The War Room (D3) – Week 6

Alas! the playoff picture is becoming a little more evident with the divisional battles and games in full swing. This week should help clear things up even further as it’s our second week of divisional matchups.  Some really tight divisions are emerging which will make this week a “must win” situation for a lot of the teams vying for that guaranteed division winner spot. Wherever you rank in the playoff scenario, I hope you continue to play hard and make the most of your winter season. I know its hard for teams who have losing records, but its only through practice and game time experience that will you ever progress in this league.

 

If the playoffs began today this is how it would look…

** Denotes division leaders who automatically get a top 4 seed.

Conference A

1. ** D3 Hyrbids (6-0)
2. ** Walk On’s  (5-1)
3. **  Souljahs     (4-2)
4. ** Doggone Bawlclub (3-3)
5. Falcons (5-1)
6. Tennesee Studs (4-2)
7. Bandits (3-3)
8. Rude Boys (3-3)

Conference B

1. ** Ruff Ryders (6-0)
2. **  D-Boys (5-1)
3. ** GPK (4-2)
4. ** G-MEN (4-2)
5. Titans (5-0-1)
6. AMB Eagles (4-2)
7. The Squad (3-2-1)
8.  Wildcats (3-3)

 

Game Recaps:

Red Rebels 18 vs D3 Hybrids 47: This game was an offensive hammering by the undefeated Hybrids who put on a spectacular show. M.Roy had 6 TDs, spread out to 5 total receivers (which shows a great depth at the receiver position). The defence really stepped up as usual, as Pilon amassed 3 sacks to his already rising totals. The Red Rebels are finding stars in Maxime Laflammer and PA Lebouthillier who have had previous success but never to this extent. I think the Red Rebels are in for their version of survivor series as they face the Dboys, Rude Boys, KGP Champs and the lowly Ball or Fall. Look for Rafal Wrezien to improve and upset a couple of those teams. Hybrids will use this game as another example of their skill and roll on to the next game with their heads high.

Falcons 22 vs Top Sauce 26: Falcons have looked suspect the last two weeks and Top Sauce capitalized on their sloppy play. Richard was his unusual self throwing 2 picks to A. Pitanna which led the Top Sauce staunch secondary who had  6 batted balls. Richard was forced to use his legs almost breaking the hundred yard mark on 8 carries. However, his counterpart, Morsink, was self efficient not throwing any interceptions, scoring three times and spreading the ball around to 6 receivers. I see Top Sauce making a charge for the playoffs as they build on this momentum. The Falcons get no break as they face division rival Walk On’s with the division practically on the line.

Power Rankings:

1.    Ruff Ryders (6-0): This team is worrying me, so much promise, so much hype. They continue to win, but it just ain’t the same “destroy the other team” mentality. They might not be hungry enough down the line for this.

2.    D3 Hybrids (6-0):  I don’t expect the rude boys to put up much of a fight for the Hybrids.  Offense seems all but too easy for them, Mike Roy might have found a new D2 team if all goes well. Legitimate shot at 10-0.

3.    Titans (5-0-1): I never believed in these guys, too much history for me to forget. But Mathieu Rene is a great talent and quietly making a name for himself in D3.  Yani Zavos should be proud of his boys.

4.    Falcons (5-1): Disappointing performance the last two weeks, perhaps a sign of things to come? I doubt it, and we will find out if these guys mean business this week vs. the Walk Ons with a division and playoff spot on the line…

5.    D-Boys (5-1): Only having a single loss to the undefeated D3 Hybrids, a loss not too bad to have on the record. I think they are improving each week. Defence seems to be their strong suit, and with a rusher like Kirouac, defending the pass is easy.

6.    Walk On’s (5-1): This team (which I play for) seem to be strolling along in D3 without taking themselves too seriously. Mike Oliver and Ben Joseph are having great defensive years. This week we will see what they are really made of against Falcons. Even I’m sceptical.

7.    GPK (4-2): Stagg is the best quarterback in D3 that you have never heard of. This team may be a little too inexperienced to be labelled a serious contender just yet, but if they work on the fundamentals in the latter part of the season they may just complete the puzzle.

8.    G-Men (4-2): New QB? What’s going on Kamel? This is your team and now you gave it up for adoption? However, they did up the ante recruiting the legend of Lounge 6. Other teams need to be afraid, very afraid…

9.    Souljahs (4-2): You might win your division but I’m getting very close to putting Tennessee Studs in that slot. You know what? Forget that, I see Rage leap frogging you guys if you continue to lose games like that.

10.    AMB Eagles (4-2): Game of the week? All the hype you ever wanted? And what do you do?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfltikFvhWc

 

Castleton’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

1.    Texas All stars: Discipline wins championships, you really don’t have an excuse losing to the Herd. You guys are way better than them on paper, but I guess that’s why they play the games.

2.    Lever to Grenier: Seems to be a match made in FlagPlus heaven as they run a deadly 5 yard hook and out combo. Grenier makes catches you would never give him credit for. As for Mr. Lever, he knows he could QB a D3 team if he wanted too.

3.    D1 Upsets: I can never really understand D1. It seems every week a team which had no business winning pulls off an upset. It’s a good thing for the league… I think…

4.    Wyeth, Pollice and Nincheri: They get all the press, the glory, the hype. But other notable QBs to mention are R. Kastner, F. Dupuis and C. Byers. Chad Byers throws some of the most amazing laser beams you will ever see in this league, but a lot of people don’t even know him.

5.    Rick Cummins: What on earth was that dancing video on Facebook? I tease him as I call his D Boys the “Dancing Boys”. I guess he took me seriously, I won’t post the link, but be sure to FB that…

6.    Nixon’s Renegades: Dale is being humble with his team, not buying into the hype. I think its wise, but I hold their talent in very high regard and so do a lot of the other teams in their conference.

7.    FlagPlus Combine: We have an All-Star Game, why not a combine? Test 40’s, agility and vertical. We can have our stats posted on our profiles on the site. Moe Khan will abstain from the 40 yard dash, I guarantee it.

 

 

This Tune is for You:

“Long Time Gone” by Dixie chicks dedicated to the DIP’s playoff chances after an important divisional game against Choppers which they lost 19-6.

“You are Loved” by Josh Groban dedicated to all of D4 who think I use them as a punch -line on the WEPL and my articles. You know you are loved, no really, I’m serious. You guys are the gateway to our league.

“Working My Way Back to You” by Four Season dedicated to the Rage who look to catch Souljah in their division for the playoff spot. 

“Say it Ain’t So” by Weezer dedicated to Paul Kamel who handed the reigns of QB to former Lounge 6 D1 QB Simon Tsalikis.

“Who’s Your Daddy?” by Benny Benassi dedicated to the Hurricanes after Rainmakers beat them for a second time this season.

 

Quote of the week:

“They look like a bunch of guys about to go on stage to accept some hip-hop award.”

-A. Knights when referring to the Rude Bwoys bench, who apparently look like Lil Wayne’s entourage.