The War Room (D3) – Conference Semi-Finals

Conference Finals, the last step before the big dance, a time where teams can taste a championship if only they can put together two more wins. For the lucky four teams left,  this week will be their toughest challenge. If last week was any indication, the parity of D3 teams is above and beyond the usual clichéd expectations. Many games came down to the last 5 plays or were decided by less than a touchdown. This week should be more of the same, or at least I hope so. With all the hype that the higher divisions receive, covering D3 and playing in it has demonstrated what passion, desire and skill the lower divisions possess. Whether you are already eliminated or just a fan of certain teams, I’d advise you to take a couple hours of your easter weekend to come check out the wonderful matchups that this league has to offer.

 

Now without further delay, the conference finals preview:

 

D3 Hybrid Vs SWAT:

 

D3 Hybrid has had a perfect season to date and we might all be tired of being bombarded with the hype, fame and compliments to All Star QB Mike Roy and his squad. But success is something to strive for and this team has done nothing but win. Whether it was against lowly roll-over opponents or peaking Rage squads, they have done their job and posted wins in EVERY game this season. They have great balance on both sides of the ball.  With players like the Pilons, Dudek and Mouffradge, their defense is as stout at their potent passing attack. They squeaked a hard win against the Rage by a single point, much to the surprise of the WEPL panel and others around the league.

 

SWAT has been on fire as of late; with big wins against the Walk Ons and Falcons, they are making believers of even the biggest haters. Although they seem to be gaining a reputation of “loud mouth” or “aggravating” team to play, that swagger fuels them to psychologically dismantle their opponents on the field. Gino Di Fazio, who some believed had plateaued in this league, has come out and taken the next step as a QB. The receiving corps is showing great depth with Shawn Haney, John Lyristis and (not easy for me to give credit here) Vinny Gualano. They haven’t lost a game since they played the Ruff Ryders and that in itself is saying a lot.

 

As for my opinion on the game, I am a firm believer in SWAT’s passing attack and think that if the Hybrids want to continue their winning ways, they will have to put the load on their secondary to do all the work. We all know the Hybrids can score and control the clock, but can they stop the high flying, razzle dazzle offense of SWAT. I truly think this is a gem of a match up and I am on the fence about who will pull it off.  For now, I must side with a perfect D3 Hybrid team and favor them.

 

 

Ruff Ryders vs Wildcats:

 

Ruff Ryders always expected to make it this far and after talking with Paul Lapierre, he has made the necessary changes to his own game to ensure he is a better, more complete passer than he has demonstrated during the regular season. They got to this point by beating up GPK and “dramatically” edging out a refocused AMB Eagles and their potent rushing attack. Nevertheless, they have prevailed and are in the driver’s seat to a championship game berth if they can overcome the surprising Wildcats. The receiving corps of Ruff Ryders is impressive, to say the least, with Jamal Pierre (who is very underrated) and  Mark Champangnie leading the aerial attack, it’s a secondary’s nightmare to try and key on just one guy. On defense, Keeshan Mayers has been a consistent threat to bug opposing QB’s and gather turnovers. 

 

Wildcats have been my doormat all season, and I must apologize. They deserve a lot more credit than anyone on the panel has given them. Their defense is a  strength which does not need any more credit than it already receives but their offense is also getting it done by matriculating the ball downfield at an efficient, maybe lengthy, but successful pace. Karl Morin has been the favorite target of Pierre-Marc Chadi, and his ability to create space on slants and hooks has been their bread and butter. Kevin Regimbald has been their MVP so far this season on defense and offense by consistently shutting down receivers and compiling good receiving yards. They beat the heavily favored Titans and Ballers to get to this point, and nobody should think they can’t upset the Ruff Ryders in this one.

 

The Ruff Ryders have experienced problems with slow attacks, and by mobile QB’s. Although Chadi is not much of a runner, he does run a methodical attack which might slow the pace of the game down enough to dishearten the upbeat and hungry Ruff Ryders. Although it would be downright ludicrous to not favor the Ryders in this one, it shouldn’t shock the world if the Wildcats somehow pulled this one out. But for now, Ruff Ryders are my pick.

 

Congrats to all the All Stars listed below for a great Season….

Conference A Roster

QB Gino Di Fazio (SWAT), Michael Roy (D3 Hybrid), R Jean-Francois Cloutier (Falcons), Corey Belliveau (Bandits), Rostyn Castleton (Walk Ons), Derek Daoust (Bomb Squad), Shawn Haney (SWAT), P.A LeBouthillier (Red Rebels), Mike Oliver (Walk Ons), Marc-Olivier Ouimet (Falcons), Olivier Saleh (KGP Champs), Vincent Roy (Falcons).

Conference B Roster

QB Paul Lapierre (Ruff Ryders), Mathieu Rene (Titans), R Matthew Kirouac (D-Boys), Godfrey Abu (AMB Eagles), Marc Champagnie (Ruff Ryders), Roderick Hassani (Dip), Julien Hebert (Dip), Tim Kraemer (Football for Dummies), Karl Morin (Wildcats), Jamaal Pierre (Ruff Ryders), Jason Smyth (GPK), Jacques Void (Titans).

 

 

 

 

Castletons’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

 

Mike Roy: He has turned into Gino Di Fazio part two with the amount of teams he plays for and adds leadership too. It will be interesting receiving passes from him in the All Star game considering the Monarch – Shocker Rivalry.  

 

Tackles: A lot of people feel snubbed by the all star game due to the amount of tackles they have, but I think that INTs and TDs do have more of a case in the All Star debate than Tackles do. I mean tackles usually mean completions and that’s never a good thing right?

 

Hurricanes vs Finest:  This is the best rivalry in D1 by far considering all the history between the two teams and I look forward to watching the third installment of this game. (Go Finest Go)

 

Phoenix: I know they have had injuries but they really showed a lack of depth this year as they struggled in a division in which I thought they could lead. Maybe back to the drawing board gentleman?

 

Spring: Register your team already, it’s going to be another exciting season of football and I expect to see all the usual faces in all the usual places J

 

Thundering Herd: Wow, guys you have come along way since being the doormat of division two a couple years ago. Congrats on your season, you gave the Shockers a mild heartache last Saturday. Donovan is the real deal.

 

Fan Support: It truly is inspiring to see the fans and often eliminated players come out to watch the playoffs, it shows a great respect each player has for one another and that we are a small community which cares about this game.

 

 

This tune if for you:

 

1. Numb by U2 dedicated to all the players who have been eliminated from this years playoffs.

2. It’s been a while by Staind dedicated sarcastically to the Hurricanes vs Finest Finals matchup.

3. Tonight, Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins dedicated to all the remaining playoff teams on Saturday night, which can lead to a date in the big dance.

4. Execute by Slipknot dedicated to Wildcats who will have to execute in order to beat the Ruff Ryders.

5. Dey Know by Shorty Low dedicated to Shockers and Waterbuffaloes who know each other very well after their week ten tie.

 

 

 

 

 

Quote of the week:

 

“Adi, our game vs. the HS (Homosapiens) was BEYOND luck lol!

Also, I’ll make sure to watch Chalk Talk again before Sunday…”

 

–          Paul Kamel’s retort to an Adi Sharma post on the FB wall before beating Phoenix