The Goal-Line Stand (Div D) – Week 10
28-07-2012 12:00 AM
And finally the end had come,
Not even time for one more run.
Every team now knows its place,
They gear up for the final race.
They line up neatly – one to eight,
Talent, energy, and leap of fate,
Is all they need to be called “great.”
Team #1 is #NoRegard,
Offense/defense battle hard.
Now in second are the Spartans,
I’m sorry but that rhymes with fartin’,
Stuck in third the Affreux be,
Without the services of Mathieu D,
Is this now Dagenais’ key?
TCO’s defense is strong,
If and when others go long.
In fifth place the Rogues will stew,
They sit and ponder what to do.
The Dragons, 6th, are full of hope,
The final cup they plan to grope,
Unlike La Sauce they will drink Coke.
Conference A still has me vexed,
Read about them, they are next.
They piss me off, the Sea Assassins,
Because nothing rhymes with Sea Assassins.
The Stunnerz made a fool of me,
By beating Rogues so handily.
And what now? That’s Conference B!
The Boozers have the size and skill,
Their matchups are a test of will.
A team who is so certified,
The second seed, they occupy.
And don’t forget Blue Mountain State,
Their opponents hope they show up late.
Don’t bite on pumps – it may be bait.
And now in 4th sits Park-X Streets,
Pre-game fuel is gyro w/ beets.
Lockdown has the masses pumped,
Their wins together they have lumped,
Vis Motus rhymes with nothing much,
The cup is what they wish to touch.
Let’s hope it does work out as such.
Project Mayhem, they are good,
Boys from the backstreet and the hood.
Brian Martin is so tall,
The Longhorns hope he doesn’t fall.
To whomever this year’s cup may go,
I hope to see your smiles glow.
Thank you, and enjoy the show!
Final Standings
|
Conference A |
Points |
Wins |
+/- |
Divisional |
|
|
1 |
#NoRegard |
20 |
10 |
191 |
3-0-0 |
|
2 |
Spartans |
18 |
9 |
115 |
2-1-0 |
|
3 |
Affreux |
17 |
8 |
117 |
3-0-0 |
|
4 |
TCO |
16 |
8 |
106 |
3-0-0 |
|
5 |
Rogues |
16 |
8 |
136 |
2-1-0 |
|
6 |
Dragons |
12 |
6 |
21 |
2-1-0 |
|
7 |
Sea Assassins |
11 |
5 |
-11 |
0-3-0 |
|
8 |
Stunnerz |
10 |
5 |
37 |
2-1-0 |
|
9 |
All-Coholics |
10 |
5 |
-38 |
2-1-0 |
|
10 |
Knights |
8 |
4 |
-39 |
1-2-0 |
|
11 |
Marvels |
8 |
4 |
-92 |
1-2-0 |
|
12 |
Speed Demons |
6 |
3 |
-38 |
1-2-0 |
|
13 |
Westside Connection |
5 |
2 |
-96 |
0-3-0 |
|
14 |
Checkmate |
4 |
2 |
-62 |
2-1-0 |
|
15 |
Vikings |
2 |
1 |
-159 |
0-3-0 |
|
16 |
Tailgates |
0 |
0 |
-265 |
0-3-0 |
|
Conference B |
Points |
Wins |
+/- |
Divisional |
|
|
1 |
Boozers |
18 |
9 |
121 |
2-1-0 |
|
2 |
Certified Flyguyz |
16 |
8 |
87 |
3-0-0 |
|
3 |
Blue Mountain State |
13 |
5 |
53 |
2-1-0 |
|
4 |
Park-X Streets |
10 |
5 |
-41 |
3-0-0 |
|
5 |
Lockdown |
14 |
7 |
90 |
3-0-0 |
|
6 |
Vis Motus |
12 |
6 |
-3 |
1-2-0 |
|
7 |
Project Mayhem |
10 |
5 |
16 |
2-1-0 |
|
8 |
Longhorns |
10 |
5 |
4 |
2-1-0 |
|
9 |
Sons of Cyr |
10 |
5 |
28 |
1-2-0 |
|
10 |
C Difficile |
10 |
5 |
-21 |
1-2-0 |
|
11 |
Moose |
8 |
4 |
-33 |
2-1-0 |
|
12 |
First Downers |
8 |
4 |
-10 |
1-2-0 |
|
13 |
Broncos |
6 |
3 |
-46 |
0-3-0 |
|
14 |
Eskimo Brothers |
4 |
2 |
-80 |
1-2-0 |
|
15 |
Tyrants |
4 |
2 |
-24 |
0-3-0 |
|
16 |
Flying Comics |
4 |
2 |
-63 |
0-3-0 |
By the Numbers
In the spirit of capping off the regular season, my tech team (one person whom I pay with nothing but positive reinforcement) has compiled a list on which readers can find the best of the best. Below are the winners of both offensive and defensive categories on a per-game basis. The Spartans dominate the offensive category, whereas TCO does the same for defense – no surprises here. The question is whether or not this will translate into playoff wins.
Offensive:
Most Passing Yards For: Lockdown & Moose (173)
Most Yards Per Reception For: Eskimo Brothers (14.23)
Most Rushing Yards For: Spartans (58.30)
Most Yards Per Run For: Spartans (12.68)
Most Passing Touchdowns For: Spartans (5.0)
Most Rushing Touchdowns For: Spartans (0.7)
Most Extra Points For: Tyrants (1.43)
Least Sacks Against: Boozers & First Downers (0.3)
Least Interceptions Against: Rogues (0.6)
Defensive:
Least Passing Yards Against: TCO (85.6)
Least Yards Per Reception Against: Sea Assassins (8.6)
Least Rushing Yards Against: Project Mayhem (10.44)
Least Yards Per Run Against: Dragons (4.77)
Least Passing Touchdowns Against: TCO (1.3)
Most Sacks For: Boozers & TCO (2.0)
Most Interceptions For: Boozers (2.7)
Most Passed Defended For: TCO (5.9)
Most Tackles For: First Downers (14.5)
Most Pick-6s For: Certified Flyguyz (0.67)
Round 1 Roundup
Conference A
(1) #NoRegard vs. (8) Stunnerz
If #NoRegard was going to have a rough first round, it was going to be against the Stunnerz. The Stunnerz are a considerably better football team than the other two teams (All-Coholics & Marvels) who at one point seemed to be in a better position to snatch 8th. The Stunnerz are likewise a more dangerous playoff team than certain teams in front of them like the Sea Assassins and maybe even the Dragons or Les Affreux on any given game day. If the Stunnerz are going to upset a heavily favored #NoRegard team, they’re going to need Michael Malinaric to perform the way he did against the Rogues and then some. Malinaric’s height and reach is going to need to be a factor. #NoRegard may simply have to disrupt Chris Olson’s throwing process to slow that offense down. All this being said, it’s tough to predict that #NoRegard will lose this game. The Stunnerz are 4-2 when Malinaric makes a catch, and that still may not be good enough to beat them.
Prediction: #NoRegard by 6
(2) Spartans vs. (7) Sea Assassins
All signs point to a Spartan win. They have a far superior offense and minus the help of Bradley Roy on the Assassin side, they likely have a better defense as well. Couple that with an All-Star and runner-up for QB of the Year in Nicolas Gendron-Valleé and you have what may be the makings of a short playoff game. To be fair to the Assassins, they fared relatively well in their Week 10 matchup against the Spartans, losing by 11. However, Gendron-Vallée set their defense on fire throwing for 6 TDs, running for 1, and not throwing a single INT. The Assassins may have to focus more on Gendron-Vallée than on his receivers if they want to be successful. In addition, Evan Nolet will have to severely control his TD/INT ration by throwing some balls away and rushing much more often.
Prediction: Spartans by 15
(3) Affreux vs. (6) Dragons
Their Week 10 matchup is no indication of what is to come on Sunday. These two teams have been eyeing each other literally since the beginning of the season (both for tactical football reasons as well as simple good-looks). The possible return of J.F. Fortier-Poulin to the Dragon side as well as the departure of Mathieu Dubois from Les Affreux may be enough to tip the scales back into the favor of former. Just because Simon Dagenais looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model in this season’s team picture doesn’t mean he plays like one. Dagenais is a highly cerebral player and hopes to have learnt more from his Week 10 matchup than his counterpart Mathieu Domon (who is arguably the better pure athlete) did.
