Categories: Co-EdComplementarySpring

Playoff Picture Clearing Up In Coed

Even though there are still two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is already shaping up in both Coed 1 and Coed 2. Power Rangers once again proved me wrong and beat 3rd Down For What. With that win, they just about cemented themselves as the top seed in the division. Baring a near apocalyptic situation where Power Rangers lose their last two games and 3DW win out, Power Rangers will finish first. Luckily for 3DW, they are looking like a lock for the second seed. In all likelihood, the Coed 1 standings will not change one bit before the playoffs start.

In coed 1, Funtastic have all but secured themselves the top seed. A win over La Secte this week will officialize their clinching of first place. It is also too late for La Secte to climb out of last place. The semi-finals will likelyfeature Funtastic versus La Secte and Les Semi-Croquants versus Yin & Yang the only thing to determine will be home field advantage in that second semifinal. Les Semi-Croquants are closing out their season with a double header versus Yin & Yang. A win in either of those two games will secure Les Semi-Croquants the second seed.

Week 8 Game Recaps

Funtastic 9 (34) vs Les Semi-Croquants (32)

I expected Mariève Girard to struggle in this game like she did last time her Semi-Croquants took on Funtastic. While she did not have a great game, she did show some signs of improvement. This game, she was at least able to move the ball. She passed for nearly 200 yards and two scores. On the downside, she did throw two picks which cost her team the game. Generally, I critique teams that overutilize a single receiver. However, in Girard’s case, her slump in production seems to be directly associated with Louis-Philip Thibodeau’s decreased production. Maybe the key to solving Girard’s offensive woes could be as simple as getting Thibodeau more touches.

As for Funtastic, they won yet another close game. This time, it was their defence that stepped up to secure them the win. After Funtastic drove the field to score the go-ahead touchdown, Les Semi-Croquants had one last chance to score and win. Even though Funtastic’s defence let Les Semi-Croquants move the ball 30 yards, they came up huge when it mattered most. Philippe Leroux intercepted Girard to seal the game. What made this victory even more impressive for Les Semi-Croquants was the fact that their players showed up late and they started the game down by six points. Yes, they started down a score before kickoff and then managed to win the game only six players. If coming from behind to beat the second placed team with only six players does not make you the favorite to win it all, I do not know what will.

Fightin’ Tigers (18) vs Party Mix (20)

What impressed me the most about the Fightin’ Tigers was not that they were only one play away from tying this game up. What impressed me was that they were able to hang with one of the top teams in Coed without either of the Ojeaha brothers. The Fightin’ Tigers have only two games left in the season and both brothers have only played two games. That means neither one of them will play enough regular season games to qualify for the postseason. Instead, the Fightin’ Tigers will be banking in Julian McLaren-Thompson to be their star.

If the Fightin’ Tigers hope to cause some upsets in the playoffs, McLaren-Thompson will need to be a lot better then he was in their loss to Party Mix. McLaren-Thompson only caught one pass for three yards and did not even register a single tackle on defence. While McLaren-Thompson might have disappointed, Laurence Pontbriand stepped up in a big way. She was targeted ten time and finished the game with 60 receiving yards and a score. It is a great sign that the Tigers are involving their women more. If only McLaren-Thompson could get going, this team might cause some upsets in the playoffs.

As for Party Mix, this game was probably a bit closer than they would have liked. While Party Mix might not have thrown a pick in this one, but they were lackluster on third and fourth down. They only converted 25% of their third down plays. They were marginally better on fourth down, completing 33% of the time. If Party Mix hope to upset either Power Rangers or 3rd Down For What in the playoffs, they will need to start clicking on third and fourth down.

La Secte (36) vs Yin & Yang (40)

While Yin & Yang might have escaped with the win in this one, La Secte played their best game of the season by a wide margin. Raphael Beauchamp finally looked like a serviceable Coed 2 quarterback. He actually outplayed Y&Y’s Justin Weir in this one. Beauchamp passed for 60 more yards and threw just as many passes and interceptions as Weir. Beauchamp’s favorite target is clearly Alyson Francillon. The two connected six times for over 100 yards and two scores. If Beauchamp wants to take the next step as a quarterback, he will need to start spreading the ball a bit more. When one receiver accounts for more then half of your offensive production, your passing game becomes predictable and easier to intercept. The other area where La Secte clearly still need to improve is on converts. They attempted six in this game and did not convert once. Both teams scored the same number of touchdowns, and it was ultimately La Secte’s inability to convert on extra point attempts is what held them back from winning their first game of the season.

