football, both tackle and flag, for the last 23 years. From my experience, I can honestly say that besides the fact that football is the greatest game in the world, it is also a very emotional game. Whether you play it as an adult, or a kid, or even if you’re a coach, the game brings out the best, and sometimes the worst out of people due to the time, energy, and more often than not, blood, sweat, and tears that are put into it.  

Unfortunately, from time to time, tempers flare, and language gets used that isn’t appropriate for the many kids who play and watch the games at our various fields. Just quick remainder to players and coaches alike, whether celebrating a play, arguing a call, or simply frustrated by a mistake, please stay classy, and watch what comes out of your mouth. 

 

High-Five 

 

Kaylem Ferdinand (Horned Frogs) – I was tempted to rename this the section after the rookie, as the two-way threat was a force to be reckoned with last Saturday in Kirkland against the Spartans. When it was all said and done, Ferdinand, had 11 receptions for 114 yards, and 2 touchdowns, to go along with 2 tackles, 1 passed deflection, and an incredible 3 INTs, 2 of which were returned for TDs. 

 

 

Joshua Peters (Longhorns) – The second year snapper, looks faster, sleek, and ready to do even more damage to opposing defenses this year this year. Peters’ performance against the Bulldogs last Saturday also looked good, as he had 8 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs, in his team’s statement victory over the Bulldogs.

 

Kaiden Dewey and Jayden Michel (Ducks) – The dynamic duo was in full effect last Saturday at the Stinger Dome, as they combined for 6 touchdowns in their team’s win over the Musketeers.  Will anyone be able to stop the duo, and more importantly, an impressive Ducks squad?

 

Nicholas Massella (Hurricanes) – Perfection is hard to achieve, but this young passer came so close against the Seminoles, as he went 11 of 12 for 152 yards and 4 touchdowns. When Masella, wasn’t throwing the ball, he was impacting the game as a receiver, as he caught 2 passes for 29 yards and a TD.

 

William Leclerc (Bruins) – It was the William Leclerc show Sunday at Stade Hebert, as the Bruins’ two-way threat score a TD in almost every way possible, as he threw for 2 touchdowns, scored on defense, and ran for another in his team’s victory over the Wolverines. 

 

 

Honorable Mention:

 

William Bradford (Red Devils) – Another versatile player makes the list, as Bradford threw for a TD, had 8 receptions for 66 yards, and contributed 2 INTs, to go along with two pass deflections, and 4 tackles on defense. 

 

Vincenzo Frank (Gators) – Although the Gators fell short in their comeback against the Hawkeyes, Vincenzo Frank, had a great game, as he recorded a game-high 3 interceptions, and also ran for a touchdown on offense.

 

Sacha Massicotte (Hawkeyes) – The rookie played a huge part in his team’s defense holding the Gators to just one touchdown, as Masicotte put up an impressive 9 tackles. What makes his performance even more impressive, is that there are tons of players in the adult league who couldn’t accomplish what he did. 

 

Picks  

 

Seminoles vs Hawkeyes – Hawkeyes  

 

Musketeers vs Fighting Irish – Fighting Irish 

 

Cougars vs Wolverines – Cougars 

 

Spartans vs Bulldogs – Spartans

 

Buckeyes vs Gators – Buckeyes

 

Ducks vs Bruins – Ducks 

 

Longhorns vs Horned Frogs – Longhorns

 

Red Devils vs Hurricanes – Red Devils 

 

Just a quick reminder once again, to tune into the FlagPlus Football YouTube channel, as FPF founder himself Rob Campana, and I, have episode number 2 of the FPF Jr podcast. We encourage parents and players to check it out. It airs every Tuesday night from 9:30 to 10PM for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. 

 

That’s it for this week guys. Thanks for taking the time to read the article. I’ll be back next time with a recap of Week 5, and everything else that is going on in FPF Jr. 

 

For next week’s article, I will also include my mid-season awards, which take a look at the best QB, WR, Rusher, and team of the halfway point.   

 

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to contact me at [email protected]