We Goin’ Sizzler – Finals

Welcome back, we have ourselves some finals! We will analyze the matchups and make our predictions. In the D1 Finals, we have BRUINS vs VULTURES. In the D2 Finals, we have THE STOICS vs TUTS AND PARLAYS. Before we get into it, let’s see how each team got here.

BRUINS

The BRUINS finished the season 9-1-0, with a league leading 343 points for and 174 points against. Make no mistake about it, these are the big dogs, the prime honchos, the big enchilada, the big cheese, the big kahuna, the Mariah Carey of the league.

GABRIEL WISEMAN will be looking for his second FPF Championship, with 1497 yards during the season and 39 TDs, he was primed for these playoffs. His main target will be ZACH ZWIRN, who finished second in yards (676 yards) and in TDs (18 TDs). On defense, they are led by MATHIEU OUIMET with 8 INTS and GABRIEL WISEMAN with 15 SKs. Factor in NELSON PEREIRA (10 PDs) and ZACH ZWIRN (9 PDs), and you have yourselves a very scary defense.

Their path to the finals was fairly easy, 5 INTs vs the CLINKERS led to a 44 -26 Quarter finals win. The Semi finals saw them defeat LOS SIETE AMIGOS 33 – 18, ALEXANDRE ST-ARNAUD led the team with 3 receiving TDs on offense while GABRIEL WISEMAN had 5 SKs on defense.

VULTURES

The VULTURES also finished the season 9-1-0, they had 332 points for (only second to the BRUINS) and an average 238 points against. Given the strength of Conference A, VULTURES are the number 2 of the league.

The VULTURES are, undoubtedly, led by BENJAMIN MCMAHON. With three All-Star appearances, he will be looking for his first FPF Championship. BENJAMIN had 1418 yards during the season with an impressive 44 TDs, factor in the 662 rushing yards and you got yourself the Division D Best Quarterback. His main target is JAMES DRYSDALE with 566 yards and 15 TDs. On defense, they are led by KEVIN DONNET with 9 INTs and JAMES DRYSDALE with 12 SKs.

Their path to the finals was difficult, with a Quarter finals win over the dodgy TOPSZN 32 – 18. They defeated the Conference B top seed, 9-1-0, PARDON MY SWAG in the Semi finals 25 – 19. With 2 thrown INTs in this game, BENJAMIN MCMAHON made up for it with 100 yards rushing.

THE STOICS

THE STOICS finished the season 6-4-0, with 240 points for and 202 points against. THE STOICS have the accolade of being the only team to defeat the BRUINS and they have been red hot ever since.

CHRIS RIVEST finished the season with 1385 yards and 32 TDs. His real strength is that he spreads the ball around and does not fixate on one target. The three headed monster of JEFFREY LEFEBVRE, CESAR GARCIA-DIAZ, and ALEXANDRE PROVENCHER-RIVEST led the offense with over 300 receiving yards each. On defense, they are led by DENZEL EADIE-LOWE with 8 SKs, but THE STOICS are a real team with a slew of top notch players.

THE STOICS path to the finals was fairly easy, they defeated an inconsistent LES BLUES BRANLEURS in the Quarter finals 36 – 14. CHRIS RIVEST had 5 TDs and CESAR GARCIA-DIAZ had 2 receiving TDs and 2 INTs, a great two-way performance. They defeated the surprising FIGHTING ILLINI in the Semi finals 40 – 28. CHRIS RIVEST went 20 for 24 and added 4 TDs, 2 of which went to ALEXANDRE PROVENCHER-RIVEST.

TUTS AND PARLAYS

TUTS AND PARLAYS also finished the season 6-4-0, with 222 points for and 202 points against. They were very inconsistent during the season, their longest winning streak was two and they never lost two in a row. Looking at the playoffs, this is a different team that looks unstoppable.

ANTHONY LAZZARA leads the team at QB (1300 yards and 31 TDs) but given that this is only his forth season at QB, the team really relies on the leadership of DANIEL LAZZARA. He led the offense with 496 receiving yards and 11 TDs. On defense, they are led by LUCA DE GAETANI with a league leading 21 SKs.

TUTS AND PARLAYS path to the finals has been difficult, they defeated 6-4-0 THE NEW GUYS 29 – 18 in the Quarter finals, BEKIM BOROVA stole the show offensively with 116 receiving yards and 3 TDs, and LUCA DE GAETANI added 4 SKs on defense. The Semi finals saw them face the unorthodox JOHNNY FIREBALL, in which they were victorious 25 – 12. ANTHONY LAZZARA looked better in this game with 4 TDs and only 1 INT, DANIEL LAZZARO led the offense with 2 receiving TDs, and LUCA DE GAETANI had 3 SKs on defense.

On to the matchup analysis and predictions.

D1 Finals – BRUINS vs VULTURES

This is the game we have been waiting for. The two best teams match up for the first time this season and it happens on the big stage. I see this as the BRUINS defense against the VULTURES offense.

For the BRUINS, they should look to make life difficult for the VULTURES offense by giving them a long field to work with and force BENJAMIN MCMAHON to throw the ball. This will be difficult considering the BRUINS have not punted all season and GABRIEL WISEMAN is not immune to throwing INTs. Can they swallow their pride and play a more tactical game?

The VULTURES come in unapologetic, BENJAMIN MCMAHON will look to have under 20 throwing attempts and rely on his legs to get the job done while KEVIN DONNET will be chomping at the bit to get those INTs. A simple game plan, but will they execute on the big stage?

Give me VULTURES to win the D1 ship 24 – 18.

D2 Finals – THE STOICS vs TUTS AND PARLAYS

An interesting final here with one team seemingly winning by committee while the other team relies more on individual super stars. In case it’s not clear, THE STOICS are the complete team and TUTS AND PARLAYS are more of a one man show.

For THE STOICS, CHRIS RIVEST has to continue his stellar play and not force his throws, be patient and take what they give you quickly. With three top receivers, they should continue to spread the wall around. On defense, they will look to shut down DANIEL LAZZARO and force ANTHONY LAZZARO into making mistakes.

TUTS AND PARLAYS come into the game with one goal, get under THE STOICS skin. LUCA DE GAETANI should force CHRIS RIVEST to his weak side and de-flag him on every single play, QBs hate this. DANIEL LAZZARO will chirp the whole game and have receivers hearing footsteps. At the end of the day, he is just one man and cannot cover the whole field.

Give me THE STOICS to win the D2 ship 21 – 6.

Hope you can make the trip to see these finals, Sunday 7:10 pm for the D2 Championship, 8:20pm for the D1 Championships, both in Lachine.

As always, until next time, Pain Heals. Chicks Dig Scars. Glory Lasts Forever.

Frank ‘Falco’ Teoli