Tier 1 Mid-Season Review: Part 1

It feels like the regular season just started, but we are already at the midway point of the year. So far, the FPF Cup has not disappointed as Tier 1 has delivered a multitude of big games, comebacks, and storylines.

Since not every team has played four games, I will do my mid-season report on the teams that have today, and finish with the other squads next week. Here we go.

Royaume Luminaire (3-1)

The only blemish on their record is an opening weekend loss to the Maroons 2.0 by a score of (40-30). The team’s three victories have come against Never Overtime, Mangoose, and KGP. As the saying goes, you beat who is in your schedule.

The second half of the season sees this veteran team take on some stiffer competition in Run It Once, Terror Squad, 450 Ballers, and a high-stakes showdown with Blessed to close out the regular season. Finishing at (3-1) or better, would send a statement to the rest of the league that Royaume Luminaire is the team to beat in Tier 1.

This team has the talent and championship pedigree to go all the way. The only question is will they? We will find out shortly

450 Ballers (3-1)

Speaking of talent, this squad might have the most out of everybody. As they can attest to however, it takes more than that to win it all.

A (38-12) blowout loss to Run It Once can be forgiven, as the 450 Ballers were missing starting Quarterback Dan Lazzara. What isn’t as forgivable is giving up 39 points to a Never Overtime offense that is the worst in Tier 1, as well as the struggle it took to beat a one win #NR squad.

The 450 Ballers have one dominant win, and that came all the way back in Week 1, as they blew out the Cap Friendly Braves (40-18). The team will have to rely on the momentum of that victory, as they have a tough second half schedule that starts off with two games in four days when the go up against Blessed and Terror Squad, and then take on both Royaume Luminaire and Mangoose.

Three wins is a solid start to the season, but it also serves as a distraction to the somewhat underwhelming performance of this talented team so far this year. Is it simply early struggles, or signs of trouble for this veteran squad?

Maroons 2.0 (3-2)

They started off the Fall Cup with wins over Royaume Luminaire and Mangoose, before getting smacked around by the Cap Friendly Braves. They followed it up with a loss to KGP, and then a victory over #NR tonight. They have a short turn-around as they are back in action tomorrow t as they take on Terror Squad at Marie-Victorin.

This team appears sound on both sides of the ball. Led by Quarterback Chad Byers, their offense averages 31 points a game. The emergence of Receiver Julian Feoli makes them that much more dangerous, as he leads his team in touchdowns with six. On defense they have been comparable to a brick wall, as they have held all but two opponents to under four touchdowns.

After their game Monday night, they have a month layoff before their next game, where they take on Run It Once and Never Overtime. Will the long break work against them?

#NR (1-3-1)

Their only win came in a low-scoring slugfest versus Terror Squad back in Week 4. The only other positive is a surprising (28-28) tie against Run It Once. A (39-20) loss to the Maroons 2.0, means this team has lost two out of their last three games.

To turn their season around, #NR needs to put together some wins. That starts next Tuesday when they take on Mangoose, and then close out the regular season with contests against the Cap Friendly Braves and KGP. Can #NR shake off their struggles and string together some wins? We are about to find out.

Never Overtime (0-4)

Their winless record can be attributed to a lack of offense, as they are the lowest scoring team in Tier 1. To put things in perspective, if you ignore the season-high 39 points they put up against the 450 Ballers last Monday night, Never Overtime has scored more than one touchdown in a game only one other time this season. That is not a recipe for success, as turnovers, the lack of a true dominant number one Receiver, and redzone problems on both sides of the ball are just some of the reasons for this team’s troubles.

The team’s second half schedule doesn’t do them any favours, as they take on the Cap Friendly Braves, KGP, Terror Squad, and Maroons 2.0. I don’t like their chances of knocking off any of those teams, but Never Overtime definitely showed signs of life in their (54-39) loss to 450 Ballers, so maybe this team can build off that and get into the win column before the regular season ends.

Picks (favourites in bold)

Cap Friendly Braves vs Never Overtime – Cap Friendly Braves

Royaume Luminaire vs Run It Once – Royaume Luminaire

Maroons 2.0 vs Terror Squad – Terror Squad (Upset Special #1)

KGP vs Blessed – Blessed (My pick for Game of the Week and Upset Special #2)

Terror Squad vs Royaume Luminaire – Royaume Luminaire

Run It Once vs Mangoose – Run It Once

450 Ballers vs Blessed – Blessed

Last Week: (4-4)

Regular Season: (9-5-2)

Upset Special: (3-1)

That is it for this week. Good luck to everyone in their games tonight and this week.

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.