Categories: DivisionDivision E-1GeneralMen'sSpring

Way Too Early Awards Predictions, Introducing “Hovi’s Corner” and my picks

What’s up Div E! My name is Jerome Hovington and I will be your official writer for the Spring 2023 season. I will write some articles in English, some in French and some will even be bilingual. Since Div E is a division comprised mostly of relatively new teams and many players who just started playing flag, I will write one segment every week which will dive into some basic yet essential plays and strategies to help your team improve and hopefully win more games. I will also delve into the most interesting storylines of the division and follow up on them as the season goes along. Week 2 is already over, and some players have already started shining so let’s start with my way too early awards predictions. Hope you enjoy the read! 

QB of the year

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, and whilst you can be a decent team without a great one, it is almost impossible to go deep in the playoffs without at the very least a good one.

  1. Tom Gatehouse (WHO D’EH 2-0)

WHO D’EH are in good hands with Tom Gatehouse at the helm. With one of the highest QB ratings thus far (119.2), 9 TDs to only 1 interception, as well as 303 passing yards in 2 games, Tom has been electric. Despite ranking him number 1, I still have some doubts due to the quality of competition he has faced so far. Grand Daddy Purp and Bend Don’t Break are two teams which will most likely land in the bottom half of the standings, and it will remain to be seen whether Tom will be as efficient as he has been so far against better defenses. Probably the most experienced QB of the division, this is his award to lose. 

Main target: Tanner Keating

2. Marty Freedman (Hail Marty’s 3-0)

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, to “hail someone” means “to greet with enthusiastic approval” and so I would have been disappointed if Marty Freedman wasn’t on this list after Week 2 considering the team is named after him. I am not disappointed. The Jamesons’ receiver has decided to try his luck at quarterback for the first time in FPF and he has done very well so far. He has led his team to a 3-0 record while throwing 14TDs to only 3INTs. At least 4 TDs in every game so far and a near perfect performance in week 1 against a very good Les Habitations BR team is very encouraging. He has regressed a little bit this week which is why I had to drop him to number 2. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt because he has been playing flag for a long time and I believe he will surely get better as the season goes along. 

Main target: Brandon Vickers

3. Benoit Robidoux (Habitations BR 1-1)

Benoit hasn’t thrown in FPF since Winter 2018. He struggled a whole lot during that season, with a 48.5 QB rating and 14 interceptions in only 6 games in Div 6. Well, he has come back and looks like a completely different quarterback, throwing 8 TDs and 0 interceptions, despite playing against one of the best teams in the division (week 1 vs. Hail Marty’s). I was able to catch a bit of the game between BR and Bloodline and he looked very calm and in control. Despite the low number of yards (96), he was able to easily find the endzone and barely made any mistake. Protecting the ball is the most important skill for a QB in FPF, and Benoit has shown he is very good at it so far. I don’t know if that’s gonna keep happening, considering the QB he was a couple years ago, which is why I can’t put him above number 3 now. Keep protecting the ball Benoit, and your team has a chance to go far.

Main target: Michael Binette McDougall

Honorable Mentions

Mathew Cadogan, Fabrice Tremblay

Two-Way player of the year 

This award might be the most prestigious award given to a player for a season. The ability to be a difference maker on both sides of the ball is what I personally pride my game upon.

  1. Kaiden Dewey-Hull (Not You Too? 2-0)

Kaiden is the most intriguing player in this division, potentially the best. It was very hard for me to put him in any category considering how versatile he is. There was no way I was leaving him off the list though. I’m not sure exactly how young he is, but he is young. He missed game 1 but came out in game 2 and had one of the craziest stat lines I have ever seen. He threw 13 passes, of which 9 were completed for a total of 109 yards, 3 TDs and 1 Int. He also caught 2 passes for 50 yards and 1 TD. He added a 2pt convert, rushed for 60 yards and a TD, got 2 interceptions and a PD on defense. What can’t this guy do? Is it too early to say Kaiden’s got Hall of Fame potential? I think not. 

