Ottawa Week 3 Recap (D2)

 

Hey what’s up everybody? I am Brent ‘Bad News’ Bodkin, and I’m back once again to give you the 411 on flagplusfootball in the nation’s capital.

Before I get into the week 3 review, I just want to take a second to talk about the historical moment that has just taken place south of the boarder. Barack Obama is the 44th and first African-American president in the history of the United States of America. This is a proud day not just for blacks world-wide, but also for humanity as a whole. His election into the White House has shown everyone how far we have come as individuals, and more importantly as a society.

Will things be perfect? No one knows for sure. Will there be bumps and hardships along the way? Most probably. The one thing I know for sure is that as I write this article, roughly 45 minutes after watching President Obama’s inauguration, I look forward to the future. Not just the future of North America, but the world’s future as well. The pride, the joy, the hope, and the light at the end of the tunnel that he represents for many, is something that words cannot explain.

There are many historical moments that our parents, grand-parents, aunts, or uncles have experienced in their life time. The civil rights movement, Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, JFK becoming president, Hank Aaron hitting number 714, and Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream speech.” For me, I am proud to finally be able to say that I was able to witness one of the world’s most defining moments.

I know politics is not everyone’s cup of tea, but given what’s going on today, I felt the need to express how I feel.

Now on to Division 1

The Barracudas and Tailgators keep on rolling. The Gators showed why they are the defending champs, by fighting off a spirited first-half effort to beat the Heavy Hitters 34-13. The Hitters who came in as the underdog, kept the game close in the first half with touchdown catches by Curtis Cates and Shawn Watts. Going into the break, the Gators were holding on to a 22-13 lead.

Despite the strong first-half performance, the Craig Matthews – Paul Seguin connection was on fire once again for the champs, as they combined to light-up the Hitters’ defense to the tune of five connections for 111 yards, and three touchdowns.

Although they came out on the losing end, the Hitters now know that they can hang with the elite of Division 1. If they bring the type of intensity they showed this past week-end when they face the Sharks this Sunday night, it should make for one heck of a game.

Speaking of the Sharks, they are another team who showed me something by hanging tough with an elite team in the Barracudas. To be able to go head to head and only lose by eight to a team who is considered to be the co-favourite to win the championship is something the Sharks should be encouraged by.

I think the key to the win by the Barracudas, was their ability to contain the Sharks’ passing attack. On Sunday night, the ‘Cudas were able to hold Sean Carmody to just nine completions to only three receivers.

The Sharks defense, on the other hand, was able to hold ‘Cudas quarterback Tom Patrick to just 12 completions. The difference is out of his 12 passes, five went for touchdowns.

The Sharks have to feel that if they would have been able to complete more passes and stretch the Barracudas’ defense, the outcome would have been different (more along the lines of last year’s semi-final).

As I mentioned before, the Sharks will be taking on the Heavy Hitters this up-coming week-end. This will be a very interesting match-up. I think that the winner of that contest will undoubtedly be the third best team in the division. If I were the ‘Gators or the ‘Cudas, I would be paying attention to this one.

The game between the Entourage and the Falcons was a blow-out plain and simple. Entourage 46 – Falcons 12.

I don’t know what else to say. ..

Entourage quarterback John Crupi looked great flirting with perfection as he went 9 for 11 for 190 yards and six touchdown passes. His brother Derek Crupi looked just as impressive notching three catches for 65 yards and three TD grabs.

A bit of advice to the Falcons, the quarterback by committee approach doesn’t work. (As evidenced by Joseph Haddad having as many interceptions as completions) Get the best guy you have and just work on consistency and roll with it.

 

On to Division 2

Like I just finished saying, stick to one quarterback. In some cases if you may want to run a special package or your QB is doing his best Vince Young impression then fine, but in most scenarios, try to stick with one.

What makes no sense to me in this one is, despite winning the game 25-0, if you break down the halves, the Rugged Riders were never really running away with the game at any point with the exception of the last five minutes or so. Why not just stick with who was playing the most efficiently out of the four quarterbacks? (My vote goes to Ken Reed) When you play musical chairs at the pivot position, not only does it throw off chemistry and timing, but you usually end up with a  Jake Delhomme type playoff performance where every member of the Riders’ defense gets a good feel for the ball.

For the Riders, I have to show some love for Marco Iacono, Peter Ibrahim, and Luca Vella. Iacono finished the game with two touchdown receptions and an interception. Ibrahim registered two batted balls and a pick that he returned for a score, while Vella recorded three tackles and a pick that he brought back to the house.

After getting pounded 49-15 last week by the aforementioned Rugged Riders, the Wise Guys looked to show D2 that they should still be taken seriously as they took on the Federal Express.

The Guys started slow in this game leading 6-0 at the half on a touchdown by receiver Chris Gimmer.

The second half was totally different as W.G pivot Tommy Solarik connected on two touchdown passes, one to receiver Matt Volpi, and another to Gimmer. In all, Solarik finished the game going 19 of 26 for 237 passing yards and three TD passes. (I guess somebody had to finish with more than 10 completions)

The W. G defense also played a big part in the victory. Leading the way in that area was the aforementioned Gimmer, who finished the contest with three tackles and two interceptions.

For a winless team, the Express look like they are improving each time out. They were in this game all the way through. This coming week we’ll see a rematch of the week 2 contest between the Express and the Browns. The Browns narrowly escaped that one with a 17-16 victory. There’s no doubt that the Express will be looking to settle the score on that one. If the Express can play like they did against the Wise Guys, I think that they will come out with the win.

That’s it for my review of week 3. I’ll catch you guys next week.

 

If you liked the article, hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, feel free to let me know at
[email protected]

PEACE!!!