The GM’s scouting report (Div C) – Week 7

(Note: This article was written prior to this week’s games, but in typical G.M. fashion, was only ready to be posted today. The standings, records and rankings do not reflect any results from Week 7.)

Welcome to my favorite article of the season. I’ll try to keep the introduction and filler to a minimum, as there’s a lot of content to cover. Here are the criteria I’ve taken into account when making the rankings: Season records, strength of schedules, and strength of rosters. I’ll also mention the two main contributors (in my opinion) to the team’s success and an unknown name who is a big role player on the team who normally flies under the radar.

20: Ball Busters

Current season record: 0-6-0 (Final season prediction: 0-10-0)

It’s not a question of what one single thing is wrong with the Ball Busters. In all honesty, there isn’t much wrong with them at all; they just are simply unable to close out games. The first two games aside, they’ve been keeping their games closer and closer. If things continue along this pace, they’re looking to finish the season with a winless record. Which then begs the question: what to do? Should they proceed with Dylan Taylor and hope for the best? Or should they try their hand with Mario Choueri who is a solid quarterback and have Jeff Brown make the move to center? There’s enough experience on this team that they should start thinking outside the box and finding something that works because no one wants to go 0-10.

X-Factors: Mike Zenone, Mario Choueri

Hidden gem: Jeff Brown

19: Dragons

Current season record: 1-5-0 (Final season prediction: 2-8-0)

Having just come off of their first win, the Dragons have the tiniest bit of hope that this season isn’t a total bust. Bouncing back from a Week 4 pounding by the Legends, the Dragons lost to the heavily-favored Incredibles by 1 and a win against the Ball Busters. Despite the injuries that plague this team, things are looking up as their next matchup is against another 1-5 team and they have a chance to double their wins. I know that Simon isn’t as concerned with putting wins on the board, but rather about having his team grow as a group and augment their skills for future seasons.

X-Factors: Jean-Francois Fortier-Poulin, Antonin Desegent

Hidden gem: Maxime Coté

18: Backyard Bullies

Current season record: 1-5-0 (Final season prediction: 2-8-0)

The question is how can Backyard Bullies go on a roll? Do they continue forward with Paul Masse who has given them a win but has been inconsistent as well as absent? Do they go with Rich Humes sacrificing their top receiver for a QB that’s familiar with the squad? Or do they even look to Marco Masciotra again who is actually still potentially playoff eligible if they need? Their defense has been doing well enough to get things done with what can be described as a committee of interceptions. I’ve mentioned time and time again on the podcast their ability to do damage in the playoffs, but they have to make it there first.

X-Factors: Rich Humes, Vinny Gualano

Hidden gem: Daniel O’Connor

17: Broccasion

Current season record: 1-5-0 (Final season prediction: 3-7-0)

How the mighty have fallen. They’ve gone from back-to-back finalists to (projected) back-to-back missing the playoffs. Largely suffering from ‘there one week, gone the next;’ there seems to be a lack of consistency not only with their play but with their roster as well. They’ve played up to the competition of the top dogs in the division and came up just short, but have slumped against less experienced teams. Maybe Kristian Cerantola would do better using his mobility to find and exploit holes in opposing defenses? This is a squad that is too good to be playing like this, especially considering the past seasons that they’ve had, even WITH Kristian at the helm, such as their foray in Division 3.

X-Factors: Kyle Lebofsky, Moy McDonald

Hidden gem: Francis Monpetit

16: Patriotes

Current season record: 2-4-0 (Final season prediction: 3-7-0)

I don’t know why this team has fallen from grace. Aside from Montreal’s Finest and Young Guns, Patriotes are the only dynasty that has won back-to-back championships in Spring and Winter. They’ve made solid additions this season, yet have been unable to pull themselves out of the slump. Granted, having two games where they’ve played without their starting QB has hurt them, but beyond that, maybe it’s just a question of re-finding their mojo? Maybe a drop back down to D in the next Spring could help them re-cultivate their greatness?

X-Factors: Vincent Jacques, Sebastien Pereda

Hidden gem: Alex Pereda

15: Formerly Formerly Teamless

Current season record: 1-4-1 (Final season prediction: N/A)

Objectivity aside, I’ve ranked them this high due to the fact that they managed to tie an ONS team that has an otherwise unblemished record. An example of a talented team that just isn’t clicking, it’s hard to pinpoint a single problem. Opposing QBs are regularly completing more than 80% of their passes on FFT, and their offense has struggled to keep pace with the elevated competition of Division C in comparison to last year. Throw in roster inconsistency, and you’ve got a struggling team. Even if they win out their remaining 4 games, playoffs may not even be an option due to how strong Conference A is.

