The Goal-Line Stand (Div D) – Week 2 – FlagPlus Football League

This is the first time I ever get to write my article laying on my bed, face up in my underwear.

That’s because I’m not actually writing it.

This is also partly why the Goal Line Stand is very slightly later than usual. You see, during last Thursday’s game, I somehow managed to break my clavicle and as a result cannot use a keyboard without enduring excruciating pain. I probably would be able to write it if only I were better looking. (This is because flirting with the nurse at the hospital would have actually gotten me more codeine.)

It’s sad to think that my FPF season is over, but it’s even sadder to know that I’ve been a constant proponent for reduced physicality in FPF, which is at the end of the day a recreational league – particularly in Division D. I’m not going to bother asking people to tone it down a little and to lay off. Instead, I’m just going to ask you to lay off me.

Where I don’t want you to lay off on me is on Calling The Audible. For those of you that don’t know, that’s FPF’s brand new Podcast that I host and hope you enjoy.

But enough about me, let’s talk about you.

Weekly Recap

Ancient Spartans Beat Medieval Knights

The Spartans added to last week’s win with another this week. They beat an experienced team in the Knights in Lachine despite the Lanni brothers’ best efforts. The Spartans are building on what seemed to be a productive building season last season as the roster remains relatively the same. They rely on team defense and aggressive ball hunting along with their reliance on both sets of brothers (Gendron-Vallée & Kotrbaty). Samuel Gendron-Vallée was Johnny-On-The-Spot for two short catches, one of which counting for a TD. On the other side of the field, this leaves the Knights at 1-1 on a season where they could easily be 0-2 but they can use their Week 3 matchup against Blue Mountain State for these Knights to get back on their horses.

Going Rogue

To no one’s surprise, the Rogues are now 2-0. It appears as though Kevin Lubin has in fact built this team to win. Lubin had 3 TDs in the air as well as 2 on the ground in his game against the Dragons. Without surprise, he seems to be leaning on his old favorites, among the likes of which are Georges Ellie-Voyer, who already has 6 receptions in 2 games and 2 TDs. What seems to be more intimidating than the Rogue offense might be their defense, boasting the likes of John Kelly Bastien who’s picked up exactly where he left off last season, John Fisher and Omar Jackson from the old South Shore Storm squad, as well as Kerdley Micourt who rounds out a defense (along with Lubin, lest we forget) that should intimidate any Quarterback. The Dragons shutout the Moose in their Week 1 matchup but it took them an entire half to figure out where the endzone was against the Rogues in Week 2. A bright spot for the Dragons this season is Antonin Desgent who brings with him the experience of winning a championship last season with La Sauce. We’ll see if his success will rub off on the rest of the gang.

Boozo the Clown

The Flying Comics may have had the toughest start to the season in all of Div D, having to play #NoRegard in Week 1 and Boozers in Week 2 (both teams are at the top of the Power Rankings this week). Perennial overachiever Frank Grenier has begun to settle in nonetheless, finding new acquisition Adrien Dusautois 5 times for 2 TDs as well as 7 times for 2 TDs in Week 1. Dusautois left Lockdown in the offseason to return to playing with former Wildkittens teammate Matthieu Sola. Noticeably missing from the Comic line-up was Sebastien Ravary. Questions swirl whether he is still injured from the end of last season. A team without injury problems was their opponent in Week 2, as Bruno Pelletier threw for 4 TDs in a come-from-behind (reminds me of this weekend) win. The Boozers are a team that did exceptionally in their FPF debut and then sputtered in the Playoffs. I assume the goal is to better that. However, it is uncharacteristic when Pelletier only runs once. The Boozers schedule remains of average difficulty the rest of the way as this could be their opportunity to put together an excellent record. As for the Comics, they may have found themselves in a very tough division. I see them making the Playoffs, but not without turmoil.

By The Numbers

When I was in high school, a math teacher told me to stop cheating off Alex D’Aquila because he wouldn’t always be there to do my math for me. Well, I’m 24 years old, and he’s still doing it. The lesson here is to never listen to your high school math teachers. The following are the statistics I thought to be worth noting from Week 2 (calculated by Alex D’Aquila).

4: Number of Pick-6s scored this week (Certified Flyguyz, Marvels, Spartans, TCO)

51.92: Percentage completion rate in Week 2. Led by Project Mayhem’s Normand Bellemare (74.3%).

25.85: Average rushing yards in Week 2. Led by Broncos’ Shawn Batty (67 yards).

3: Teams with 5 touchdowns through the air (Project Mayhem, Sons of Cyr, Stunnerz)

23: Number of tackles by First Downers. Highest this week.

14.81: Percentage of drop-backs resulting in a sack against the Knights.

1302: Cumulative points scored in both weeks. Comes out to 20.34375 points per match

Power Rankings

This is the first time this season where teams will be ranked, but certainly not the last. There’s a lot of room for movement and teams shouldn’t get too comfortable at the top of the list, nor should they get discouraged if their team isn’t on it. There’re 8 more weeks to jostle your way onto the list and cement your place in history.

Rogues (2-0): They’re just too good not to be in first.
Boozers (2-0): They should have done better two seasons ago. They’re back to prove that.
TCO (2-0): One of the only teams to beat last year’s champs La Sauce.
#NoRegard (2-0): These guys are really entertaining to watch.
Spartans (2-0): Looks like this young team has learnt a lot very fast.
Vis Motus (2-0): Cory Johnson’s excellent TD/INT ratio has pushed this team passed two good opponents.
Certified Flyguyz (2-0): Their upper division experience (albeit accidental) will prove an excellent asset.
All-Coholics (2-0): Two tight wins can have them slipping after Week 3 if they can’t beat Vis Motus.
Tyrants (1-1): Despite being 1-1, these guys are for real.
Blue Mountain State (2-0): This is a taste of the big-time. Keep it up and you get to stay.

Predictions

Week 2’s predictions went less than spectacular as I went 8-6-1. This week, instead of sitting down with the numbers and coming to logical conclusions, I presented my mother with matchups and asked her to tell me which name she liked best. As a result, I have this week’s picks below:

Marvels vs Flying Comics

Certified Flyguyz vs #NoRegard

Broncos vs Speed Demons

Vis Motus vs All-Coholics

Westside Connection vs Moose

Sons of Cyr vs Affreux

Project Mayhem vs Vikings

Tailgates vs Boozers

Sea Assassins vs Longhorns

C Difficile vs Dragons

First Downers vs TCO

Blue Mountain State vs Knights

Spartans vs Eskimo Brothers

Tyrants vs Rogues

Park-X Streets vs Stunnerz

Thank you for checking in to the Goal Line Stand for a slightly abbreviated version. As soon as I’m able to use my right arm I will get back to writing articles, among other things.

Until then, please listen to Calling The Audible (now accessible from FPF’s homepage). Don’t forget to email me at [email protected] whether it’s in regard to this article or to the new Podcast. We’re always looking for guests, co-hosts & call-ins, so don’t be shy and drop me a line.

See you on the fields (from the sideline) in Week 3.