Rehan’s Report (D1) – Round 1 Playoffs

What an action packed weekend we just experienced, filled with intensity and a little bit of suspense. Now we have reached the final four of the division 1 playoffs and the four teams representing each side are all very talented. It has come to my attention that some players in division 1 were not happy at all with my selections to the prestigious ALL STARWAR SQUAD. Boohoo! I don’t need to remind you that you all need to keep your eyes on the main prize, nothing else. It is definitely an honor to be nominated on my squad but the coveted division 1 championship is the ultimate prize. The journey to the championship continues this weekend so I will not waste any more of your time.

 

Round 1 Recap

 

The first playoff game in division 1 was between the Rainmakers and the CLR Forces in which the Rainmakers pulled out a victory by a score of 25-21. Ryan Kastner, QB of the Rainmakers, was a man on a mission and played a great game under the circumstances. He went 16 of 25 for 195 yards with 4 TDs and 2 INTs. The game was close at half time; CLR Forces led 14-12. However the second half belonged to the Rainmakers as they limited Freddy Dupuis, QB of CLR Forces, to only 7 points. Freddy Dupuis threw for 3 TDs but also 2 INTs. Dominic Lemieux led all CLR Forces receivers with 64 yards and 2 TDs. Guillaume Ward had zero TDs on offense but 1 INT on defense. As for the Rainmakers, Greg Landry had 61 receiving yards with 1 TD and Michael Chitayat had 47 with 1 TD. The main story was the depleted defense of the Rainmakers as they made a few key stops and incredible plays to shut down the potent CLR Forces offense. Rainmakers now move on to the semi finals and will take on the number 1 seed, Montreal’s Finest.

 

The Express had a chance to make the playoffs on Sunday as they faced the Rainmakers. This game was irrelevant for the Rainmakers but meant everything to the Express. And the Express did win this game and accomplished two things, one, they sent the Wolverines home and two, they secured themselves a playoff spot. It was a close win with the final score being 26-25. The Rainmakers were up at the half 12-7 but the Express turned it up in the second half because they obviously had no choice. Bruno Collette had 5 catches for 78 yards and 3 TDs while also adding an INT. The Express defense did a great job on Ryan Kastner throughout the night and the Rainmakers’ offense. Furthermore, the Express made the playoffs in their first season playing in division 1, which is an impressive feat. They would travel from Laval to Lachine to face the Hurricanes in the second wild card playoff game.

Remember when I said that no matter who made the playoffs, Express or the Wolverines, they would not have a chance in hell against their first round? Well, I was right. In their two previous meetings, the Hurricanes outscored the Express 103-42 while obviously going 2-0. Would it be right to assume that the Hurricanes could annihilate the Express a third time in the same season, especially in the playoffs? Yes, it would be, because that is what happened. The Hurricanes won by a score of 42-18, which was a statement that they are ready to start a journey to defend their title. Rick Nincheri posted impressive numbers, 19-31 for 149 yards, 4 TDs and 27 rushing yards with 2 TDs. Apparently Shane Williams had 10 TDs (according to the website) however in all probability he had 1. After being named the two-way player on the ALL STARWAR SQUAD, he showed why he deserved to be on defense by collecting 3 tackles, 1 INT and 1 PD. Patrick Chenard just couldn’t get it going all night and more important, the Express defense wasn’t able to slow down the powerful Hurricanes offense.

 

What everyone has to realize is that all the teams in the final four are teams who should be here and have earned their spot. For the teams who are no longer in playoffs, give yourselves a pat on the back because you did a great job and were part of the most memorable season in division 1. Well that recaps the first round of playoffs.

 

Round 2 preview

 

Congratulations to the Montreal’s Finest, Demons, Hurricanes and Rainmakers for making it this far. For the Montreal’s Finest, Hurricanes and the Rainmakers, this is their third straight semi finals appearance in FPF. The number one seed Montreal’s Finest will face the fifth seed Rainmakers and the second seed Demons will take on third seed Hurricanes. As I mentioned before that for the most part, this is a fitting final four. So I will now break down these match ups in detail.

 

(1) Montreal’s Finest vs. (5) Rainmakers – A game in which the Rainmakers will need a perfect game; it will be tough to match a Finest team that has a lot of talent and depth. However don’t count out the Rainmakers’ squad because they will be playing with a lot of emotion.

 

Montreal’s Finest

 

Kevin Wyeth had a bye week in division 1 but did play in division 2 so he is in game shape. He will need to continue distributing the ball to his receivers but can afford a stop or two because of the great defense behind him. Furthermore if they have the lead, he needs to slow the game down and keep the Rainmakers’ offense off of the field. Defensively, Moe Khan has to neutralize the lifeline of the Rainmakers’ offense, namely Ryan Kastner; as we have seen this season, he seems to have trouble against tall rushers. The Finest had the best defense after ten regular season games so that trend must continue in the post season. If the defensive backs of the Finest can contain the opponent’s receivers, it will give Moe Khan more time to do his magic on Ryan Kaster. 

