Playing For Keeps: Player of the year awards

FPF playoffs are a special time of year. As you approach the dome you finally notice its gigantic intimidating structure. It leers down at you menacingly and the roars from the warriors within beckon those who understand their meaning. Only the chosen few may enter from now on, as the elite tournament will challenge your strength, discipline and charisma like nothing else before. The formula is simple, in order to survive you must defeat the opponent put before you.

There’s nothing left to think about except survival at this point. All the merits of the regular season are left in the rearview, as the tournament doesn’t care what you did from weeks 1-10, only what you have left to offer it now. The butterflies in your stomach intensify tenfold, as any slip of step can result in the end of the line for you and your brethren. This is the boiling pot, where legends are crafted and careers are defined.

Those that will elevate their status will be the brave, the ones that can remain cool in the midst of the most excruciating heat. All the small victories and defeats of the regular season need to be channeled into a singular performance worthy of victory. All of those who cower at the prospect of giving their best should indeed stay home, as they will be of no help at this point.

In the end, the best team will emerge victorious after several rounds of tests. History has proven on numerous occasions that it doesn’t matter what seed you possess going in, but instead how much confidence you have in yourself. Even though there’ll be only one winner in the end, FPF playoffs remain an absolute pleasure for all those competing, as you’ll get to experience to ultimate competition the league has to offer. Best of luck to all those who qualified, and may you put your best game forward as you step on the center stage for everyone to see.

Sound Bites:

Here’s a look around the league at what some of you had to say regarding your week 3 games.

Freebandz picked up their second win of the season this week with a concerted team effort, edging out Beer & Skittles 18-6. Shane Blackwood, aka Marcus Black, the hired assassin for Freebandz who made a big impact on the game defensively while filling in, gave the following summary of the game:

“As a defense we went into the game saying ‘no more excuses, no more playing tentative’. Whenever someone would get a ball caught on them the rest of the defense would chirp them about it which added more pressure to everyone (for a team who was already eliminated from the playoffs) and it helped us play one of our best defensive games as a team.”

Although the season didn’t pan out as planned for Freebandz, who finished 2-7-1, they definitely came on stronger in the second half of the year, and succeeded in showing us the awesome potential they have to make an impact in future season; once they fine-tune their roster and game plan. They should be proud of their season as they reload for the spring.

Even though we often focus on the players actually playing on the field, it’s always cool to see spectators at the field showing their support for friends and enjoying the incredible talent that FPF has to offer. I had a chance to catch up with one such supporter at the Pandas vs KGP Ra game last week. Harry Kandiah, a self-professed neutral fan, who had friends on both teams, had this to say about the exciting game action at hand:

“It was a very entertaining game that could have went either way. Despite of their regular snapper not being there, Dylan Garber played with poise and led his team out to a lead. His younger brother, Ryan Garber, made some big plays in arguable his best game of the season. However, Pandas showed their mettle in the second half and ultimately won a very close game off of some big plays.”

Harry was absolutely right, as this was a back and forth game with large implications for both sides which went down to the wire. We’ll take a closer look at this game in the recap section below. Look out for Harry on the FPF pitch in upcoming seasons, as he works his way back from an ACL injury and looks to make his first official impact on an FPF roster. Eager GMs should take notice and reach out to this guy before it’s too late.

Recaps:

Pandas feast on the Ra like fine bamboo

The Pandas took on KGP Ra last Saturday at Lachine in a highly anticipated game that garnered significant interest for game of the week. KGP was surprisingly without their veteran and reliable star Phil Cutler, and the impact was immediately felt on the first play if the game, as his replacement fired the snap several feet over the head of Dylan Garber and into the endzone for a safety. As the Broncos showed us two seasons ago in the superbowl, this is never a promising way to start an important game, since you’ll be playing catchup from the beginning and lose a possession in the exchange as well.

