Tier 2: Divisional Round Preview

Welcome to the Divisional Round playoffs of the Tier 2 Fall Season. Every team that qualified fought hard to earn their spot in the dance, and fight for the right to be called champion. Congrats to all 12 teams that did. 

(11) Never Overtime versus (6) Backfield Penetration

Previous Meeting: Backfield Penetration (27-12) Week 9 

In the previous meeting, Backfield Penetration used a suffocating defense to intercept Never Overtime Quarterback Ryan Kharouf three times, two of which were turned into scores, and held their opponents to a season-low 12 points.

On the other side of the ball, three of Backfield Penetration’s four scoring drives were of seven, six, and nine plays, meaning they were able to control the pace of the game, and keep Never Overtime’s offense on the bench.      

Backfield Penetration enters the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in Tier 2, as they have won four in a row and five of their last six overall. They have quality wins over the likes of Kiss My Outlaws, a suddenly red-hot Arouch, and Les Monsieurs Chats, this past Saturday in Brossard.

To get the win tomorrow night, Backfield Penetration will need to rely on their deep squad, as they have nine players eligible for the game. That depth also allows them to mix and match players on both sides of the ball to try and take advantage of mismatches. Look for the team to get their two best players in Nic Groppini, and the electric Jeanslee Alexis, involved early and often.

Never Overtime qualified for the post-season with a (52-25) win over the Rico Ryders Saturday night. Over the last three games the team’s offense has been performing at their peak, as they have averaged 39 points per game. Quarterback Ryan Kharouf has tossed 16 touchdowns in that span. 

Despite their recent offensive exploits, the key to getting a win for Never Overtime will fall on their defense. The team’s MVP in Mack Dessources, will be tasked with having to limit the damage of either Alexis or Groppini. Just as important, the team will need to hold up in coverage in the backend and make QB Alessandro Barazzoni second guess himself and hold on to the ball and throw off his timing.

I think this will be a competitive contest,and I was tempted to go with the upset, but I think Backfield Penetration is just too deep and talented to let that happen.

Prediction: Never Overtime (35-26)

(12) Arouch versus (5) Les Monsieurs Chats

Previous Meeting: N/A

Arouch clinched their spot to the dance as they beat Jagerbomb on a game-winning TD from Quarterback Eric Lalonde that bounced off two Jagerbomb defenders before Receiver Thomas Legault caught it in the endzone. They don’t have to be pretty, but they all count. 

Sitting winless just three weeks ago, the team has now won two straight. The biggest catalyst to their success has been the team’s offense, as Legault and Simon Lossier have shown that they can beat man coverage consistently, and score from anywhere on the field, while Antoine Préfontaine has been the definition of a red zone threat. As a trio, they have pretty much been the team’s entire offense, as none of the other Receivers have more than eight catches or two touchdowns.

To get the win, Arouch will need the aforementioned trio to dominate. On defense, they will have to defend the deep ball. From playing against them and watching several of their games, I can tell you this team is aggressive on that side of the ball (that works against them sometimes) but they struggle to stop teams from succeeding when they decide to go deep. They have remedy that to have any shot tomorrow night.

Les Monsieurs Chats enter tomorrow’s game coming off a tough (48-34) loss to Backfield Penetration Saturday night in Brossard.Backfield Penetration was able to use the deep ball in the win, as Les Monsieurs gave up eight passes of over 12 yards or more, including three that went for touchdowns.

When looking at the Les Monsieurs Chats offense, Isaiah Allard was excellent, as he led all players with seven catches and three TDs to go along with 83 receiving yards. Unfortunately for LMC, no one else had more than 46 yards. That will have to change tomorrow night. To have that happen, QB Nic Centomo, will need his other weapons in Jason Rayes, Xavier Brault, David Centomo, and the duo of Jean-François Marquis and Charles Cossette, who both missed the game versus Backfield Penetration, to make an impact.

Defensively, this team has forced the most interceptions than any other squad, with 17. Zachary Brassard leads the way with five of them to go along with 26 tackles. He will be looking to add to the former, as LMC has the players to take away the top targets from Arouch.

Arouch has turned their season around, and snatched the last spot in the playoffs. It has been a fun ride, but I think it ends tomorrow night.

Prediction: Les Monsieurs Chats (40-25) 

Who is the Best?

The last time out I asked you guys who you thought was the best Quarterback and Defensive player in Tier 2. 

For QBs, all 78 votes have been counted, and Marc-Andre Reeves of Shake & Bake is your winner, as he edged out the Vultures’ Ben McMahon by three votes! Coming in third was Stephen Harripersaud of Kiss My Outlaws.

After 75 votes, the best defender award goes to Sanders Armand! He narrowly beat out top choices in Quaysie Gordon-Maule, and Marvin Steinberg who finished second and third respectively. Never Overtime’s Mack Dessources just missed out on finishing in the top three. 

I can’t say I disagree with either winner.

Thank-you guys for voting. Next up will be the best Two-Way player.

Picks

Arouch vs Les Monsieurs Chats – Les Monsieurs Chats 

Never Overtime vs Backfield Penetration – Backfield Penetration (My pick for game of the week)

Last Week: (3-0) 

Regular Season: (36-16-1)

Upset Special: (4-6-1)

That is it for this week. Good luck to all four teams tomorrow. I will be putting out a Quarter-Finals preview article this weekend.

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