The Wrath of Khan (D2) – Week 7

This is what I learned from last weekend’s games: Nothing is guaranteed in D2. One week, a team might be the leading contender to win the title, the following week, they look vulnerable. This is exactly what had transpired with teams like the Renegades, Waterbuffaloes losing.

In observing the Ruff Ryders during pregame warm-ups, the focused expression on their faces explained they were there to win. Jamal Pierre, who is the heartbeat of the Ruff Ryders defense, kept on repeating to former Renegade player, Jason Prince, this is the game that he wanted. It was evident that they were not going to let this opportunity slip by. 

As a result, the hard work paid off for them. On defense, they neutralized the Renegades deep ball, limiting Renegades quarterback, Serge Brousseau, to 12.5 yards per completion. Furthermore, the defense had four interceptions returning one for touchdown.  Prince himself chipped in with one sack that started the momentum swing in favor of the Ryders.

From the start of the game, the Ryders were physical, and clearly got into the heads of the Renegades receivers.  It seemed that the Renegades never got in sync when Dave Stala left the game with a lower body injury. But this should not be a discredit to Ryders, who played a masterful game.

Tough Luck

I feel awful for the Mercenaries. This season, their three losses have been by a combined total of nine points. Furthermore, last weekend, it did not help their cause that they lost on the last play, when surprisingly, the O.N.S. defense made a huge play to clinch the victory.

More than likely, the Mercenaries will have a great chance to qualify for the playoffs. But will these losses come back to haunt this team in terms of seeding? They could potentially fall into a bad first-round matchup. Something tells me these losses will have some effect on the outcome by the time March comes by.

Make or Break Weekend

As we approach the final strides of the FPF season. For both conferences, it looks like the magic number to just qualify as a wild card team is going to take six or seven wins. There is very little margin for error.

This weekend, there are seven games that have huge playoff implications.

All Blacks-Texas All-Stars: All Blacks need this win more than the All-Stars. Moreover, they do not have the tiebreaker advantage over the Monarchs and Click Clack(they lost to both teams earlier in the season). All Blacks have little room for error from here until the end of the season, especially now, if Terrance Morsink rumor is true, and he is no longer a part of the team.

Mercenaries-Phoenix: Both teams are at a slight disadvantage. Both teams have lost to O.N.S.  Both teams will need some help to overlap O.N.S. if they don’t want to face them early on the playoffs. But the Mercenaries need this win more, to keep themselves in contention for the division crown.

Waterbuffaloes-O.N.S. Both of these teams are true definition of “unpredictability”. No one knows which team will show up from game to game. Two weeks ago, the Buffaloes looked like a legitimate contender when they dissected the Shockers. Meanwhile O.N.S. looked like they couldn’t stop a bantam football team. This past weekend, O.N.S. came up with a huge defensive play to seal the win, and the Buffaloes looked ordinary against the Monarchs. Whoever loses this weekend, can look forward to playing on Wild Card weekend.

Ruff Ryders-Wolverines: This has essentially become a de-facto first place elimination game. Ryders are coming off an impressive win over the Renegades, Wolverines have yet to command any respect since moving back down to D2. This weekend could be the beginning for the Wolverines to start getting back the respect.

Shockers-Renegades: Major statement game for both squads. Both teams are limping into this weekend. Both have not been as dominant as advertised. Whoever loses this game will surely be playing in the first weekend of the playoffs. On the other hand, whoever wins this matchup, will keep their hopes alive for a division crown and first-round bye.  

Kingz-Texas All Stars/ Texas All-Stars-416: Just like the All-Stars, Kingz will have a doubleheader this weekend. If they somehow win both games, they will catapult themselves into the playoff race. If they split the games, they will still be within distance of a playoff spot. If the unimaginable happens and they lose both games, they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Explain Me This!

So the Shockers beat the Monarchs. The Monarchs were victorious over the Waterbuffaloes. The Buffaloes defeated the Shockers. So who is the better team? Well, the common opponent amongst this trio is 416. Due to the margin of victory, the Shockers are the best of the trio as they shutout this Toronto team 25-0 on Sunday night. 

