Mapril Madness at FPF: First look at the Division 5B playoff matchups.

5B has been a very interesting Division to cover. Teams, in my opinion, have been very evenly matched for the most part and the top 8 in both Conferences do not have much between each of them.

I am very much looking forward to watching these games tonight and especially seeing if those who won awards will be playing with any added pressure to help their teams win.

Good luck to everybody playing tonight!

I promised I would include two features from two different players playing tonight.

The first is from Rayan Mehzoudi; after wishing him luck on his game last week to get him in the playoffs, he responded with:

“We will get in don’t worry 😉 “

A man of his word! They beat Affreux by a point to qualify for the playoffs. Respect.

Last but definitely not least, I wanted to share something else with you. Anthony Siggia, a star in our league and the recent winner of the Two-Way Player of the Year award, wanted to include a few words. After an incredible season, it truly is a testament to his character that he went out of his way to make sure that what is important in life does not go unnoticed. I’ve gotten to know him a bit this season and he’s truly one of the good ones. Here’s what he had to say:

“I want to dedicate the award to one of my closest friends Sammy Festa, who has been diagnosed with cancer for a second time in 2yrs, Sammy never played FPF and wanted to play this coming spring and will probably have to wait till next winter, I just want say Sammy your an inspiration and when you fully recover I expect you to be the next MVP in FPF!”

 

Conference A

 

1. Moss City vs. 8. Spartans

Previous Matchup: 32-19 Spartans

A quick glance, just looking at their seed heading into the playoffs would not be wise. In fact, only two wins and a tie separated these two teams in the standings which goes to show you how close this Conference is. Whether strength of schedule played a part or maybe something else, I actually very much prefer the Spartans in this case and their previous matchup shows why. Arno Desjardins only managed 98 yards, whereas James D’Andrea threw for 184 yards and 5 TDs. Bruno Provencher had a quiet game by his standards and I expect that to change this time around, but I still tend to lean on the Spartans side in this one.

Keys to Success:

Moss City

Arno Desjardins needs to play more to his potential and have a better game this time around. As I mentioned, Provencher can be a lot more dangerous as well, so the Spartans will be smart to pay extra attention to him and keep his numbers down. Moss City will need to try and disrupt what D’Andrea wants to do. One of the reasons why the Spartans had success in their first matchup was because they managed a few sacks. Desjardins will need to come up with a game plan to either get the ball out quicker or be better in the pocket. If Moss City can manage a few sacks of their own and get the Spartans into 3rd and 10 or more on a few drives, they will have some success. If not, it’ll be more like sportscaster Moss City in Brossard later tonight.

Spartans

It’s no secret. For the Spartans to win, just repeat the same formula as the earlier encounter this season. Get a few sacks, create a turnover or two and march the field methodically on offense. Sounds simple enough, right? The only problem is that Moss City is bound to make a few adjustments but if Andrew Grant, Charles-David Martel and Daniel Hernandez can make plays, it will be tough for Moss City to stop them.

Prediction: 26-21 Spartans

 

2. Takeover vs. 7. Punishers

Previous Matchup: 36-21 Takeover

Takeover owned this game the first time around, but the Punishers are much improved since then. I wrote about this game early on and said back then that I expect the Punishers to be better as the season goes on and they have. I expect a much closer game, but I still give the slight edge to Takeover.

Keys to Success:

Takeover

Not really a secret here, Einheiber to Power has been a thing all season. I also don’t need to tell you that while those two are dominant together, Takeover has a lot more depth than you’d think. Very simply, the key to victory for these guys, and they have proven they can do it in the past, is to stay away from Siggia. In their first meeting back in Week 1, Siggia only had 3 tackles without an interception or a PD. Again, it was week 1, so read into it what you will. That being said, I imagine the Punishers to move him around a little bit more than usual, but he often likes to patrol the middle of the field. If I’m Eiheiber, I’d hitting out routes and corners all day.

Punishers

Adamo Iadeluca is a competent QB but he has his limitations. The key for him will be to know what they are. In their first meeting, he had 3 interceptions and that can’t happen this time around. He has a ton of big targets and they will need to use their size to their advantage. Junior Spera has been a force all season and the combination of him and Siggia will be vital to victory. If Iadeluca doesn’t throw an interception and keeps the game close, they have a shot. I can see them being a Siggia pick-6 away from winning this game.

Prediction: 25-22 Takeover

 

3. Sterdam vs. 6. Black Knights

Previous Matchup: 26-21 Sterdam

There are very few QBs in this Division that I consider athletic enough to make the Black Knights run around in circles and Sidney Tremblay-Lacombe is atop that short list. The question is, will he be their QB on Saturday? To me, this game will come down to that very simple fact. If Sidney plays QB, I give the edge to Sterdam. If not, I think the Black Knights will take it. He had a lot of success running the ball in their first matchup, rushing for 48 yards and a TD. Stephane Larosilliere has been improving towards the end of the season and I expect him to put together a more complete game this time as well.