2. William Leclerc (Not You Too? 2-0)

Leclerc is an excellent receiver who specializes on deep plays. He has collected 112 yards and 3 TDs on only 5 catches in 2 games. While I’d like to see him add more versatility to his offensive game, he has remained efficient going 5/7 and averaging a whopping 22.4 yards per catch. He even threw a 21-yard TD pass. On the defensive side of the ball, he has added 3 sacks and 2 PDs already. He would be my favorite for 2-way player of the year if it wasn’t for his teammate Kaiden. Watch out for Not You Too? who also have the Hall of Famer Jamil Springer on the roster.

3. Kevin Scalia (Meat Lovers 1-0)

It has only been one game so far, but Kevin Scalia has already settled as “The Guy” for Meat Lovers, amassing 74 yards and 3 TDs in game 1. He also added 3 PDs on defense which suggests to me that the interceptions are going to come, and soon. He had 396 yards, 8 TDs, 6 interceptions (1 pick 6) and 5 PDs in his first ever FPF season for Fiddlers in Div 6 in the winter. I can only assume he will get better in his second season. His QB Manny Bizogias is a good QB but does not put up that many passing yards. Bizogias is a dark horse for 2-way player of the year, as he added 2 INTs in his first game this spring but will need to put up better numbers offensively if he wants to win this award.

Honorable Mentions

Massimo Rosati, Zachary Mastromonaco

Receiver of the year

  1. William Seguin (Cover 3 Inches Long 2-0)

2 games, 164 yards, 10 for 12, 4TDs. He also added a pick 6 on defense. This guy is the definition of solid. He is going to be a matchup nightmare for many teams. Cover 3 Inches Long is a solid squad and edged a close game against Satriales. Seguin had 112 yards and 2 TDs in that game and had the pick 6 that made C3IL win when it seemed like Satriales had the game in the bag.

2. Brandon Vickers (Hail Marty’s 3-0)

In 3 games, Vickers has already scored 6TDs on 15 catches (17 targets) and 165 yards. He is Marty Freedman’s main endzone threat and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends the season with north of 20 touchdowns. The only question I have is whether he will get enough receiving yards to surpass Seguin, since Vickers will have to share targets with another Hail Marty’s receiver: Jonathan Perez. Freedman has already thrown the ball to 12 different receivers and that might cost Vickers the award in the end but make no mistake: Brandon Vickers is a baller. 

3. Michael Binette McDougall (Les Habitations BR 1-1)

Les Habitations BR have scored 65 points in 2 games, but Benoit Robidoux has only thrown for 256 yards. Out of the 8 TDs Robidoux has thrown, Binette McDougall has caught 5. He has also added 106 yards. Robidoux has done a great job protecting the ball, and it has worked well so far, but the lack of offensive yards will probably leave Michael Binette McDougall with less yards than his competitors for the award. If he keeps scoring touchdowns at the clip he has, he might lead the division, and that will be enough for consideration. 

Honorable mentions

Willie Habimana, Peter Abbandonato (Laval Rocket player in FPF!)

Defensive player of the year

Defense wins championships. Flag is an offensive game, which is why having a great defense and getting stops is essential to getting wins. 

  1. Anthony Mirarchi (Minchia FT 2-0)

DPOY is a difficult award to give, since it is hard to evaluate the value of a rusher vs. a defensive back. It seems Anthony Mirarchi may make it a little easier to decide the winner of the DPOY award, as he seems to be splitting reps rushing with Michael Nudo. Both have sacked opposing QBs three times, but Mirarchi has added a pick 6. Minchia FT is one of the best defensive teams in Div E. Matthew Janiszewski already has 2 picks and 5 PDs. Justin Neemeh also has 5 PDs. If Mirarchi keeps dominating as both a rusher and a DB, it’ll be his award to lose.

2. Maxime Potvin (Les Habitations BR 1-1)

Potvin missed game 1, and Les Habitations BR allowed 40 points to Hail Marty’s. The team’s defensive anchor came back in game 2 and allowed only 6 points to Bloodline. Potvin had 4(!!!) interceptions including a pick 6. The former Farmers player had more interceptions in this game than he has ever had in a single season. Normally I would pump the brakes and perhaps call this game a fluke, but can 4 interceptions in a game really be a fluke? I don’t know. A regression is sure to happen, but to what extent?