KGP remained steadfast however, as they stopped the Pandas ensuing drive, and reestablished their rhythm with a well-constructed drive that ended in a touchdown. Dylan Garber was already showing his proficiency for eluding the rusher, as he ducked the pressure several times throughout the game and found open receivers for big gains. The main beneficiary of Garber’s passes on this night was none other than the junior phenom Juwan Edghill, who played his first FPF game of the winter. Edghill came up with several spectacular catches on the night, showcasing his breakout promise while posting 73 yards and 2 TDs and 5 catches. Speaking of young phenoms, Ryan Garber also made a major impact with some key grabs while matched up against the veteran stars of the Pandas.

Nirosh Suresh burned Ryan garber for the second Pandas score of the night, on route to a final tally of 95 yards and the TD on 4 catches. Ryan Kharouf consistently looked for his versatile weapon as he marched the field and put together the most composed, complete outing of his season. The 220 yards were the most he put up in any single game this season, as he continued his impressive second half which has turned us all into believers that he can be the QB of the future for the Pandas.

The key exchange came late in the second half, as the game was tied and Kharouf threw his first and only INT of the game to a creeping Edgehill. This looked like the backbreaker, as KGP just had to march the field and score to take control of the game. However, the Pandas rallied together and showed the mettle and grit that has them entering the playoff race as a feared lower seed. This would not be the night that Dylan Garber played the hero, as he looked rattled under the intense pressure of the Pandas gripping defense, and narrowly missed his open receivers on consecutive plays. The Pandas regained control of the ball and scored for the late game lead. KGP completed a short pass to put themselves into a Hail Mary position for the tie, but their desperation play fell just short as Ryan Garber heaved a prayer deep into the endzone, just inches beyond the outstretched arms of a leaping Edgehill. Pandas took the win 26-20 as both teams gear up for an extended playoff push.

Player of the Year (POY) INDEX:

In the section below I will give my two cents on how I see the POY race shaking down at this point of the season. Before you get all huffed and puffed over seeing or not seeing your name listed here, understand two things:

1) I do not decide the actual POY winners. The following in just one man`s opinion, who’s been following the division for the duration of the season and has his own ideas on what defines an MVP. These may differ anywhere from somewhat to plenty vis-à-vis how the league actually chooses its heros.

2) There’s still a week of statistical merit remaining, therefore those engaged in a close race may still differentiate themselves for better or worse.

So with that said, let’s take a look at who’s had truly spectacular seasons to date and deserve our recognition.

Division 5A

Eric Maiorino (Globo Gym Purple Cobras): 6-3 record

1611 yards, 49 TD, 8 INT, 12 Sacks, 72.6%, 117.8 QBR

439 rush yards, 1 rush TD

There’s little doubt in my mind. Unless an extremely significant swing in performance should occur in week 10, Maiorino has firmly distinguished himself from his competitors this season and should take home the most prestigious hardware in FPF. In only his third season at QB he’s demonstrated remarkable progress each year. He leads the division in several statistical categories: most combined yards, most passing TDs and combined TDs, highest completion percentage, and highest QBR. He’s also led his scrappy, rag-tag team to an impressive seasonal record even though they lack some of the traditional, top-notch athletic talent of other rosters. Remarkable season Eric, and make sure to wrap up week 10 and secure your name on that trophy!

Francois Martin (Diablos): 9-0 record

1777 yards, 47 TD, 7 INT, 57.5%, 110.5 QBR

63 rush yards, 1 rush TD

All hail the king of the deep ball. For those paying attention, we’ve been treated to an entire season’s worth of beautiful performances from Martin, like the most recent one in the week 9 GOTW video. It’s easy to see that Martin has been playing with supreme confidence in his arm and his teammates, as he continually airs the ball out deep no matter the situation. That strategy has paid out handsomely, as he’s led the Diablos on a magical run this season to a potential perfect regular season. If Martin can sustain this level of play and has finally flipped the switch for good, I can see him and his Diablos rising up and competing in higher divisions in the near future. He’s just that good when he’s on.

