The GM’s Scouting Report (Div C) – Week 12

So, I’ve been hoping for something like this. Having a finals matchup in which the two teams opposing each other have a similar amount of personnel that allows me to compare everyone and each detail regarding the finals from both sides of the coin. As is my usual format, Incredibles will be in standard font and One Night Stands will be italicized.

 

 

The Run

 

Representing the so-called Division of Death, The Incredibles have had an arduous road to the finals – having played one more game than ONS. Despite their victories, few games were breezy for them throughout the season. Having just come off of a championship season last winter, the Incredibles are doing everything in their power to not have to give back the trophy come Sunday and have it instead remain in their mantle for another season. Having played against a similar team in the Wolverines last week, the Incredibles approach ONS with a calm demeanor and their eyes set on the prize.

 

You’d be hard-pressed to find a game this spring in which One Night Stands were a full squad. Having personnel losses as well as absentees from week to week, ONS have struggled with themselves almost as much as they’ve struggled with their opposition. However, they do have the advantage of a plethora of knowledge and one of the most resilient teams in all of Division C. Coming off a game that tested both their morale and their physicality, they face an Incredibles team that will instead test their endurance and their ability to make big plays.

 

 

The Pivot

 

Becoming a household FPF name in a big way, Greg Stern is the next franchise quarterback. Greg has a ball whose power seems almost effortless and mechanics that are always natural. With an ability to throw deep play after play, Greg is able to keep spectators in awe and defenders in fear. Don’t let his lack of rushing yards fool you either; as much as Stern is the prototypical pocket passer, he can elude the rusher and take off at a moment’s notice. Furthermore, a 141.6 rating, 17/0 TD, 74% completion ratio stat-line makes Greg statistically the best playoff quarterback EVER in Division C.   

 

If there’s anyone in this game that you’d trust to lead you to victory, look no further than Craig O’Brien. Possessing an uncanny amount of football knowledge and experience that few can rival, Owie has seen it all. Craig will consistently make the right play call at the right time and can make cutting up a defense seem graceful. Having led his team to a championship as a quarterback in 2009 and being the game-changer as receiver in his championship of 2010, Craig knows what to do to ensure victory. Whether it’s at a lightning-quick pace or a snail’s crawl, Craig is the one you want calling the play and throwing the ball when the game is on the line.

 

The Snap

 

New acquisition Scott Booth has proved his place on this roster. Having previously only played Division 5 last winter, Scott has meshed seamlessly with this squad. Specializing in biding his time, Booth will be the go-to man when the defenders start favoring the other receivers. Leave Booth uncovered in favor of one of the other names and he’ll be sure to score.

 

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Tony Lalla. Specializing in sure-handed gains, Tony racks up the receptions in the times where it matters most. Unlike his stealthy counterpart, Tony will make you fully aware of his presence – he can also chirp and talk smack with the best of them. The glue that holds this team together, ONS wouldn’t be ONS without Tony.

 

The Rush

 

Brought in simply to shut down opposing quarterbacks, Alex Sepasi became the team’s true rusher. There’s something to be said about a player who devotes his energy solely to rushing rather than being slowed down by playing two ways. Able to neutralize Tony Tabet’s mobile attack in his previous game, Sepasi has shown that it’s not just about getting the sacks and more about shutting down the opposition.

 

If you made a list of the top rushers in Division C, you’d be hard pressed to find one without Hinsley Adams’ name on it. Possessing supernatural speed, Hinsley is perhaps one of the fastest players in Division C. Specializing in forcing the quarterback into a corner with the rushing angles he takes, Hinsley neutralizes pocket passers and mobile QBs alike. A former Vanier Cheetah receiver, Hinsley excels on the offensive side of the ball just as much as he does on the defensive side of it.

 

The Perennial All-Star

 

Ladies and gentlemen: Jacob Peterson. Quite possibly the best player to have never played higher than Division 3, Peterson is a talent unlike any other. Able to run deep routes play after play after play, Jacob can be a nightmare for any defender in front of him. Never one to showboat and always in it for the team, Jacob is an Incredible at heart and leads his team by example. Specializing in triple moves, attempting to cover Jacob might be the last thing that your ankles do in a game.

