Categories: Division 5

Peeze’s Playbook (Div 5) – Playoffs Week 2

The pineapple is a magical creation.  It’s warrior like exterior, punk-like arrangement of leaves wrap itself around a sweet golden interior.  I often have one ripening on my windowsill as a status symbol. Yes, my friends the pineapple proof that you’ve made it in life.

As mentioned on Calling the Audible, the official division 4 podcast, I will be writing a collection of articles about the top 10 Division 5/D franchises of all time. If I were to provide these teams with an award for being selected in my top 10, it would in fact be pineapple shaped because much like the pineapple, if you make that list, your franchise has stood the test of time.   

Pardon Repealed

Pardon My Swag had such a strong start to what seemed to be a promising season.  However, as the season progressed, it was clear that there were some huge issues. Murdrosky looked to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league.  However, it became clear that this is a team that can’t come back from behind.  Receiver of the year Jonathan Petard had 7 catches and scored PMS’s only touchdowns.  The season ends on a sour note but there was a lot of growth and they can still call this season a success. Mudrosky and co. has a lot to build on for next season.

On the other hand the Ghosts are a team that just seemed to get stronger as the season went on.  Gaumont was accurate an made intelligent plays, as is his MO. Georges Élie-Voyer had a monster game as he caught 3 passes for 3 touchdowns and had a pick 6 as well.    Gab Wiseman is another player who I thought would be a key to success in this game and he recorded 3 sacks and forced a bunch of passes throughout the game. The Ghosts have looked good and they are ready to make a push toward the championship in a couple of weeks time.  They win this one 39-6 and they face Mysterious and Magical Men this week.

Hogan’s Heros

 As I arrived at Lachine this week, I received numerous vehement tweets from Gordon Hogan.  My article offended him as I felt that MMM would not score enough points to win the game.  Hogan responded by playing absolutely light’s out.  Despite numerous drops from Matt and Eric Bishara, Hogan kept going to them and trusted them enough to keep going to them and it paid off as they combined for 3 of 4 passing touchdowns in this game.  Adding to that was Hogan’s rushing touchdown and Matt Bishara’s pick 6.

Dave Daoust looked furious driving away from the field after this game.  In reality he has no reason to hang his head.  He had a great season and made some incredible throws in this game.  He made throws just out of the reach of MMM’s star defenders. Mike Zenone is known for his strong defensive play but in this game he had a huge offensive presence scoring 3 times on 7 catches (he also did have an interception, let’s not forget how good a defender he is as well). Limetime is a team that beat me down in my first season in their blowout when Limetime destroyed my Punch Panda. I thought they were a great team then and I still feel that way.  They continue to get better and I expect they will do so for seasons to come.  For now, their season ends with a 38-32 loss to Mysterious and Magical Men.

Conference A

Game Changers (1) vs. Tyrants (6)

Previous Matchup: Game Changers 35-Tyrants 7

Keys to Success:

Game Changers: After their week ten tie, the Game Changers showed that this was an a typical performance and that there is no chink in their armor.  They face a similar team to Los Banditos  in the Tyrants.  The Tyrants are big, strong and physical.  They also have a lot of experience. However, much like the Game Changers first round victims, the Tyrants aren’t a team with a lot of team speed. For the Game Changers to win they will need to show up and be themselves.  If they let the moment get too large for them they can see this one slip away.  If they play their game, they will win. 

Tyrants: The Tyrants are riding a huge emotional wave coming into this game.  They won their Last matchup as a sizeable underdog.  I think this will be pretty similar game plan if they expect to win.  They will need to take long on offense and take the ball out of Sakiz’s hands.  John Kaliotzakis did just enough to win last game.  That won’t work against the Game Changers.  They need to slow down the tempo, execute better and get the Game Changers to make one big mistake.

Analysis: I can’t see the Tyrants coming out with the win.  The Game Changers will march up and down the field at will.  The tyrants will put up a good fight in the first half but they won’t be able to keep up.

Prediction: Game Changers by 15

Centurions (2) vs. Gryphons (4)

Previous matchup: Centurions 26-Gryphons 0

Keys to Success:

Centurions: The Centurions need to take a lead early and force the Gryphons take their shots deep.  It seems boring because it seems that this is what I always say about the Centurions but to be honest, I say it because it works. This told the tail in the first round of the playoffs and they keep to this simple game plan because it works.  Jeremy Laporte’s execution needs to be as sharp as it has been and what he does best works well against the Gryphons defense.  He drives the field well, and eats up the middle of the field better than any other quarterback in the division.

Gryphons: The Gryphons maintained that the reason they got blown out in the first game because it was the first game and they weren’t clicking.  That being said, it can be said that the Centurions were not playing at the top of their game either. The biggest difference in this game is that Kevin Paul has handed over the pivot duties to Aleksander Papich.  I think if he can take advantage of Cedric Morin’s aggressiveness and beat the rush, he will have time to beat the defense.  The next thing is that, in addition to their typically strong defense, they will need to score more than they do usually.  My guess would be that they need 35 points to win the game.  The Gryphons need to work as a unit and exploit what the Centurions give them.  If they can keep up with them, score for score, the game should be close but they can win.

