The War Room (D3) – Week 11

As the dust settles on the regular season, sixteen teams have emerged as rightful challengers to the Division Three Throne. Whether a dubious 8th seed or the envious position as favourite, each team undergoes a rebirth of sorts in their journey towards FPF immortality. Gentlemen, your slate has been cleaned, the playoffs have arrived!

 

For the athletes who have been left behind, hope may glimmer in the form of next season. For all is not lost, the experience and improvements you have garnered over the course of this gruelling season may prove worthy in the Spring and your turn towards division B ascension may occur. If a retreat and regrouping is needed, then I bid you adieu and you shall probably be reading Rehan “the bearded wizard’s” Div C article come May.

 

Enough with the convoluted ramblings of my pen! Let’s proceed to the playoff preview:

 

Park Street Elite vs The Dirty Birds: These teams have been traveling in opposite directions. While the Dirty Birds commenced the season with stunning victories over AMB and Rude Bwoys, they have faltered down the stretch. This is in part due to a lack of focus, a dose of complacency and an ounce of egotistical indulgence. That being said, the Dirty Birds are determined to right their ship. Under the vigilante guidance of spiritual leader Joe Bird and the tight lipped David Hurley, the Birds shall challenge park street’s “elite” status. Park Street debuted as an experiment in futility, garnering attention as a possible replacement for Warriors in division 4. However, under the suberp play of Scott Kelly, the team from Park Street seem to have found their proverbial “mojo”. Let this be a lesson to those young athletes who give up after a terrible start to the season, for there may be redemption come the second half.

 

Prediction: If the Bird defence can stop Kelly from hitting targets over the middle and while on rollouts, they should be able to neutralize their attack. However, the rolling pocket has been the Achilles heel to their defence and will require extreme focus. If the Park streeters aim to advance, they will need to utilize short and effective plays to lull the Dirty Birds to sleep. They will also need to protect the deep end of their secondary as Jon Young has a tendency to imitate Randall Cunningham. Dirty Birds 25 – PSE 19

 

 

DK vs Primetime: DK erased all doubts with their performance against GPK. They utterly embarrassed their opponent and ripped the division into their grasp. Primetime has been inconsistent over the regular season. At times, they have looked marvellous while other performances posed many questions as to their legitimacy. The Daoust clan will need to elevate their existence if they are to pull off this Mega upset. DK pivot, Rochdi Benabdelkader, is a master game planner, and I have no doubt in his ability to utterly pick apart Primetime’s secondary. Whether his surrounding cast supports him in this endeavour shall be the key to this game.

 

Prediction: DK should have no problem disposing of Primetime if they play up to their ability. However, never question the heart of the Primetime athletes. They have been known to rise up when the occasion has called upon them and delivered in clutch. I think this game shall be closer than most critics would expect, but DK’s experience will shine through. DK 20- Primetime 18

 

The U vs Rude Bwoys: This battle brings forth two Quarterbacks who are emerging as the “real deal”. Matt Clow and Gianni Settino are fairly new to the FPF stage and yet are the two biggest reasons their teams are in the postseason. Thus, is it logical to state that the QB who makes the least amount of mistakes shall ride off with the win? Doubtful. The U has a solid offence, thanks to Joey Harrington Jr. Meanwhile their defence is questionable. Rude Bwoys have an efficient offense and a talented opportunistic defence. Thus I fully expect the defences to be deciding factor in this game.

 

Prediction: The Rude Bwoys did lose to the U (last week), but that was without their Div 2 All League Corner Gary “Buff” Bloomfield and regular QB Matt Clow. Expect Mr. Bloomfield’s return to be the spark the Rude Bowys defense needs as they snatch a win from the boys of Coral Gables. The Rude Bwoys 31 The U 26.

 

Big TDs vs Top Sauce: Both of these teams were flying below the radar during the season. Even though it’s hard to ignore Mr. Springer, the Big TDs were labelled as frauds in terms of contenders. Well, their recent play has earned them the division title, swagger and the ability to back up what they say. The Top Sauce on the other hand, have been completely ignored by yours truly. They barely made the playoffs, but nonetheless got in (with a defensive win over the Bandits). They do not possess an offense which will scare anyone (except Vince Nardone), but they play with just enough to pull off upsets. They are a huge question mark in these playoffs and a real possibility as a Cinderella story.