3. Joey Poce (Area 69 0-1-1)

Joey Poce seems to be one of the lone bright spots on Area 69 who have struggled a lot offensively. With his 5 interceptions in 2 games, he is the current leader in Div E, which is why I felt the need to put him up here. 4 of his interceptions came in the infamous 2-2 game against OnlyFlags though. Unfortunately, I doubt it is going to keep going that way for him, as he only had 1 INT and 1 PD in 9 games last season for Cover 3. I hope you prove me wrong Joey.

Honorable mentions

Lucas Diamantopoulous, Jack Tessari

Hovi’s corner

“Triple Slants”

This play can be executed either to the right or to the left. Let’s take “Triple Slants left”. The left WR usually runs a go. The left slot runs a slant to the left (one step forward, cut 30-45 degrees to the left, while looking at the quarterback over your left shoulder). The snapper runs a slant to the left as well, makes sure to avoid the rusher and finds a zone to stand where there is no defender close to him. The right slot runs another slant to the left in the same way that snapper did, usually in the middle of the field at around 3-5 yards depending on where the open zone is. The right WR can run a post, a go or a hook. On this play, the QB should release the ball quickly. Your reads are in order: Left slot, left WR and finally snapper. The right-side receivers are usually last resort. Also, do not hesitate to simply get rid of the ball if the play isn’t there (make sure to throw it in the general direction of a receiver). Remember, you have 4 downs to get 10 yards, you should use that to your benefit.

A general rule of thumb for QBs: if there is an open receiver, throw the ball. It’s tempting to always want to throw the ball to the deepest route to get the most yards, but the deeper you throw, the bigger the risk (usually). Like I previously said, protecting the ball is the most important skill for a QB.

General recommendations

  • Keep a basic playbook with 5 or 6 plays. Master them and then slightly modify them (Triple slants can turn into a post/wheel concept)
  • Clock management: try to always end the half with the last drive, or leave as few plays as possible to the other team 
  • Take what the defense gives you: if a play works and the defense is not adapting, abuse it!
  • Master one or two convert plays
  • Always try to make it a 2-possession game (if your team is up 7, go for 2. If up 8, go for 1)
  • Have set positions for players, this will help receivers and QBs develop chemistry. 
  • Defensively, always stay in your zone and trust your teammates to cover theirs. Issues arise when guys don’t stick to their roles. A defense works as a unit: if your teammate gets an interception or defends a pass, it can be due to you staying in your zone and making the opposing QB force a throw.
  • Never stop moving in your zone on defense. Being active and unpredictable will make the QB doubt, and a doubtful QB is prone to mistakes
  • Punting, in general, is suboptimal.
  • Don’t forget you are allowed an onside kick after scoring a touchdown instead of a convert (provided you have a timeout)

Picks for week 3

Cover 3 Inches Long vs. Primetime 31-25

Going to be a close game if Mathew Cadogan is under center for Primetime.

Area 69 vs. Pasta Arrabiat 6-27

Area 69 will keep struggling against a decent Pasta Arrabiat team which should have Joe Morgese back in the lineup.

Tex4s Chooches vs. WHO D’EH 13-34

Chooches fall to 1-3 against Gatehouse and Co.

Hail Marty’s vs. Trailer Park Boys 41-12

Marty Freedman should make easy work of TPB.

Grand Daddy Purp vs. Texas Whales 0-26

GDP keeps struggling offensively and Texas Whales get their 1st win of the season.

Timberwolves vs. Show Me Dem TDies 6-30

Timberwolves look for answers on offense but don’t find any. 

Meat Lovers vs. FSU 25-24

Close game but Meat Lovers edge out FSU due to Manny Bizogias and Kevin Scalia’s two-way efforts.

Not You Too? vs. Bloodline 47-0

Kaiden Dewey-Hull and William Leclerc are going to be way too much for the inexperienced Bloodline. 

Grand Daddy Purp vs. Area 69 13-6

Two struggling teams battle it out in a game of turnovers with GDP securing their first win of the season.

OnlyFlags vs. Minchia FT 20-25

Minchia FT’s defense comes up clutch and limits OnlyFlags weapons. 

Ramphins vs. Satriales 19-24

Ramphins’ rushing offense is negated by Raff Morelli and Mario Palmieri does a better job protecting the ball.

There you guys have it for this week’s article! This one was a bit long as I wanted to make up for not writing one last week. Hope the read was fun, any feedback is greatly appreciated. See you next week!