Categories: Division EMen'sSpring

Polls, Pouring Rain and Congratulations to Eagle

So not as exhausted this week, but I will be by the end of Sunday! One of FPF’s long-time administrative, media and all-around league executives, Alex ‘Eagle’ D’Aquila is getting married this weekend. The dude is a genius, quirky, knows his flag football defense, and absolutely has diabetes from the amount of candy and sugar this guy consumes. Some players here have played with Eagle and they know he can also get intense! At heart though, he’s a great dude, is loyal, did I mention he’s incredibly smart? and poured his heart and soul into making major contributions to FPF. Ever watch our live broadcast of the Finals? Eagle (and Peeze). Like watching FPF’s weekly podcast, Calling The Audible? You can thank Eagle (and Peeze). Peeze was the creative genius, always pushing the boundaries and coming up with crazy ideas, but it was Eagle who made it happen. Anyways, congrats to the one and only, Eagle!

To field we go. There were some interesting stuff going on this week… This past Thursday, we had outdoor games in the pouring rain. A lot of teams I’m sure had questions about whether or not their game would take place. Maybe I should have mentioned this in my first article, but I highly recommend reading the rulebook, especially if you are a loud team that yells at refs… by the way, don’t yell at refs. If you don’t like a call made, respectfully approach them and ask for an explanation of what they saw. You can disagree with a call, but know that the call will not change. It’s best to just move on from a call you disagree with and don’t let it affect the rest of your game. Stay in control of what’s within your control and play on.

Okay, back to the rulebook… seriously, read it, I got side-tracked a bit with the refs because people yell at the refs, especially in the lower divs, and some players don’t even know the rules they are arguing about. The refs know the rules very well, so make sure you are on-par with them before playing your games! Anyways, in the rulebook, you’ll find how the league handles rain delays vs. postponed games vs. shortened games and all the rest. You’ll find it that section at the bottom of page 4 and the top of page 5 and I’ve placed the section here:

It’s also F1 weekend in Montreal, which to me, is the unofficial start to the summer. You could argue summer is already well on its way though, as we’ve been having great summer-like weather so far, and I’m here for it. Just remember, party responsibly out there so you can continue having fun on the fields.

Usually I add this at the bottom of the article, but why not shake it up by moving it up here. Whether its Moe and I, Peeze and I, or any cast of characters, make sure to catch the latest happenings in FPF by watching Calling The Audible, FPF’s weekly podcast show. Here’s this weeks episode for you:

Week 4 Roundtable Discussion

  • Last week number of undefeated teams: 9
  • This week number of undefeated teams: 6
  • Strange score of the week: QUEENS 58 – La Mennaise 1. One point? đź‘€ Just goes to show you how important having your QB is there for your game.
  • Warriors took care of Airs rather easily, 41-12 on Tour de l’Ile Sunday morning. The defense has 5 INTs, 2 of which were returned to the house, one by Matthew Saleh, the other by Justin Tedeschi
  • Cavaliers du Rohan went 0-2 this past week, losing 2 close games by a combined 9 points, including a loss to a good Baby Sharks team and an undefeated Swiffer WetJets.
  • Creamsicles split their 2 games this week, losing to a more experienced Freshmen XL squad and beating a James’ Backyard team who didn’t look too too organized out there. George Tsagarospiros had 4 TDs this week for them and 127 yards, leading them in both categories.
  • Nicolas Jody of STEPBROTHERS, already has more TDs (7) in 3 games than he did in 6 games (4) last season. He also has 169 receiving yards now compared to the 209 from the Winter. He’s the teams’ clear #1 receiver.
  • While Warriors got the best of Airs, they took the L to Les Petites Carottes JR with that strong LPC JR defense limiting Kevin Summers to just 9 completions and 2 touchdowns. Laurent Beauchamp was a dominant force, leading the way with 2 TDs, a 2-point convert and 1 INT.
  • Despite throwing 3 INTs, Chaz Presser got the 34-19 win, throwing 5 TDs, 2 which went to Ben Arnovitz who also chipped in with 2 defensive INTs. With Jeremy Steinberg collecting 3 sacks, TuneSquad is looking solid on both sides of the ball and could be a team that sneaks up on many of the FPF talking heads.
  • I picked Practice Squad over Team Timbo because Viren Patel had been throwing 1 INT for every 1 Touchdown. He was great this past week, completing 65% of his passes, going 20/31, 201 passing yards (first time he’s eclipsed 200 yards this season) and throwing for 4 TDs, running for 1 and threw just 1 INT. Tim Horner in Div E is a cheat code, so it’s no surprise he has 84 yards, 3 TDs and a pick to lead his team to victory. On the other side, Alex Papineau had 82 yards, and a Pick 6 to keep his team competitive in the 3-point loss. Here’s my first piece of advice for Div E teams… I know most teams go for 1, and that’s fine in the lower Divs, but check it out. PS lost by 3 even when scoring 1 less touchdown. Had they converted 3 XP2’s and 1 XP1, the game would have been tied. Just sayin’. It’s clear they are good at XP1’s, so maybe its time to be the only team in Div E that goes for 2 and drowns opponents out. Once you start getting comfortable going for 2’s, it’s game-changer.
  • Swiffer WetJets have great depth at receiver, with 3 guys at 13 or more targets, 5 guys with 11 or more targets, two 100-yard receivers and a 3rd with 80 yards in Andrew Chin. The ball distribution is beautiful and eye-popping since you don’t usually see the ball spread out this much in Div E. The targets, yards and TD’s are extremely well balanced. In Div E, you usually have a clear-cut #1 target and sometimes teams can suit up a strong tandem. Swiffer is looking to mop the entire floor with every tool in their kit.
  • Antoine Meunier had a great game in Week 4, throwing for 5 TDs on 10 completions. He’s always had a great connection with his brothers, and this go around, it was Alex Meunier going off, with 78 yards and 2 TDs on 3 receptions, including a 2-point convert. Oh, and he had a pick 6 to find the endzone for a 3rd time against Vice City.
  • Shaguy St-Lot made his debut at QB and was actually decent! I say it surprisingly because like you’ll hear me say often, PLAYING QB IS FKN HARD!!! He finished the game with a 115.8 QBR, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, completed 60% of his passes and ran 9 times for 54 yards and a TD. Oh, and this was in the POURING rain. While John Michael Anfossi was present at the field, he did not suit up. Is he injured? And do we have a QB controversy brewing for CTE Goons? St-Lot performed better, statistically, than Anfossi has in any of his games and it was in the absolute rain showers.
  • No Power Ranking this week, but still a Moooooooo for Western.
  • Can Natan Nettel continue his streak and get on the Fantasy Team of the Week as a receiver for a 3rd week in a row?

No Power Rankings; instead, Div E Community Polls

Black Mix Icon for Finger Poll, Polling and Survey Stock Vector - Illustration of shape, logo: 155550346

Instead of Power Rankings, let’s shake things up by hearing less from me, and more from you. Here are a few interesting questions that I want feedback from the Div E readers.

Let’s start with who you think is the best receiver; the one most likely to win Receiver of the Year:

Continuing on, a question that was asked on the podcast, let’s throw it out to YOU. Who do you think is the best undefeated team in the Div?

Next, let’s give some time, attention, and love to the rushers out there. Who do you think is the best rusher in the division? I’m thinking rushers and QB’s will be the most voters here. Remember, rushers shouldn’t just be looked at from a number of sacks angle. Tipped passes, pressuring the QB are crucial to an effective rusher, so perhaps the rusher with the most sacks won’t be the one with the most votes! Let’s see what you think:

Next let’s take a look at the mid-level QBs (according to stats). Specifically, let’s pick a QB that has thrown for 17 TDs this season that we want as our QB1:

Game Preview

Cavaliers du Rohan

vs.

Longhorns

CDR like I said are coming off 2 tough, close losses in Week 4 and will look to get back to their winning ways when they face off against the winless, 0-4 Longhorns. While the Longhorns are still looking for their first win, teams should not go in thinking it’s an automatic victory against this veteran team. They know the game and have been putting up points against true Division E teams: 31 points against Warriors and 38 against Trailer Park Boys.

Both QB’s have eerily similar stats. Both QBs have thrown for 15 TDs and 5 INTs, while Jon Moodie of Longhorns has thrown for 633 yards and completing 52% of his passes, while Kevin HĂ©bert-Pedulla has thrown for 483 yards and completed 64% of his throws. Basically, Moodie has been less accurate, but when he completes a pass, it tends to go for more yards than the Cavaliers QB.

Both offensive receiver sets are also quite comparable. They both have a good combination of size, speed and hands. The target shares are also somewhat similar, as both teams like to distribute and get everyone involved in the offense. This is true in the targets, yards and touchdowns, except for the Longhorns TDs going mostly Karim Yasmine‘s way (7 TDs in 4 games). Where Longhorns have been more efficient in the offense over CDR is in the convert game. CDR have just one 2-point convert on the board in 4 games, a run from QB HĂ©bert-Pedulla, while Longhorns have 4 different receivers with 1-point converts. This matchup could come down to converts, and that advantage would go to the Longhorns.

