Peeze’s Playbook (Div D) – Week 12 – FlagPlus Football League

Here we are, at FPF’s largest stage. The finals are this Sunday and while 32 teams begun the season with dreams of competing for the division D championship. On Saturday night only two teams will actually be able to realistically dream of winning this season’s title. The media team will be present armed with cameras and microphones, Brossard’s stands will be packed to the rafters and two teams will take the field. Before we get into all that let’s take a look to see how both teams got there.

Semi-Final Recap: The Final Four

Bull Rush Thwarted

Despite having begun the game without wide receiver of the year, James Floreani (who was engaged in a thrilling, and seemingly never ending division E final on field one), Checkmate scored on a predictable long strike. Morissette stood tall in the pocket and dropped the ball into Max Lachapelle’s basket. Despite the quick start, the turning point seemed like it may have been early in the game. After Antonio D’Aversa knocked a ball down on fourth down in his own redzone, Checkmate took the field from their own 5 yard line. After a muffed snap by yours truly resulted in a safety, Longhorns would take an 8-6 lead and get the ball. On the next play, Moodie hit Adam Rosen who was streaking down the sideline for a 40 yard touchdown.

However, it was at this time that James Floreani returned to the game for Checkmate. Upon his entrance, Floreani caught two touchdown passes on is first two catches. Still, this was the Maxime Lachapelle and Adam Rosen show. Rosen caught 3 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. While Lachapelle put up career numbers on offense (5 catches, 108 yards, 3 touchdowns) and his interception would prove to be the defining moment in this game. It allowed Checkmate to flip the script and take a 30-26 lead and after a Jon Moodie pass was dropped on fourth down, Checkmate would answer with a touchdown to put the game out of reach. The Longhorns would score once more but it would be all for naught as the boys in blue would advance beyond the Longhorns (by a final score of 38-32) and into the final.

Mongoose Surge as Affreux Fall Apart.

The plan from before the season started was that Jonathan Lemieux would be the starting quarterback for Les Affreux throughout the season. That plan went out the window when he hurt his throwing hand while playing in the Division E semi final with FOTC. Luckily, they had a familiar face to turn to as Mat Domon (the franchise’s starter for every season leading up to this one) took a familiar place behind the snapper. The way the game started, it looked to be business as usual for the ‘Red Menace’. Matt Domon threw 3 touchdowns and after intercepting a pass late In the first half, Les Affreux would go into half time with an 18-12 lead.

Early in the second half, Affreux snapper Martin Jackson got hurt and this seemed to have a huge impact for Mat Domon who did not look comfortable the rest of the way through. Moreover, the Mongoose lined Cedrick Nuckle over Mathieu Dubois and effectively took him out of the game in the second half. Dubois scored two of Les Affreux touchdowns in the first half and without him Domon had trouble finding offense elsewhere. Alexandre Gaudet intercepted a pass that would take this game from teetering to blowout. Once he got the ball on offense he began to pick on the hobbled Affreux. Wanting to prove that the Mongoose are not a one trick pony he hit four of his receivers for touchdowns (Nuckle, Tondreau, Lapointe and Théroux).

The Finals

In FlagPlus Football, the lights shine brightest during the final. While the gauntlet of 30 teams has now worn down to two teams, the greatest challenge lies ahead this weekend. As always, the FPF media team will be setting up for their play-by play broadcast, pregame breakdowns and postgame interviews. It is truly a great spectacle. However, this does not compare to the incredible display of passion, athleticism and competition that is promised in this FPF final.

Before the season began, two of the best teams, if not the two best teams looked to be Checkmate and Mongoose. Despite struggling in a very difficult division 3 last season, Mongoose are a winning franchise that already have a Division 4 championship under their belt (Winter 2012). Checkmate, is one of the most feared squads in the lower divisions. After going 10-0 last season and failing to capture the title, they now stand ready to compete for their first championship.

The dance floor clears; the spotlights shine brightly across it’s surface; the beat begins to play and the final dance is now imminent. Both sides look ready to storm the floor and be the last to turn out the lights. One team will be looking for an after party while the other just wants to go to bed. It’s the Div. D finals and it promises to be one heck of a show.

Keys to Success

Checkmate

Checkmate started the season going 2-3 and a season that looked promising had, at that point, begun to look ominous. However, their final loss came on week 5 against the Mongoose. From that point on Checkmate went on to win the following 8 games (including 3 in the playoffs). That loss seemed to kick Checkmate into gear.

This season’s team has been dubbed Checkmoose as it showcased a merger between Checkmate and Moose. ‘Big Moose’ Fred Morissette has turned the offense into a dynamic scoring machine. After scoring 351 points (most of which coming on 40 yard bombs), Checkmate appeared to be FPF’s ‘Greatest Show on Turf’. This is what they do well. What is terrifying is that even if you manage to take away James Floreani, you still have to deal with a plethora of talented receivers. Minh Tôn Thât, Joe Mbaya and Max Lachapelle have both shown that they can stretch the field just as well. Beyond that Checkmate is still home to Alex David who is feared and known to defenses across the division as one of the best.