Simon Bosquet Beaudoin (Aliens): 5-4 record

1537 yards, 40 TD, 6 INT, 61.6%, 111.5 QBR

491 rush yards, 8 rush TD

The things he’s been able to do with the at times makeshift cast of players he’s worked with has been truly remarkable. In only his third full season as QB he’s been able to craft a truly unique style of play which is both aggressive and efficient at the same time. He’s always in motion on offense and keeps his turnovers low by mixing runs with safe passes. He reminds me a bit of the Steve Nash of QBs, for his ability to make the players around him better. I believe he represents the future of QB in FPF, as we see more and more freakish athletes take to the QB position and make the concept of “pocket passer” seem old and dusty.

Alexandre Bachaalani (Pandas)

37 REC, 573 YRDS, 20 TD

This is the closest awards race of any category heading into the final week. If you tilt towards receptions and yards, Joey Taylor is your man. But for me, the big money in this league is earned by TD producers, as those are the guys who hang 6 on the board. This guy has been the king of TDs in the division thus far. The most impressive thing is that he does it on a team that doesn’t score with the top offenses in the league. He currently has 20 out of his team’s 29 scores, meaning that even if the opposing team clearly knows where the ball is going, they still can’t stop him. A lot can transpire in the final week that may alter this ranking next week, but heading into week 9 he’s the torch bearer in my earnest opinion. Truly a breakout campaign for the third season pass catcher.

Joey Taylor (Globo Gym Purple Cobras)

57 REC, 647 YRDS, 17 TD

The consistency has been the truly remarkable aspect of his game this season. He has at least 40 yards receiving or a TD in every game so far. Every week he comes out and fills his role as the key clog in the GGPC system. He’s also been a workhorse, tied for second in the league in receptions. He combines the craftiness of a seasoned veteran with the determination to always prove himself, and the result is a guy who’s quietly putting together an impressive career at his second position. He can win the trophy with another big game like week 10.

Georges Élie-Voyer (Diablos)

39 REC, 534 YRDS, 19 TD

I’ve been saying for years that the man formally known as George is one of the best lower division receivers in the league. His route running is so precise and his technique is so flawless that as a defender you have no hints as to where he’s breaking until it’s too late. It doesn’t hurt that the chemistry he has with QB Martin is of the best quality, as the two have often relied on one another for support throughout the years. This is the season of Diablos, and George deservedly finds himself as the head chef in a kitchen full of very talented cooks. All three of these competitors are so close going into the final week that the trophy is truly up for grabs for whoever wants it most. I would love nothing more than to see him collect his first individual FPF award for not only a spectacular season, but for a remarkable career as well.

Defense

Justin Blanchard (Supply and Command)

33 TKL, 16 INT, 7 PD, 3 INT

A few days ago I was contemplating giving him an honorary mention in this category for a legendary defensive campaign, since he plays in a higher division and under former rules wouldn’t qualify for this award. However, the powers that be have come to their senses and the new format has unleashed Blanchard, allowing him to collect the trophy that he deserves head and shoulders above his competiton. The Skyhawk of the secondary, he roams the deep terrain like a vulture seeking its prey. The combination of breakneck speed, fine-tuned instincts, and a graduate student’s attention to the game, he’s undoubtedly a top 3 overall player in this division. The only question at this point is does he prefer the defensive trophy or the two-way trophy? Since he also has stats to place him within the top 5 receivers in the division as well. The embarrassment of athletic riches he possess is staggering, if only he could impart some to his QB Peeze…

Darryl Dorcely (Jaguars)

22 SK, 2 PD

Almost any other season, 22 sacks would net you a pretty piece of hardware to toss in the back of your Acura after week 10. However, when someone else puts together a 16 INT campaign, even such an impressive sack total takes a backseat. Still, with Blanchard possibly netting the 2Way award instead, that would leave Dorcely as the frontrunner for the DPOY. He absolutely deserves it after following up his 18 sacks in 9 games in his rookie season last winter with an even better showing this year. This guy now has 40 career sacks in only 18 games. In a league with a shortage of truly dominant rushers, you can bet that higher division teams are taking notice and will reach out to him sooner rather than later with enticing offers. He deserves serious consideration for MVP of the Jaguars roster and should be appropriately recognized for their impressive season.

