The Sarwar Report (D1) – Week 6

 

Is it me or are standings for Division 1 getting more confusing with each passing week? With the exception of Montreal’s Finest, one win separates the second and fifth place team. Not to mention the head-to-head tie breakers between those teams that can propel someone from fifth to second in the standings. With half the season already in the books, every team has played every other team once but no one has taken Montreal’s Finest down. Will they lose a game? The second half begins this weekend and it will very interesting to see how long will it take before a playoff picture starts to appear but as it stands now, three out of four spots are up for grabs!

 

Headlines

 

Close, But No Cigar!

 

The first installment of Finest versus Hurricanes didn’t disappoint the fans. Hurricanes lost by a score of 33-31, a game which they could have tied in the dying moments but failed the two point attempt. Furthermore, Rick Nicheri had one more interception than his counterpart Kevin Wyeth which took away an offensive opportunity. Some good news for the Finest, Karim Binette had a triumphant return by accumulating six tackles and an interception. The Hurricanes were missing a couple of key players, but they won’t use that as an excuse. On the other hand, Finest are definitely playing solid football but are also showing signs that they aren’t invincible.

 

FINALLY!

 

The Expos managed to win a football game, doing so against CLR Forces, but here is the kicker, they were missing star-QB Chad Byers. The Expos won by 11 points but what can this mean? I can assure you that there is not a QB controversy in Expos-Land, however Pierre Ianniciello may have shown he should be used more often in passing plays as he has done a decent job in his two starts in the league this season. Four receivers from the Expos caught at least one touchdown. Just like that, Expos are right back into the playoff standings, however they’ll take on the heavy favorite Montreal’s Finest this week.

 

Four Time’s A Charm

 

After staring the season 1-0 and then losing three straight, the Rainmakers finally got their second win in a gutty affair against the Express. This was a crucial win for the Rainmakers in terms of playoff standings. Ryan Kastner threw for 256 yards and six touchdowns but more importantly, the Rainmakers defense held Patrick Chenard to 7 rushing yards, which is quite impressive! In the end, the game came down to extra points and as we have said time and time again, they are extremely important! They can be the difference between a win and a loss. For the time being, the Rainmakers prevailed and have the opportunity to make it two in a row against the struggling CLR Forces.

 

Three STARwars of the week:

 

3 Kevin Wyeth (Montreal’s Finest): 21-31, 202 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT.

 

2. Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (Express): 6 catches, 105 yards, 4 TDs.

 

1. Ryan Kastner (Rainmakers): 17-30, 256 yards, 6 TDs.

 

 

A Second With Sarwar

 

This week’s guest is an old-time veteran of FlagPlus Football, Mr. Patrick Chenard. He has played for Express, Titans, Montreal’s Finest and Wildcats. He has two defensive player of the year awarsd (Winter 2006, Spring 2009), multiple All-Star appearances and a memorable championship. As usual, I asked this young man a few questions and the rest is history:

1) Express was in the league in Winter 2006 when you won two-way player of the year, how has the league improved from then until now?

First, I did not win two-way player of the year but defensive player. (editor’s note: Well researched, Rehan!) The league has improved a lot by adding new divisions so that every team can compete in every game. Back then, there was only 2 divisions and sometimes it was just not fair for some teams.

2) What is your most memorable win? Why?

The division 2 semi-final in 2008 against the Demons was something that I will never forget. Everyone thought that they would destroy us and we played the best flag football game of our lives by winning 43-41. Carmine (Pollice, Demons’s QB)’s face was priceless!

3) Which team or player do you hate to play against, why?

Montreal’s Finest!!!! Kishon and Karim are too cocky!!! But off the field I like them lol

4) You have been criticized for being a running QB but this season you are settling down and passing more, what made you change your style?

My receivers are just better!

5) Do you believe Express can win the Div 1 title? Why?

We have the athletes to do it. So if we play well and we can be clutch at the right time, winning the Div 1 title is not impossible.