 

Key match up: Moe Khan vs. Ryan Kastner

X-Factor: Kishon Thompson

 

Rainmakers

 

The Rainmakers’ only chance to win this game will be to score on every drive. If they win the coin toss, they need to take the ball. The Rainmakers’ receivers will have to step up and make plays all night because they are going up against a stingy Finest defense. Michael Chitayat, Christian McGuire, Alex Bussandri and Greg Landry will be the key to this game because if they are stopped, Ryan Kastner will be as good as sacked.

Defensively it will be tough to get to Kevin Wyeth, after all he was sacked twice and intercepted seven times, all year. Perhaps we shouldn’t totally count out the Rainmakers defense because they will be playing determined football.

 

Key match up: Rainmakers’ receivers vs. Finest defense

X-Factor: Christian McGuire

 

(2) Demons vs. (3) Hurricanes – One of those games in which every down, every pass, every inch will make all the difference in the world. There will be no room for mistakes and team who controls the last possession should win it. Season series between these two is 1-1.

 

Demons

 

Carmine Pollice has to know that the Hurricanes will cover Rochdi Benabdelkader quite well therefore he will need to have a few other options ready. With the absence of Kyle Smith and Mark Deslauriers, he can use the deep ball to his advantage but not too often because Shane Williams will be lurking along with Jay Ulley. Pollice will have to use his rushing abilities more often as he is tough to tackle on the run. Defensively the Demons have been playing more as a unit in the last few weeks (minus the bye week). They will have to cover the deep threats in Shane Williams, Louis Larouche and Robby Robinson, which forces the Hurricanes to march down the field and score in the red zone. That is in the Demons’ favor because their red zone defense is a lot better than their regular defense.

 

Key match up: Demons defense vs. Louis Larouche, Shane Williams and Robby Robinson

X-Factor: Benny Goodfriend

 

Hurricanes

 

They will be without two key players on defense so offensively they’ll have to get it going early and often. Having been in situations like this before, it shouldn’t be tough for the offense to make the plays. The Hurricanes have to use the short passes if they are available rather than force the ball deep, hoping the receivers can bring it down. Rick Nincheri will have to make it count in the red zone because there is a good chance he’ll be in there often. This should be the Tony Khoury zone. Defensively, without Kylie Smith and Mark Deslauriers, other players such as Shane Williams and Jay Ulley will need to step up. Asif Choudhury, defensive captain of the Hurricanes, will have a tough task of allocating a player to Rochdi Benabdelkader and taking away the deep threat with players like Mike Harrington and Benny Goodfriend. Perhaps they might want to use the same strategy of allowing short passes all night and stopping the Demons in the red zone, but the Demons have a great red zone offense as well.

 

Key match up: Tony Khoury will have to come up big because the Demons will cover the deep ball.

X-Factor:  Kevin Wilson

 

I predict a Montreal’s Finest versus Demons final.

 

A Second with Sarwar

 

I have received some feedback this week regarding the ALL STARWAR SQUAD. It was about how I selected my squad and why I picked one player twice. There are rumors that I had received some funds, which persuaded my decision, however nothing can be further than the truth and there is definitely no evidence to prove otherwise. I don’t look at the stats because I believe that they don’t tell the whole story. Instead, I look deep down in every individual’s soul (kind of like Lord Rayden from Mortal Kombat) and not many were STARWAR worthy. The factors include game sense, ‘clutchness’, talent and being a class act. A lot of scouting and countless nights were spent in making some tough decisions but after carefully reviewing all the possible candidates (25 in total), 12 were selected. Does this mean that the remaining 13 aren’t STARWARs? Yes and No. They are STARWARs but they aren’t ALL STAR-WARs, there is a difference and it is as big as Rostyn Castleton’s juiced up bicep. I have had talks with EA Sports regarding a Flag Football game so my ability to put together an impeccable squad is finally being recognized. After all, my nickname is Jerry Jones. And regarding Shane Williams being selected on both sides of the ball, well who can argue that he is not the best two-way player in FlagPlus Football? Anyone? I thought so. I almost had T-Shirts made for all the winners however my sponsor (whose name I cannot disclose at this present time) backed out last minute so for now the honor of being a winner shall do.

 

In next week’s article, I will recap the semi finals and look at the all-important finals in complete detail. Also, I’ll write other fun entertaining things to read. If you also have any suggestions, feel free to write to me and suggest them on Facebook or [email protected]. That is all time I have for this week but tune in to Rehan’s Report next week same STARWAR time, same STARWAR article.