Jonathan Garfinkle (KGP Ra)

23 TKL, 10 INT, 5 PD, 1 INT

We shouldn’t be surprised to see his name on this list, as this is his third 10 INT full season in a row! That is a spectacular feat regardless of the division and achieved by very few in FPF history. In my mind he’s also on the shortlist for the 2Way award and a likely division 5 all-star for his balanced contribution on both sides of the ball. We’ve witnessed the growth of the KGP Ra/Lite franchise over the years, as they’ve gone from scrawny pushovers to serious contenders before our eyes. Garfinkle has been the face of this franchise for some time, and he’s quickly becoming a household name for lower division FPF stars. Next up perhaps? Getting a roster spot on an upper divisional team and proving his salt against the top talents the league has to offer. From what he’s shown us so far in his young career, smart money shouldn’t bet against him.

Division 5B

Danny D’Amour (Friends in Low Places): 8-1 record

1301 yards, 37 TD, 3 INT, 54.2%, 107.6 QBR

416 rush yards, 5 rush TD

A very tight race is developing in the QBOY race in 5B, as all three competitors currently stand shoulder to shoulder heading into the final week. It’s important to note that D’Amour has played 9 games so far this year, versus the 8 from his peers on this list; however, I don’t belief in rewarding missed games, since nothing is guaranteed in this league. D’Amour has consistently demonstrated the best balance of productivity-to-efficiency of any QB in the division, therefore he’s the frontrunner heading into the final game. His intelligence for the game has been on full display, as he gets intercepted less frequently than a new moon cycle. Although the runner-up on this list statistically looks like a carbon copy of D’Amour but in one less game, I give the edge to D’Amour because of his slightly higher TD total, slightly lower INT total, and his team’s overall superior record. It’ll be up to him to bring it home this week with a final flawless performance.

Charles-Olivier Lavigne (All Hooks): 5-3-1 record

1318 yards, 33 TD, 5 INT, 63.9%, 110.5 QBR

474 rush yards, 7 rush TD

He showed signs of promise in his rookie season last spring and has progressed nicely against tougher competition in his sophomore campaign. There’s a strong argument to be made that HE should be the leading candidate for QBOY due to a higher production of stats per game than the leader. The fact that his worst game came in his toughest matchup against D’Amour is what puts him second in my books. However, his efficiency cannot be denied, as he combines an unstoppable running game with an aggressive passing attack which avoids turnovers. This same style, similar to D’Amour and SBB of 5A seems to be a growing trend in the league, and defenses haven’t found a consistent way of stopping it yet. Fantastic season for this second year wonder boy at QB, and we eagerly await to see his following act in the spring against even stiffer competition.

Antoine Côté (Jean Coutu): 6-2-1 record

1278 yards, 40 TD, 9 INT, 66.3%, 105.5 QBR

223 rush yards, 1 rush TD

He’s the closest thing to a pure passer we have on this list, as his Jean Coutu team jumped onto the scene early on in the season with a string of high-scoring demolitions. His offense is best described as high-octane, as the ball is launched deep often to one of his many gifted athletic receivers. Although he possesses a similar athleticism to the others on this list, he chooses to scramble around in the backfield until a receiver gets open, and then launches a laser into the tightest windows. I believe he was the clear leader for the first half of the season, but even after a few average games he’s produced excellent overall statistics in his first full season at QB. He is neck and neck with the other two on this list, and the trophy winner will come down to who performs best in week 11.