For Checkmate to win they need to be able to put together the offensive showing that they have all season and they will need their defense to come up big. If they can get a couple of stops and give a couple of extra possessions to Morissette they should win.

Mongoose

Mongoose also seemed to come out of the gate slowly. However, after beating Checkmate in week 5, Mongoose have also seemed to settle down as that game seems to have been a catalyst to their success as well. They have won 7 of their last 8 and, as many already know, they beat the bearskins in the first round despite playing the whole game with only 5 players.

In contrast to the quick-strike Checkmate offense, Mongoose are known for methodically moving the ball and having the athleticism to open the game up in a moment’s notice. It seems as though week in and week out we talk about Cedrick Nuckle and it is with good reason. Nuckle is one of the most talented receivers in the division. That being said, the Mongoose receiving corps are strong from top to bottom and Tondreau, Shallcross and Lapointe can all do damage in their own right.

However, I think the key here is defense. The Mongoose know what Checkmate like to do and it will be on their defense to stop it from happening. If they can get a couple of stops and force Checkmate’s hand a little then we can see the game tilt in their favor. I think this rests on the shoulders of Alexandre Gaudet and Cedric ‘Moose’ Nuckle. However, I think the key in on the defensive side. They are both ball hawks and they will be the driving force behind a Mongoose victory.

Prediction: While everyone knows I can’t make an official prediction in this game I will predict that this will be a tightly contested game and it will be a blast to watch. I hope everyone comes out to be a part of the experience.

FPF Media Predictions:

While I can’t make any predictions for this game as I was assured that doing so was grounds for dismissal. I sat with FPF media members from different divisions and asked for their opinions regarding Sunday’s finals. After several pitchers of beer this is what they said.

-Terry Tam (@TerryTamFPF): Mongoose (because he hates me)

-Justin Blanchard (@jblanch6): Mongoose, by a touchdown.

-Simon Dagenais (@DagenaisFPF): Checkmate, but he made it clear that he hopes I get hurt and have nothing to do with the victory.

-Rehan Sarwar (@RehanFPF): Mongoose baby!!!

-Daron Basmadjian (@DaronFPF): Checkmate

-Mat Domon (@MathieuDomonFPF): Checkmate

-The Eternal Hunger at Master Control: Checkmate…because I also play for them…remember?

-The Eagle at Master Control (@EagleFPF): CAW!!!!!

-Moe Khan (@MoeKhan19)- I Think Mongoose (not to be confused with I Dream of Genie.)

-GM Koletheras (@gmkole44)- Checkmate

*Please note that any misquotes or misinterpretations are due to the fact that many words were slurred and are not an attempt to misrepresent any of the above quoted media members. Remember friends don’t let friends pick football games when they are drunk. Luckily, I consider them all colleagues.

Reflections Rants and Ravings

I had a chance to play with some of FPF’s best players in the staff pick up game. It was a great and truly humbling experience.
Making fun of Justin Blanchard was kind of fun this season but he made it too easy. It was like taking candy from a baby. A baby who didn’t cry for mommy because he was too ashamed to have had his candy stolen.
While I’m thrilled to be playing in the finals, I will miss being in the broadcast booth.
Craig Mactavish played his entire NHL career without wearing a helmet. I wonder what this says about his sexual practices…
I usually like the unpredictability of the lower divisions. However, who can say they are surprised by these two teams making the finals?
After having gone to pick up the necessary equipment with League President Robert Campana, I can promise that production of this season’s FPF finals will be the best yet.
Checkmate has won both rematches during these playoffs. Mongoose have yet to play a rematch (as Sunday will be their first). Who will earn a greater benefit from this?
Daron Basmadjian and Justin Blanchard will be calling the finals this year. I say next season we spring for Morgan Freeman and Alec Baldwin as broadcasters. Who’s with me?

Weekly Wrap-Up

The finals will be played this Sunday, August 11^th, at 7:00pm at Complex Bell in Brossard. I invite everyone to join us, as this is truly one of the most festive events on the FPF calendar. This season, Daron Basmadjian and Justin Blanchard will be calling the game from the broadcast booth. Meanwhile, somewhere in the distance our expert panel of Moe Khan and Mathieu Domon and the villainous Terry Tam will be suiting up to provide their analysis and a postgame interview with the winners. The media team has all of their prop bets ready to go and as such they can focus on what promises to be an exciting final. To wish me good luck or ill-will for the final you can do so at [email protected] or tweet me @PeezeFPF.

Division D’s Calling the Audible has enjoyed it’s 3 successful season as the league’s equivalent to Sports Centre. It has been a great season and for those who have not heard the humble words of Alex Peelz and the sheer confidence of James Floreani, you should definitely take a moment before heading to Brossard to listen to the Press Conference. Check it out at http://podomatic.fpf.com or by subscribing on iTunes.