X-Factors: Matt Bishara, Eddy Martinez

Hidden gem: Vadim Chernyak

14: Special Delivery

Current season record: 2-4-0 (Final season prediction: 3-7-0)

The Park-X boys have split into two, and what’s left here is the major league team. Throw in some strength from Guillaume Bedard’s Bulldogs and Dolphins, and you’ve got an odd-yet-talented mix. Unfortunately, despite the star power on the team, their unorthodox offense and defense is having trouble keeping pace with the rest of the division. Throw in a difficult schedule to begin with, and you’ve really got yourselves in a pickle. Billy Seretis will need to start adjusting to the defenses quicker if Special Delivery want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

X-Factors: Niko Zermalias, Jonathan Makris

Hidden gem: John Papadimitriou

13: Rude Bwoys

Current season record: 1-4-1 (Final season prediction: 3-6-1)

So much potential. So often squandered. I feel like I’m hardest on the Rude Bwoys, more than on any other team in the division, because I want to see them succeed so badly. They’re a core that have been together for a long time and play week-in, week-out, without drama. What can be done? Is Eugene McLaren sitting in the pocket too long? Is their playbook in need of a refresher? Above anything else, can they function as a collaborative unit rather than a bunch of guys all wearing the same jersey? Here’s hoping, because I’m waiting for a change from them.

X-Factors: Eugene McLaren, Bryan Joseph

Hidden gem: Doug Gelevan

12: First Downers

Current season record: 2-4-0 (Final season prediction: 3-7-0)

I’d say that the First Downers are the biggest success of the division this season. Considering how poorly established Division C teams are doing, having a team with an okay record in Division 5 jump up and still be able to keep up is fantastic. For the powerhouse teams in C, I’d be afraid to play First Downers because they’re CONSTANTLY learning and improving, and will prove to be a trap game for anyone that opposes them this season. I’m looking forward to them developing as a legitimate threat in the coming seasons.

X-Factors: Jonathan Legault, Frederic Fortier

Hidden gem: Guillaume Robert

11: Monstars

Current season record: 2-4-0 (Final season prediction: 4-6-0)

The Monstars are one of the four alumni who have been playing Division C since ’09 (along with the Rude Bwoys, KGP Champs and The Commission.) They’re the kings of the low-scoring, gritty games. Sometimes it works in their favor, other times it doesn’t. It’s no secret that they rely on their defense to win games, however it may not be enough with all of the offensive powerhouses in Conference A. Speeding the offense up a bit and going back to basic plays could help change the dynamic in how the Monstars play games.

X-Factors: Akeem Hoyte-Charles, P-M Lachaine

Hidden gem: Moh Azab

10: #NoRegard

Current season record: 3-2-1 (Final season prediction: 5-4-1)

It’s interesting how #NoRegard can be without their star receiver and are still atop their division. With a switch at the quarterback position, it’s given this team a different facet. Under new management, the team aspect has switched to the “chuck the ball up” style offense that Smolar used on the Hall of Famers. With the athleticism on #NoRegard, it seems to have worked just fine. Their schedule will hit a bit of a rough patch in the coming weeks, so we’ll see just exactly what they’re made of. However, it’s an almost guarantee that they’ll make playoffs.

X-Factors: Justin Smolar, Kendal Mayers

Hidden gem: Jordan Moses

9: The Commission

Current season record: 3-3-0 (Final season prediction: 6-4-0)

You’ve got some players on the roster who have been in the league since day one. They’ve got experience, and when they’re firing on all cylinders, they know how to win games. However, it seems like Brent Bodkin has had his work cut out for him ensuring that they’re a full squad from one week to the next. They’ve got the depth to sustain themselves in the playoffs, so long as they don’t play down to their competition like they have a history of doing in the past few seasons. With the one-two tandem of Nathan Thompson and Sean Avraam, this might just be the year for them.

X-Factors: Nathan Thompson, Peter Rose

Hidden gem: Hakim Kasbi

8: Legends

Current season record: 4-2-0 (Final season prediction: 6-4-0)

After interviewing Jeff Rosenblatt on the podcast, I found out that I knew about as much on the Legends beforehand as I did after. They’re a play by committee team with the bulk sitting on QB Cory Pecker’s shoulders. They’re learning. And yet, they’re keeping pace with some of the strongest in the division – largely due to their surprise run in their rookie Division 3 season. Considering some of the victories under their belt this season, I’m looking forward to some of the surprises that this team will come to show us, especially in the division of death.

