Mid Season Report Cards…. a little past Half Way!

Lucky number (Week) 7 (though at this point it’s way past that….. I’ve been really delayed guys)! We have officially covered more than 50% of the season and are confidently plowing forward towards the postseason! As quickly covered in the Calling the Audible podcast, the mid-season report card is here and simple: Each team will be given 3 different ratings – Offense, Defense, Overall. They will also be given a small sentence or 2 praise from yours truly. Everybody has their own ranking system so they may differ Article to Article, but I try to make mine simple yet comprehensive.

I strongly believe that in this Div 5A/5B most teams will need to be able to put up 4 TDs and keep teams to less than 4 TDs if they want to win games. If teams surpass or fail to meet the 4 TD mark, I then look at length of time in the league and then schedule to see if they get + or – grades. The longer you’ve been in the league and the difficulty of your schedule can push you into the S rank, or drop you into the B or C rank. There are no F’s and no D’s because everything can be explained in a smaller number of tiers (4). They are named as followed:

S Tier – Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! You’re going above and beyond! No matter the difficulty of your schedule, you’ve created an image of being invincible. Scoring more than 24pts usually and keeping teams low, S teams are the whole package!

A Tier – Ay-Caramba! You’re pulling off the best of both worlds! 4+ TDs on Offense and 4- TDs on Defense usually will get you to this Rank. Give and take your schedule.

B Tier – Boogie Woogie! These teams are in the zone some weeks, and others…. not so much. If you got a B grade, you are just missing that consistent 4 TD Offense/Defense goal, or despite hitting it, your schedule may have been a bit easier than others.

C Tier – Cowabungal! You’re doing your best and making moves! You’re still revving up to being a contending team in this division, but it doesn’t mean you’re doomed!

Keep in mind that this is still only the Mid-Season check in and teams have another couple of weeks to continue to climb their divisional ladder. I think teams have the ability to change a full letter grade by the end of the season, for better or for worse! If you don’t like your grade…… show me on the field that you deserve better! Let’s get down to business:

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH:

Random Thought – Apparently there was an issue/confusion for the past few Sunday’s scheduling and FPF had to reschedule all their Sunday games! 4 games in Div 5A/5B have to be rescheduled sometime this season (Good luck Mission Control). For some teams this may be a blessing, since you may not have been ready for your matchup. For others, this could be a bump in the road. Luckily, most of these teams will be playing again this weekend and will have a chance to get in the rhythm again.

5A: Holy Cow!!!!! Things were indeed shaken up this week! LES PETITES CAROTTES were defeated by A-SQUAD! This leaves only IN N’ OUT undefeated, and they are playing a tough STRAPAHOLICS this week. Yacoub Telemaque showed up and was finally able to win big for his team! The carrots have a chance to bounce back against NOTORIOUS C.I.G., and keep a top spot, but is any team reeeeaallyy safe at the top of the Division? STRAPAHOLICS, NIGHTHAWKS, LES PETITES CAROTTES, and DUCKS all sit at 3-1, while others are on their tail. I’ll be on the edge of my seat until the end of the season for the final seeding!

5B: TUNESQUAD vs RAMPHINS were the only Division 5B game that needed to be rescheduled, which kind of bums a bit because they were my pick for Game of the Week, and who knows if the stakes will be the same the next time they meet! Neither of these teams play until Week 8, so we will have to see when this rematch is supposed to occur!

FPF moved to a NEW SERVER! Most pages should be faster to load, and I believe we are still working on the speed at which pages are updated and refreshed! All in all, the move should help support all the users that are now flocking in droves, while allowing players quick access to all their info needs! If you have noticed the website is smoother, or things are not loading properly (i’m looking at you records page), then let FPF know on the Facebook page!

5A: For SLEEPING ALL-STARS and HAIL MARTY’S, it might not be as bad as it looks. Despite being on the cusp of the Elimination Zone, and only having 1 win, they both only have 2 games played! Unfortunately, they both are going to have to go against some solid teams: THUNDER BUDDIES and WEST ISLAND HABIBIS. Getting a win or 2 in the next 3 games will be important for both of these teams to stay out of the Danger Zone (Queue Kenny Loggins)!

5B: RETIRED ALL-STARS got their first win against THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT! RETIRED ALL-STARS were able to stay in the game thanks to Jamie Pinney and his Pick-6! THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT were able to come back late in the game and score a TD with only a few plays remaining, but going for the win (2pts)… they came up short. Both teams find themselves now 1-4 and in the Elimination Zone. It might come down to this very tiebreaker to determine positions as both of these teams try to claw their way out from the competition!

MID SEASON REPORT CARD:

STRAPAHOLICS

Easily scoring 4+ TDs, only faltering against the best of the division. However, their defense has struggled to keep top teams to under 4 TDs. Definitely deserving of an A, but need to keep up their performance!

