Ottawa Week 7 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 we get started, I would like to apologize for being a little late with the article this week.

I know the mid-season report I wrote last week was sure to leave some people happy, while others might be feeling a little slighted, or even angry. If you find yourself in the latter category, then go out there and prove me wrong.With that said, let’s go to the Week 7 review…

In Division 1, the Tailgators who made short work of the Rugged Riders last week 35-6, put their undefeated streak on the line once again as they went up against the Heavy Hitters. Gators receiver Rick Gallinger might have been more than a little upset after not picking him as my top receiver last week, because he single-handedly shredded the Hitters defense to the tune of 9 catches for 155 yards and two TDs. Gators quarterback Craig Matthews lived up to his billing as the top pivot in D1, as he ripped H.H for 299 yards and an amazing 7 TD passes. On the defensive side of the ball, Paul Seguin and Mitch Duggan stole the show. Seguin recorded two interceptions, one pass defended, and one tackle. Duggan was even more impressive as he finished the game with four stops, and two picks, one of which he brought back to the house.

There are two things about this game that really impressed me. The first was that the Gators were able to shrug off their sluggish play in the first half. The defending champs looked like they believed their headlines with the way they played in the first stanza. Drop passes and stellar play defensive play by H.H slowed down the champs as they clung to a 21-13 lead at the half. The second stanza is when the Gators woke up as they put up 26 points to the Hitters’ 6, as they ended up cruising to the 47-19 victory. The other thing that impressed me was the overall performance of the champs’ defense; in particular the job the secondary did on the Hitters’ triple threat of the Belony brothers and my co-pick for best receiver Curtis Cates. Wendell and Woodley Belony combined for only 5 catches for 65 yards; while Cates, despite scoring a touchdown, was held in check as he only recorded 2 catches. The champs will look to keep a zero in the loss column when they go toe to toe with the Sharks. The Gators took their Week 1 matchup by the score of 41-21.

The Barracudas laid a beat-down on the aforementioned Sharks 29-0. Despite the 29 points, the game was really won by the Cudas’ defense. The reason why I say this is because Cudas’ signal caller Tom Patrick has a pretty pedestrian game by his standards completing only 8 of 19 passes for 125 yards, 3 TD passes, and 1 INT. Patrick certainly made up for it on the other side of the ball as he recorded 1 tackle, 1 INT, and 3 batted down passes. Leading the way for the Cudas defense however were the duo of Nathan Singer and his game high six tackles and Mazen Dikah who recorded two tackles, two batted balls, and a pick six.

The Cudas, who have won 6 out of 7 games this season, will look to continue their hot streak when they take on The Entourage who have won just once in their last 4 games.

Speaking of The Entourage, they lost a heart breaker to the Rugged Riders 19-12. The stats for this one indicate that The Entourage should have come away with the win. Three members of the T.E’s defense came away with an interception, with Derek Crupi registering two of them. Usually when a team creates 4 turnovers, the fat lady should start singing. You have to give credit to the Riders in this one. Despite an off day from quarterback Mark Panetta, their defense came to play. Standing out with an amazing performance was defender Miguel Da Silva who lit up Ben Franklin Park with 4 tackles, a batted pass, and an interception he returned for a score. Slowly but surely the double R are proving that they made the right choice by jumping to D1. Up next for them is a date with the Heavy Hitters. If they defeat the Hitters and The Entourage lose to the Barracudas as expected, the Riders will take over sole possession of 3rd place in D1.

In Division 2, I think might have put a “Madden Curse” on the Wise Guys. Right after I name them my top team in D2, they go and lose 12-7 to the Federal Express. As you can tell by the final score, this was a great defensive showcase as the most points scored in either half was seven points. Despite the solid defense that was played by both teams, Express receiver John Haig had a solid game as he averaged 20 yards a reception on three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Lucky for W.G they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves and make me look like I actually know what I am talking about when they play the Express again this Sunday night at 9 o’clock on the back-end of a home and home series.

The Browns massacred the Atlanta Falcons 25-0… there isn’t much to say, but I’ll try. Turnovers KILLED the Falcons as they committed a season high eight of them. It wouldn’t matter if the Falcons had Matt Ryan or Michael Vick at quarterback, that many turnovers is a recipe for disaster. To be honest, with that many thefts, one would think that the score should be a little more lopsided than what it was…

The Browns defense who all got a good feel for the ball courtesy of the woeful quarterback play the Falcons got from Joseph Haddad, Naji Zourob, and Hamed Khatibani, were lead by Steve Blimkie and his 2 interceptions (one he ran back for a TD), Jason McNicol and his 3 picks.

Well that’s it for my Week 7 review. I’ll catch you guys next week.
Before I go, I just want to say, that the N.F.L free agent period kicks off in a few hours. I don’t know about you guys, but I am stoked for it. Next to the draft, this is my favourite part of the off-season.

If you liked the article, hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, feel free to let me know at
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PEACE!!!