 

Able to hold his own and make a mark on whichever team he plays on, Robbie Robinson is

Forget Division C, Robbie is some of the best talent the league has to offer. Quick and elusive, Robinson is like a slippery fish contorting himself and dodging the tackles of defenders. A former two-way player of the year and championship winner, Robbie is no stranger to stepping up and championships. As the opposition, you’d best hope that the play is going to the side of the field that Robbie isn’t on, unless you’d like to see him put on a show.

 

The Playmaker

 

How else could you describe Vince Nardone except ‘Everywhere at once’? Able to turn a small catch into a 30 yard-after-completion reception, Nardone is a dangerous player to line up against. To my knowledge, Nardone is the only player in FPF history to complete a double hat-trick: Scoring 3 touchdowns and having 3 interceptions in the same game. Having been the difference-maker in more games than not, Nardone is a safe bet for a game changer.

 

Going toe-to-toe with Brian Lariviere certainly isn’t easy. Not only does a big man fill the size 13 cleats of the player lining up against you, he also moves with the speed and nimbleness of a much smaller man. Specializing in jumping routes as a defender and taking them back for six, opposing QBs need to be 100% confident of their throw before releasing on his side of the field. Definitely as big of a midseason acquisition for ONS as Robbie Robinson.  

 

The Hidden Gem

 

Quietly going about his business, Marco Bertoldi waits in the shadows for the right moment. Despite the prominence of some of the other names on the team, Bertoldi waits until the attention shifts off of him and then strikes. Bearing in mind that he’s played the best teams that Conference A has seen, how many people have noticed that Marco has 4 interceptions in 3 playoff games? While a hand injury may hinder one of the few traditionalists who don’t wear gloves, Jammy is still likely to be a game-changer come Sunday.

 

You can go a whole season without the experts saying Jeff Millar’s name in the media, but that doesn’t make him any less potent. The heart and soul of this ONS team (or any other of seasons past, really) Jeff will make his presence known when his team needs him the most. Vocal, gritty and a solid player, Millar won’t back down from conflict or from covering your best player with ease. 

 

The Giant Defender

 

A surprise acquisition to say the least, having Terrance Morsink join the Incredibles has been a huge boost to both their overall depth and their size. Not only is having a 6 foot 3 ballhawk a boost to this team which is rather diminutive in size – they also gain a former CIS player who has a great knowledge for the game and can cover a whole lot of ground on defense. Throw in a 40 yard bomb whenever the Incredibles need a morale boost, and you’ve got

 

The irony is that on a team of veterans, it’s Tanner Burrell who looks like he’s been playing for 30 years despite being only 21. It’s rough as a receiver lining up against Tanner, because half of your route is spent simply getting around him. Using his awareness as a contact player to his advantage, Tanner knows what’s going on around him at all times and is often the first player there ready to make the tackle.

 

The Coverage

 

On the opposite side of the size spectrum, Kevin Libman shows that you don’t always have to be the biggest on the field to be a game-changer. Often coming up with a key interception or PD, Libman’s big plays are often the straw that breaks the back of the morale of the opposing team.

 

It’s harder to find a one-two punch that complements a team as much as Corey Cook and Chris Pinsonneault do for ONS. The boisterousness of Cook and the quiet intensity of Pinsonneault is a sight to see when they line up on defense. Despite their lack of prevalence in the media, they might just be the cause of a turnover or two come Sunday.

 

The Absent Player

 

Simply put, David Stein is the heart and soul of this team. Despite being unable to play Sunday due to being overseas, Stein will proudly follow the updates of the game and represent his team like a lifelong fan repping their respective pro team.

 

On the other end of the spectrum: Ryan Brewster. Unable to qualify for the playoffs due to having moved out west, Brewster will nonetheless be present for the game. Mothers: lock up your children, we’re bound to hear a few cuss words and see more than a little drinking on the sidelines Sunday as Brewster heckles anyone and everyone within range.

 

The Showdown

 

How do you describe a game so perfect? From the get-go of the season, both teams were expected to make an appearance in the finals. Furthermore, they’ve both done it without claims of division-dodging as the road to here was light and breezy for neither team. The Incredibles have dealt with every sort of team up until this point, but as I said in the podcast: I just feel that the adjustments that ONS consistently make will be the difference in this tight shootout.

 

The Prediction

 

One Night Stands