6) What rusher gives you the most trouble?

When he used to be a rusher, Mike Harrington was not cool!

7) You’ve been to the Div 1 finals with Montreal’s Finest; did that help your game as a QB?

Of course! Akked, Kishon and Kevin Challenger taught me to be more confident in what I do.

8) Who is the most overrated player in Div 1? Underrated?

Overrated…no one! All the D1 players are very good. Underrated…I’ll say my defensive stats loll

9) Who is your favorite WEPL member? Favorite writer for article?

You are 3 funny different characters!

10) If you could change one thing in this league, what would it be?

The security in Lachine, the endzones are dangerous for the players and I’ll put protection on the soccer goals and the stairs.

11) Would you trade Andrija Zecevic for Moe Khan?

lolll it’s not a serious question??? Zecevic is my man!!!

12) If you could play for another team (not Express or Wildcats) which team would it be and why?

Even if I don’t like to play against them, I like to play with them. Montreal’s Finest will always be my other choice.

13) What is your favorite position to play?

QB, because I feel that I can control the game. On defense, I like to play anywhere, I just want to make picks!

14) Which team did you have the most fun playing for: Express, Montreal’s Finest, Titans or Wildcats? Why?

Express! They are my boys since high school and after a game it’s always fun to drink and laugh together.

15) Any last comments you have for the league about your team, yourself, or whatever you want to say!

Thanks to everyone for making the league so fun to play! That’s it! Rick…you’re next ;p

 

The Amazing Race

 

Known to be an entertaining TV show, this segment will monitor leading candidates for FlagPlus Football’s seasonal awards alongside a new award (entirely fictional but holds high value), Heisman Trophy given to league MVP for the Winter 2010 season. This list of candidates will be updated weekly.

 

Quarterback

 

Kevin Wyeth: 86-122 for 1079 yards with 27 TDs, 5 INTs, 3 Sack and 120.2 QB rating.

Rick Nincheri: 92-146 for 961 yards with 22 TDs, 5 INTs and 107.3 QB rating.

 

Wide Receiver

 

• Simon Charbonneau-Campeau: 17 receptions, 307 yards, 13 TDs.
• Mike Harrington: 34 receptions, 325 yards, 7 TDs.
• Rob Robinson: 22 receptions, 240 yards, 9 TDs.

 

Defensive Player

• Bruno Collette: 12 tackles, 4 INTs (1 for TD), 1 PD.
• Kishon Thompson: 27 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PDs.
• Nicholas Arsenault-Hum: 14 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PDs.

 

The Jared Allen Award (In case of a tie, the tie-breaker will be interceptions, PDs and then tackles)

 

• Moe Khan: 4 sacks
• Nick Raymond: 3 sacks
• Andrija Zecevic: 3 sacks

Two-Way Player

 

• Michael Chitayat: 18 receptions, 204 yards, 6 TDs; 16 tackles, 1 INT for TD, 1 PD.
• Shane Williams: 25 receptions, 236 yards, 7 TDs; 13 tackles, 2 INT for TD.
• Patrick Chenard: 66-99 for 863 yards with 25 TDs, 4 INT, and 4 Sacks; 227 rushing yards and 3 TDs; 10 tackles, 1 INT and 2 PD.

 

The Heisman (in that order)

 

1. Kevin Wyeth

2. Rick Nincheri

3. Patrick Chenard

 

CASTLETON CHALLENGE UPDATE: Also, I want to congratulate the Briscoe High Hawks of Division 4 for winning the Castleton challenge which means they donated the most amount of money for Haiti. The amount donated was over 100$ which is very admirable. They will be on Breaking The Huddle in a couple of weeks and will have a chance to tape one of their upcoming games which will then be put on the website. Good job boys!

 

That’s it for this week’s column. As usual if you have any comments/suggestions, email me at [email protected]. Good luck on your match ups this week and I leave you with the following quote:

 

“Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” – Joe Theismann.