We Goin’ Sizzler – Playoffs!

Today we catch up on the Division D Divisional and Quarter Finals. We also look ahead to tonight’s Semi Finals. With all these Covid restrictions and the constant changes, we are mere weeks away from completing an actual full season and crowning new champs. It hasn’t been easy and the league has had to make major adjustments but we are almost there, a big thank you for everyone involved.

We begin with the Divisional Playoffs.

TRAPSTARS (6-4-0) 6 – 26 FIGHTING ILLINI (4-6-0)

FIGHTING ILLINI shock the world and provide the first upset of these playoffs. FIGHTING ILLINI made their intensions clear from the start, on their first drive they faced a 4th and 5 in their own half and they went for it. A 9 yard run by J. FEDER got them the first down and then they scored on the very next play, a 26 yard pass to D. BORDEN for the touchdown.

TRAPSTARS had their own 4th and 8 in their own half but the pass was incomplete. With the turnover on downs, FIGHTING ILLINI wasted no time and scored on the next play, a 26 yard pass to K. SMUDA for the touchdown.

TRAPSTARS did fight back with a touchdown of their own but RYAN GARBER followed it up with 3 INTs and the game was out of reach. With 6 PDs and 3 INTs on defense, FIGHTING ILLINI are proving to be the real deal.

THE NEW GUYS (6-4-0) 40 – 12 MEAN GIRLS (4-6-0)

In the battle of the genders, it was THE NEW GUYS that came out on top. I was somewhat surprised that MEAN GIRLS didn’t put up more of a fight in this one after the roll they were on towards the end of the season. In the end, they proved to be a one trick pony with TRISTAN HETU-FRANKEL constantly looking to his main target SHADEN HETU-FRANKEL.

THE NEW GUYS made it look easy, especially with NIKKI PAPICH throwing 3 TDs on 11 attempts while adding 3 rushing TDs. TIM HORNER also had a great game catching for 78 yards and 2 TDs on the night.

GLOGANG (5-4-1) 24 – 13 VOODOO (5-4-1)

In the next game I got wrong, GLOGANG managed to hang on after the difficult start. TIMOTHÉ PICHET threw an INT on his first pass, with GLOGANG stuck deep in their own zone, their defense came up big with an INT of their own. TIMOTHÉ PICHET bounced back with 4 TDs and GLOGANG held on for the win.

PATRICK ST-AMAND had a big game in the loss, catching 7 of 10 targets for 96 yards and a TD. The lack of completions by FRANK KAYE gave way too much possession to GLOGANG in this one.

AROUCH (7-3-0) 27 – 8 LOCKDOWN (2-7-1)

In the easiest game to call, AROUCH got the job done early with a 14 – 0 lead at half time. ERIC LALONDE hit SIMON LOSIER on their first drive for a 15 yard touchdown. He followed it up with a 25 yard TD pass to ANTOINE PRÉFONTAINE for the touchdown.

LOCKDOWN had an INT on their first possession and a turn over on downs on their second possession. BUCK ANEER threw 36 times in the loss but the constant pressure from ÉTIENNE BRUNO-BLAIN, who had 3 SKs, was too much to handle.

PHILIPPE LINCOURT took over in the second half with 2 receiving TDs and finished the night with 77 yards.

KISS MY END ZONE (3-6-1) 38 – 12 SPERA’S LEGION (3-6-1)

Continuing the trend that I have no idea what I’m talking about, KISS MY END ZONE surprised me in this one. It looked like the two teams were evenly matched going into the game but after going down by two scores, VINCE PISANO struggled with 3 INTs.

It’s a shame because it really came down to clock management; SPERA’S LEGION actually scored first, KISS MY END ZONE responded, SPERA’S LEGION punted, KISS MY END ZONE scored, SPERA’S LEGION responded, KISS MY END ZONE scored, SPERA’S LEGION ran out of time at the half. KISS MY END ZONE scored on their first possession of the second half and it was over from there.

MATHIEU DOMON had a beaut’ of a game going 18 for 23 for 215 yards and 6 TDs, he spread the ball around to 6 different receivers, 5 of which had TDs. Defensively, JEREMY WHITE helped out with 2 INTs and KISS MY END ZONE book their ticket into the next round.

HOT SAUCE SPORTS (6-4-0) 26 – 41 LES BLUES BRANLEURS (4-5-1)

We have ourselves another upset after LES BLUES BRANLEURS came out with the win over HOT SAUCE SPORTS. This game did not go according to script with PAOLO DELLA ROCCA throwing 5 INTs and OLIVIER PILOTTO coming out with 6 catches for 127 yards and 3 TDs, this guy had 213 yards total during the regular season.

HOT SAUCE SPORTS were also poor on defense, not recording a SK or INT in the game. MINH TON-THAT played well, throwing for 232 yards and 5 TDs. If LES BLUES BRANLEURS can continue the defensive play, who knows how far they can go.

TOUGH LUNGS (6-3-1) 18 – 25 CLINKERS (3-7-0)

And we have a Cinderella team! The CLINKERS pull a rabbit out of their ass and defeat TOUGH LUNGS. MARC-ANDRÉ DESAULNIERS had his best performance of the season completing 19 out of 29 for 199 yards and 4 TDs.

