Tier 2: Who is the best Rusher, and 13 other Mid-Season Questions that need answering.

We are officially at the midway point of the regular season. Several teams have showed us who they are. Some have delivered statement victories, while others have fallen short, and are still trying to figure out their identity.

The Tier 2 standings are mostly in gridlock, as except for the undefeated Idaho Udapimps, every team has at least one loss. Parity is another word to describe it, as six teams have suffered three defeats.

The second half of the season starts this week. With it come 13 questions that need to be answered.

1.Will Idaho Udapimps lose a game?

The second half of the season sees them play Kiss My Outlaws, Vultures, Jagerbomb, Rico Ryders, Fins Up and Shake & Bake. I could be wrong, but I think they will lose at least one of those games.

2. Who is the biggest dark horse to win Tier 2?

There are some decent candidates with teams like Jagerbomb, Backfield Penetration, Kiss My Outlaws, and The Commission. I am going in another direction, as I think Les Monsieurs Chats are the biggest dark horse to win it all. They have size, speed, experience, and an explosive offense. They also have a blowout win over the Vultures.

Their remaining schedule isn’t tough, as out of their six remaining games, they only play two teams that have a winning record. Can they go all the way? We will find out shortly.

3. Will Arouch win a game?

I played against them this past Wednesday at Marie-Vic. They are a physical team that needs to learn how to dial down their physicality on defense.

Some of their players, most notably Simon Losier talks trash. That edge is needed, but it comes off a lot better when you win games.

Despite being winless, this is a talented squad, as they have a good combo of speed and big-play ability. Receiver Thomas Legault is their best playmaker and has the best hands on the team. Getting the ball to hom early and often will be key to igniting an offense that averages a Tier 2-low 21 points a game.

The second half of the season sees them play Never Overtime, Backfield Penetration, Fins Up, Vultures, The Infantry, and Jagerbomb. I think Arouch wins at least one of those games.  

4. Who will win Quarterback of the Year?

The clear favourite right now is Marc-Andre Reeves of Shake & Bake, as he leads all passers with 30 touchdowns, and along with Ryan Kharouf of Never Overtime, are the two Quarterbacks who average over 12 yards per pass. Just as impressive, Reeves has yet to throw an interception. He is my pick, but there is still a lot of football left, so names like Ben McMahon, Stephen Harripersaud, Will Power, Sean Semerjian, Simon Duchesne, Alessandro Barazzoni, and others, can close the gap. Let’s see if they can.

5. Who will finish with the most rushing yards?

Beer Belly Brigade Quarterback Alex Fafard looked like he was gong to pull a Lamar Jackson and run away with the honor as he led all players with 224 yards, and a average of nearly 11 (10.7) yards per carry. Unfortunately for the three-time All-Star, a season-ending injury suffered last week versus Jagerbomb, means another player will have the rushing crown when the regular season ends.

The remaining candidates include Ben McMahon, Marc-Andre Reeves, Justin Weir, Sean Semerjian, and Jason Reyes. Let the competition begin.

6. Speaking of Fafard, can the Beer Belly Brigade make the playoffs without their best player?

The team currently sits at (1-4), with their only victory coming in Week 1 versus The Commission. The second half of the season sees them take on Backfield Penetration, Kiss My Outlaws, Les Monsieurs Chats, Never Overtime, and Fins Up. Getting a win over any of those teams will depend on who they have lining up behind the Snapper.  

Veteran Quarterback Chris Rivest was listed as a potential replacement, but on the FPF Facebook page Fafard said the team has found their new QB. The move has the potential to see Beer Belly Brigade go from looking like the Miami Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa, to being a legitimate playoff team.  

7. Who will lead Tier 2 in sacks?

Before the season started, many people assumed it would be Raffaele Morelli of Backfield Penetration. Five weeks later, the four-time All-Star has only three sacks. With five games remaining he will most likely add to that total, but he trails four other players for the lead.

Leading the way with nine sacks is Alexandre Szalipszki of Idaho Udapimps. Right behind him with six QB takedowns is veteran Rusher Jeremie Lavoie-Patry, and tied with five apiece is Emile Descoteaux of Shake & Bake, and arguably the fastest player in Tier 2, in Ethan Adrian of The Infantry. I don’t see Morelli closing the gap, and I also don’t think he or anyone will catch Szalipszki.

