Tier 2 Preview!

Fall cup tier 2 

Whats up FPF! After a little over a month off we are back with the FPF fall cup to close out the 2023 year. I am very excited to kick off the season tonight!! In this week one article ill give my pre season team rankings as well as make my predictions for seasons end Individual awards! But before we hop in to all the FPF action allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raffaele Morelli but everyone calls me Raff. Ive played tackle football all my life and began playing flag football in high school. I joined FPF back in 2018 and have been writing articles for the league since the winter season of this year. Not only do I love playing football in FPF but the relationships that are made along the way are really what make this league special. This spring I was lucky enough to win my first FPF championship and the teammates I played with are now forever my friends and will always be my favourite teammates. Along with everything extra that Flag Plus does like yearly awards, Podcasts and weekly articles, I am very lucky to be apart of such a great team! Without further delay, not only is NFL football back but the FPF Cup is here and I can’t wait to see how this season unfolds. 

Top 6 Pre-Season Rankings 

1. Dime and bougie 

The spring division C team with the best record and my presumed champion is back for another season. Going 9-1 last season, I was very surprised to see them go down to an underdog team like primal in the Semi-Finals. Nevertheless this squad is always loaded and ready to win it all. With QuarterBack Jules Regimbald, Dime and Bougies offence is always marching the ball downfield and their other athletes make their defence always one of the top 3 teams in defensive categories, especially INT’s. When looking at this teams roster and schedule I assume this team won’t have more then 2 loses after their first 8 games played and absolutely expect them to be apart of the top half of the standing throughout the season. 

2. Kiss my inlaws 

Another Div C giant enters tier 2 as one of my top teams in this division. Kiss My Inlaws also fell short in the Div C playoffs but did have a successful season. Only going 6-4 but not only were all their loses to great teams in the division, KMI was in every game and is never behind more then 10 points. Iggy Manzanedo is under center for KMI and not only is he constantly improving his accuracy and play calling but he knows how to put together a roster. He is always surrounded by great athletes and knows how to put these athletes in the best positions to succeed. Throwing for over 55 TD’s last season I’m expecting the same quality of play from him and in turn lots of wins for Kiss my Inlaws! 

3. Les Potes a Bessette 

Once again, a top Div C team from last spring to make an appearance here in tier 2 and i’m all for it. This squad was 8-2 last year and keeps improving every season they play. Frédéric Paquette-Perrault is always one of the best QB’s to sling it in the division he plays in. His size, speed and accuracy make him deadly on the offensive side. One trait that i really value from this dude is his ability to not force things and live for another down. You will never see Fred throw a dumb pass and get intercepted, he’s just too smart with the ball in his hand. Not to mention this team possibly has the best QB-WR connection between Fred and Tristan Fiske-Casault. I believe they connected for over 15 passing touchdowns last season and I expect them to get right back where they left off. This team does have a tougher schedule and are set to play both Dime and Bougie and Kiss my Inlaws but I still predict is this team to win at least 6 out of their 8 regular season games.

4. Ambush 

Last season this team played in Div B where they had an OK season. Not because they didn’t play well but just because the division was loaded from top to bottom. Ben McMahon is one of the fastest and most elusive QB’s ive ever rushed against and really is a game changer with his legs. The team looks similar to what they rostered last season but it seems they are going to be without one of FPF’s finest James Drysdale. It will be interesting to see how this offence will perform without James in the first few weeks of the season. But with their athleticism paired with their experience this team should be a force in the division and is absolutely not a team to take on lightly if you see them on your schedule.  

5. Fins up 

This looks like a new team thrown together but after looking at its roster I could not ignore the impact this squad could have on this division. With guys like DonnDre Borden, Marvin Steinberg and Will Power this team will have a lot of fire power. Unsure of who their Qb will be is what makes this team fall down this list more then I would have liked. Either way this team sort of gives me a blessed vibe and those teams are always successful. Their real test will come in week 3 when they face off against Les potes a bessette where we will be able to fully evaluate how well this team can battle it out with some of the division best. 