Keys to Success:

Sterdam

As I mentioned, QB1 for Sterdam. The combination of Gabriel Poisson and William Tremblay-Lacombe is a very good supporting cast as well and give Sidney great options to throw the ball too once he runs around a little bit. Sidney is a very good dual threat QB who can burn the Black Knights on the ground if they try to man up. They have to avoid giving up the deep ball on defense because if this game turns into a shootout, it will favor the Black Knights.

Black Knights

Larosilliere is not somebody to be outdone and he just had his best statistical season of his FPF career. Moe Khan joked about the size of this guy’s arm and he does have an absolute cannon. Their greatest asset is their speed and if you let them get behind you, Larosilliere will get the ball to his guy before you know it. The Black Knights have the advantage, in my opinion, in a high scoring affair and they should try to air it out as much as possible. They will have to use their size and athleticism to win jump balls. Finally, Dynell Pierre needs to show up much more than he did in their first meeting.

Prediction: 32-25 Black Knights

 

4. Mogadishu Pirates vs. 5. Affreux

Previous Matchup: 31-13 Mogadishu Pirates

As far as I know, this was Nikki Papich’s first game with the Pirates and his presence was felt. He led all receivers with 88 yards and 3 touchdowns and if you have been following, you’ve read that his chemistry began with Joe Kano a long time ago. They’ll have to play off this chemistry and should be able to repeat history if they play the same way they did in their first meeting. The Pirates were able to force Domon into uncomfortable throws and pick him off 6 times. If Affreux want any chance at success this time around, that can’t happen.

Keys to Success:

Mogadishu Pirates

As I mentioned, Papich is the X-Factor here. Somebody who is actually better than his rating suggests, he’s a huge boost to both sides of the ball for the Pirates. Without him, they did not really have a true number 1 wide receiver and this allows his teammates to play in better suited roles. What I mean is that they have a number 1, number 2 and number 3 wide receiver who can out match their relative defenders and that makes them dangerous.

Affreux:

Obviously the biggest thing they need to do, or rather not do, is turn the ball over. Domon is a capable QB with no real outstanding weapon, but rather they have great chemistry as a team and they need to highlight this to come out ahead. The key for them will be Daniel Bellefeuille and his ability to get in Kano’s face and possibly get a few sacks, which did not happen in their first meeting. If you force the Pirates into obvious deep passing attempts, they should be easier to defend. If not, the Pirates will continue to flood receivers to one side or just simply have too many options for Kano to beat you.

Prediction: 32-20 Mogadishu Pirates

 

Conference B

 

1. Wrecking Crew vs. 8. Team Y.S.

Previous Matchup: 27-20 Wrecking Crew

If their previous matchup is any indication as to how this one will play out, I think you can read into a few sub plots. Firstly, I don’t see Rayan Mehzoudi throwing 4 interceptions again. This game was his first real test of FPF and he still had some learning to do. Secondly, Harripersaud didn’t have a great game, but it was his defense who really stood out in this one. I think with a full season under their belt, Team Y.S. will really come to play and be much smarter on the field than the time around. The fact that most of them are new to FPF have really helped with their ratings and they are much better than people may think. This one will come down to knowledge and experience versus youth and flash.

Keys to Success:

Wrecking Crew

They cannot afford to let Nykolas Pierre-Masse and Sam Mashtoub get comfortable. If Mehzoudi and Pierre-Masse connect early, it will be a long game for Wrecking Crew. Stephen Harripersaud’s strength is not coming from behind and throwing the ball deep on every play, but rather ball possession and timely, accurate throws are what he’s known for. He will have to get a lead and just control the game from there. Kevin Koussaie and Josh Levine will need to step up on both sides of the ball against a very athletic Team Y.S. I look forward to watching this rematch in Brossard right after my own game.

Team Y.S.

Speed. Lots of it. Whether that means Mehzoudi using his legs or Pierre-Masse beating defenders, this will be their greatest ally. Their opponent will have a lot more experience than them, however they have the athleticism on their side. They have the talent to beat any opponent in the division as long as they do not beat themselves. Sam Mashtoub will be an excellent role player for them on both sides of the ball and if they can get an interception or two and not give the ball up themselves, they’ll give themselves a chance at the upset.

Prediction: 30-26 Team Y.S.