The Money Man

Has anyone noticed who the most dangerous Click Clack player inside the redzone is? It’s not Paul Kamel, but his cohort, George Papachristopoulos, who has caught seven touchdown passes this season. From my observations, every time the Click Clack is inside the 20-yard line, Papachristopoulos has become the money man by using his size to his advantage to catch the football. 

Power 5 Rankings:

The losing tradition continues with these rankings. Last weekend, two more teams went down as the Renegades, and Buffaloes were dismantled. The Texas All-Stars will play their game against the Kingz this weekend due to a scheduling issue from last week. Phoenix tied, and  Click Clack barely won over the Red Ballers. So far, in the two weeks of compiling the power rankings, the overall record is two wins, six losses, and one tie.

Texas All-Stars (5-0): Due to a scheduling conflict, the All-Stars did not play this past weekend. However, they will have a doubleheader this Saturday against their division rivals, Kingz, and All Blacks. Until they falter, they will still be at the number one spot. Key win(s): Waterbuffaloes, Click Clack. Next game(s): Kingz, All Blacks.

Phoenix (4-1-1): Well, they didn’t lose. But I am sure in the minds of the Phoenix players this was a loss to their most bitter rivals: the Tomahawks. In fact, one of the Phoenix players (who shall remain nameless) told me they’d rather be flying under the radar than be mentioned in any conversation for the title. Now, they face an angry Mercenaries team that lost a tough game to O.N.S. Key win(s): Renegades, Wolverines. Next game: Mercenaries.

Ruff Ryders (4-2): Ryders got off to a slow start to begin the season. Now, it seems they have found their stride. They get this ranking due to the style points they gained from crushing the Renegades. But so far, the two teams (Click Clack, and Renegades) that preceded the Ryders at the third spot, lost the ensuing week. Will the jinx continue? Key win(s): Renegades. Next game: Wolverines.

Monarchs: (4-2): This is a tricky situation to rank this team ahead of the Click Clack. Simply put, the Monarchs beat the then first place Buffaloes to reclaim the top of the mountain. Furthermore, after six weeks of play, the winning percentage of the Monarchs opponents schedule is far tougher, with an overall record of 18-16-1. Finally, they have faced three teams (Shockers, Texas All-Stars, and Waterbuffaloes) who have all been ranked in the top five at one point during the season. Monarchs now face the pesky Red Ballers, who lost to the Click by a single point last weekend. Key win(s): All Blacks, Waterbuffaloes. Next game: Red Ballers.

Click Clack (3-1-2): Click Clack sit in third place in the East division behind the Monarchs and Waterbuffaloes. They have yet to play these two teams. But their lone loss came against the number one ranked All-Stars in a close affair. I will give them this spot, but simply put, until they convincingly beat an established team (the opponents overall record is 13-18-4) they might have the cupcake schedule label on them. Key win(s): All Blacks. Next game: Byrdgang

 If D2 Was Like the BCS System.

If D2 was like the BCS system, here is where I have would have each team play in the five BCS bowl games. Each week, I will update the bowl games.

BCS National Title Game: Texas All-Stars (5-0) vs. Phoenix (4-1-1)

Fiesta Bowl: Click Clack (3-1-2) vs. Wolverines (4-2)

Orange Bowl: Ruff Ryders (4-2) vs. Waterbuffaloes (4-2)

Rose Bowl: Shockers (5-1) vs. Renegades (4-2)

Sugar Bowl: O.N.S. (4-2) vs. Monarchs (4-2)

Percentages%

5%, that Brydgang will win this weekend.

5%, that there will be a five win team in the playoffs.

10%, that the Kingz will sweep their doubleheader against the Texas All-Stars, and 416.

15%, that there will be a tie this weekend.

30%, that the Renegades will score 30-points or more this weekend.

35%, the Mercenaries will be involved in a game where the outcome will be five points or less (win or lose).