Tier 1: Quarter-Finals Preview Part 2

Welcome to the second half of the FlagPlus Football Quarterfinals Round of the playoffs. The first half took place last Sunday at the Stinger Dome, where we were treated to four games. Two of the contests ended in blowouts, while the other pair were a little bit closer.

In the first matchup of the evening, the 450 Ballers used a suffocating defense to smother the Cap Friendly Braves offense in the first half, holding them to a season-low eight points. The key to their performance was the turnover on downs by the CFB offense after a seven-play drive the first time they had the ball, and the latter’s ability to control the tempo of the game and the clock with time-consuming scoring drives that lasted six, five, and six plays respectively.

The CFB offense came out firing to start the second half as James Drysdale scored a 40-yard touchdown on the first play, but the 450 Ballers would answer back two plays later with a 40-yard TD of their own as Alexandre Poulin-Rioux got open deep for the score.

Both teams would score two more touchdowns each, but the rough first half for number one seed in CFB, was too much for them to overcome.

KGP used a six-touchdown performance from Quarterback Phil Cutler and a strong second half that saw them overcome a six-point deficit, outscore their opponents (28-13), and intercept opposing QB Tam Vilaydeth twice, on the way to a (40-31) victory.

Veteran two-way player Mathieu Lepage was the MVP for his team in the win, as he recorded a touchdown to go along with two interceptions. KGP also received solid outings from the duo of James Acker and Jonathan Garfinkle, as the former posted two TDs, while the latter did the same while also registering an INT.

 The interceptions continued as the Royaume Luminaire defense picked off Maroons 2.0 Quarterback Chad Byers three times, in their (34-12) win in a battle between the fourth and fifth seed.

On the other side of the ball, the Royaume Luminaire offense led by Jesse Dupuis was nearly perfect. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 199 yards and five touchdowns. Dupuis made an impact on defense as the veteran forced one of the interceptions off Byers.

There’s an old saying that the things happen in threes, but in the game between Blessed and Run It Once, things happened in fours, as the Blessed defense intercepted Run It Once Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt four times in their (43-32) victory.

Both teams made sure that the theme continued as Anthony Brisebois of Run It Once, and Will Power of Blessed each had fantastic outings, as they both scored four touchdowns apiece.

Despite those two impressive performances, the most impactful one of the evening was that of Marvin Steinberg, who recorded three of his team’s INTs off Rosenblatt, one of which he ran back for a touchdown, while also adding a TD as a Receiver.  

The turnovers simply killed Run It Once, as the hole they dug for themselves was too big to climb out of.

Tonight’s matchups are win and advance, lose and go home.

(1) Cap Friendly Braves versus (5) KGP

Previous Meeting: N/A

This is one of those rare times where two teams in the highest division in FPF didn’t play each other in the regular season. Awesome, less writing for me lol!

I fully expect this to be a good game. Both teams are dep and talented. They have numerous championships between them, even though KGP has yet to win one in the league’s highest division.

As mentioned above, KGP is coming off a nine-point victory over Terror Squad, while the Cap Friendly Braves were manhandled by the 450 Ballers, the only team to beat them this year (They did it twice).

Both teams have playmakers, who have made plays in the playoffs when the lights shine brightest, so we won’t have to worry about the moment being too big. When you look at both teams, they each have a habit of raising their level of play in the post-season.  

One interesting matchup will be Quarterback Jonathan Maheu going up against FPF Hall-of-Fame Rusher Julian Paiement. Both players won several championships together on the Braves, but Paiement wanting to play more than just the Rusher position, stayed with KGP when forced to choose between teams.

I think this game will come down to who will make more plays. I think that will be the Cap Friendly Braves, who will surely be out to prove that the loss to the 450 Ballers was just a bad game.

Prediction: Cap Friendly Braves (36-28)

(3) Blessed versus (4) Maroons 2.0

Previous Meting: N/A

Another playoff matchup between teams who didn’t see each other during the regular season, I feel like this is my lucky day!

Two cerebral Quarterbacks in Chad Byers and Stephen Harripersaud. They can attack weak spots on a defense, and they make a concerted effort to make sure all their Receivers are involved in the offense, which is an underrated quality.

When looking at the showdown, you have one team in Blessed who is more finesse and relies on timing and precision with both their offense and their defense. In the Maroons 2.0, you have a squad who is physical, aggressive, and has a no quit mentality that they combine with execution in big moments.

That execution was off last Sunday against Royaume Luminaire, as the team had their worst game on both sides of the ball. Byers who hadn’t been picked off in five games had that streak snapped, and in the process recorded his lowest QB Rating (60.7) and second worst completion percentage (56.5) and yards per pass (9.4) of the campaign.