OFFENSE GRADE: A // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: A

NIGHTHAWKS

NIGHTHAWKS have been going to town on the division. Only 1 team so far has scored more than 3 TDs on them, and that was the other avian team! This team could be on the cusp of the S tier, but would need to win out their season.

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: A+ // OVERALL: A+

LES PETITES CAROTTES

The carrots have consistently put up 5+ TDs, which is definitely more than I ask of a Div 5 team, and their Defense is keeping everyone to the prescribed 3. A loss against A-SQUAD (despite the forfeit), keeps them in S tier, but raises eyebrows and questions.

OFFENSE GRADE: S // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: S

DUCKS

Quack Quack! These feathered foes are coming out swinging. Moe hyped them up and they are beating good teams, but their defense will need to come together a bit better to shut out those gritty games!

OFFENSE GRADE: A // DEFENSE GRADE: B // OVERALL: A-

IN N’ OUT

IN N’ OUT struggle to reach the 4 and 4 rule, but have the right mix of Offense and Defense to make every game close! I can’t get a great read on them because of how unpredictable they are!

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: B

PASTA ARRABIAT

These noodles have experience in FPF’s Div 6 and Tier 4 Cup. They have been clashing with some big names in the Division and splitting even! Don’t count this team out ever. They just went DUCK hunting, and anybody could be next!

OFFENSE GRADE: B- // DEFENSE GRADE: B+ // OVERALL: B

RICO RYDERS

With only 3 games played (their Sunday game having been cancelled) RICO RYDERS are still primed to surprise us, but will have an uphill battle, seeing as a good portion of the division has played more games than them.

OFFENSE GRADE: A- // DEFENSE GRADE: A- // OVERALL: A-

THE WEST ISLAND HABIBIS

Another team that has only played 3 games, but has not let it slow them down! A lucky forfeit and an explosive game against STEPBROTHERS has set them up with earning 30+ points a game! With a tough schedule ahead, they will need to keep putting up these numbers to compete in the postseason.

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: B+ // OVERALL: A

THUNDER BUDDIES

One of the highest scoring teams in the division that are showing they can shut down teams! Getting tripped up by some of the better teams in the Division early in the season might have been a boon. Looking at their remaining schedule, they may be able to win out the season but will need to kick it into high gear.

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: B+

NOTORIOUS C.I.G.

This team came out of the gate swinging! They have been able to put up a huge number of points regardless of who their opponent was and were also able to keep a few teams to 2 TDs. However, they are on a cool down and will need to find a way to start winning again after their Bye week.

OFFENSE GRADE: S // DEFENSE GRADE: B // OVERALL: A

RUDBOYZ

RUDBOYZ are doing quite well for their first foray into Division 5A. Although only being 2-2, they have a rough schedule that will put them under pressure. Will they crack and crumble, or come out a diamond in the rough?

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: B // OVERALL: B

A-SQUAD

What can I say about A-SQUAD?? Despite actually winning a number of their games, they have forfeited every game they have played so far for roster errors. I’d love to judge them on their actual performance, but with 0 points scored and the most points allowed on defense, they have to get the lowest score.

OFFENSE GRADE: C- // DEFENSE GRADE: C- // OVERALL: C-

VICE CITY

VICE CITY have struggled to put up 3 TDs during their season so far, and have allowed teams to score more than that on them. They got a forfeit win (despite actually winning that game) that helps their defensive Points Against, which is super beneficial while they allow 4+ TDs a game on average. Their season doesn’t get easier, hang in there GTA!

OFFENSE GRADE: C+ // DEFENSE GRADE: C // OVERALL: C+

BANDITS

BANDITS has been a mixed bag for me. They have allowed a lot of points from different teams and have struggled to put up the necessary 4 TDs for an A rating, but have made it close against good teams! I wouldn’t count this team out, but they do need to tighten up that defense.

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: C+ // OVERALL: B-

SUPER TROOPERS

Oh man, how I hate to see my team so close to the Elimination Zone! We haven’t been able to score our 4th TD yet on offense and are relying on our defense to keep us in games. Our defense has struggled to keep teams low however, but with a few easier teams on our docket, we are looking to push back up into the B ranks!

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: C+ // OVERALL: C+

HAIL MARTY’S

I have to do the thing and give HAIL MARTY’S an average rating due to their low number of games played! Keeping games close so far, I expect them to surprise me as they progress in the season, but will lose against the Top 5.

OFFENSE GRADE: B // DEFENSE GRADE: B // OVERALL: B

SLEEPING ALL-STARS

Winning by forfeit and then losing by forfeit, SLEEPING ALL-STARS are really keeping their skills secret since I cannot possibly know how good they will be in 2 forfeited games. When I look into it a bit more, it looks like they may have beaten STRAPAHOLICS?! Once these ALL-STARS wake up, will they take on the big guns of the division, or give into the grogginess?

