The Wrath of Khan (DA) – Semi-Finals

 

A reminder, FPF is now on Twitter. To find out any breaking news, or updates, add twitter.com/flagplus.

 

Final Four weekend is here! To no one’s surprise the matchups went according to plan. Are these the best four teams in the playoffs? Yes, they are. However, it is a game within the game. As the DA semi-finals embark this Sunday, the conclusion might be on the wall before the games are even played.

 

Here are my four questions for the teams in the playoffs.

 

Ruff Ryders of Happiness-Rainmakers

 

Will Ryne Bondy be the difference maker?

 

Bondy will have to play the game of his FPF career this weekend. The Rainmakers offense has not lost a step since Ryan Kastner’s injury with his midseason initiation into the lineup. Bondy had a solid second half of the year with 11-touchdown passes. Furthermore, he was able to continue to evenly distribute the ball with his entire team given the roster influx they had throughout the year.

 

However, will the exclusion of Charles Antoine Sinotte hurt the Rainmakers offense? I highly doubt it, since we’ve seen players like Bobby Mikelberg step up their games (he earned an FPF all-star award from this scribe for his 13 touchdowns on 31 receptions this season).

 

Bondy will need to exploit any potential matchup that Mikelberg will face this weekend. Mikelberg’s size will pose problems for the Happiness if they do not have the correct alignment on defense.

 

Finally, Bondy must be patient in the pocket against one of the best FPF pass rushers in Stephane Cole. Bondy must be able to wait for the play to develop before he releases the ball. The Happiness has a knack for being around the ball. If Bondy throws it too early or late, it might cause problems for the Rainmakers offense.

 

Will the Happiness have their best possible roster on the field?

 

By all means, the Happiness will make sure that every member of this squad will be there in full force this weekend.

 

In fact, the Happiness squad mentioned to my WEPL co-host, Daron Basmadjian, they will make sure that Stephane Cole will be there to terrorize whichever quarterback is in the shotgun formation.

 

Without a doubt, the Happiness roster on paper is talented. It’s a matter of them being there to enforce their will on the opposition. They have what are arguably the best two deep cover safeties in DA in Ricky Martin, and Marc Champagne. Their starting five receivers have all-star written all over them.

 

No one should forget the tangibles that quarterback Benny Goodfriend brings onto the field. He has been a calming influence on this team. When it looks like the seams are about to burst, Goodfriend is there to save the day.

 

Once again the dalai lama of the WEPL, Basmadjian said it perfectly, this squad will be a tough out if they are all there.

 

Shockers-Texas All-Stars

 

Will the Texas All-Stars be ready to play?

 

From observation, it seems that the All-Stars are just playing out the string. What went from a dream start in DB to an awful ride in DA, the All-Stars seem like they mentally finished. Sure, quarterback Nathan Taylor has had his two best passing completion games against the Shockers (52-55-percent respectively). But will he be able to increase that completion rate to translate into a victory.

 

Furthermore, it seems that things might be fine within the team. But on the field, there was far too much finger pointing on missed assignments on both sides of the ball. It seemed that throughout the season, the All-Stars were too relaxed in their approach to the game. As a result, that has led to some heated discussions amongst the ranks.

 

If they want to be taken seriously, then they have to control the pace of the game. But they need to be mentally strong in the game. Far too often that was not the case to be. The likes of Mike Harrington, Matt Norzil, Garrett Taylor, and Anthony Thompson are the future stars of the FPF. But, its time they step up their game to become the best of the FPF, and it starts by developing a tough mental game.

 

Will the Shockers be able to shrug off the gorilla?

 

For the many years that the Shockers have been apart of the FPF family, they have yet to achieve any prominent success. In the last seven months, they have been able to win two regular season division titles; however, that has yet to translate into a league championship.

 

Without a doubt, this is the best Shockers, or should I say Montreal’s Finest squad that they have assembled. But until they can get over the camel’s hump, they will be known as a team with great talent that came up short.

 

Now, this is their time to shine. Never have the stars been more aligned for them to win the elusive title. With a football squad that possess championship experience (Karim Binette, Andre Knights, Kishon Thompson, and Kevin Wyeth), this is their greatest opportunity to hoist the title on August 16th. The only question to answer will the Shockers championship team be remembered for what the original members did, or what Montreal’s Finest brought to the team?

 

Final Predictions

 

For the Rainmakers to have any success, they should take a page from Filet Mignon (Division B team, spring’08). For those who might recall, my co-host, Basmadjian and his high-end beef teammates were able to milk the clock in their win over the Benny Goodfriend-led Strangers.

 

It seemed that Mignon got under the skin of the Strangers which resulted in them being frustrated throughout the game.

 

Bondy has the talent around him that can keep the chains moving. But he needs to maximize the clock so he leaves very little to no time left for the Happiness to move the ball on offense.

 

For the Happiness to win this football game, they will need to play physical against a so-called finesse Rainmakers team. In their last two meetings against the Rainmakers, the defense accumulated six interceptions.

 

For the Happiness defense, it’s a matter of the matchups. One intriguing duel that will have huge impact on the game is Michael Chitayat against Marc Champagne. It will be the battle of smooth fundamental route running taking on the shutdown cornerback. Whoever can win this matchup will provide their team an upper hand in the game.

 

Final Conclusion: To beat a team twice is awfully hard. To beat them three times in the same season is even tougher. But I do like the Happiness to win this semi-final game. Benny Goodfriend and a full Happiness squad is a tough out, and will be too much for this feisty Rainmakers teams.

 

Final Score: 34-26. Benny Goodfriend will throw for five touchdowns.

 

If the Texas All-Stars are to have any success this weekend, they will need to circumvent the system and play a disciplined game. That means, wisely picking their fights within the battle. The All-Stars have the ability to pull off an upset over the Shockers. Everyone will agree the Shockers have been prone to near upsets in years’ past.

 

The key element for the Texas All-Stars is stretching the Shockers wide rather than long. It is obvious that the Shockers defend the deep ball very well. With the likes of Harrington, Norzil, and Thompson, it should not be too hard to use the speed with the help of the sidelines.

 

For the Shockers to win the game, they will need to continue what they have been doing. Keep on throwing that football. In the last four regular season games, the Shockers have averaged 39 points per game.

 

Moreover, during that span, quarterback of the year Kevin Wyeth has completed 72-percent of his passes, passed for 810 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The All-Stars collectively have scored 15 touchdowns during their time in DA.

 

Final conclusion: In the last meeting between these teams, the backups of Shockers scored more points than the All-Stars. Unless the All-Stars tighten up their belts, and play like it is their last game, the Shockers will have a decided edge in all facets of the game.

 

Final Score: 38-18, Shockers will take over in the second half.

 

Percentages%

 

12%, that Marc Champagne will return an interception for a touchdown.

 

13%, that one of the two DA games will go into overtime.

 

15%, that the Kevin Wyeth will pass for six touchdowns this weekend.

 

25%, that Happiness receiver, Rochdi Benabdelkader will play this weekend.

 

35%, that one of the two games will be determined by half. (Go ahead and pick a game)

 

 

“The Tostitos Gary Bloomfield BBQ Bowl”

 

A reminder, next weekend is the annual Gary Bloomfield BBQ. Of course this is by invite only. So hopefully I will be there in-person to give a full report on the food, locale, and fun factor.