Defensively is where you see the greatest discrepancy, namely in the form of turnovers. The Longhorns have forced just 1 turnover via interception in 4 games while CDR has created 8 turnovers and have disrupted another 10 passes by deflecting balls away from their opponents. Moodie will need to be careful with the rock and limit the turnovers if he wants to get Longhorns in the victory column. Both teams have averaged exactly 23.5 points, so it may come down to the better defense, where the clear advantage goes to the Cavaliers.

The other thing to consider in this game is athleticism vs. experience. Athleticism goes the way of Cavaliers du Rohan, but as we have seen many times, experience plays a huge roll in flag, and Longhorns definitely have that in droves. Cavaliers have gained it over the past 3 years since joining in 2021, but Longhorns have been playing since 2009!! I don’t think some Cavaliers players were even born in 2009! LOL 🤣

I think Longhorns keep it close and come away with their first W of the season, in a tight battle, maybe even an OT victory.

Iggy’s Prediction: Longhorns 28– 27 Cavaliers du Rohan

Week 4 Fantasy Team of the Week

In my Fantasy Team of the Week, I go with the 2 Best QBs, the 5 best starting WRs, the 5 best DBs and the best rusher and make the best team that could have suited up that week.

Enjoy!

QB1: RaphaĂ«l Caron (No Brain No Gain) – 20/26 (76.9%), 253 Passing Yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 146.3QBR

QB2: Cameron Wilson (Western) – 15/20 (75%), 250 Passing Yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 156.3 QBR

WR1: Nirosh Suresh (Flag Dealers): 9 receptions, 10 targets, 131 yards, 3 TDs

WR2: Timoté Nehma-Lacasse (No Brain No Gain): 6 receptions, 6 targets, 130 yards, 3 TDs

WR3: Arnaud Charlier (QUEENS): 6 receptions, 6 targets, 75 yards, 4 TDs

WR4: Mackenzie Wilson (Western): 4 receptions, 4 targets, 103 yards, 3 TDs, 1x XP1

WR5: Jordan Le (Backyardigans): 5 receptions, 10 targets, 91 yards, 3 TDs, 1x XP2

Honourable Mention: George Tsagarospiros (The Creamsicles – Game 2): 5 receptions, 6 targets, 85 yards, 3 TDs

DB1: Emile Mailloux (QUEENS): 2 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 Def TD, 1 PD

DB2: Jayson Arseneault (QUEENS): 1 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 Def TD, 1 PD

DB3: Matthew Saleh (Warriors): 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 Def TD

DB4: Xavier Orsat-Parker (CTE GOONS): 2 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PD

DB5: Rafi Terga (OPN – Game 2): 1 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PD

Rusher: Luca Pietraroia (Mamma Mia): 3 sacks, 2 PDs



Iggy Magnet’s Week 5 Game Picks

Cavaliers du Rohan vs. Longhorns – Iggy’s Pick: Longhorns

Freshmen XL vs. Baby Sharks – Iggy’s Pick: Baby Sharks

CTE Goons vs. Swiffer WetJets – Iggy’s Pick: Swiffer WetJets

Les Vidanges FC vs. TYP SHI – Iggy’s Pick: Les Vidanges FC

Baby Sharks vs. QUEENS – Iggy’s Pick: Baby Sharks

The Diddlers vs. Bullshigh – Iggy’s Pick: Bullshigh

Les Petites Carottes JR vs. Head Tops Only – Iggy’s Pick: Les Petites Carottes JR

Team Timbo vs. Best Worst Zgust – Iggy’s Pick: Best Worst Zgust

Vice City vs. Texas Whales – Iggy’s Pick: Texas Whales

Bloodline vs. Warriors – Iggy’s Pick: Warriors

Sweet Bonanza vs. Trailer Park Boys – Iggy’s Pick: Trailer Park Boys

Western vs. Vice City – Iggy’s Pick: Western

No Brain No Gain vs. Practice Squad – Iggy’s Pick: No Brain No Gain

BackYardigans vs. The Creamsicles – Iggy’s Pick: BackYardigans

The Stables vs. James’ Backyard – Iggy’s Pick: The Stables

Les Petites Carottes JR vs. Locked & Loaded – Iggy’s Pick: Les Petites Carottes JR

  • Week 4 Game Pick Record: 13-7
  • Overall Prediction Record: 29-12 (71% prediction rate)

Epilogue

Alright Div E, that does it for this week! Hope you enjoyed the slight change of pace in the article. If you didn’t or have suggestions for what to talk about, I’m all ears!

Once again, congrats to The Eagle on his wedding, and (enter seamless transition)… go ball out there in Week 5!