OFFENSE GRADE: B // DEFENSE GRADE: B // OVERALL: B

STEPBROTHERS

STEPBROTHERS got a lucky forfeit for their first win and have not been able to put up more than 2 TDs since. With only 56 points scored in 4 games (30 of them coming from a forfeit – so 26 in 3), they find themselves

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: C // OVERALL: C

SKEEYEE

Poor SKEEYEE… they have started 3 for 3 against some of the best 5A has to offer. Most of this team is new to FPF and have been able to hold their own at times, but it will take another season or 2 before they will be able to reap the fruits of their labor.

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: C+ // OVERALL: C

VULTURES

I was not expecting to see VULTURES at the bottom of the pile here. Not having won a game yet is troubling to see, but when you can’t put up the 4 TDs needed, it hurts. Their defense is what is keeping them competitive in games and as much as I want to give them a B rating, I expect a bit more from these experienced players.

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: C+

TOP 5 POWER RANKINGS:

1. LES PETITES CAROTTES

2. STRAPAHOLICS

3. WEST ISLAND HABIBIS

4. RICO RYDERS

5. NIGHTHAWKS

WIN DIESEL

What more can I ask for? Less than 3 TDs allowed on defense and over 4 TDs on offense. However, they don’t play RAMPHINS, TUNESQUAD, or PACK A PUNCH during the regular season. Will they be prepared for them come postseason?.

OFFENSE GRADE: S // DEFENSE GRADE: S // OVERALL: S

PACK A PUNCH

This team does indeed PACK A PUNCH, but they have yet to face a top 5 team. They have been able to keep all teams to 3 TDs or less and put up over 100 points in 4 games. Watch out! This team is #2 for a reason.

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: S // OVERALL: S-

TUNESQUAD

These looney tunes are making a big splash in the Division and are currently undefeated. They have had a couple of close calls, but that has not stopped them from pulling together and stomping all over the Div. 5B. A big game against PACK A PUNCH will determine whether they are S or A!

OFFENSE GRADE: S // DEFENSE GRADE: A+ // OVERALL: S-

MACCABEES

MACCABEES have been blowing up the Division! It’s a shame they have tied twice (since that could hurt their seeding in the postseason), but they have also done a great job defensively which has kept them competitive every game!

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: A+

RAMPHINS

Oh man! I reeeaaalllyyy wanted to give this team an S score, but as the winners of the spring season I expect BIG things from them! Their Defense is on fire and their offense is putting up 4 TDs a game. But… we have yet to see a top 5 win, and they’ve taken a loss against THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT.

OFFENSE GRADE: A+ // DEFENSE GRADE: A+ // OVERALL: A+

BETWAY BANDITS

Bandits have scored 2, 3, 4, and 5 TDs in their current run of the season and have come out 3-1. I would like to give them an offensive A, but they are only hitting 4+ TDs, 50 % of the time. Defense is doing great and is able to keep their team in each game!

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: A-

PACKING PACKERS

PACKERS are doing EVERYTHING I can pretty much ask a team can do… but it has been against opponents in the lower half of the division. Defense struggled against the best of the best, but they should still finish well in the positive.

OFFENSE GRADE: A // DEFENSE GRADE: B+ // OVERALL: A-

GREEN MONSTER

GREEN MONSTER (Incredible Hulk?), have been successful against all but the best teams in the division. Conversely, they have been able to keep some of the lower teams to less than 3 TDs, while punching in some points.

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: A- // OVERALL: B+

CHEZ BENNY EXPRESS

The train is pulling out of the station. CHEZ BENNY EXPRESS has struggled to get their 4th TD since Week 1. Luckily, their Defense is pulling out all the stops, but with their schedule being a little rocky, will they be able to finish better than 5-4-1? Let’s see if their offense can pick up the pace to give them the last couple of points they need!

OFFENSE GRADE: B // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: A-

TOP G

A consistent 2 TDs a game is a great start for a team that is playing their second season with some fresh FPF players. It could be that they need to find a consistent QB, but only keeping teams to less than 4 TDs twice will not be enough to put away games! Keep it up to push into the top 10!

OFFENSE GRADE: C+ // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: B-

PARLAY TILTERS

PARLAY is pirate speak, so I wonder how much hidden treasure these TILTERS have. They show that they can put up 40 points if the day is right, but can also struggle to put up even 1 or 2 against high caliber teams! Their defense gets the job done, so I can see them hitting stride in this 2nd half.

OFFENSE GRADE: B // DEFENSE GRADE: A- // OVERALL: B+

LES TONDEUSES

One of the teams that has played the most games! They are split down the middle offensively, but also struggle defensively. They will be a competitive team, but the rest of their schedule might prove very difficult, and I’m not sure how many more wins they can sneak in.

