Tip Top Shape Survive A Scare; PB n’ J Up Next

Welcome to the Division 6 stretch run. With each passing week, the matchups continue to get tighter and take on more significance. This past week was no different, as we saw Tip Top Shape survive an upset scare by the skin on their teeth versus TDs and Beer.

Tip Top Shape which have fielded the best defense in the Division all season, were picked apart early and often by TDs and Beer QB Brad Evans, who tore apart their zone defense with quick and precise passes.  With the T.T.S defenders giving so much space to their opponent’s receivers, Evans and company were able to put up 20 first half points, which is the most points David De Andrade’s squad have given not just in a half, but in the entire season.

Halftime is where good teams make adjustments, and Tip Top Shape did exactly that as they stormed back in the second half, powered by three De Andrade TD passes, and a defense that got off the ropes, and put up a shutout in the second half en route to a 24-20 win.

There are two things we could take out of that game. A) TDs and Beer, despite their uneven play this year, aren’t dead yet. B) After their opponents so far, Tip Top Shape showed they can also win a close one, when their backs are against the wall, as good teams do.

That trait will serve them well tomorrow night in Brossard, when we will finally get to witness the long-awaited matchup of Tip Top Shape versus PB n’ Jelly. There have been games earlier in the season that I labelled as game of the year potential, but this game without a shadow of a doubt should be a barn burner, and more importantly, a potential championship game preview.

Both teams have great offenses that can put up points with anybody, while their defenses are capable of coming up with turnovers at the drop of a hat. 

There are so many intriguing matchups within the actual game, that I can’t see this being anything other than a tight affair that will come down to the wire. De Andrade versus Kano, Catelliar vs Martelly, Campbell against Strachan. It’s hard to choose as there are no easy answers. Fortunately, this is why we play the game. All the questions will be answered tomorrow night in Brossard.

 

Top 3

Alexis Bessette (Spartans) – The rookie Wide Receiver continues to turn heads with his play. Last Sunday he shredded the Sabrfc defense as he recorded 6 catches for 165 yards and 5 TDs (He led all D6 WRs in the last 2 categories.) Look for him to possibly match those numbers tomorrow night when his team takes on a Nighthawks defense that has given up the 6th most points out of teams currently in playoff positioning.

Domenic Benevento (N.W.O) – You can’t blame him and his team for taking on the Division’s most offensively-challenged team in Gronky Kong; at the end of the day, 4 INTs are 4 INTS, and 2 pick 6s are 2 pick 6s. He made the plays, and he absolutely deserves the credit.

Vince Menniti (Fourth and Twenty) and Laurent Denis (CMS Laval) – Both Quarterbacks put on a show Saturday night in Brossard, as they went up and down the field trading score for score.  For Denis, it was only his second game of the season playing QB. He went an impressive 12 of 19 for 201 yards with 6TDs and 1 INT. After struggling, much of last season and this one at the position, Menniti had the game of his life, as more than half of his 9 completions (5) went for touchdowns. It’s a shame that somebody had to lose this game that came down to conversions (CMS Laval won 39-38). This without a doubt is a Game of the Year candidate.

Let’s hope both QBs can build off of their performances this week, as CMS Laval takes on the Trojans, and Fourth and Twenty go up against Team Laval.

 

Honourable Mention: Dylan Catellier (PB n’ Jelly) – Jean Guy simply had no answer for him Wednesday night at Stade Hebert, as Catellier was making plays all over the field on both sides of the ball. His 118 receiving yards were 8 shy of his season-high. At least a couple of those yards were due to the fact that he was inexplicably left wide open on a few occasions, but that’s not his problem.

On defense it didn’t matter who Jean Guy trotted out at Quarterback, as Catellier picked off both Emile Lamy and Alex Guernon.

 

Step It Up

Angelo Perroti (Gronky Kong) – Yes, I realize it was his first game playing Quarterback, but 8 picks are still 8 picks, and you guys should know my rule by now about throwing nearly as many completions (12 for Perroti) as INTs. The switch away from Jean-Sebastien Roussy did not work out, and sometimes we just need to stick with our guy and patiently let him improve.

