Week 1 Wrap-up | Who impressed most?

 

              I’m not going to annoy you with a pun about how long we’ve all impatiently been waiting for the winter season to come around, but I will say I’m glad it’s underway. Before the first snap of any new season I find myself wondering, “can I still catch a football?” or “If I back pedal right now, will I tear my quad muscle?” We all have our own personal ways of regaining confidence in our abilities. Whether it’s showing up two hours early to remind our legs how to run, or quite simply running that first route of the season and foolishly being convinced you were wide open. There are also all the poor souls who realize on that first snap that they just don’t belong in that setting. It’s unfortunate that we can’t all just be like Jamil Springer, confidence-on-a-hundred at all times; don’t get me wrong, I love him for it. If we were all created from the same mold, the world would be a boring bowl of plain Lipton chicken noodle soup. Imagine watching six Rochids playing against six Rochdis, it would be like the opening day to the duck hunting season.

              On another note I’d like to give the readers who are new to my articles a little bit of a heads up. If you’re going to read my articles do not set your expectations for English literature too high. I might write things that make no sense at all. If that’s the case, just take the time to re-read the sentence-but in an Italian suburb dialect or even Arabic- it should make more sense.

One thing is certain; I will always be honest and give a fair opinion. I might hurt your feelings if you’re soft; you might never agree with me; we may think alike and both be geniuses or they might find a new writer next week and this will be the only article you read of mine. My rant is almost done but I have one more thing to say; I very rarely compliment people, so when I throw flowers at you it’s because you truly impressed me! If you get no press, just be better. Now let’s get started.

 

 

Headlines Div1:

• Mike Harrington and Montreal’s Finest were not at all affected by the holidays. They came out like a re-fueled army tank, fresh out of the shop after a calibration tune up. I was under the impression that center Donald Shepherd would be missing this season following his recent move to Vancouver, I guess I was wrong. Terror Squad’s Jo Duclair is an above average DB in our league, yet was exposed by Mike Harrington in last seasons’ Div1 final. Terror Squad obviously did not learn from that or felt like making an adjustment. This led to another day of abuse by Harrington. Soon enough Jo will be able to press charges. Kevin Wyeth is the best quarterback to ever play in flag; you’re going to have to do better then show man and play man to beat him. Notable mention to Patrick Jerome however, for the interception, it could possibly be the only one Wyeth throws this season.

 

• An old rivalry was renewed between the D-Boys and DK. The difference makers in this one were the key sacks by Hall of Fame rusher Matt Kirouac. They both came at very important moments in the game that shattered all hope of a DK come back. Quarterback Marco Masciotra surrounded himself with one of the best-looking receiver squads in Div1; they will be a team to keep your eye on. DK came a head in the D2 final last April, thus far D-Boys hold the upper hand in D1.

 

• I don’t know about you all I heard this off-season were these rumors about what a crazy, insane, talented team Carmine Pollice was putting together this season in Div 1 to finally de-throne Montreal’s Finest. After one week, the team seems mediocre at best; a team with an obvious lack of speed but high Flag IQ. Pollice surrounded himself with accountable receivers and size in Kennedy and Lapierre, but no deep threat to respect on defense. Rainmakers welcomed the challenge and Ryan Kastner had an incredible game throwing for 255 yards and 6 TDs. Pollice will have to stand on his head for 9 weeks if he wants his team to have any chance at making a run.

 

• Unfortunately for Patrick Chenard he was unable to carry the wave of his Div 2 win over ONS to push on through against Flag Moi L’Sac. I must say the team name “Flag Moi L’Sac” is definitely my all time favorite team name, you might have to be French to truly appreciate it. Alex Nadeau Piuze didn’t need to strain himself to win this one, he did what was needed to win. On the other side, the interception thrown by Chenard was the costly turnover. Impressive defensive effort by the men in blue, holding Nicolas Arsenault-Hum to a single catch, furthermore solidifying their success. Just a Hiccup for Express? I think so…keep in mind they were missing a lot of key players.

 

 

Headlines Div2:

• Tony Tabet and the Wolverines fall short to a relatively mishmashed Maniax team with Justin Lavallée at the helm. He was making his debut at the pivot position in the upper divisions and came away with a ‘W’. Cold Fusion look to have a decent roster on paper with tons of talent on offence, but I don’t know how they’ll hold up on defense against a better more distilled offences. I believe both teams will struggle through the regular season with the level of talent in Division 2 this year.

 

• Chernobyl Circus and their mesmerizing jerseys took down one of the top dogs in Div 2 in week one. Definitely the way you want to kick off your season with both sides of the ball stepping up big time. Kevin Wyeth is throwing for ONS, which naturally makes them a team to watch out for. Chernobyl didn’t seem to care who was throwing, they were flying around on the field with purpose and picked off Wyeth on two key possessions. ONS have all the ingredients needed for success. Chernobyl will be a tough team to match up against with the speed provided by David Polynice and Nicolas Arsenault-Hum, mixed in with the crafty Thuot brothers. One thing is certain; they are both teams you want to watch and they will both end up in the playoffs.

 

• Flag Football Fantasy has a ridiculous defense with a quarterback that doesn’t belong in this division. Obviously having Kris Robertson as your sleeper pick with base ratings in Div 2 will pay great dividends. Nate Taylor, Garrett Taylor, Kris Robertson and Adam Bailey is what you have to line up against… These four names could arguably be found on any defensive back depth chart in the CFL. The Gladiateurs’ experience and offensive efficiency overcame a team playing together for the first time. FFF is not a team you want to play against once they heat up. Glads should be a front runner all season.

 

• Les Monsieurs Chats vs Clockwork…. Uncharacteristic statistics for both quarterbacks to say the least. It was the third game of the night for Marco Masciotra, which should be noted and considered to a certain extent. On the otherhand, Nicola Centomo is a much better quarterback then what he showed Sunday night. The only thing that matters is the W, and no matter what I think of how Centomo played, he did just enough to win.

 

• Unfortunately, I missed the game between Shakalooinz and Served with Ice. Based on the score sheet, it seems obvious that the quarterback for SWI, Jordan Pennetta, was missing and consequently SWI had to use WR, JD Chevalier as QB. Players like Mattey Ossom and Bobby Mikelberg highlighted what looks like a solid new FPF team. For SWI, taking away one of your best receivers and putting him at quarterback is tough, unless he figures out a way to throw to himself which according to the stats sheet… he did. Shakalooinz is stacked with talent but missing a bit of flag experience. With time they will become a serious threat to a lot of contenders.

 

 

My Top Freaks of Week 1 in Div1:

QB- Marco Masciotra (D-Boys): 20/33 for 258 yards and 6 TDs… Little bit of help from a couple ridiculous catches in the end zone but well warranted nonetheless! Welcome, Sir Freak.

WR- