Playoff Match-Ups, Hand Injuries and Having a Moment

I’m Back Babyyyyyyyyy. I apologize for the lack of content div 6. I had a hand injury that cost me a couple of weeks of writing, 2 fpf games and a playoff berth. Sad emojis all around.

THe thing I like doing the most is writing but doing it with one hand is impossible and the multitude of typos a couple of weks back made it clear that trying to push through this injury would make it impossible to deliver content I was proud of. To compensate we did focus a little more on Div 6 in the podcast than earlier in the season so I do hope it was enjoyed by all.

I can’t believe we had so many playoff forfeits. I know the site isn’t perfect. It bothers us as writers and players as well. We’ve submitted tickets and are hoping this gets resolved in the near future so that standings are a little more representative and our tie breakers are properly enforced.

What to Look For

Here are some predictions for Saturday’s games. Sure, I made picks on this week’s podcast. However, I had some time to think and refine my thoughts on each game. Also, I never remember what I said moments after the podcast finishes. The format is in point form so that I could get my thoughts out quickly and not waste time standing on ceremony (or whatever Bane said). So here’s what I think will happen tonight.

Division 6 Quarter Finals

Tropic Thunder V. Wild Hogs

Wild Hogs moving Jason Armenti to QB has been a revelation. They aren’t the same team they used to be but he has a all order ahead of him. Jason Armenti will need to slow the pace of the game, often using his legs to extend plays. Additionally, he needs to note where Mikael Arseneau is EVERY play.
Dimitri Melsbach, Nadis Bakana, Maxime Adam-Dube and Max Chevrefils combined for 26 TDS this season. They will need to be as patient as they were during the regular season. Thee is no one receiver who gets his number called constantly and that’s what makes TT so dangerous.
Alex Laroche has been a big body target on converts and his ability to make adjustments for Tropic Thunder will be key on defense as they face an unfamiliar and somewhat unorthodox QB.
Avery Kilmas needs to have a coming out party for the Wild Hogs. He has been on the precipice of stardom in this division and he needs to have a monster two way game so help Wild Hogs complete the upset.

Prediction: Tropic Thunder 38-Wild Hogs 25

FKU vs. Beer Knights

FKU are a fun team. The duo of Manny Bizogias and Leo Diakoumakos is deadly. The key to victory for them is getting the ball to them against a very skilled defense. Alejandro Fonte has the ability to make plays with his feet as well. If they can play high tempo and makes plays in the air and on the ground, FKU will advance.
The opposite is true of Frankie Scalzo and Beer Knights. Scalzo has had segments of the season that have been red hot while there are moments where other parts of the season have left some to be desired. Beer Knights don’t score a ton of points so game management will be huge for Scalzo and co. If they can limit the pace they can come out ahead.
Jason Dankner will be looking to contain Scalzo and if he can create long down and distances this will have a huge impact on a methodical Beer Knights offense.
Michael Pietrobon needs to be the man in this game. If he wants to be the top receiver in the division this is the type of stage where this happens. Numbers help us understand the game but what we remember about the game are moments. Can this be his moment?

Prediction: Beer Knights 26- FKU 24

Penetrators v. Primetime

The Penetrators are coming into this game without having played last week. My opinion is that they need to run some high percentage plays to start the game. Justin Goodman needs to get the ball out of his hand and into Nicholas Fon’s hands quickly. Establishing timing early will go a long way toward having consistent offense.
Justin Goodman’s defense will be key as well. He and Jake Halpern will look to have a greater impact than Primetime’s Carter Condon, Alessio Muro and George Zergioits. Whoever can create more turnovers will win this game.
Matthew Cadogan has been Primetime’s secondary receiver but if he steps up to prime, I think this can catch the Penetrators off guard.
Penetrators head into this game without Rocco Christiano who is ineligible to play as he’s been listed on IR. I’m curious to see who will step up.

Prediction: Primetime 27-Penetrators 12

Thunder Buddies v. Dusters 2.0

The key for the Dusters is prayer. They are simply outclassed in this matchup. Short of divine intervention, Adam Malinoff needs to note where William Power, Kerano Johnson and Francois Rochette are. If he intends on throwing deep balls, Will Power is the KING of the high point. So those throws need to be on a line. If Malinoff thinks he’ll be able to run, Terry Bablis will devour him.
Terry Bablis has been great in his first serious attempt to play the pivot. He’s been accurate and allowed his offense to be explosive. He needs to stay focused and not be lulled into a false sense of security. Thunder Buddies are explosive. This isn’t a time to settle for playing conservatively.
David St.Jean was one of the best secondary options for TB this season. If Dusters do look to limit the effectiveness of Kerano Johnson, St.Jean will need to come up huge.

