Categories: 5v5 CompFall

Week 1 Power Rankings: The 5v5 Competitive Showdown Begins

5v5 Competitive

The 5v5 division, introduced in the Spring 2024 season, is now entering it’s second consecutive season, bringing a mix of seasoned teams familiar with the format and newcomers still adjusting to the fast-paced competition. Week 1 of the Fall 2024 season kicked off in thrilling fashion, though notably absent are reigning Spring 2024 champions Flag Moi L’Sac, who opted out for Fall 2024. With the first week of games in the books, it’s time to analyze the early power rankings, standout performances, and key matchups on the horizon.

Week 1 Power Rankings

1. Kangaroos 🦘

2. Braves ⚔️

3. The Jamesons 🥃

4. Poseidon’s Kiss 🔱

5. Mangoose 🟢

1. Kangaroos (2-0-0)

Starting at the top of the Power Rankings, the Kangaroos made a statement this past week. After putting up 52 and 49 points in commanding offensive performances against Poseidon’s Kiss, the Kangaroos look like the team to beat. Led by the rocket arm of Daniel Lazzara, the Kangaroos offence is nothing short of explosive. Lazzara has surrounded himself with a lightning-fast squad that leaves defences helpless. With deep threats, intermediate weapons, and dangerous short-yardage players, opponents are being stretched across the field. But the real surprise? The addition of Serge Pilon Jr, a former Braves standout. Pilon was a beast last season, commanding 47 targets and racking up over 400 all-purpose yards with 8 TDs for the Braves. His move to the Kangaroos has added yet another layer to their already-deadly attack. On defence, the Kangaroos were just as relentless. Even without key defensive studs Quaysie Gordon-Maule in game 1 and AJ Gomes in game 2, they’ve shown flashes of their potential as a unit. The highlight? Raff Morelli having a 3 sack performance against one of FPF’s most slippery players, Rocco Christiano. It’s scary to think how much stronger this defence will be when fully staffed.

2. Braves (1-0-0)

A sluggish start offensively for the Braves overshadowed by the defensive performance of Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne. Despite being ranked second, the Braves had a slow start to their season offensively. Yes, they secured a 28-0 win over Mangoose, but for a team of their caliber, it felt… underwhelming. They forced 5 turnovers on defence, yes… 5 interceptions with Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne snagging a ridiculous 4 INTs. Yet, the Braves’ offence only managed to put up 28 points. That’s the kind of output you’d expect with no defensive turnovers and Jonathan Maheu absent, not 5 defensive turnovers and an offence led by Maheu. Still, with such a stacked roster, expectations are high for the Braves, and they’ll need to prove they can turn those defensive highlights into offensive dominance.

3. The Jamesons (0-0-0)

The Jamesons are poised to make another run at a championship as they prepare for the upcoming season, fresh off a strong campaign that saw them reach the finals once again. Renowned as one of the top teams in all of FPF, The Jamesons have consistently proven their prowess but are still chasing their first championship in franchise history. This season, all eyes will be on Jeff Rosenblatt, whose leadership and ability to navigate the fast-paced 5v5 format will be critical to the team’s success. Can Rosenblatt finally deliver the title that has evaded The Jamesons for so long? That remains one of the most intriguing storylines as the season unfolds.

4. Poseidon’s Kiss (0-2-0)

The upcoming season for Poseidon’s Kiss is shaping up to be an exciting one, despite facing early challenges. Week 1 highlighted a pair of standout performances from a rising player. Owen Bujarsky has been a driving force for the team, stepping up in crucial moments. Bujarsky has commanded an impressive 19 targets across 2 games, pacing him to 12 catches for 138 yards with 2 TDs. He’s quickly becoming one of FPF’s hidden gems, and a breakout season seems inevitable for the rising star. After a tough start game 1, Poseidon’s Kiss showed resilience by bouncing back in game 2, having already faced the formidable Kangaroos twice. Rocco Christiano also delivered a strong performance, keeping the game close and showing why he’s a player to watch this season. 

5. Mangoose (0-1-0)

Before rushing to judgment, it’s important to consider that the Mangoose squad was significantly undermanned, missing nearly all of their key players, including star player Vincent Anctil, who is poised to lead both their offensive and defensive efforts this season. Playing with substitutes and shorthanded, their early struggles, including a scoreless performance in their first game, is understandable. Additionally, this is their debut season in the 5v5 format, which partially explains their current fifth place standing in the power rankings. However, as the team returns to full strength and gains vital experience, expect them to have better performances. The Nicolas Schaefer led Mangoose is a team to watch, they will aim to prove why they belong in this competitive division. They’re just getting started, and the best is yet to come for this group.

Players of the Week Performances 🔥

The standout stars from Week 1 absolutely lit up the field. Here are your top performers:

Quarterback

Daniel Lazzara (Kangaroos)  

Game 1: 15/18, 239 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INTs 

Game 2: 22/27, 314 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INTs

Totalling 37/45, 553 yards, 14 TDs, 0 INTs, 82.2 COMP%

  • Precision, power, perfection. Lazzara was untouchable in Week 1.

Wide Receiver

Felix Boutet (Kangaroos)  

4 receptions, 92 yards, 4 TDs 

  • The go-to man in the red zone, Boutet showed off his efficiency with all 4 receptions going for touchdowns.

Defensive Back

Gabriel-Charles Dabe Champagne (Braves)  

4 INTs, 1 tackle, 1 pass deflection

  • A ball hawk with an instinct for game-changing plays.

Rusher 

Raff Morelli (Kangaroos)  

3 sacks 

  • Morelli’s relentless pursuit of the quarterback was impossible to ignore.

Two-Way Player 

Jeanslee Alexis (Kangaroos) 

4 receptions, 53 yards, 3 TDs, 1 XP2, 1 INT, 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection

  • Alexis did it all on both sides of the ball.

Week 2 Betting Lines & Predictions 💰

Week 2 promises some seriously intriguing matchups, with a healthy dose of revenge and unpredictability. Here are the betting lines and what to look forward to:

The Jamesons @ Braves on September 12, 10:00PM

Prediction: Braves Moneyline

  • The Braves are still healing their wounds after The Jamesons ended their playoff dreams last season. With revenge on their mind, expect fireworks. But don’t sleep on The Jamesons.

Poseidon’s Kiss @ Mangoose on September 16, 8:00PM

Prediction: Poseidon’s Kiss -5.5 Spread 

  • A tricky game to predict, both teams were missing key players in Week 1. Poseidon’s Kiss gets the edge, Mangoose will need a few games to settle in but they could upset if they’re fully staffed.

Season Storylines 💥

The season is just getting started, and if Week 1 is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride.

  • Can the Kangaroos stay on top?
  • Will the Braves regain their form?
  • Does Mangoose prove they belong in this competitive division?
  • Do The Jamesons defeat Braves in the postseason again?
  • Who will step up as this season’s breakout player, can Owen Bujarsky claim the achievement?

Stay tuned, because Week 2 is about to kick things up another notch!