Tier 2: Two down, three to go; Question Period!

This week is a short one as it relates to games, as there are only five this week, and three today.

I had a chance to score-keep the two games that took place Thursday night in Laval, as Shake & Bake took on Fins Up, and the Vultures squared off against the Beer Belly Brigade.

Both games were back and forth matchups that felt like a boxing fight, as each team exchanged big plays, exciting touchdowns, and a few defensive stops, that resembled body blows, uppercuts, and knockout shots from a heavyweight showdown.

The level of competition in Tier 2 is fierce. This was evident Thursday night, as both games went down to the wire.

After giving up an 8-yard touchdown form Quarterback Marc-Andre Reeves to Receiver Mikael Arseneau with less than a minute to five plays to give Shake & Bake a (39-34) lead, Fins Up got the ball back with a chance to win the game.

Quarterback Will Power had five plays to lead his team to victory. The Fins Up QB started the drive by connecting with Wideout DonnDre Borden for a 22-yard gain down the right sideline for a first down.

After a nine-yard run on first, Power hit Joey Notaro for a big completion on second down to bring their offense to the edge of the goaline. On the very next play, Power hit the speedy Notaro again for a one-yard touchdown.

After electing not to go for an extra point, Shake & Bake got the ball back with one play remaining in the contest.

On one last gasp attempt, Reeves, tossed a Hail Mary to the endzone in the direction of Arseneau once more, but Borden was stuck to him like glue, and positioned himself in front of the ball and batted down the pass to end the game.

Fins Up Receiver Benjamin Faubert led all players with three touchdowns in the contest. Also playing a big role in the win was Snapper Maximilien Sadori, who was the security blanket for Power, as he came up with several key receptions as he finished the contest with a game-high 75 yards.

One hour later, the Vultures and Beer Belly Brigade locked horns in another great matchup. This game featured two of the fastest Quarterbacks in FPF, in Ben McMahon and Alex Fafard

The Vultures entered the game coming off a (25-18) win over The Infantry to open their regular season, in a game that was filled with a little bit of rust and a lot of missed opportunities both teams. One week later, the Vultures were able to avoid the rocky start, as it took them just three plays to score on their first offense series, as McMahon found Sanders Armand for a 14-yard touchdown.

Beer Belly Brigade didn’t wait long to strike, as they scored on their second play of the game, when Fafard scrambled for a 25-yard touchdown. 

After both teams exchanged touchdowns, the Vultures would take the lead going into halftime, as Felix Clairmont would haul in a four-yard TD on an out route.

The Vultures defense would make a redzone stand to end the half.

The second stanza saw both teams score on their first drives, but the game would take a turn as McMahon was intercepted by Felix Daoust later in the half. Beer Belly Brigade would turn the turnover into points, as Fafard would find David Enault on a go-route for a 23-yard TD.

The Vultures would add a score on a 4-yard TD by James Drysdale. This set up the final possesion for Beer Bely Brigade. Fafard would march his team down the field, as he orchestrated an eight-play drive that ended with a 1-yard by Enualt.

Down by two points and needing a 2-point conversion to send the game to overtime, Beer Belly Brigade appeared to have punched the ball across the goaline, as a pass was tossed to Daoust but an alert and aggressive play by Armand that saw him slightly bump the Receiver off the line and disrupt the timing of the route, allowed just enough time for the Defensive Back to knock the ball into the air, where it was caught by BBB’S Olivier Claveau, but he could not cross into the endzone. After huddling up, the officials decided to re-do the play. On the redo, Fafard tried to throw to the other side, but his pass was airmailed out the back of the endzone.

Needing a first down to end the game, McMahon would use his legs to pick up an 11-yard scramble to end the game.

This was an exciting contest between two top teams. Even though Fafard ran for 89 yards and a touchdown, credit needs to go to Rusher Naz Dhillon, who recorded two sacks, and prevented the slippery QB from gaining a lot more yards.

Two fantastic games between two who have the skill to go all the way. I hope all four teams meet in the post-season.

Question Period

I literally just came up with the name on the spot, but I think it makes sense, so here we go!

Can the ever-elusive Les Monsieur Quarterback Jason Reyes, keep plays alive and avoid the pressure provided by Rusher Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, who has more than 105 career sacks?

Can Reyes, eliminate the interceptions that came back to bite him and his team in their Week 1 loss to Idaho Udapimps?

How will the Les Monsieur Chats defense slow down Quarterback Simon Duchesne?

After nearly going over the century mark in Week 1 (91 yards) but then having a modest output last week with 29 yards, does Receiver Jean-Felix Daloze go off versus the Les Monsieur Chats defense this week?

Can Arouch Receiver Simon Losier build off his monster eight catch 113 yards and three touchdown performance in Week 1, as he takes on a veteran squad in the Rico Ryders?

Is this the week Arouch Quarterback Eric Lalonde enters his name among the elite passers in Tier 2, or will Rico Ryders QB Mathew Yanakoulias stake his claim?

After giving up the game-tying touchdown on the last play of regulation, and then losing to Backfield Penetration in overtime, can the Rico Ryders shake off that heartbreaking defeat and get into the win column?

Will we see a vintage Justin Lerner performance, where he shows everyone why he is the best player on the Rico Ryders?

Will this be the week that either The Commission or Never Overtime offense cracks the 25-point plateau?

Which version of Never Overtime Quarterback Ryan Kharouf will show up? The passer who looks decisive and confident while displaying his cannon for an arm, or the one who takes too many chances, and can be off with his accuracy and timing?

Can The Commission play an entire game? After going score for score with both Beer belly Brigade and Shake & Bake in the half of their respective contests, TC couldn’t keep up in the second half. Is this the week they reverse that trend?  

Can Never Overtime back up the trash talk by defender Laurent Charles, that if his full squad shows up, The Commission have no chance?

How did The Infantry shutout Kiss My Outlaws (32-0)? Stephen Harripersaud has proven himself to be an elite QB in this league. The Infantry are a good team, and have some ballhawks on defense, as evidenced by the fact that they picked off Harripersaud five times in the contest, but zero points scored should NEVER happen. What am I missing here?

Did Kiss My Outlaws decide to just not cover Marc-André Lapointe? The three-time All-Star is a great player on both sides of the ball, and rarely ever drops a pass, but five touchdowns! After the third TD you would think that he would be the number one option to roll your coverage towards, no?

Picks

Les Monsieur Chats vs Jagerbomb – Les Monsieurs Chats (My pick for Game of the Week)

Arouch vs Rico Ryders – Rico Ryders (Upset Special)

The Commission vs Never Overtime –

Last Week: (3-2)

Regular Season: (3-2)

Upset Special: (0-1)

That is it for today. Good luck to everyone 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.