Prediction: Dragons by 2
(4) TCO vs. (5) Rogues
Talk about regretting having won your division. TCO now has the unenviable task of playing Rogues in the first round of this season’s playoffs. Brent Callender and crew will play a very angry black man in Kevin Lubin on Sunday. To beat Rogues, TCO will have to call on their all-world defense to come up even bigger than usual and hopefully frustrate Lubin by keeping him in the pocket and limiting his long-game hookups with receivers such as Jamaal Gittens. Working against TCO was their less-than-average division. Their last three games have been relative walks in the park (especially Week 10 when snapper Paolo Della Rocca was forced to throw for Checkmate – a man who looks more suited to throwing dollar bills at strippers than footballs at receivers). The Rogues are scheduled to have Hugo Lalonde back, though that remains uncertain as his foot isn’t likely to be at 100%. Mind you, talk to Lalonde and he says he’ll play as long as it’s still attached to his body. Despite being the favorites, the Rogues are beatable as witnessed in Weeks 6 & 10. Who’s to say TCO isn’t as good as #NoRegard or Stunnerz.
Prediction: Rogues by 8.
Conference B
(1) Boozers vs. (8) Longhorns
The Boozers are clearly a dominating team by anyone’s best analysis. For anyone to beat them (including the powers of Conference A) it will take not only a tremendous effort, but a favorable matchup and a little luck. The Longhorns may be capable of the first two, as we’ve seen them win games despite being an underdog and if there was a team in Conference B who could stack up against the Boozers physically, it’s them. They may have to target Brian Martin (he’s simply un-coverable from short range) even more than they already do in red zone situations. The Boozers will be motivated, however, having just lost their opportunity at a perfect season in Week 10. As far as the Longhorns are concerned, I’m sure they’d rather be playing a complacent 10-0 Boozers team than a 9-1 Boozers team that wants revenge.
Prediction: Boozers by 6
(2) Certified Flyguyz vs. (7) Project Mayhem
This may be the round one playoff matchup in Conference B with the greatest point difference between the two teams. Certified Flyguyz, who many argue is a superior team to that even of the Boozers, are heavily favored and are capable of some very efficient football thanks to their athleticism and youth. For Project Mayhem, David Daoust will be the difference-maker. His embarrassment of experience, size, skill, and intensity will have to win the game for Project Mayhem. If Normand Bellemare can find him in a sea of Flyguy defenders in another story. The Certified Flyguyz beat the Flying Comics (with the help of talent J.F. Trudeau) in the last week of the season with a 6-man roster (started the game with only 5) and almost no will to win. If they can do that, then they can win Sunday.
Prediction: Certified Flyguyz by 14
(3) Blue Mountain State vs. (6) Vis Motus
Two teams with eerily similar records will face off in this matchup. These teams met previously in Week 4 in a 34-6 thrashing favoring Blue Mountain State. Don’t expect anything even close to the same result on Sunday. Since then both teams have grown and improved. Cory Johnson will rely on his Division 2 and B experience to beat a well-rounded Blue Mountain State team with little weaknesses, if any. Kevin Gauthier, on the other hand, will look to his strong supporting cast. Gauthier will be a threat on his feet as much as in the air this game as he should expect Vis Motus to tighten up its air defense perhaps leaving gaps to be run through. The difference here will be made if Vis Motus can stump Gauthier’s offense early on with either a pick of a series of stops – letting them get on a role may be dangerous.
Prediction: Vis Motus by 2
————————————————–
If you haven’t already, tune in to Calling the Audible by visiting fpf.podomatic.com or by clicking the Calling the Audible icon on the homepage. This week Paolo Della Rocca and I discuss what’s up in the first round, and I chat with guests Hugo Lalonde, Mathieu Domon, and Chris Olson.
Thank you for reading and feel free to contribute by writing me at [email protected] to let me know about something I may have missed, or if you want to be a guest on Calling the Audible.
See you on the fields in Week 11…
… from the sidelines.