The GM’s Scouting Report (Div C) – Week 11

As we find ourselves awaiting the two semifinal games of Spring 2013, I can’t help but be in awe over how comparable these two matchups are. You’ve got two teams who specialize in flashy, big-play football going head-to-head against efficient, cerebral teams who function like a well-oiled machine. We’re a game away from the championship. The four best teams of the division are eagerly awaiting to fight for their place in the finals. We’re going to see two Incredible games in a One Night Stand in which the competitors are going to fight like Wolverines to vanquish the Darkside for the right to go to the championship. And we’re lucky enough to be able to sit back, watch and enjoy.
 
(Note: as is usually the case with my more in-depth breakdowns, the top seed’s font will be in regular font, and the lower seed’s font will be italicized for comparison)

Conference A

Wolverines (1) vs. The Incredibles (3)
(No previous meeting)
 
I find it fairly interesting that these two teams have yet to play each other on the battlefield. Since we already know how strong both teams are, all that this tells me is that I have more potential to be wrong about more things.
 
Quarterbacks

Tony Tabet has been a star this season. His comparatively few attempts and high completion percentage shows you just why he merits his Quarterback of the Year award. Having played well on a multitude of teams, Tony knows the key components to a successful offense. The perfect mix of short and deep passing, Tony’s ability to communicate with his offense on the fly in their native Armenian has helped them decimate defenses.
 
It’s no secret that Greg Stern loves throwing deep. However, it’s one thing to know this, and a whole other to be able to stop it. Having perfect form and making throws look effortless, Stern looks like a pro in all aspects of his game. He makes the right decisions at the right times, and will always be a pass-first quarterback, which is something that any receiver wants.
 
Despite the killer season that Stern has been having, considering his accolades and his efficiency, I’m going to give the nod to Tabet in this one. While his form isn’t always the prettiest, getting it done trumps all.
 
Advantage: Wolverines
 
Receivers

Following the function over flash theme, you’ve got the experienced Wolverines receivers. It takes two to tango, and it takes someone with half a brain to know that as good as Tony is, if he didn’t have faith in his receivers to make plays he wouldn’t be a quarter as good. From the brawn of Paquette to the knowledge of the Kavaldjians, from the speed of Kozanian to the all-around dominance of Kaloussian, the Wolverines have every aspect covered.
 
You know the names. You’ve seen them work their magic. Having not one but two receivers in the top ten for season touchdowns is almost unheard of. Peterson and Nardone are the killer one-two punch, with Bertoldi being the finishing blow. The big three are solid, as well as the driving workhorses of this team’s success. However, is that enough come playoff time?
 
While Kevin Libman and Scott Booth don’t often get the press that the ‘big three’ get, will they be able to hold their own come Sunday? When comparing the two offenses, I decided to go with the average of all the offensive players rather than just a sum of the talent, and I felt that the Wolverines were far more balanced.
 
Advantage: Wolverines

Defense

Showing that stats don’t always paint the full picture is the Wolverines. Even if they don’t always have the high INTs and PDs, they can certainly help you go three-and-punt. They know how to call a defense that frustrates their opposition and maximizes their time on offense. Throw in two of the most underrated defenders in the division in Moumdjian and Young, and you’ve got a rock-solid defense.
 
In a league where one interception can be considered a backbreaker, The Incredibles must have a Mortal Kombat-esque collection of spines. They decimate their opposition’s morale with their high turnover ability and speed everywhere. The Incredibles’ defense always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Having the ability to shoot players in different positions further adds to their versatility.
 
Just like the other comparisons, it’s not that one squad is bad at one aspect; just that one team has an edge (in an admittedly tight race to begin with.) In this case, the raw talent of The Incredibles’ defense takes the cake.
 
