The Sarwar Report (D1) – Week 7

 

I want to start by saying that I am the luckiest and unluckiest person in FlagPlus Football. I am lucky because I am witnessing great football between six of the strongest teams in FPF, they are known as the “Sensational Six”. Expos defeated Montreal’s Finest, Express defeated Hurricanes and Rainmakers defeated CLR Forces and the standings are once more nothing more than a big cloud of smoke. So why am I unlucky? It is because predictions and analysis are becoming tougher every week. When I am absolutely certain a team will win, they lose or vice versa. Either way, I am more than happy to cover Division 1 football and can’t wait to see how this season will come to an end.

 

Headlines

 

The Finest are Expos’d

 

As my quirky host used this analogy against the Expos in the beginning of the year, it is fitting that Expos turn the tables on his team. It was a high scoring affair in which the Expos scored 51 points, their highest output of the season. Does this mean the Expos must score 50+ points if they want to win against the top dogs? Let’s be honest, they’ve allowed the most points in the league therefore it is clear after six weeks that defense isn’t their strong point. Therefore they have to win shootouts and they did just that. Montreal’s Finest weren’t using any excuses but the absence of a few players definitely hurt their chances to win this game. Their defense was non existent for most of the game and they’ll need to make sure it was because of a few absences and not complacency.

 

Rock you like a Hurricane!

 

Remember Week 3, when Hurricanes beat the Express in a close finish? This time around, Express were ready, and showed it on the field by winning 31-15. Express are by the most improved team from 2009 Division 1 without a shadow of a doubt. They’re winning games based on skill, intensity and intelligence. Patrick Chenard is having an MVP-like season but let’s not forget the other stars on the team. Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (or as I call him, SCC) is tearing up the league in receiving yards and TDs. The always reliable Mathieu Thuot and Nic Arsenault-Hum are still performing. Then throw in one of the most consistent rushers, Andrija Zecevic alongside defensive superstar Bruno Collette and Jean Francois Marquis. Express have all the ingredients for a team that plans to go far in Division 1; next stop, the surging Expos.

 

Three STARwars of the week:

 

3. Ryan Kastner (Rainmakers): 24-28, 229 yards, 6 TDs.

 

2. Chad Byers (Expos): 21-35, 256 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT.

 

1. Patrick Chenard (Express): 11-24, 115 yards, 5 TDs and 4 rushes for 28 yards; 2 INTs on defense

 

 

Mid Season Recap

 

This is my version of a mid-season review of all six teams in terms of their record, offense, defense, strengths, weaknesses and their goals down the stretch.

 

Montreal’s Finest: 5-1 (228 points for, 185 points against)

 

An almost perfect season thus far but they were shown last week that they are not invincible. They are more than familiar with the fact that a full roster leads to good things (lost in two straight finals due to roster depth issues) so they have to make sure all players show up to the remaining games. With the addition of Mike Harrington, they’ve added another element to their offense and defense (he can alternate rushing with Moe Khan as they have different styles). With all the players present, they have the strongest offense led by the arm of Kevin Wyeth and best defense (last weeks 51 points against definitely didn’t help because now they’re third statistically) in the league.

 

Strengths: They have a strong chemistry which stems back to the championship season and every player on the team contributes in some aspect.

Weaknesses: Might lose focus at times and become over-confident.

Goals down the stretch: Stay healthy, full roster attendance and finish first overall.

Prediction: 8-2

 

Express: 3-3 (213 points for, 166 points against)

 

As I said before, they are the most improved team for many reasons. It starts with the QB position and Patrick Chenard has taken his game to the next level. They’ve added Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (SCC) who is tearing the league apart; he has 16 receiving TDs in 5 games. SCC is definitely the go-to guy on Express and when a big play is needed, he never disappoints. They have also gotten better defensively. It is the same core of players from Winter 2009 season but everyone has stepped their games up, including veterans like Bruno Collette, Andrija Zecevic and Patrick Chenard. Can this team go all the way? They believe they can! Of course it means all players must play at their potential but it is very possible. If you don’t believe me, just look back to the miracle season in Div 2 (defeated the Demons on their path to being eventual champions) and it appears they’re ready for an encore.

 

Strengths: Patrick Chenard’s ability to lead this team offensively and defensively, his unquestionable leadership. Statistically they have the best defense and point differential in Division 1.