OFFENSE GRADE: B- // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: B-

LES SACRIFIES 2

Despite being able to keep RAMPHINS, RETIRED ALL-STARS, and CHEZ BENNY EXPRESS to less than 3 TDs, LES SACRIFIES 2 have struggled to win most of the games they have played. Things might be turning around though after tying against MACCABEES!

OFFENSE GRADE: B- // DEFENSE GRADE: A // OVERALL: B

WILD WEST WRANGLERS

The first 2 games of the season were rough for these WRANGLERS: a forfeit and a safety respectively gave them only 2 points offensively headed into Week 5! With 2 to 3 more guaranteed losses in their future, will they be able to claw their way past teams like they did against VENGEANCE?

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: B- // OVERALL: C+

BREWERS

BREWERS have been mixing their own plans and ingredients together this season with varied results. They were able to put up their most points yet (25) against LES TONDEUSES despite struggling to put up 3 TDs against other opponents. This has been a rough season for them and it doesn’t get much easier! If they can keep putting up 3-4 TDs, they will eventually win games some games!

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: C+ // OVERALL: C

KICKING ASSETS

KICKING ASSETS are doing their best to kick butts, but are being kept out of the eternal land of 4 TDs by teams also trying to prove themselves! Their only win comes from RETIRED ALL-STARS, which makes me nervous that it might be their only win for the season. But if their defense can kick it into overdrive and lower their Points Against, they may be able to catch a break.

OFFENSE GRADE: B- // DEFENSE GRADE: C // OVERALL: B-

RETIRED ALL-STARS

It feels like these ALL-STARS have been revving up since the beginning of the season. Starting off only being able to put up a single TD, they got 2 in week 2, 3 against PARLAY TILTERS, and finally got their first win against THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT by putting up (you guessed it! The magic number!) 4 TDs! They should win against VENGEANCE but will then come across the cream of the crop… Hopefully they can crawl out of the Elimination Zone.

OFFENSE GRADE: C+ // DEFENSE GRADE: C // OVERALL: C

THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT

The greatest indie film made has been struggling to close out games this year despite their best efforts. In the past 4 weeks they have been very successful at scoring 4+ TDs, and have even won against teams like RAMPHINS, but they have also lost against teams like RETIRED ALL-STARS…. Their offense is the strong point of this team since they have not been able to keep any team to under 4 TDs.

OFFENSE GRADE: B+ // DEFENSE GRADE: C- // OVERALL: B-

THE HOOLIGANS

HOOLIGANS are doing what HOOLIGANS do and are acting a fool! Somehow they put up 35 points against TUNESQUAD, making the ACME characters fear for their lives, but then also only put up 6 points against LES TONDEUSES!? The inconsistencies have unfortunately kept them winless. Tightening up in the winter season and maybe dropping down a division may help.

OFFENSE GRADE: B // DEFENSE GRADE: C // OVERALL: C+

VENGEANCE

VENGEANCE will have to wait until next season to strike as they sit at no wins in 6 games. They havent scored the least amount of points and they have allowed the most points, so that’s a victory in and of itself! I would use the last of the season to solidify positions and practice plays! I recommend everyone come back in Winter and drop to Division E to try again!

OFFENSE GRADE: C // DEFENSE GRADE: C- // OVERALL: C

TOP 5 POWER RANKINGS:

1. WIN DIESEL

2. RAMPHINS

3. TUNESQUAD

4. PACK A PUNCH

5. MACCABEES

GAMES OF THE WEEK:

VICE CITY vs HAIL MARTY’S

SKEE YEE vs STEPBROTHERS

RICO RYDERS vs SLEEPING ALL-STARS

A-SQUAD vs NOTORIOUS C.I.G.

STRAPAHOLICS vs DUCKS

PREDICTION RECORD: 16-17

WIN DIESEL vs CHEZ BENNY EXPRESS

TUNESQUAD vs PACK A PUNCH

BREWERS vs WILD WEST WRANGLERS

TOP G vs LES SACRIFIES 2

KICKING ASSETS vs RAMPHINS

PARLAY TILTERS vs LES TONDEUSES

BETWAY BANDITS vs PACKING PACKERS

VENGEANCE vs RETIRED ALL-STARS

PREDICTION RECORD: 30-13

That’s it for the Report Cards!! Hope you enjoyed the Mid-Season Review. We will be getting back to our regularly programmed material as of next week. If there is an idea or upcoming milestone you might want me to write about/cover in my articles, don’t be a stranger, let me know! If you want to see more accurate info about your teams, your players, your rivalries – send them to me! Comments, Criticisms, and Concerns are welcome… unless it’s about my Capitalization of random words. I stand by them! Also, check out the new episode of Calling the Audible – the official FPF podcast – available on Youtube and …. Probably somewhere else too!