The Division 3 Final Four

Mongoose, Les Eudistes, Dark Moose Returns, and my Predators, thanks for playing and better luck next season. The Brotherhood, Laval’s Finest, Ball Busters, and Grip N Rip, welcome to the Final Four. As the NCAA Final Four just wrapped up with one of the most insane finishes I’ve ever seen in any sport, one can only hope the FPF Final Four has that kind of excitement in store. With the matchups we have, I’m sure we won’t be disappointed.

 

SEMI-FINALS PREVIEW

 

CONFERENCE A

#1 The Brotherhood vs. #2 Laval’s Finest

Previous Matchup: N/A

Well, the way these two teams have played all season long, it does not surprise me one bit to be seeing them squaring off with a trip to the finals on the line. They both finished 9-1 and dominated the majority of teams on the way to the playoffs. Early on, The Brotherhood looked like an unstoppable force and I didn’t picture any team taking them down. Recently however, no team has looked more balanced than Laval’s Finest. The best two teams in conference A (and I’d argue in all of division 3) is the best possible matchup we could have asked for and we are in for a treat.

 

Key Matchups:

Rod Mashtoub QB vs. The Brotherhood #1 ranked defense: Mashtoub has played great all season and has been even better in the playoffs so far. Granted, The Brotherhood defense is a whole other beast. With no clear weak links to pick on, Mashtoub will need to be smart in his play-calling and quick in his decision-making. After playing Laval’s Finest twice this season, I can argue that their receiving corps is the strongest in the division, rivalled only by The Brotherhood’s receiving corps. From top to bottom, they all got size, speed, hands, and can hurt you from anywhere on the field. TBH defense is probably the only defense in this division that has the depth to match up with all of these LVLF receivers. To win this game The Brotherhood will need at least one interception and a turnover on downs at the very least.

Theo Ojeaha vs. Jordan McLaren: After witnessing McLaren come up with a huge Hail Mary touchdown on the last play before the half and coming up with another jump ball touchdown later in the game against my team, this will definitely be Ojeaha’s biggest challenge yet this seasons. These are probably the two best athletes in the division going at it and it will be amazing to see. On the other side of the ball, Ojeaha the QB needs to avoid McLaren island at all costs. If he wants to get Jamal Gittens the ball, he’ll have to move him around and send across the field plenty.

Quaysie Gordon-Maule vs. Rod Mashtoub CB: This is WR2 vs. CB2 right here. This could be the matchup that decides the outcome of the game. Gordon-Maule needs to step up for his quarterback because with Gittens most likely shadowed by McLaren, that won’t be an option very often for Ojeaha. If Mashtoub can come out on top, as he did last week vs. the Predators, then Laval’s Finest chances of winning will significantly increase.

 

Prediction:

The winner of this game will be crowned division 3 champs on Saturday. They are the best two teams in the division and have proved that with their play this season. From the beginning, I’ve been on The Brotherhood’s bandwagon, saying they were by far the best team and were destined for a spot in the finals. However, I’m going to retract that statement and boldly claim that Laval’s Finest is the best team in the division. Boasting a top quarterback, a deep and very talented receiving corps, the most dominant defender in FPF (in my opinion), and no clear weaknesses to speak of, Laval’s Finest is the most well-balanced team in division 3. Laval’s Finest’s defense has been great as of late and I think they’ll pose a great challenge for Theo. What Laval’s Finest do extremely well is take away the deep ball. With two tall, speedy, smart, and rangy defenders in McLaren and Mashtoub, Theo won’t be able to chuck it up deep for his guys as he usually can. Although I do see Theo and his defense stepping up and making some plays on defense, Mashtoub will find a way to get to 25 points, and I believe that will be enough to punch their ticket to the finals.

Laval’s Finest 25, The Brotherhood 20

 

CONFERENCE B

#1 Ball Busters vs. #4 Grip N Rip

Previous Matchup: Grip N Rip 40, Ball Busters 31

The last time these two teams met, Grip N Rip ended Ball Busters’ undefeated season. Fast forward several weeks later and both teams have earned their way to the conference B final going through their share of ups and downs. Grip N Rip has beaten Fun Boys and Dark Moose Returns, while Ball Busters’ path went through Jumpmans (forfeit) and Les Eudistes.

 

Key Matchups:

Vinny Gualano vs. Terrence Adams – Like in the first game between the two teams, this is THE matchup that will decide the game. Gualano’s success is largely dependent on rolling out and moving around in the pocket buying time. If Adams struggles to have an impact like in the first meeting, it will be a lot of the same. If Adams does get there, it will allow the Ball Busters secondary to be aggressive and make some plays.

Dylan Taylor vs. Grip N Rip secondary – Grip N Rip have played very well defensively in their two playoff games giving up just 44 points in total while forcing some critical interceptions. They’re a defense with a plethora of veterans who have the smarts and skill to force opposing quarterbacks to making mistakes. Just last week they forced two Fred Morissette interceptions, one of which was brought back to the house by Vinny Gualano. Dylan Taylor has not fixed the interception issue that has plagued him throughout the season and a multi-interception game here would be deadly. Taylor can’t afford to make mistakes against a team like Grip N Rip, or his team will pay the price.

Brent Callender vs. Gualano’s short gimmicke routes – In the first matchup, Callender was able to pick off a Gualano pass and take it back for six points. He’s had an amazing year in the Ball Busters system and has earned his spot in the all-star game. He’ll need to be aggressive and bite on some short routes to give his team another huge play. If he can bait Gualano into a bad decision, Callender could turn the tides of this game in his team’s favour.

Prediction: It really comes down to the fact that I just have a tough time seeing Grip N Rip bow down to the same core of guys in two straight seasons (vs. STL in div C last spring). Also, GnR were my preseason pick to come out of conference B so I’m sticking with that pick. I see the game going a lot like the first, with some turnovers from both sides. It will be a close, hard-fought game but in the end, Gualano will make a play that will propel his team to the final to set up an epic rematch with Laval’s Finest.

Grip N Rip 32, Ball Busters 27

 

Best of luck to all four teams in the semis! If you want to reach me for any inquiries or to disagree with me, feel free to hit me up at [email protected] or DM me @JFloMusicMTL on Twitter.