The Wrath of Khan (DA) – Week 10

Before I get to the FPF DA All-Star selections, I am proud to announce that the FPF and this scribe are on Twitter.

 

To add us on Twitter, the address is twitter.com/MoeKhan19 and twitter.com/flagplus. This way everyone can stay up to date on the latest news in the FPF.

 

With the FPF regular season now over, the DA playoffs will be on hiatus this week. However, this does not mean I will not be writing an article.

 

2009 DA All-Stars

 

Well, we have reached that time of year to reveal the 2009 DA All-Stars. Even though this year’s DA edition was small in the number of teams, there was a bounty of players who best exemplified their skills on the field that resulted in tremendous seasons.

 

Now, regardless of player, some might show up on this list more than once. Is this a testament to the player himself, or sheer simplicity that the league was diluted of players due to the small number of teams?

 

Without further or ado, here is this year’s edition of the DA all-stars.

 

Offense:

 

Marc Champagne, Happiness, (32 receptions, 513 yards, and 11 touchdowns): Without a doubt, Champagne is one of the best game-breakers in DA. He had countless highlights that had defenders swiping air as he ran by them. His ability to make something out of nothing was a masterpiece in the making. Furthermore, his statistics don’t lie, as he averaged one touchdown reception for every three catches. Champagne is the best two-way player in DA.

 

Andre Knights, Shockers, (46 receptions, 456 yards, and 11 touchdowns): As Kishon Thompson said at last winter’s D1 press conference, “Andre Knights is one of the top-five players in FPF”. Knights has proven, no matter who is playing quarterback he will continue to put up great numbers. He won the receptions title (46), and he finished in the top three in receiving yards (456). Clearly, Knights has become the most dangerous player on the field that requires extra attention from the defense.

 

Bobby Mikelberg, Rainmakers, (31 receptions, 367 yards, and 13 touchdowns): For all of the attention that Rainmakers receiver Michael Chitayat receives for his gameplay, it was the unknown skills of Mikelberg that kept this team afloat. It seemed that no matter who was quarterbacking (Kastner, Bondy, or Calderhead) Mikelberg was able to achieve stardom. Sure, Mikelberg’s receptions numbers are low compared to his fellow all-stars. It is a testament to depth of Rainmakers, as six players had at least 15 receptions or more. Mikelberg was a redzone threat, as he led all of DA receivers with 13 touchdown receptions.

 

Paul Lapierre, Happiness, (45 receptions, 456 yards, and 11 touchdowns): Even on a team that is loaded with talent, Paul Lapierre had the quietest season amongst the Happiness ranks. He was the go-to guy when it came to a critical play. His size has proven to be a headache for defenders, as he has used his gargantuan arms to steal footballs from his opponents. Lapierre will be a redzone threat for quarterback Benny Goodfriend in the playoffs, the question that remains, can anyone matchup with him?

 

Mathieu Thuot, Titans, (35 receptions, 412 yards, and eight touchdowns): Sure this might be a controversial selection. But for all of the accolades and attention that Nicholas Arsenault-Hum receives for his abilities, Thuot has gone the entire season without being mentioned in the same breath as his contemporaries. Regardless of the team, Thuot will always come up with clutch catches that is needed. In a crucial week-9 game against the Rainmakers, Thuot ended up with 95 receiving yards and one touchdown. He might not get the praise, but Thuot will always come up big.

 

Defense:

 

Patrick Chenard, Titans, (32 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 3 pass defense) Sure his quarterbacking skills are questionable. But everyone knows that Chenard’s strongest point is his ability to play defense. Even though the Titans allowed the second most points (229). Chenard was consistently the best all-around player for the club. He led the league in tackles (32), and was in the region of the football to make the big play. Chenard has displayed an uncanny ability to alter an offense’s game plan because of what he brings on the field.

 

Kishon Thompson, Shockers, (25 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 pass defense) It seems that no matter who Thompson is playing for, he will continue to be the best sideline to sideline linebacker. This season, his stats might not be jaw-dropping, but it is a tribute to his abilities to have the opposition looking at the other direction because of what Thompson can do when his radar sensors detect the football in his area.

 

Adi Sharma, Happiness, (10 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 3 pass defense) To the surprise of many who will read this column. Sharma has become the FPF’s version of Willie McGinest. He is at the right spot at the right time. He has always come up with the big play when the defense is bending. His leadership skills are second to none in this league. His tackles might be low, but his six interceptions have come at critical times of the game. Even on a roster with a unique set of characters, it is the calming influence inside the huddle that has made the Happiness a dangerous threat for the DA title.   

 

Jason Prince, Shockers, (4 tackles, and 16 sacks) Is there any other pass rusher whom deserved this spot? Ros Castleton had his 15 seconds of fame when he sacked Ryan Kastner seven times in their opener. Prince played in two games less than his counterparts. Sure, he had 50 percent of his 16 sacks against Richard Shefteshy. But who doesn’t have a player they dominate? Prince’s Washington General is Shefteshy. But nonetheless, credit is given to those who have had a splendid season, and Prince did that this year. 

 

Marc Champagne, Happiness, (15 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 6 pass defense) He is a repeat nominee in this column. There’s a reason he won DA two-way player of the year. His offensive exploits were incredible. But his defense was even better. His Ed Reed range to play all over the field was poetry in-motion. Even when he made an interception, it was a treat to see him return the football back for a huge gain. Champagne has the ability to change the mechanics of the quarterback’s throw because he is bound to the football. He is by the far one of the most exciting players to watch in FPF.

 

Nicholas Arsenault-Hum, Titans, (19 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 pass defense, and 1 interception returned for a touchdown) Even though the Titans were a shell of themselves, no one should discount what Arsenault-Hum did. He protected the endzone very well, as he had timely interceptions. His six were tied for second in DA, and he held his very own against the premier DA receivers. If Arsenault-Hum was playing for a better team, he would deservedly receive all the attention, but even on a bad team like the Titans, he still was shining.

 

 

Inside the Numbers #

 

13, the number of interceptions that Happiness teammates, Marc Champagne, and Adi Sharma have combined for this season. 

 

19, the number of interceptions Richard Shefteshy has thrown, and the number of sacks against him.

 

73, the number of receptions that Andre Knights, and Kishon Thompson have combined for this season.

 

1651, the number of yards Benny Goodfriend has thrown for.

 

1665, the number of yards Kevin Wyeth has thrown for.

 

Percentages%

 

10%, I would have given to the Titans if they were playing the Shockers.

 

20%, I would give to the defending DA champions Kings if they were playing the Shockers in the playoffs.

 

22%, that no one will be happy with the award winners.

 

48%, the number of completions, that Kevin Wyeth has connected to Andre Knights, and Kishon Thompson.