The game went back and forth with both teams matching each other TD for TD until the very end of the first half when TOUGH LUNGS MATHEW LERNER threw his first and only INT on the night. With the score 19 – 12 for CLINKERS at half time and TOUGH LUNGS starting with the ball in the second half, it was still anybody’s game.

TOUGH LUNGS came out strong to start the second half, driving down the field and scoring, MARLON ROC with a 27 yard TD grab for his third TD of the night. After both teams exchanged threes and out, CLINKERS scored the nail in the coffin TD, a 1 yard pass to JEREMIE LEDOUX who finished the game with 2 TDs.

On to the Quarter Finals.

The big question coming into the games was whether or not the bye week would have an affect on the top seeds. The short answer is no, with one exception, but wait until you hear who it is!

LOS SIETE AMIGOS 31 – 27 AROUCH

AROUCH was able to keep up in this one, matching LOS SIETE AMIGOS every step of the way. Unfortunately, ERIC LALONDE’s only INT was a costly one that gave LOS SIETE AMIGOS the lead and they managed to hang on until the end. They did not give AROUCH a chance to come back into the game, with ALEXANDRE FAFARD going 23 of 33 for 161 yards with 4 TDs and 0 INTs.

TUTS AND PARLAYS 29 – 18 THE NEW GUYS

TUTS AND PARLAYS did not disappoint and showed why they deserved to be a top seed. Down early, they responded well with two quick TD passes to lead at the half 14 – 6. They came out on fire to start the second half with a 40 yard bomb to BEKIM BOROVA who finished the night with 116 yards and 3 TDs. THE NEW GUYS made it interesting coming back with two TDs of their own but the game was out of reach after NIKKI PAPICH was sacked for a safety.

JOHNNY FIREBALL 26 – GLOGANG 20

GLOGANG were actually leading this one at half time 20 – 14. They managed to score on their first three possessions before TIMOTHÉ PICHET threw his first of two INTs on the night. The second half was a completely different story with GLOGANG putting up a goose egg and JOHNNY FIREBALL coming away with win. I just gotta say it, I hate JOHNNY FIREBALL. From my point of view, they make my life so hard when I see their stat lines, I mean how do I explain a pass play for -8 yards. ÉDOUARD LEROUX did manage to complete 10 passes (wow, double digits) for 106 yards and 3 TDs so there is hope for them yet.

THE STOICS 36 – 14 LES BLUES BRANLEURS

You might have been surprised to see THE STOICS as a top seed with a bye but they proved to be the real deal. With a 24 point first half performance, LES BLUES BRANLEURS were cooked early. CHRIS RIVEST went 16 for 31 for 177 yards with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, spreading the ball around to four different receivers for TDs. Defensively, THE STOICS had 3 SKs and 3 INTs to hold LES BLUES BRANLEURS to 14 points. A solid performance on both sides of the ball, that’s how it’s done.

BLACKOUTS 6 – FIGHTING ILLINI 22

No, that’s not a typo, the BLACKOUTS are out! JULIEN LACHANCE had a horrid game, throwing 4 INTs and their defense didn’t fair any better, coming out with 0 SKs and 0 INTs on the night. FIGHTING ILLINI continue to surprise everyone with the stellar play of DONNDRE BORDEN who went 17 of 28 for 3 TDs and 0 INTs, KEVIN SMUDA who caught for 74 yards and a TD, and MARVIN STEINBERG who had 2 INTs. CAN THEY GO ALL THE WAY!

BRUINS 44 – CLINKERS 26

A respectable performance by CLINKERS but the BRUINS came to play for this one. GABRIEL WISEMAN threw for 206 yards with 6 TDs, ZACH ZWIRN had 2 of the team’s 5 INTs. The funny part is that the game was actually kind of close until the BRUINS opened up the machine in the second half. A solid performance by a solid team but I do see some kinks in their chain, only time will tell if the BRUINS can make it to the ‘ship.

VULTURES 32 – 18 TOPSZN

Back to life, back to reality for TOPSZN. BENJAMIN MCMAHON went 13 for 20 for 114 yards with 4 TDs and 0 INTs while adding 8 runs for 80 yards and a rushing TD. TOPSZN were left scratching their heads wondering how do we stop this guy. They kept it close, adding 3 offensive TDs of their own but the truth of the matter is, if you can’t force BENJAMIN to throw INTs, you have no chance. The VULTURES defense is also looking better, coming up with a sack and an interception on the night. If there defense can improve a little more, this team can go all the way.

Next week we recap the SEMI FINALS. Unfortunately we are still waiting on results from the PARDON MY SWAG vs KISS MY END ZONE game so we don’t have a clear picture of the match ups. We do know that JOHNNY FIREBALL will play TUTS AND PARLAYS and that THE STOICS will face FIGHTING ILLINI.

TUTS AND PARLAYS have a chance to play tactical football and come out with the win, JOHNNY FIREBALL will continue to be unconventional but how much longer can that last? Give me TUTS AND PARLAYS.

THE STOICS have been hot so not an easy match up for FIGHTING ILLINI but THE STOICS did struggle early on in the season so if FIGHTING ILLINI can make some doubt creep into the opponent’s mind, they have a fighting chance. THE STOICS win a close one.

Until next week, as usual, Pain Heals. Chicks Dig Scars. Glory Lasts Forever.

Frank ‘Falco’ Teoli