Weaknesses: As strong as SCC is, other players on offense must be involved more often. He has 16 TDs and then the next receiver has 5 TD.

Goals down the stretch: Must keep point differentiable the same as it is now to stay ahead of other teams in case of a tie-breaker.

Prediction: 6-4

Hurricanes: 3-3 (164 points for, 169 points against)

 

I know they had a sub par season in Winter 2009 and still made it to the finals. However I am not sure if they can rely on that philosophy in the Winter 2010 season because the competition is much tougher now. Having said that, they are still a great team who can win on most nights but they have to take every game like its win-or-go-home. The amount of talent on their roster is far greater than most teams in Division 1, with names such as Rick Nincheri, Shane Williams, Tony Khoury, Rob Robinson, etc… They had probably imagined that Montreal’s Finest will be first in the standings and they would be second however they might now be in a situation where they will be third and maybe fourth depending on how well they perform in the last four games.

 

Strengths: A lot of experience from the veterans who have been there and done that. Also they have the second ranked defense in Division 1.

Weaknesses: They are inconsistent from week to week and they haven’t adjusted to the higher talent level in Division 1. They have scored the lowest amount of points after 6 games despite the fact they have an incredible amount of firepower. After years of being able to coast through the regular season, that luxury is gone.

Goals down the stretch: They have to bring back the fire and intensity, which used to make them invincible, and the team to beat. Do whatever it takes (team meetings, extra game-film sessions, etc…) but get focused!

Prediction: 6-4

 

Rainmakers: 3-3 (173 points for, 207 points against)

 

It is very tough to analyze the Rainmakers because there are weeks where they show signs of greatness by playing solid football. However there are other weeks where they play like they don’t belong in the playoffs. It is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. Who will show up in the last four games? I also don’t understand the reason behind the inconsistency because, for the most part, the players, who are present when they win, are the same players who are present when they lose. Therefore they have to count their lucky stars that they’re currently fourth in the standings and are grabbing on to the last playoff spot with dear life. However with the surging of Expos, they could very well be on the outside looking in.

 

Strengths: As always, they run routes well and all receivers have a strong rapport with Ryan Kastner.

Weaknesses: They are inconsistent in the intensity department and have to show a little more determination (like they did in the win against the Express).

Goals down the stretch: They have to go 3-1 (which means an upset of either Hurricanes or Montreal’s Finest) if they have a chance to make playoffs.

Prediction: 4-6

 

 

Expos: 2-4 (198 points for, 216 points against)

 

Even though they are winners of two in a row, their 0-4 start has put them in a tough situation. However, there is always hope because they are one game behind the last playoff spot. If we are looking at brand name players on the Expos, the list is far too big to go through, however winning on paper is different than winning on the field. Nonetheless they can take comfort in the fact that they just beat the number one team in Division 1 and that a hope for post-season is not impossible. There is not much more that can be said because everyone knows the potential of the Expos. So they should build on that and hope it won’t be too little, too late.

 

Strengths: They have the ability to score a lot of points at will and currently have the third ranked offense.

Weaknesses: Obviously their defense needs a lot of work (worst in Division 1) and furthermore it appears they don’t have a leader who rallies the team on that side of the ball.

Goals down the stretch: It is pretty obvious; they have to win all four games if they have a chance.

Prediction: 5-5

 

 

CLR Forces: 2-4 (181 points for, 214 points against)

 

This team had a lot of promise at the start of the season but have been sliding downwards ever since and I still don’t know the reason behind it. They have so much to be a top three team with Frederic Dupuis, Guillaume Ward, Dominic Lemieux, Ludovic Lacroix, etc… They defeated the Hurricanes in the first game of the season but since then, have only defeated the Rainmakers and find themselves at the bottom of the standings. It is a disappointing season thus far and it doesn’t appear that it will get better.

 

Strengths: There is consistency on offense and contribution from more than just two players.

Weaknesses: Their defense right now has to be able to do a better job as they are second worst in Division 1.

Goals down the stretch: They have to go 4-0; point finale.

Prediction: 3-7

 

 

*** The Amazing Race will return next week ***

 

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:

 

“I’m raising the stakes now. If this is a poker game, I’m shoving my chips to the middle of the table. I’m raising the ante. … Anybody that wants out can get out. This team is going to the playoffs. OK? This team is going to the playoffs.” – Jim Fassel’s ‘poker speech’ during the 2000 season which inspired his club to a Super Bowl run.