Prediction: Thunder Buddies 44- Dusters 6

Division 6D Quarter Finals

VTown v. Cavaliers du Rohan

Moe Khan asked me which quarterback I trust more on the pod this week (I guess I remember a few things about the podcast). Trust is a strong word for these two teams. However, if I had a gun to my head and had to choose between the two I wouldn’t take the gun. I’d take Jonathan Velasco and his connection with Jason Cassandra. These guys can do damage.
Velasco and Cassandra along with Vito Rizzuto need to be avoided by Kevin Hebert-Pedulla. Pedulla also has struggled to score points for Rohan all season long. He’s been the team’s best rusher all season but it worries me that he’ll expend too much energy on the defensive side of the ball. For this reason, they need to drag this game into the mud against a slightly more explosive VTown.
Jean-Mathieu Padilla-Trudeau and Tristan Villemure have been excellent. They will however have their hands full on defense. If they can be disruptive then the Cavalier will have their chance to ride on to the next round. Oufffffff that was a crappy reference.

TuneSquad v. Killer Rays

Tune Squad have an ace up their sleeve in Corey Walwaski. C-Wal is as smart an FPF play caller as there is. He can help in the huddle with regards to diagnosing the defense and suggesting exploits. Garner Ross has been great all season long and if he’s open to suggestion he can truly have a special playoff run.
Killer Rays need to be patient. I love the raw talent but Tyler Bianchi takes too many deep shots and refuses to take what the defense give him. If he doesn’t adapt this will cost them either this round or next.
Tune Squad need to deal with a three headed monster in Curtis Ryan, Evan White and Donovan Hines. Killer Rays have three receivers that would be hard for some division 4 teams to cover.
Let’s see who Charles Presser looks to take away in this game. If they can make Killer Rays a two receiver, deep ball dependant team this game can get ugly fast.

Prediction: Killer Rays 26-Tune Squad 20

7Th Rounders V. Macabees

Macabees have been a tough out all season.They were an underdog in the Divisional round and find themselves advancing into an interesting position. They play 7th rounders who are equally comfortable playing close games. This doesn’t yield a specific advantage to either team but, I will say Macabees are definitely battle tested having faced a gauntlet during the season.
Jordy Melnik, Michael Titleman and Justin Sternklar each scored last week but I’d be surprised not to see Jonathan Jaegerman make his mark on this game.
7th Rounders need to do everything possible to keep Macabees uncomfortable in this game, Justin Cheaib needs to up his scoring in order to put this game out of reach early. Normally I would suggest time of possession to control the game but I think playing high tempo would have a greater impact in preventing Macabees from playing their preferred style.

Prediction: Macabees 20-7th Rounders 18

Off-Island Boys v. Big Fat Bats

If Caleb Faulkner plays, Off-Island Boys are a near impossible out. MY recommendation would be to focus on taking sideline throws away and force overthrows by using a trail technique for the Big Fat Bats defenders (importsnt note, the need to be able to stay on the back hip of the receivers. More than a step will be disastrous). Faulkner, is a tackle QB and plays like one. Middle flood concepts are dangerous in tackle and it takes a minute for tackle qbs to add those progressions to their playbook. Also, tackle qbs tend to overthrow deep passes in FPF due to their wiring to protect the ball and the smaller field dimensions.
AJ Zeppetelli will be key on defense. His speed will allow him to offer support to the sidelines and hopefully come down with a misplaced pass. If Big Fat Bats have a chance of coming throw the smokey haze, it will largely rest on this super star’s shoulders.
Dejuan Parhoo may be rushing Matthew Zeppetelli and he will have his hands full. Whoever the rusher is in this game, containing Maz (it’s a good nickname, I like it, I made it up) will b ekey. Extended possessions are the only chance that Big Fat Bats have. It remains to be seen if the one weakness for Off-Island boys will be their undoing.

Prediction Off-Island Boys 38-Big Fat Bats 20

Saturday’s Steaming Sandwich

For those who have any thoughts, commentary or complaints, I am very easy to find. I’m @peezehss on twitter, @pdellarocca and Peeze Della Reeze on facebook. You can also take a chance by emailing me at [email protected] but I don’t check it because it’s a death trap of junk emails all trying to sell unregulated arthritis medication and NBA playoff betting guides. I really need to use incognito mode.

Folks, if your team is struggling, Eagle, Moe, (any of the media guys really), and I love talking flag. Let us know how we can help, let us know if you have any questions. Hey, even if you have some incredible thoughts, I’m always down for an ethereal descent into introspection.

Remember that each week you can join the party on our Facebook page or at www.youtube.com/flagplus on our weekly podcast: Calling the Audible. The show is released every Friday morning.

Till next week, I want to thank you falettineme be mice elf agin!