While Beauchamp and Francillon might have stolen the show offensively, La Secte had two different defensive stars. Martin Paquette had a huge game with three tackles and a pick six. Godefroy Verron-Trudel also had a crucial pick of his own. I have played against Justin Weir enough times to know that he is not an easy quarterback to intercept. For La Secte to pick him off twice is impressive. La Secte need to be able to consistently produce turnovers if they hope to stay in games. For all the progress Beauchamp is making as a passer, he will still throw an interception or two a game. For La Secte to get their first win, I think they will need to produce as many interceptions as Beauchamp throws.

Week 8 Team of the Week

Every week, I will name 12 players to the team of the week. If you make the offensive team of the week, you cannot be on the defensive one and vice versa. Since this is coed, there will always be a minimum of two women on the offensive and defensive team of the week. When choosing the players for the team of the week, I do not consider the tier that the players are in. I only consider their achievements.

Offence

Quarterback: Tam Vilaydeth (Power Rangers) 14 completions, 220 passing yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT

Receiver: Constance Millaire (Power Rangers) 4 receptions, 7 targets, 78 receiving yards, 1 TD

Receiver: Alyson Francillon (La Secte) 6 receptions, 10 targets, 111 receiving yards, 2 TDs           

Receiver: Valérie Frappier (La Secte) 5 receptions, 6 targets, 65 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Julien Proulx (Les Semi-Croquants) 9 receptions, 12 targets, 113 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Vincent Marquis (Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce) 8 receptions, 10 targets, 88 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Defence

Rusher: Maude Lacasse (Fightin’ Tigers) 1 PD, 2 sacks

Defensive Back: Abigaelle Perreault (Party Mix) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Philippe Leroux (Funtastic 9) 4 tackles, 2 INTs 2 PDs

Defensive Back: Ryan Dobbs-Garnett (Yin & Yang) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PDs, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Martin Paquette (La Secte) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Marilou Beland (Power Rangers) 2 tackles, 1 sack, 3 PDs

Week 9 Predictions

Funtastic 9 (5-2-1) vs La Secte (0-8)

With a win, Funtastic can lockup the top seed in the division. While La Secte have been showing signs of improvement lately, they are not quite on Funtastic’s level. La Secte’ biggest issue is still mental mistakes and I expect that to hurt them in this game. Funtastic do a lot of wonky things offensively like double quarterbacks and running plays. I think Funtastic’s trickery will be too much for La Secte.

Prediction: Funtastic 9

Fightin’ Tigers (2-6) vs Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (3-5)

The Tigers impressed last week despite losing to Party Mix. Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce also lost to Party Mix last week. Even though SHCS lost by a wider margin, I think they will prevail in this one. The Tigers have the worst defence in the division and if SHCS have a strength, it is their offence. The Tigers do not have enough defensive chemistry to frighten JF Marquis. I think SHCS will win this one in a close high scoring affair.

Prediction: Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

Les Semi-Croquants (4-4) vs Yin & Yang (3-4-1)

I really went back and forth with this pick. My gut was telling me that Yin & Yang were going to win this one. I know that Y&Y have the talent and experience to be so much better than what we have seen and part of me is waiting for them to come out of their shell. However, my brain is telling me that Y&Y were four points away from losing to the worst team in the division last week. Ultimately performances speak louder then potential.

Prediction: Les Semi-Croquants

Party Mix (5-3) vs Power Rangers (7-1)

Power Rangers proved me wrong in back-to-back weeks. I will not make the same mistake this week. Power Rangers took their game to another level over the past two weeks, and they key to that was using their women more. Last week Constance Millaire led this team in receiving yards. If Power Rangers keep on using the women on this team like they did versus 3rd Down For What, they are nearly unbeatable. While I am sure that Party Mix will slow this game down and keep it close, I am confident that Power Rangers will prevail.

Prediction: Power Rangers

Week nine is now just a few hours away, so good luck to all the teams this week!

As always, I can be reached by email at [email protected] with any questions, comments or concerns about the articles.