Advantage: The Incredibles

Final Thoughts

I went to the podcast Monday with The Incredibles as my clear-cut winner. As I started speaking out loud and hearing my thoughts while we recorded, I convinced myself more and more that the Wolverines were the team to go with here. As strong as The Incredibles are, there are a few matchups that make me uneasy. I see Tony Tabet taking full advantage of Alex Sepasi’s inexperience at the rushing position. In truth, the team that takes the lead first will dictate the pace of this game, and will make ANY interception a potential game-ender. The Incredibles’ defense is possibly best in the division, but can they adjust to a team that has their own language for audibles and can change plays at a moment’s notice?
 
Prediction: Wolverines
 
 
Conference B

One Night Stands (1) vs. Darkside (3)
(Previous meeting: One Night Stands 27, Darkside 26)
 
A game that certainly merited it’s GOTW standing, it’s available online and a treat for all to watch. We learned in this game not only the importance of the extra-point convert, but also that throwing more interceptions than touchdowns doesn’t always cost you the game.
 
Quarterbacks

Craig O’Brien is an efficient monster. Give him plays, and he’ll make the most of them. Give him players, he’ll make the most of them. Armed with a killer playbook and a ton of football IQ, Owie is definitely a man you want playing behind center for you. He knows what works, and he’ll find and exploit a defense’s weakness when he needs a big play the most. Always calm, you’d be hard-pressed to see him desperate for a play or frustrated.
 
It’s difficult to describe just how much of an effect Leon Holder has on a game. Although he sometimes flip-flops in consistency, he’s almost always the reason for success. As the pressure builds, you see his skill increase. He’ll go toe-to-toe with quarterbacks you’d think he’d be outmatched against, and rise to the occasion. Sometimes volatile and always interesting to watch, he’s your prototypical playoff quarterback.
 
As good as Holder can be, there are times where you just want to go with the safe bet. Leon can sometimes look like a star and then walk off the field in frustration. If it’s consistency you’re looking for, O’Brien will be by your side until the final whistle.
 
Advantage: One Night Stands

It’s sometimes a matter of being a piece of the puzzle. On their own, the ONS receivers seem incomplete. You wouldn’t give most of them a second look. However, together they function like a well-oiled machine. They’ve made do under two quarterbacks, and back down from no opposition.
 
Darkside are an anamoly; they’ve got, without a doubt, the biggest and most physical receiving corps in all of Division C. Yet, they possess so much speed that it’s uncanny. Having no weak link, Holder is free to spread the ball every time to whoever eludes their defender, plain and simple. Haney, Lowe, Paradis, Kennedy and Daoust. You’re either going to have to out-muscle them, or let them catch the ball and hope for the tackle after.
 
The difference between pieces of a puzzle and a collection of all-stars is that when you remove a piece of the puzzle, sometimes it doesn’t function the same. Darkside’s receiving corps have individual accolades and yet still function well together, which makes them dangerous indeed.
 
Advantage: Darkside

Being an athlete is good and all, but it won’t amount to as much if you can’t make a play or have the knowledge. ONS use their knowledge to their advantage and shut down even the most athletic teams with their play. Throw in a lightning-quick rusher who causes opposing QBs to panic and dump the ball, and you have a recipe for interceptions that is sure to work.
 
Sit back and wait. Give Darkside enough time, and they’ll come up with the pick. A squad of ballhawks that are consistently shooting positions, waiting and biding their time for their big moment. Even though they lost (albeit by one point) they were still able to pick off one of the best quarterbacks in the division four times.
 
With the amount of talent and size, you simply can’t give the nod to anyone but Darkside. They know what works for them, and are the wrench in the machine waiting to disrupt everything that’s going fine.
 
Advantage: Darkside

Final Thoughts

A one-point game was our buildup to this game, and I’m thinking that we’re in for another ride. Of all the matchups that this one can produce, I’m especially excited to see Leon Holder go head to head with Hinsley Adams again. I’m leaning towards ONS here, but only slightly. If, however, One Night Stands are missing two or more players from their playoff-eligible squad, I’ve got Darkside taking this handedly.
 
Prediction:One Night Stands