Blessed has more team hardware than their opponents, but I don’t see Byers have back-to-back poor outings.

Prediction: Maroons 2.0 (34-28)

(2) Royaume Luminaire versus (6) 450 Ballers

Previous Meeting: Royaume Luminaire (35-30) Week 8

The first meeting between these two teams was a thriller, as Royaume Luminaire escaped with a five-point win as Receiver Alexandre Poulin-Rioux dropped a game-winning TD pass on the final play of the game, sealed the win for Royaume Luminaire.

The tale of the tape in this matchup is intriguing as no one needs to worry about pillows or tissues paper being given out (sorry I couldn’t resist that last one), as both teams bring the physicality to the table.

The 450 Ballers have the explosive big play advantage, while Royaume Luminaire has the size advantage. The advantage that doesn’t get talked a lot is focus. No matter what goes on in most games, Royaume Luminaire doesn’t really get caught up in all the chatter. Their top Receivers in guys like Emile Beaudoin and Alexis Gaumont rarely ever say anything, and they let their play do the talking for them. I do realize that Marc-André Lapointe is their leading pass-catcher, but let’s be real, he talks, and plays a game that walks the line between dirty and aggressive on both sides of the ball.

My whole point in bringing up the focus part, is that for as good and as cocky as the 450 Ballers are, they can get caught up in the hype and lose focus from time to time. I was the scorekeeper for this Week 8 affair. The 450 Ballers talked almost the entire game. It wasn’t to the level that we saw when they took on Blessed, but there was still a lot of talking coming mainly from one side.

The presence of Gaumont and Nicolas Gendron-Vallée for Royaume Luminaire add more play-making ability and added size for Royaume Luminaire.

The matchup I want to see the most is Quarterback Jeanslee Alexis against Rusher than Adrian. Both players might be the fastest in FPF. Adrian didn’t produce a sack in the first meeting, but he did cause Alexis to have to rush some of his throws, as the pass rusher has the shiftiness to match his non-stop motor.

I think the rematch will be just as good as the first meeting. Two excellent teams with deep rosters, and clutch players on both sides of the ball. Royaume Luminaire won the first meeting. I think the 450 Ballers get revenge tonight.

Prediction: 450 Ballers (37-35)

For all the college football fans out there, the college football playoff teams were announced earlier today. As an FSU fan, I think that excluding the Seminoles is a crime. I fully realize that the loss of Quarterback Jordan Travis doesn’t make us the same team we were with him, but FSU went undefeated, and they wo the ACC last night, which last time I checked was a Power 5 Conference.

Alabama lost to Texas. I fully understand the Longhorns getting in. Washington beat Oregon twice, (I think we had a tougher schedule than they did) but I can understand them getting a spot. Michigan deserves a spot obviously, although I don’t think I am the only one who thinks that putting them at number one feels more like a default move. Looking at the big picture, if you make it a habit to always include undefeated power 5 teams, then FSU should be in, especially because they would have the services of their top backup QB in Tate Rodemaker, and not Brock Glenn, who played to his freshman status last night. Our defense is also elite as we showed last night, that should count for something.  

I can’t sit here and act like I won’t watch the playoffs, because I will, but they now feel a lot less legitimate now. I hope Washington, Texas, or Michigan wins it all.

The Tier 1 Allstars were announced this on Friday. Congrats to Jesse Dupuis on winning QB of the Year, AJ Gomes who won Receiver of the Year, Ariel Librati who captured the Defensive Player of the Year, and Mathieu Lepage who walked away with the Two-Way Player of the Year award.

The 49ers versus Eagles rematch is going on right now as I finish this article. For those that know me, they know I am diehard Niners fan. I ran into my friend AJ Gomes, two weeks ago at the field in St. Laurent. I told him I am giving him an official Brent Bodkin guarantee that my Niners would win the game. This doesn’t take away the sting of the NFC Championship loss, but it does prove my point, that if Brock Purdy didn’t get hurt in that game, I am confident we beat Philly. Until the playoffs roll around, I will savour this win. To AJ, Zackary Alberts-Gill, Jordan Allard, Iggy, and all the other Eagles fans reading this, all I have to say is BANG BANG Niner Gang!!!!

Picks

Cap Friendly Braves vs KGP – Cap Friendly Braves

Blessed vs Maroons – Maroons – (Upset Special #1)

Royaume Luminaire vs 450 Ballers – 450 Ballers (Upset Special #2)

Last Week: (2-2)

Playoffs: (6-3)

Upset Special: (9-7)

Good luck to everyone one in their games tonight!

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.