Recaps and Predictions for Co-ed

The co-ed season kicked off this past weekend and it was a great start to the season. One of the most surprising games of week 1 came from co-ed 2. Tigers, the team that went 0-8 last season, fell 24-44 to It’s a Match. Yes, Tigers still lost, but to score 24 points against one of the division’s best teams is impressive. Tigers’ QB Cam Chaput seems to have fixed his biggest problem from last season, the interceptions. He passed for 164 yards, 4 touchdowns and only threw one interception. The addition of Kemar Brown was also key. The FPF vet caught three passes for 63 yards and two scores. The Tigers’ offence was clicking. They averaged over 15 yards a pass and did a great job at spreading the ball. They completed passes to six different receivers. While they improved on the offensive side of the ball, they still have room to improve defensively. Tigers did not record a single sack, interception or defended pass. They did not find any way to stop their opponents. Ultimately that cost them the game. This game was also important for It’s a Match. Alexis Labonté proved that he is an effective quarterback. Simply put, he had a perfect game. He completed over 66% of his passes on his way to passing for 233 yards and six (yes six) touchdowns. While Labonté might not be Benoit Lawlor, if he keeps on putting in more performances like this one It’s a Match will soon forget all about their old quarterback.

In my preseason previews, I speculated that A-Town would have success if their quarterback, Emmanuelle Bronsard, threw less interceptions. Unfortunately, she kept up that bad habit of throwing picks, but her defence bailed her out on each occasion. A-Town went on to win this one 20-0 against Js. Bronsard has some talented new receivers and as long as she manages to get the ball into their hands and keep it away from her opponents, A-Town will keep on winning. As for Js, this was a rough game. They were without starting quarterback Hai Minh Luong and were forced to turn to Matthieu Sola under center. Sola struggled mightily, throwing nearly as many completions as he did interceptions. Really the only bright spot for this team was Mathieu Lanteigne Cauvier. He accounted for over half of Js’ receiving yards. Lanteigne Cauvier also stood out on defence where he recorded two defended passes to go along with his team’s two interceptions.

From the quick talk I had with Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce after their game, it was clear they were not pleased by my preseason predictions. They took offence that I predicted a (2-6) record for their season and even greater offence that I said they did not have any superstars. They entered their week 1 game versus 3rd Down for What with the intention of both winning and proving me wrong. While they did not win, they managed to keep this came close enough to make me reconsider what I said about them. They were able to stay in the game and ultimately, they only lost 25-12 to one of the best teams in the division. With seven catches for 90 yards, Alexandre Jubinville may be establishing himself as the superstar that this team needs. Although Sriracha did not win this game, they clearly showed that they have potential. Who knows, they might even go 3-5!

Finally, I have to talk about Kiss My End Zone’s dramatic win over Yin & Yang. For full disclosure, yes, KMEZ is my team. While you might have expected this game to be a high scoring affair, it was the opposite. Both quarterbacks were struggling to find their rhythm and it was the defence’s turn to shine. KMEZ struck first with a 40-yard TD pass to the speedy Jonathan Hared. On the ensuing drive, Y&Y looked poised to score until they were picked off in the endzone. That pick set the tone for countless more defensive stands by both teams. Y&Y scored twice quickly before the break and it looked like they were in control of this one. They were up 12-7 at the half and received the ball to start the second. In that second half, Hared went to work. He proposed a key modification to KMEZ’s defence. That new defence stopped Y&Y from scoring. Joshua Vazquez, Alexandre Blais and the rest of KMEZ’s offence also improved their game and they jumped out to a 19-12 lead. The game came down to one last drive. Y&Y needed to score. Just when Y&Y looked like they were poised to score, Abigail Cockerton deflected a pass and Hared picked it off to seal the game. This was a great game, very high in emotion and any rematch between these two teams is sure to be an interesting affair.

Week 1 Game of the Week:

Co-ed 1

Midtown (21) vs Party Mix (25): I know I have been talking a lot about my preseason predictions but, I just need to mention one last thing. I said that it was essential that Midtown find a quarterback for the season and stick with him. Well, in this game, Midtown used three quarterbacks and they went on to lose. Midtown has all the talent needed to repeat as champions. However, they need to find a quarterback and stick with him for the season because constantly changing quarterbacks hurts chemistry with the receivers.

As for Party Mix, they came out and played the mistake free football that they are known for. Francois Deslauriers passed for 144 yards and three scores. Crucially, Party Mix took their time with the ball and milked the clock every single chance they got. Against an explosive team like Midtown, slowing down the game and keeping things close is essential. Last season I spent quite a bit of time criticizing Party Mix’s Benjamin Léger. I wasn’t criticizing him because he was a bad player, but because I knew he was better. He proved just how good he was in this game. He accounted for half of his team’s offensive production with his 70 receiving yards and also caught two of his teams’ three touchdown passes. The third touchdown came courtesy of the uber talented Emma Racine who left her mark on the game with her 33 yard TD grab. On defence, Racine was fantastic with three tackles and a defended pass while Léger was brilliant with his two tackles and one interception. However, the real defensive hero was Jameel Greenidge who picked off Midtown and returned it for six. It was that interception that led to Midtown changing quarterbacks.