6. Dirty Birds

After a slow start in Div C last spring, Dirty Birds finished with a even 5-5 record and had a solid playoff run. Here in tier 2 I think their competition will be much stronger but they made sure to beef up their roster once making this jump to tier 2. The teams usual big time players like James Tyrell and Quaid Johnson are rostered. But this teams biggest addition has to be James Ohayon, winters Div 1 receiver of the year. He will surly give this offence a needed boost and will take some pressure off some other guys here to carry the load both offensively and defensively. Not sure if Lonnie Johnson will suit up under center but this team is definitely one to watch. 

Individual awards Prediction 

QBOY

Ignacio Manzanedo: Kiss My Inlaws 

After many big outings last spring, Iggy will look to repeat his success and continue his 50+ touchdown season performances. Last season Iggy ended the 10 game regular season with 56 touchdowns 14 INTS and 2500 yards. think Iggy is on a mission this season to reduce his interception count and win every single game after an average 6-4 record last season. Iggy won the award back in winter 2023 where he sliced and diced defences with his play-calling and pinpoint accuracy and was also crowned Div 4 champions and Finals MVP. Iggy is always at the top of every start category and as much as I would like to see a younger guy like Fred pp or Ben McMahon come out and out perform him every week and win the award, I don’t see it happening. I have a strong feeling that Iggy will have a take no prisoners attitude and come out firing all season long. He has to be my pick for Tier 2 QBOY

WROY: 

Tristan Fiske-Casault: Les Potes à Bessette

Les potes a Bessettes #1 WR is my early pick for receiver of the year. Amount many great names and talents that I can choose from I think Tristan will have a great year. Not only does he posses the skills to be a too wide receiver but the trust his qb has in him to throw him contested balls is what gives him the edge, especially in the stat categories. Last season Tristan ended the 10 game regular season with 482 yards and 16 TD’s. If he can have these kind of numbers in 8 games hell be a frontrunner for the award. It won’t be easy but I do expect him to but up big numbers every week and expect this offence to rely on him heavily.  His size and speed paired with his ability to find open zones is what Fred loves and is why he dominated his targets. 

DPOY:

 Marvin Steinberg: Fins up 

Marvin is just too good to not be considered one of the divisions best and a favourite for an individual award. Although Marvin only played 9 games and ended with 2 INT’s and 3 PD’s for Mangoose in Div B last spring, I expect him to have a much better season statistically. I know that QB’s threw away from him lasts season and had success but im not sure if they will be able to use the same approach this fall. Marvin is surrounded with other good defensive talents and I expect him to be the leader.  With only 8 games just 1 big performance can project Marvin into the DPOY lead. If Marvin is present for all 8 games for Fins Up I predict him to be the best Defensive player tier 2 has to offer. 

2WPOY:

Rory Semerjian: The Infantry 

Not sure if Zach Stacey will be throwing for the Infantry this season but I don’t really think it matters much. After coming back from suspension last season Rory only played 7 games and ended the spring season with 588 yards and 14 TD’s. His great hands and route running allow him to find open zones and make any catch. Not only is Rory’s talent as good as anyones in the division but he will carry this team to their wins seeing that his brother Sean isn’t on the roster. His skill on defense is also something to mention as he is one fo the best ball hawing corners or safeties tier 2 has got. I predict Rory to solidify his 2-way player of the year with a pair of pick 6’s along with a spectacular offensive output. 

Weekly Predictions

Les Potes a Bessette vs. Game Changers

Beer Belly Brigade vs. Junkyard Dogs

Fins up vs. Voodoo

The Stoics vs. Arouch

Ambush vs. Thats What She Said

Dirty Birds vs. Beer Belly Brigade

Dime and Bougie vs. The Infantry

Still C.R.A vs. Dirty Birds

Kiss My Inlaws vs. Thats What She Said

The Infantry vs. The Stoics

Good-luck to everyone this season and thanks for tuning in to your week 1 article!