The Goal-Line Stand (Div D) – Week 11

The first round of the Division D FPF playoffs gave us some highly entertaining football, as the second round certainly promises to do as well. Based on some of the key matchups, it may even be better.

 

It’s sort of going to be like when you’re a kid and your parents are divorced and you have Christmas at your mom’s house and it’s awesome. Then, a few days later, when you have it at your dad’s house, and he doesn’t want to be shown up by some woman who spends her alimony check on shoes and purses and who lied about being able to cook nine years ago, so he spends a lot more than your mom did on your gift and it’s even better despite the fact that a lot less effort was put in to it. You’re just a kid, but you know.

 

In the second-to-last game of the evening last Sunday, Project Mayhem destroyed my chances at going 7-0 (though there are 8 games, I refrain from picking my own team’s outcomes as that may one day keep me out of the FPF Hall of Fame [What? It’s possible.] à la Pete Rose) in prognosticating outcomes. If there had to be one game that sank my battleship, I’m glad it’s this one. I’m always a fan of the upset, and according to me, the Certified Flyguyz (who almost seemed uninterested) were huge favorites. I’m pleased that the #NoRegard/Stunnerz game was so close and surprised that Michael Malinaric was kept out of the end zone. That’s a testament to Lance Daniel’s defense that still may be underrated despite all the attention they’re getting. The Dragons proved it’s tough to beat a good team twice in a row and Vis Motus and Blue Mountain State gave us a real barn-burner in their 2-point game decided on extra-points.

 

If the quarter-finals are going to be as entertaining as the first round, I’m going to need a bag of popcorn, one of those 40oz bladder-busters full of orange drink, and a pair of those 3D glasses that hurt my ears.

 

Round 2 Roundup

 

Conference A

 

(1) #NoRegard vs. (6) Dragons

 

Every week we ask: which is the team that can beat #NoRegard? Last week’s matchup against the Stunnerz was, at worst, a very serious challenge for them. Many thought that everything was falling into place for the Stunnerz at just the right moment, having just come off a win against Rogues and Michael Malinaric finding his stride. But, alas, it was not to be. Simon Dagenais’ Dragons, however, bring a dimension that the Stunnerz did not. This is Dagenais’ ability to learn and plan at a uniquely high level. Their Week 4 matchup was slanted towards #NoRegard, and both teams have improved since then. The key lies in the Dragons’ ability to have learnt more than #NoRegard since. They did it with the Affreux in Weeks 10 and 11, and hope they can do it again here. It’s likely going to be significantly more difficult, however, considering the caliber of their opponent, but it’s certainly possible. Standing in their way is Alex Holowach, who’s playing like a man possessed. Unfortunately for him, game stats do not reflect his poise and decision-making. #NoRegard hopes he can shepherd them to the semi’s whereas the Dragons hope they’re this year’s Mustangs.   

 

Prediction: #NoRegard by 4.

 

(2) Spartans vs. (5) Rogues    

 

While in conversation with Rogue’s Kevin Lubin, he claims to be very happy with the 5^th seed so as to avoid the pressure of being the favorites – pushing that tag onto his opponents TCO, and now Spartans. What a liar. Despite not winning their division, it’s tough not to say Rogues are the favorite in this game (although only by the slimmest of margins, admittedly). This was solidified in Week 9 when they beat tomorrow’s opponents, the Spartans. With Hugo Lalonde back, giving Lubin a very quick and very agile short-range option with yards-after-catch potential, this compliments the long-threat of wide receiver/superhero Jamaal Gittens. Not to mention when guys like Julien Bellavance, Georges Élie-Voyer, and Gabriel Wiseman fill out your receiving corps, you’re going to be just fine. But can these guys stop the ultimate dual-threat quarterback in Nicolas Gendron-Vallée? This guy had 128 rushing yards last week. One does not simply rush for 128 yards in a playoff game. If you like shootouts and pure offensive and talented flag-football, this is evidently the game of the week.

 

Prediction: Rogues by 2.

 

Conference B

 

(1) Boozers vs. (7) Project Mayhem

 

At first glance this seems like the game easiest to predict. But, as we’ve learned, never count out Project Mayhem (Chinese proverb). Project Mayhem takes on a team in Boozers that’s very comparable to the Certified Flyguyz in terms of quality, but not at all in terms of specifics. Last week, Project Mayhem beat a team that relies on their athleticism and pure football skill. This week, they’ll have to beat a team that relies a little more on intensity, strength, and size. Had you asked me a week ago whether I thought Project Mayhem had a better chance against Boozers or Certified Flyguyz, I would have said Boozers simply because of the way their team is built. Since they were able to eliminate Certified Flyguyz, they must be able to beat Boozers, right? Not so fast. We can’t forget the Boozers’ 31-12 romp of the Longhorns, a game in which the score, despite being a 19-point difference, was still not indicative of how dominant the Boozers were. They were a veritable football machine. If Bruno-Pierre Pelletier can be his usual self, and even perhaps make use of his legs a little more, then the Boozers can win this game. For Project Mayhem to win, they need everyone to have a great game at the same time, plus just a little luck.

 

Prediction: Boozers by 6  

 

(4) Park-X Streets vs. (6) Vis Motus

 

Park-X Streets showed the Division that they were not to be underestimated in their win over Lockdown. Their duo of Niko Zermalias and John Makris at opposing wide-out positions give quarterback Drew Saitanis a rather lengthy wing-span on offence and two safeties who are a challenge to out-jump. Vis Motus, on the other side of this game, beat a Blue Mountain State team who had demolished them in Week 4 by a score of 34-6 in a game colloquially referred to (be me only) as Pick-Fest 2012. This game will be the most under-hyped game of the weekend – in perhaps any division. But if we learned anything from the Bible, it’s that sometimes the thing least likely to happen statistically, scientifically, logically, reasonably, literally, and physically, happens and changes the course of all future fictional events. The difference here is that people actually care about FPF. This being said, it would not be a stretch to imagine one of these two teams in the Division finals, as we have become accustomed to David vs. Goliath style finals. Cory Johnson will give the surprise Park-X Streets team a game that should be their biggest test all season. Working in Vis Motus’ favor may be their thorny test from last week – allowing them to come into this game at a high level. Conversely, the same may work against Park-X Streets, whose first round matchup was never as tight.

 

Prediction: Vis Motus by 1

 

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I’ll be at Lachine on Sunday. So please come stop by to say hello, as I’ll be giving out free tickets to the finals in Brossard.

 

Check out Calling the Audible, FPF’s official podcast, at fpf.podomatic.com or via this website’s homepage. Here’s where you can turn on the show, plug in your earphones, and work diligently at your cubicle. If you’ve already listened, then you know the drill. If you haven’t yet, then that’s enough of that. Jump on the bandwagon without falling into alcoholism and give it a try.

 

E-mail me at [email protected] to chat or to exchange recipes.