Analysis: I keep picking against the Centurions and I keep getting burned. It won’t happen this time. I think that Laporte will eat up the Gryphons defense and while the Gryphons will do a better job than the first game against the Centurions than the first time around but I think the Centurions will lead early and Gryphons will not be able to come back.

Prediction: Centurions by 11

Conference B

Shamrocks (1) vs. Cougars (5)

Keys to Success:

Shamrocks: The Shamrocks are in an interesting position.  I don’t think they are miles ahead of the Cougars but they definitely have the edge coming in.  Doug McKernan is not statistically having his best season but when you watch his offense one may feel it may just be.  He is in control of his boys and they are playing well for him.  The key player on both sides of the ball is Jourdain Alexis.  We saw him take over the game in the first playoff matchup and if he can do that then we can see the Shamrocks moving on into the next round.

Cougars: The Shamrocks are a team that scores a lot and that tends to affect teams in the second season (last week not withstanding). The Cougars score slightly more but, I do believe their potential is to score is greater than that of the Shamrocks.  If the cougars can make it a shootout I think they have the advantage.  An interesting matchup is going to be between Jean-Jacques Janvier and Jourdain Alexis.  I actually think that the winner of this matchup wins the game.  If Janvier can contain Alexis this would be their key to success.

Analysis: It will be a tightly contested game, Doug McKernan will make a big mistake on the last drive with a chance to take the lead and the Cougars will advance.

Prediction: Cougars by 1

Ghosts (2) vs. Mysterious and Magical Men (3)

Keys to Success:

Ghosts:

What the Ghosts have done well under Alexis Gaumont is that they protect the ball.  Gaumont is adept at scoring and not giving the opponent a chance. One of the keys to this roster that rarely gets mentioned is the presence of Zach Zwirn he intercepted 7 passes during the season.  He has the ability to give the  Ghosts the extra possessions necessary to take control of this game.  Additionally, the will need to keep Gordon Hogan guessing while they are on defense. 

Mysterious and Magical Men: Last week, I predicted that MMM would struggle offensively against Limetime. I turned out to be completely wrong.  Hogan was absolutely on fire.  He may not be the most traditional quarterback but Gordon Hogan is a fantastic athlete and he is an absolute playmaker.  Yet the player who will need to have the greatest impact in this game is Alex Angeletti.  Quarterback Alexis Gaumont is a quarterback who reads the defense well and if the defense can disrupt the receivers routes and Angeletti can put some pressure on him we can see some tray passes floating into a ball hawking defense that features the Bisharas and Gordon Hogan.  The Mysterious and Magical Men defense is strong and if Hogan can continue to play as well as he has this game will fall in their favour.

Analysis: The game will be close.  It should be fairly mistake free but it will come down to one last drive.  Hogan will sit back, make the right read, and hit Terry Tam in the hands.  I expect at this point, he will choke; the ball will bounce of his palm-shaped bricks and get picked off by the Ghosts defense and returned for a touchdown.

Prediction: Ghosts will win 34-25

Reflections, Rants and Ravings

  •       Cheeseburger Eddy, don’t blame others for your loss.  If you let the referees decide the game for you with one call, then you deserve to lose.  That’s no excuse to let the emotions get the best of you.
  •       Had to co-host Flag Plus Bromance, with Daron Basmadjain this week.  His hair is far less impressive than Terry Tam’s and it showed in our performance.
  •       I feel bad for my brother who still hasn’t won a playoff game in his career but I am happy that my thoughts on the Game Changers is being validated.
  •       Check out Tony Tabet’s show on www.theunclehood.com for his rundown of the top 10 franchises in FPF history.  This is a cool idea and it should really help division 5 teams strive for glory because I truly believe some teams in this division that may become the household names of the future.
  •       On a related point, there are 29 teams originally from division 5 or D, playing in a higher division. Their combined record is 151-133-15.  More impressive than that winning record is the fact that 4 of them won their respective divisions and 22 of them made the playoffs. Keep the dream alive boys.

 

Saturday’s Step-up

For all of your division 5 needs, wants and desires, please check us out Flag Plus Bromance on www.theunclehood.com. FPF Bromance follows Calling the Audible each Thursday night at 7:30pm. This past week Daron Basmadjian and I took a look at last week’s action, made some predictions for the next round and discussed how to get Daron’s lady to give up sme lovin’.

Join the party by tweeting the show live @EagleFPF. You can reach me by emailing me at [email protected] or you can reach me on Twitter @PeezeFPF.  Terry Tam (@TerryTamFPF) likes when you send him links to numerous cat videos.

Please download and subscribe to ‘Flag Plus Bromance’ our official division 5 podcast, available via iTunes or at http://fpf.podomatic.com. If you haven’t done so by now Uncle Dirty will break into your home and download it on your home computers and mobile devices. Don’t forget to leave him some milk and cookies.