X-Factors: Cory Pecker, Eric Rapps

Hidden gem: Jeff Rosenblatt

7: KGP Champs

Current season record: 5-1-0 (Final season prediction: 7-3-0)

While most returning teams are slumping and underachieving, KGP Champs have been by and far the best surprise this season. We’ve been seeing a season unlike any other for this squad, with everyone stepping up week after week. The ball is being distributed equally, and there is no weak link on this team. Phil Cutler has done an excellent job preparing this squad for what is certainly their breakout year, and it’s evident that they have championship on their minds. Considering that there is no dead weight on this team, I can see them exploiting that and using it to their advantage against other teams.

X-Factors: Phil Cutler, Sean Brophy

Hidden gem: Fred Saleh

6: Darkside

Current season record: 4-2-0 (Final season prediction: 7-3-0)

With the core of the championship Darkhorses and two-time champion Shawn Haney, there’s plenty of finals experience on this squad. Darkside can book themselves a repeat trip to the finals provided that they stay disciplined and stay out of each other’s way. With size and skill to back up the egos on this squad, they can talk the talk and walk the walk as well. Using their deceptive speed and brawn, they’ll be able to match up against anyone and everyone in the division.

X-Factors: Shawn Haney, Derek Daoust

Hidden gem: Anthony Bailey

5: Real Deal

Current season record: 5-1-0 (Final season prediction: 7-3-0)

Simon and I mentioned that there are a lot of former Division 1 players playing in Division C this season…and the bulk of them are on Real Deal. That being said, the team is more about having players play different positions than they’re used to; Chenard is rushing, Thuot is playing QB. They’re good, and I see them doing damage, but I don’t quite see them as in the company of the more elite teams. They’ve been ranked high, but will have to prove their worth in the coming weeks to be able to run with the big dogs.

X-Factors: Mathieu Thuot, Patrick Chenard

Hidden gem: David Polynice

4: Golden Eagles

Current season record: 5-1-0 (Final season prediction: 8-2-0)

A team that can accurately be described as the Division 4 and Division 5 all-stars. Kevin Lubin has built himself the best Golden Eagles team to date, mixing some of his usual faces (including the return of Hugo Lalonde) with some of the best players that D4 and D5 has seen in Rupcic, Gendron-Vallee and Gauthier. They look confident and are firing on all cylinders…but the question remains as to whether they’ll be able to break the curse and last in the playoffs when it all really counts. This season would be a safe year to bet on them taking it all the way.

X-Factors: Kevin Lubin, Nicolas Gendron-Vallee

Hidden gem: Simon Gauthier

3: The Incredibles

Current season record: 5-1-0 (Final season prediction: 8-2-0)

Coming off of an undefeated winter season, they’ve had their ups and downs but are continuing to do what they do best. Now, with David Stein out of town, they’ve recruited Terrance Morsink, giving them a boost in size and field awareness. Morsink has the ability to be everywhere on the field at once, and compliments the defense of the rest of the Incredibles. You’ve got a team with pretty much no weak links that have their sights set on winning it all back-to-back. Unfortunately, they’ll have to prove their worth even in the Conference A group of death.

X-Factors: Vince Nardone, Jacob Peterson

Hidden gem: Terrance Morsink

2: One Night Stands

Current season record: 5-0-1 (Final season prediction: 9-0-1)

You’ve got a squad here that has an insane amount of football knowledge. They’re definitely not the flashiest, but they know how to get it done and exploit weaknesses in the opposition. While no one wants to lose a player like Ryan Brewster, making him up with an addition of Robbie Robinson and Brian Lariviere is definitely a great exchange. With an almost guaranteed entry into the playoffs, ONS are looking like one of the top contenders so long as they can keep everything in check and not play down to their competition.

X-Factors: Craig O’Brien, Robbie Robinson

Hidden gem: Brian Lariviere

1: Wolverines

Current season record: 6-0-0 (Final season prediction: 10-0-0)

The team surrounded by hype. Are they too strong, or is the hype surrounding them just a product of mob mentality? In all honesty, I think it all comes down to their efficiency. Their play stems from pretty much 90% chemistry, rather than just relying on athleticism like some of the other teams do. Will they win the championship when it’s crunch time? I’m not convinced. Are they the best team in C right now? Absolutely. Their defense is a little bit suspect, but when you have an offense that completes more than ¾ of their passes, you know they’re clicking well. The key would be going score for score with them, which is no simple task.

X-Factors: Tony Tabet, Eric Kavaldjian

Hidden gem: Sebouh Kaloussian

Well, that’s it for this post. If you are so inclined, you can reach me at [email protected] or on twitter @gmkole44. You can also check out the Division C Calling the Audible podcast at http://podomatic.fpf.com