Reviews and Previews from FPF Junior

For those of you who are used to playing at Loyola on Saturdays, you might have realized that I have not been there for the past few weeks. Luckily, I will be back on the sidelines this week. I have missed the weekly action of FPF Junior. While I kept up with the results during my absence, there is nothing quite like being at the field. Let’s get down to business and talk about what you are all here to read about: the games.

 

Week 6 Games of the Week:

G-League – Mosquito

Grizzlies (18) vs Diablos La Prairie (26)

Both teams came into this game desperate for their second win of the season. After a well fought battle, it was the Diablos who came away with that important win. They were led to victory by the stellar play of their quarterback Tommy Lesnik. While Lesnik threw for less yards than his opposing number, he led in every other category. He added to his 70 passing yards with 52 rushing yards on only two attempts. Yes, that is over 25 yards a carry. However, the most important thing Lesnik did was protect the ball. He only threw one interception. Ultimately, the Diablos won the turnover battle and went on to win the game. The Diablos only completed six passes and four of those catches came courtesy of Vincent Debray. He accounted for 57 of his team’s 70 passing yards and also scored all three of their receiving touchdowns. Simon Therrien and Damon Calisto each caught a pass as well. Luckily for the Diablos, no one was able to stop Debray. He was able to run wild against the Grizzlies defence and score at will. However, if the Diablos face a more experienced team I am sure they will have a solution to shutting Debray down. If the Diablos are to succeed down the stretch, they will need to start finding offensive production from other receivers.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Diablos’ superstar was once again Vincent Debray. He led his team in tackles with eight. He also managed one of his team’s two interceptions. Jeremy Longpre also had a stellar defensive showing for the Diablos. He managed a crucial interception late in the game. His team went on the score on the drive following his pick. Simon Therrien made his presence felt with two defended passes.

The Grizzlies have to feel like this was one of their better games of the season. They completed twice as many passes as their opponents and passed for 30 more yards. I was very impressed to see the Grizzlies complete so many passes. Eleven of their thirteen completions came from Zach Besner and Harley Minzberg. Besner led the team with six catches for 57 yards while Minzberg caught five for 26 yards. Most of the time in Mosquito, completing a ton of these short passes is the key to victory. Eventually the other team will miss a tackle and you will transform that 3-yard pass into a 30-yard gain. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies never got that lucky break. If the Grizzlies keep on completing 13 passes a game, success will soon follow.

Defensively, Harley Minzberg came up huge for his team and almost singlehandedly kept the Grizzlies in this one. He led his team in tackles with three and in passes defended with two. He also picked off the Diablos. The only thing that the Grizzlies defence was not able to do was slow down Vincent Debray. Had they been able to find a player who could cover Debray, maybe they would have won this one. I am sure the Grizzlies coaches will have a better game plan for the next time they face off against an all-star receiver.

G-League – Pee-Wee

Flight School (18) vs Gladiators (26): Before this game, the Gladiators were on their worst skid of the season. They had lost back to back games against bottom placed teams. Things were not looking good for one of FPF Juniors most established teams. The Gladiators had a chance to turn their season around last week when they faced off against Flight School. Fortunately for the Gladiators, they managed to beat FS and get their season back on track. They are now sitting in first place in Pee-Wee and appear to have a stranglehold on the division.

What made this victory even more impressive was the fact that the Gladiators managed to win without their starting QB, Kingston Paquet. Noah Swaminadhan led his team to victory in the absence of Paquet. While Noah Swaminadhan might not have the elite arm talent that Paquet does, Swaminadhan does have a fantastic understanding of the game. He is a master at rolling out of the pocket and finding the gaps in the opposing defence. That is exactly what he did versus Flight School. He completed nearly 80% of his passes on his way to passing for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Critically, he did not turn the ball over once. One of the biggest keys to Noah Swaminadhan’s success was his ability to spread the ball. Four Gladiators receivers all finished the match with four or more receptions. The leading target was Gianni Di Vincenzo who caught seven passes for 60 yards. Close on his heels was Justin Swaminadhan who caught six passes for 57 yards and a score. When the Gladiators were in need of a touchdown, there go to man was Emile Kilbride. He finished the game with five catches, two of which were for touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, the Gladiators were able to do more than just slow down Flight School. Impressively, they managed to intercept them twice. The Gladiators scored early and right when it looked like FS was about to respond, Phoenix Thomas game up with a massive interception. He stopped FS deep in his own territory. That interception set the tone for the rest of the game. Justin Swaminadhan also came up with an interception. In the dying moments of the game, FS were driving and looking to score for a chance to equalize when Justin Swaminadhan put an end to that drive and to the game with his interception.