 

2. Falcons vs. 7. Super Saiyans

Previous Matchup: 44-26 Super Saiyans

Everything went perfectly the first time around for the Saiyans, can they repeat as needed and come away with the upset? They’ll need to contain Ducas-Lapalme a little bit more than they did in the first matchup and Allard will have to have another near perfect game again to win. Will Kolethras get another pick 6? Could the Saiyans really have the perfect formula to upset the Falcons yet again? Both teams have the tools to reach the finals, so this will be a huge game to decide the faith of the playoffs.

Keys to Success:

Falcons

Is it strange that as good as the Falcons have played this season that I tend to side with the Saiyans in this one? If their first game is any indication, the Saiyans seem to be their kryptonite. Rather, let’s call the Falcons Lord Frieza and just run with as many metaphors as I can. Dominic Couture himself has stated that he will not be playing in this one which adds a ton of pressure onto Lefebvre and Raphael Ducas-Lapalme to have monster days on offense. I think that if these teams trade punches that it will favor the Saiyans, so the Falcons need to find a way to get in Jordan Allard’s head.

Super Saiyans

Pat Lefebvre vs. Jordan Allard. Seasoned veteran QB against a young up and coming wide receiver turned QB. On paper, advantage Lefebvre. On the field, same advantage. However, that being said, Allard brings a certain “je ne sais quoi” to the position and his mobility is a huge strength. His biggest enemy? Himself. I’ve played with and against him and his games can often go one of two ways. If he starts strong, it often means success for the Super Saiyans. If he struggles early, it can often get in his head and he has trouble with the metaphorical sports quicksand – another The Replacements metaphor for those paying attention. G.M. Kolethras, Jon McQueen and Jordan will have to have big games on defense, but as I have said most of the season, this team firmly rests on Allard’s shoulders.

Prediction: 38-27 Super Saiyans

 

3. TDs and Beer vs. 6. Blue Team

Previous Matchup: 38-20 Blue Team

In their first meeting, Blue Team absolutely had their way with TDs and Beer. Avery Lalla looked average and David Horwood was a ball hog offensively for Blue Team. The Blue Team defense was the reason why the game was not close and their matchup on Saturday will be highly dependent on the same thing. They will need to contain the Keiller brothers yet again, but if they can get to Lalla early and throw him off his game, then they have a good shot. For TDs and Beer, its relatively simple. Force Deslauriers to look away from Horwood and complete passes on his second and third reads.

Keys to Success:

TDs and Beer

For these guys, Lalla has to keep it simple. He has a lot of playmakers and he has to let them do their thing rather than try to win the game on his own. He is talented and has a strong arm but if he tries to fit balls into tight windows, he’ll get burned once or twice and that could be the difference in a playoff game. Michael Khazaka will be a key for them on defense and Brad Evans will have to lead this team on both sides of the ball. They have the skill and experience to win this game, but it will come down to Lalla limiting his mistakes.

Blue Team

I just watched these guys play and they are a solid team with no real weaknesses. It will be as simple for them as repeating what worked in their first meeting and not trying to do anything out of the ordinary. David Horwood will be the key, but they’ll need help from the supportive cast of Felix Houle and Bradley Matsubara to step up as well. I’m not sure which QB they will use, however both have had success this season but if you ask me, why change anything from their previous game if they had so much success?

Prediction: 25-19 Blue Team

 

4. Funboys vs. 5. The Process

Previous Matchup: 26-25 Funboys

This game will probably be the most evenly matched out of the bunch and their game earlier this year is a huge indication of that. Both QBs threw two interceptions and the game came down to extra points. Scott Mironowicz had the better day for Funboys, but neither QB had a great completion percentage. It will be the boring analysis of limiting mistakes and not turning the ball over to decide the winner. Oh, and extra points. They will be the difference yet again.

Keys to Success:

Funboys

As it does for most teams, this game will play mostly on Scott Mironowicz’s shoulders and I think that he can handle it. He’s an upper division WR so he knows what it takes to win games and I am sure that he believes that the Funboys can win. Knowing his competitiveness, he’ll do his very best to not turn the ball over as he did in their previous matchup and use his top weapons in Derrick Eason, James Acker and Wade Taylor. Using his legs are what won him the game last time as well, so he may revert back to what he’s comfortable with.

The Process

In a close game, I’d take Donndre Borden to step up and shine any day of the week. He had a big game yards wise in their first meeting, but I also expect him to get a few more catches and for the Process to try and hold possession a bit more this time around. Borden is their guy on both sides of the ball and the fact that they had two big interceptions from other guys in their first meeting was huge and Baazov and Librati will get their chance again as I imagine Scott Mironowicz to try and stay away from Borden. If they can limit Scott’s yardage on the ground and force him to throw on key downs, they’ll have a bit more success than last time.

Prediction: 26-25 The Process