William Power (Takeover)

53 REC, 625 YDS, 18 TD

Barring a drastic turn of events, he should be our winner for the receiver reward, and it would be a trophy well deserved. He was the top receiver for Takeover last winter when he came on the FPF scene, but this year was truly his coming out party, as he elevated his stats significantly in every department. His outstanding play goes beyond the stat sheet also, as he has almost single handedly carried the Takeover offense for the most part of the season and kept them in the playoff hunt throughout. There are few players in this division who make as great an impact for their teams as Power does and the scary thing is that he will only get better! Captain Peeze of the Darksiders roster has already taken notice and has staked first claim for this young talent, look to hear his name in the higher divisions soon.

Akeem Hoyte-Charles (Consultants)

40 REC, 663 YDS, 15 TD

Akeem “The Dream” came to our division this season, he surveilled the landscape, and he completely conquered all the competition at his position. He will be the king of Receiving yards when it’s all said and done, and he did it all with 1 less game played than Power. Akeem has been a longtime baller in FPF and is known for his brash style of play and outrageous ability. However, this was truly his best receiving season to date, as he was virtually unstoppable even when opposing teams specifically designed their game plans to limit him. There’s a strong argument to be made here about awarding Akeem the ROY trophy based on superior stats per game, but like I said with the QBs, I won’t be the guy to make that argument. Regardless, an amazing season that deserves to be put in the time capsule and hopefully an indication of more to coming in the near future.

Chris Williams (Consultants)

43 REC, 603 YDS, 14 TD

He won’t win the award, since he sits just behind the other two in stats, but he definitely deserves honorary mention for a fantastic season, including a terror of a three game stretch to end the season where he was the best receiver in the division. Like his teammate Akeem, he’s also a seasoned vet wrapping up the best season of an otherwise impressive statistical career. Even with their team’s overall struggles this winter, these two guys prove that there’s potential in this roster that deserves revisiting.

DEF

Bruno Lagacé (Jean Coutu)

29 TKL, 17 INT, 6 PD, 4 TD

WOW!…I didn’t believe my eyes the first time I read this stat line. I figured this was one of those unnoticed glitches that sometimes occurs on the stat sheets where someone inputs outrageous numbers by accident. So I closed the window, changed browsers and checked again…same incredible stat line. Besides the fact that he’s miles ahead of everyone else at this position, the most impressive thing about his performance this year is that he delivered his best games against his team’s most solid opponents. The two week stretch he had in weeks 9 and 10 against the Jagys and Buckeyes saw him accumulate 7 INTS and 3 TDs on defense! His team also destroyed their opponents in both those games thanks in large part to all the extra possessions and points he generated on his own. Spectacular season by this superstar in the making. The trophy is his without doubt, the rest of the list will be honorary mentions.

Kevin Smuda (Friends in Low places)

20 TKL, 8 INT, 2 PD, 1 TD

Another great season by the anchor of the FiLP roster, who will likely be in top consideration for the 2WAY award also. He’s truly as disruptive on defense as he is unstoppable on offense, making him a top 3 overall player in this division. If FiLP go on to win the championship this winter they can thank the Coyotes franchise for lending them their most destructive weapon.

Kevin Kousaie (Consultants)

52 TKL, 2 INT, 1 SK, 9 PD

Typically, we regard tackles as a double edged sword on defense. On one hand they indicate that the player covers a lot of ground on defense, is sure-handed in stopping receivers in their tracks and can be relied upon to cover their zone; on the other hand, it often tends to indicate that the opposing offense purposefully targets a specific player due to a perceived opportunity. Regardless, in this case the absolutely magnificent tackles total put together by Kousaie deserves recognition among the most impressive individual performances of the season. He’s simply a tackling machine and a monster in the flats. His PD total is up there with the best in the league, and combined with his key tackles he’s been consistently relied upon to make the big play for his defense in the most important moments. The battle in the trenches in FPF takes place in the short zone, and he’s been a successful general for his team throughout the entire season.