One thing that Flight School did very well in this game was pass the ball. Quarterback Obryan Bouchard aired it out for 211 yards and three scores. That is fifty more yards than the Gladiators passed for. FS’s leading receiver was Dave Lileka Bolombe. He nearly had a 100-yard receiving game. In fact, he led all FS receivers with six catches for 97 yards and two scores. When Bouchard wasn’t connecting with Lileka Bolombe, he was probably looking for Brenden Christin. Christin finished the game with three catches for 50 yards and a score. All in all Flight School’s offence had a good game. There were just two issues that plagued them and ultimately prevented them from winning this one. First, they turned the ball over two more times than their opponents. Simply put, turnovers kill in FPF and FS saw just how costly they can be in this loss. The second problem was efficiency. When you pass for over 200 yards, you expect to score over 20 points. Unfortunately, FS had far too many drives that stalled deep in the Gladiators’ territory. If FS want to have a chance at winning this division, they need to learn how to transform those yards into points.

 

Week 7 Predictions:

Sophomore

Bulls (4-2) vs Panthers (5-1): First place is on the line in this heavyweight showdown. The Bulls beat the Panthers back in week 1. However, this is a very different Panther’s team. They have been practising and putting in the effort all throughout the season. That effort paid off and they are now in first with an impressive 5-1 record. They narrowly beat the Bulls just after the holidays. These two teams are very evenly matched athletically. Both have their speedsters and superstars. Ultimately, I think this game will come down to discipline and coaching. The Panthers coaches have been putting in hard work preparing their team before each game. They are one of the better coached teams in all of FPF Junior.  From everything I have seen, I have to give the nod to the Panthers. 

Prediction: Panthers

Atom

Flight School (5-0) vs Jaguars (4-2): The Jaguars’ objective this season has been very clear: beat Flight School. In what most predict to be a finals preview, the Jaguars have a chance to prove that they can hang with the big boys. Even if the Jaguars do not win this one, staying within a score of Flight School should give them enough confidence. For Flight School, this game has the possibility to set the tone for the rest of the season. If they can win this one in convincing fashion, they have to be considered the heavy favorites to win it all.

Prediction: Flight School

Mosquito

McCaig Gladiators (3-2) vs Grizzlies (1-5): I was impressed by the Grizzlies performance last week. Most 1-5 teams in Mosquito won’t be able to complete 13 passes. However, the Grizzlies were able to. I see them completing just as many, if not more passes against the Gladiators. This game will be decided by the tackling abilities of the Gladiators. If they can limit the Grizzlies yards after the catch, they should be able to win this one comfortably. However, just one or two missed tackles might be enough for the Grizzlies to win this one.

Prediction: McCaig Gladiators

Pee-Wee

AP Hurricanes (2-4) vs Flight School (4-2): While the Hurricanes might currently be in last place, they are only two wins backs of first place. Luckily for the Hurricanes, they are facing a Flight School team that is fresh off a devastating loss. If they can capitalize on that, it is not too late for the Hurricanes to make a late push up the standings. However, FS will not make that easy for them. Flight School still think they are the best team in this division and if they are to have any hope of finishing first, they need this win.

Prediction: Flight School

Bantam

Islanders (1-5) vs Diablos La Prairie (1-5): The season has not gone as planned for either one of these teams. The last time the Islanders won was right after the holiday break. I am sure this group is thirsty for another win before the season ends. The Diablos’ last win came in the same week. However, Diablos have been playing strong football over the past few weeks. They managed to keep things close against LCC and they scored twice against the Bulldogs. Things seem to be pointing in the right direction for this team.

Prediction: Diablos La Prairie

Midget

La Belle Province (6-0) vs Flight School (5-2):  La Belle Province blew out Flight School in week 4. I am sure that Flight School have been plotting their revenge ever since. FS seem to have made key changes to their defence. They only allowed two touchdowns to the Dusters last week. If they can put in another defensive performance like that one, they could hand LBP their first loss of the season. However, containing LBP’s offence is no easy feat. They have already scored over 200 points this season.

Prediction: La Belle Province

 

I am excited to get back on the sidelines this week. I will be at Loyola on Saturday and Lachine on Sunday. I you have anything to say about the article, feel free to come and chat to me on the sidelines or email me at [email protected]

Best of luck to all in week 7!