The War Room (D3) – Round 1 Playoffs

The Elite Eight have been decided after a first round void of any real upsets (with the exception of the AMB Eagles’ performance). The most notable game of the weekend featured the Red Hot Rage who decimated the Red Rebels and two-way player of the year PA LeBouthillier’s championships dreams. This should concern D3 Hybrid as they look to remain perfect going into the conference semi-finals. Time will tell if the D3 Hybrid are able to stop the momentum of this unstoppable force now called Rage. Ruff Ryders also look to impose their dominance against a divisional foe in the AMB eagles, while the other 4 teams look to solidify their status as championship contenders.

 

Now on to this weeks games,

 

D3 Hybrid vs Rage: I watched the Hybrid beat the Bandits last weekend and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t that impressed by their performance. Expectations are high for this team (having gone 10- 0) and with players like Anson Dudek leading the team, I want more of a dominant performance in order to label them the favorites to win it all. Rage has been hyped enough, so no introduction is necessary. But surely, D3 Hybrid will pose a new set of challenges for a team that has found its stride. Whether age vs experience plays a factor in this game will be the true question. Nonetheless, I see Rage upsetting the Hybrid’s quest for perfection.   Rage 26 – Hybrids 19

 

SWAT vs Falcons: SWAT obliterated the Walk Ons last week which most expected, and the Falcons smacked the Tennessee Studs in the mouth. So coming into this week’s games, both teams are flying high with confidence. Gino Di Fazio has complete control of his squad as they look to upset a Simon Richard-led Falcons offense. The game will be decided on defense however, and I foresee Adi Sharma’s side stepping up in the clutch and making those few necessary stops to win the game.  Falcons 32 – SWAT 24

 

Ruff Ryders vs AMB Eagles: Rapha Beladjat was adamant that his team was for real and not just a one and done playoff team. They proved their worth against a second seed D-Boys who can now spend an off-season learning new dance moves. The Ruff Ryders looked wobbly in the first half against GPK but got it together to seal the deal in the second half. I don’t like the inconsistency between drives for the Ryders but I think they have too much firepower to be stopped by the AMB Eagles defense. That being said, Eagles did shut down the D-Boys. Ruff Ryders win in a closer than expected finish.    Ryders 24 – AMB 18

 

Titans vs Wildcats: This game is all about matchups, and I don’t see the Wildcats matching up well at all against the Titans. The Wildcats play a man on man defense which suits the Titans receiving corps of quick cutting receivers. The Titans have the tallest rusher in the league and QB Pierre-Marc Chadi has been exposed by many tall rushers during the season. I see the Titans experiencing few difficulties in this one as the Wildcats just can’t answer back on offense.  Titans 26 – Wildcats 6

 

 

 

 

 

D3 Awards of the Year:

 

Welcome to Castleton’s first inaugural D3 awards of the year which will be rewarding players from across the vast world of D3 with awards they deserve whether for good reasons or for bad.

 

Best Offensive player you never heard of before this season: Jacques Void, Titans

 

Best Defensive player you never heard of before this season: Mike Oliver, Walk Ons

 

Most Overhyped team of the year: G-Men (went from defending champs to missing the playoffs)

 

Most promising New Team that isn’t in the elite eight: GPK

 

Most Physical team of the year: Wildcats (leave you battered and bruised)

 

Best Division of the season: Conference B, South (Ruff Ryders, Titans, AMB Eagles = 22-7-1…poor 89ers never had a chance)

 

Biggest Upset of the Season: Doggone Bawlclub beating Ruff Ryders (wow, Big Daron on Defense)

 

Biggest Letdown team of the season: KGP Champs (Cuter and Co. miss playoffs)

 

Biggest Surprise of the year: D-Boys losing first round to AMB (Soft Schedule = 1 and done)

 

Most Improved Squad of the year: Titans (Yanni Zavos has assembled a great team)

 

Most Impressive QB of the year: Mike Roy, D3 Hybrid (10-0, enough said))

 

Most Impressive WR of the year:  Godfrey Abu, AMB (huge average yards per catch)

 

Most Impressive Def player of the year:  Matt Kirouac, D-Boys (22 sacks)

 

Most Valuable Player of the Year:  Marc Champagnie, Ruff Ryders (no need to hype up)