As for Midtown, no matter who was under center, Raphael Casey was the leading target. He caught four passes for 50 yards. In the red zone, Midtown consistently looked to quarterback turned receiver  Phillip Enchill. Two of his three receptions were for touchdowns. He also had 50 receiving yards. As for Midtown’s defence, the headlines were less about what they did and more about what they could not do. They were unable to force an interception. Against a team like Party Mix that is so methodical, it is essential to force at least one. While the likes of Jean-Christophe Morin-Phaneuf had a solid defensive game with his two defended passes, Midtown will need more out of their athletic secondary if they hope to repeat as champions.

Week 1 Team of the Week: 

Each week I will choose the top performers from co-ed to create the team of the week. There will always be two girls on offence and on defence. If you are on the offensive team of the week, you cannot be on the defensive one.

Offence:

Quarterback: Alexis Labonté (It’s a Match) 233 passing yards, 6 touchdown passes, 20 completions, 126.7 QB Rating, 0 interceptions

Receiver: Alexandre Jubinville (Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce) 5 receptions, 90 receiving yards

Receiver: Daphne Maurais (It’s a Match) 5 receptions, 77 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Receiver: Zachary Brassard (3rd Down for What) 7 receptions, 91 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

Receiver: Gabrielle Cote (ATH Squad) 2 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Bermham Sylvain (A-Town) 6 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TDs

Defence:

Rusher: Olivia Sormany (3 Hunnas)  2 sacks

Defensive Back: Raphael Ducas-Lapalme (Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PDs

Defensive Back: Jonathan Hared (Kiss My End Zone) 1 tackle, 2 INTs, 1 sack

Defensive Back: Annie-Jade Gagnon (3rd Down for What) 7 tackles

Defensive Back: Mathieu Lanteigne Cauvier (Js) 2 INTs, 2 PDs

Defensive Back: Angelo Mourelatos (Kiss My End Zone) 1 tackle, 1 sack, 3 PDs

 

Week 2 Predictions:

Co-ed 1:

Midtown (0-1) vs Power Rangers (1-0): The winter champs are riding high after a convincing week 1 win while the spring champs fell in the first week of action. Midtown are finally going to face a team that is more athletic than them and I think they will be stunned by just how good Power Rangers are. Easy call here.

Prediction: Power Rangers

3 Hunnas (0-1) vs Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (0-1): 3 Hunnas looked awfully disorganized in week one. They did not have jerseys and they were forced to have a pregnant woman stand in the corner of the field to act as their second woman until they could find a sub that could actually play without risking the life of an unborn child. Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, on the other hand, is an organized team that knows how to win. Another easy call here.

Prediction: Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

3rd Down for What (1-0) vs Michael Scotts Tot’s (0-1): 3rd Down for What are perennial title favorites in co-ed 1 while Michael Scotts Tot’s used to be title favorites in co-ed 2. Now, MST are in the big leagues and they will see just how much of a difference there is between the two divisions this week.

Prediction: 3rd Down for What

Speed Academy (1-0) vs Party Mix (1-0): Speed Academy’s youth and athleticism will face off against Party Mix’s experience in week 2. Well, Party Mix defeated an even more athletic team than Speed Academy in week 1. I see no reason why Party Mix won’t win again in week 2.

Prediction: Party Mix

Co-ed 2:

Dream Crushers (1-0) vs ATH Squad (1-0): Dream Crushers cruised to a week 1 victory thanks to the legs of their quarterback Clara Beaudoin. She will find it much harder to rush in week 2 against ATH Squad’s organized defence. ATH Squad’s experience will prevail in this one.

Prediction: ATH Squad

Rhinos (0-1) vs Tigers (0-1): Despite their opening week loss, Tigers showed fantastic signs of progress. They have an offence to be reckoned with. In their second season in the league, I think this is the week Tigers finally get their first win.

Prediction: Tigers

Js (0-1) vs Kiss My End Zone (1-0): While Js struggled in week 1, I expect this team to be much improved in week 2 when they get Hai Ming Luong back at quarterback. The FPF vet will avoid costly mistakes and move the ball downfield. Despite all that, KMEZ are still on an adrenaline rush after beating Y&Y in week one.

Prediction: Kiss My End Zone

La Secte (0-1) vs Yin & Yang (0-1): Yin & Yang have to be disappointed after their opening week loss. Unfortunately for La Secte, I see Y&Y taking out all that frustration on them in week 2.

Prediction: Yin & Yang

A-Town (1-0) vs It’s a Match (1-0): While A-Town cruised to victory last week, they will be facing much tougher competition this week in the form of It’s a Match. In week 1, A-Town turned the ball over twice and this week they are facing It’s a Match’s defence which is more robust. Unless A-Town can protect the ball, this game might get ugly.

Prediction: It’s a Match

That concludes this first week of action in co-ed. The second week of co-ed is just around the corner and the women’s division will also be kicking off in a few weeks.

I hope you all enjoyed the article and as always, if you have any comments or critiques feel free to reach out to me by email at [email protected] or on the pitch.