Power Ranking

Div A

Diablos (9-0): Looked like a wrecking ball in the GOTW video. They will be tough to stop in the playoffs if they keep playing with such confidence.
Jaguars (7-3): Took a big loss against a surging Flagrant Fouls team. Not impressed with their losses against their tougher opponents. Will need a good round 1 matchup.
Globo Gym Purle Cobras (6-3): Got back on track with a convincing win over TDs and Beer. Don’t confuse their difficult schedule with inconsistent play, these guys are strong.
Les Verges Folles (6-3): Such strong but inconsistent play. We love them again this week after they handled Les Affreux. We’ll just have to keep flipping a coin with them for now
TDs and Beer (6-3): Not impressed with the loss to GGPC. They’ve been up and down this season but have generally been solid. I like them a lot more when the O scores 30+
KGP RA (5-4): Lost to Pandas with an undermanned roster but looked competitive still. Interested to see them whole again. Will be a tough out in playoffs.
Flagrant Fouls (6-3): Back to the scary version of FF just in time for playoffs. They’ve really been able to put it all together in last few weeks and are primed for a darkhorse run.
Keyport Lock (6-4): One of the hottest teams on the block with 3 straight W’s and 4 in 5. Keyport is officially back in contention.

** Aliens (5-4): Looked very good on offense in the GOTW video. The defense is another story though as they were unable to stop anything deep.

Div B

Mad Bears (10-0): Wrapped it up in style with week 10 win. Looked primed for a deep playoff run as they’ve been the most consistent team all season.
Friends in Low Places (8-1): Narrowly escaped with a win versus Takeover. But these hard fought games are a boon around playoff time.
Trinity (8-1): Another solid opponent, another convincing win, as this powerhouse looks more impressive each week.
Jean Coutu (6-2-1): Can reach a level above everyone else when they play at their best. Higher ceiling than anyone else, but not as consistent as the teams above them.
Rednecks (6-3): Took the win against HBH as they should. Interested to see them versus Tip Top Shape this week in a great fine-tune game before playoffs.
Big Fun Party Mix 8 (6-3): Huge win versus Dreamville put them on all our radars as a team to take seriously. They are playing their best ball at the perfect time.
Spartans (6-3): They’re back in their lane after a pair of Spartans-like wins. They should get their final win heading into the playoffs.
All Hooks (5-3-1): Big fan of the season their QB is having. Solid team that definitely benefited from a lax schedule at times. Will be a fun team to follow in playoffs.

Predictions

Division A

Alex Danny

GGPC GGPC

Bruthers Bruthers

Preachers Preachers

Aliens Aliens

Pandas Pandas

LOB LOB

Trapstars Trapstars

Flagrant Fouls Flagrant Fouls

Diablos Diablos

Les verges Folles Dope Boys

Division B

Alex Danny

Roadrunners Roadrunners

BFPM8 Jagys and Chill

Jean Coutu Jean Coutu

Trinity Trinity

Buckeyes Buckeyes

Harambe’s Disciples Harambe’s Disciples

FiLP FiLP

Black knights Black Knights

Tip Top Shape Tip Top Shape

All Hooks All Hooks

Spartans Spartans

That’s it for this week! Week 10 of FPF is officially in the books, and week 11 is already underway. See how fast it goes! Enjoy your time on the field because winter season passes by in a blur. If you have any feedback, concerns, comments or just want a shoulder to lean on you can reach out to me @alexholowach1 on Twitter, or hit me up on Facebook. If you’re craving more div 5 content please see Nic Belleau’s French article, he truly is the best quality writer on this staff. Otherwise, check out the Calling the Audible podcast featuring Peeze and Moe Kahn, it’s a healthy dose of sophisticated silliness to get you through the week. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and make sure to check back next week to find out how week 11 shook out! Also playoff previews coming up next week.