Goon Squad – despite your record, you guys are somehow still in the driver’s seat as it relates to holding down a playoff spot, as you guys currently sit tied for 7th place in Conference A. You guys also hold a tiebreaker victory over one of the teams in the aforementioned 3-way tie in the Smokin’ Axolotls. For you guys to no-show your game Sunday night against the Diablos makes no sense. First off, as I always say, you pay to play, so you might as well show up for your games. Secondly, you guys are not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs just because of where you guys are in the standings today. Despite Victorious Secret’s record, they do have some talent, and they are more than capable of beating you guys this week. You also close out the regular season against the Ravens. They currently sit one game behind you guys. If they beat you they will obviously get the tiebreaker, and most likely knock you out the playoffs. Step it up boys…

Jeremie Ledoux (Trojans) Five interceptions aren’t eight like Gronky Kong’s Perroti, but 5 INTs are still a lot, and they are good enough to get you on the list. The 36-20 loss to Team Laval was equally disappointing for the Trojans, as it stopped them from separating themselves from the previously mentioned 3-way tie for the 7th spot in Conference A.

Matchups

Joseph Kano (PB n’ Jelly) versus David De Andrade (Tip Top Shape) – Where else would I start but with the two best Quarterbacks on the Division’s top two teams? Both players are team leaders, and have been performing at a high level all season. Both players and their teams seem to get better as the game goes along.

If I have to give an edge, I would give it to De Andrade because he has more experience than his counterpart, but Kano and his team have known each other, and have been playing together since high school, so chemistry and timing might actually be on their side.

The only difference between the two is that De Andrade plays defense as well, and he leads his team in interceptions with five. Kano is does occasionally toss 50/50 balls, needs to be careful.

Simon Laporte (Jean Guy) versus Brad Evans (TDs and Beer) – An old school matchup featuring two players who have been hallmarks of the division. As mentioned above, Evans had a great first half against Tip Top Shape as he had his TDs and Beer squad poised for the upset.

Simon Laporte, while not posting the crazy sack numbers that he has in the past, he still an impressive 12 QB take downs. With both Jean Guy and TDs and Beer in the thick of the playoff race, and needing points to climb up the standings, this matchup has the potential to be huge.

Vincent Alessandrini (Nighthawks) versus Daniel Hernandez (Spartans) – One of the top Wide Receivers in the D6 taking on one of the best Defensive Backs in the division. You can’t ask for anything more than that. Will Hernanadez take the Nighthawks best player out of the game and force their QB Kristopher Diktakis to have to rely on WRs Steven Guerrera, Matthew Tetley, or Kevin Ercolano to take over the game? Or, will Alessandrini blow the top off the Spartans’ defense and turn this game into a shootout? Part of me is hoping for the latter. Stay tuned.

 

Power Rankings

1-Tip Top Shape – As I mentioned earlier, these guys showed a lot by pulling out a game with their backs against the wall. They will to perform MUCH better in the first half this week if they want to knock off their biggest test of the season in PB n’ Jelly.

2-PB n’ Jelly – This is it, the chance they’ve been waiting for. They have their shot to show why they should be viewed as the best team in the division. Good luck.

3-Gamecocks – They came to play on both sides of the ball this past week as they dropped a 40 burger on Victorious Secret, and didn’t give up a single point on defense. Let’s see what they do this Monday night in a huge game with playoffs ramifications against an equally impressive Diablos squad.

4-Spartans – Despite the 38-25 win over Sabrfc, the game was a lot tighter than the score would indicate as the Spartans needed some big second half stops to escape with the victory. As I said earlier however, good teams find a way to get it done, and Spartans are exactly that.

5-Bricksquad – The same idea also applies for the Bricksquad, as they found a way to get past the Nighthawks, and in the process, extended their winning streak to 5 games in a row. They have a tough test tomorrow in Lachine when they take on the hard to gauge Sabrfc crew.

6-N.W.O – Once again, you can’t blame them for playing who is on their schedule. You can however applaud them for pithing the shutout in their 37-0 win over Gronky Kong. The N.W.O should expect a bit tougher test Sunday night when they take on the Ravens.

 

Picks

Trojans vs CMS Laval – CMS Laval

Sabrfc vs Bricksquad – Bricksquad

Team Laval vs Fourth and Twenty – Team Laval 

Tip top Shape vs PB n’ Jelly – Tip Top Shape (*This is the definition of a toss-up game, but I am going with the more experienced team. * Game of the Week, as if there was ever any doubt, and possible Game of the Year.)

Spartans vs Nighthawks – Spartans

Ravens vs n.W.o. – N.W.O 

Goon Squad vs Victorious Secret – Victorious Secret (*Upset Special)

Diablos vs Gamecocks – Diablos

TDs and Beer vs Jean Guy – TDs and Beer (*Upset special #2)

Smokin’ Axolotls vs Gronky Kong – Smokin’ Axolotls