 

Prediction: The Big TD’s are kicking proverbial ass and taking names. Top Sauce have been on the ropes for a while. This matchup may favour Big TDs but not by much. If Top Sauce can neutralize the rushing ability of QB Springer and cut off the short game, they might have a chance. Big TDs 19 – Top Sauce 6.

 

 

VPC vs GPK: This matchup makes me chuckle. It’s quite honestly the oddest pairing of playoff teams in recent memory. VPC is the feel good story of the year with accolades across the board. The GPK are a team who lack an identity. They are inconsistent and that bothers me more than it should. GPK has all the talent (Smith(s), Stagg and Joyce) to knock off the VPC. Will they do it? I have absolutely no clue. Robbie Robinson and newly minted two way player of the year Louis Richard will be out to prove that they are credible challengers. This shall be interesting…

 

Prediction: As I previously stated, I have no clue who will win this one. But if Robbie gets into his groove (much like Stella), the GPK stand no chance. If Stagg and Co can hit them deep and often, look for Robbie to be pushed outside his comfort zone (which is rollout and dump off), and throw downfield. This doesn’t suit him. Anyway, if I had to put money on the game: VPC 20 – GPK 18.

 

 

Ducks vs VR6: The high flying Ducks were one win from perfection, but alas it was not to be. VR6 has the daunting task of matching up against the powerhouse of D3. A defence led by Kevin Challenger and Kim Hoyte shall step up to the plate and issue a statement of intent. Whether the Ducks care to hear it, is a completely different story. Jimmy Doyle will need to play a perfect game to come away with this one against the Mighty Quacks. The Ducks will just need to play up to their usual level and not look to far ahead. Expect Chevalier and Prevost to reek havoc on the VR6 secondary.

 

Prediction: C’mon Man, Ducks 33 – VR6 18

 

D-Boys vs Sandlot Saints: How do I preview a game that has Champangne, Di Fazio, Lyristis, Lanni and somehow make it sound like it will be close vs the Sandlot Saints? Well I can’t. Sandlot Saints will need to heavily rely on their top talent Tim Kraemer. That simply isn’t good enough at this stage of the game..

 

Prediction: Gino Di Fazio shall unleash fury on the Sandlot Saints and I don’t expect it to be pretty. Marc Champagne will cover Tim Kreamer man to man, and shut him down. The Sandlot Saints will be sent packing this weekend, unfortunately (sigh). D-Boys 38 – Sandlot Saints 12.

Lazy Boys vs AMB Eagles: Word on the street is that AMB will only have 6 players for this game. That does not bode well for their chances against the Lazy Boys. While AMB Eagles are more athletic than the Lazy Boys, the experience and chemistry of the LB should prove hard to beat. Mr. Shepherd and Mr Lapierre are too very well respected players in this league, and rightly so. Nathan Thompson is making a statement this season and having a breakout year. The stars seem aligned for a deep Lazy Boy run and an early exit for the AMB.

 

Prediction: If the AMB Eagles are at full strength, I fully believe they could slay the mighty Lazy Boys by matching up man on man. If my sources are correct this is not the case, and the Lazy Boys shall recline themselves into the next stage of the playoffs. Lazy Boys 29- AMB 12.

Castleton’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

1. Individual Awards: I shall be posting something in the next couple weeks in terms of this season “in review”. I’ll just wait until there are less games to cover before tackling that subject.
2. Hurricanes: I’m going to miss you guys, you were the gold standard in this league for ages.
3. Gino Di Fazio: I firmly believe that he deserved at least co-winner QB of the year in D2, regardless of whatever convoluted system we have for determining winners.
4. Matt Norzil: My sources tell me Paul Kamel won it based on the fact he had similar stats with one less game played. It’s a tough pill to swallow, I know. But let that slight fuel you for the playoffs…
5. Daniel Gentile: He is the most instrumental part of Click Clack and the reason Paul Kamel pumped his stats so much this year. I think he deserves a lot more credit than just a “mention” in the QB of the Year debate. He is the D2 MVP so far this season, in my opinion.
6. Competition Committee: Good to know people are applying for a glorious spot on this newfound committee. Sounds so formal doesn’t it? Just let me know where I can send the case of beer, if I ever go “under review”.
7. Shockers vs Monarchs: apart from the Mtl Finest vs Hurricanes, one of the oldest rivalries in FPF history. These teams hate each other on the field, and emotions always run high (off the field, I often ask Stephen Free for a personal copy of that lovely poster he has displayed on our website). I expect nothing else but for both teams to give it their all as they await a date with the Texas All Stars.