8. Who will lead Tier 2 in interceptions?

When looking at the current leaderboard for picks, it is a four-player race between Quaysie Gordon-Maule, Vincent Benjamin, Jonathan Cloutier, and Marvin Steinberg, as each has three INTs. There is a cluster right behind them as 13 players have two takeaways. The answer to this question could very well go down to the final week of the regular season.  

I am going with Steinberg, as the eight-time All-Star has a jaw-dropping 49 interceptions (yes, you read that right) since the 2023 FPF Cup season. He is the epitome of a ballhawk.

9. Who will win Two-Way Player of the Year?

This in my opinion is always the most intriguing award, as it usually has the biggest array of competitors. Quarterbacks, Rushers, along with Receivers and Defensive Backs get consideration. Because of that, names like Sanders Armand, Sean Semerjian, Quaysie Gordon-Maule, Anthony Drysdale, Danick Coulombe, Mikael Arseneau, and several others have a legit shot at winning it.

If I had to pick someone, I would go with Semerjian, as he has the edge of being a QB and DB, but make no mistake, this is wide open.

10. What will be the biggest game in the second half of the season?

This can change between now and then, but I think this Wednesday’s showdown between Vultures and Idaho Udapimps has the potential to not only be a game of the year candidate, but also a possible Finals preview.

11. Will we see some defense?

Through 66 games so far, only three teams – The Infantry, Idaho Udapimps, and Shake & Bake have a plus/ratio of points for to points allowed of better than 20 points. What that means is while scoring hasn’t been a problem in Tier 2, keeping offenses out of the endzone has been.

Defense wins championships, and there are a ton of impact defenders in Tier 2. Will they help shift the balance in scoring in the second half of the season?   

12. Who will be on the outside of the playoff bubble looking in?

The playoff picture is far from settled, and as I said earlier, there is parity in Tier 2, but based on what I have seen so far, and their remaining schedules, I am going with the teams currently on the outside looking in, in both Beer Belly Brigade and Arouch.

13. Who are the two teams most likely to meet in the Tier 2 Finals?

This could change, but I am going with Idaho Udapimps versus Vultures. Luckily, we will get a preview as both teams square off Wednesday at Marie-Victorin. Let’s see what happens?

Last week we looked at who was the best Receiver in Tier 2. I am happy that so many of you voted in the poll and wrote in on the Facebook page. Based off your responses, James Drysdale is the best Receiver in Tier 2, as he earned 34% of the vote. Jeanslee Alexis of Backfield Penetration came in second place, while Rory Semerjian of The Infantry finished third.

This week we will look at Rushers. I listed some of the names in question # 7 when I asked who will finish first in sacks. Keep in mind however, that sacks are like an added bonus. Every team will be represented. Getting a Quarterback to hurry through their process and get rid of the ball faster than they want, is the top priority of a Rusher. If you can get a sack in the process, it is the icing on the cake.

The position is the most unique in FPF, because you have players of all different sizes and statures rushing the Quarterback. Speed is important, but agility, fluidity in the hips, reach, and the ability to stop on a dime and pull the flag are the keys to success.

The poll will be up this afternoon on the FPF Facebook page. Let’s see who you choose.

Picks

Jagerbomb vs Shake & Bake – Jagerbomb (Upset Special #1)

Idaho Udapimps vs Kiss My Outlaws – Idaho Udapimps

The Commission vs Les Monsieurs Chats – N/A

The Infantry vs Fins Up – Fins Up (Upset Special #2)

Rico Ryders vs Les Monsieurs Chats – Les Monsieurs Chats

Never Overtime vs Jagerbomb – Jagerbomb

Vultures vs Idaho Udapimps – Vultures (My pick for Game of the Week)

Backfield Penetration vs Vultures – Vultures

The Commission vs Fins – N/A

Last Week: (1-3)

Regular Season: (9-9)

Upset Special: (1-3)

That is it for today. Good luck to everyone tomorrow and this week. Happy Thanksgving!

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.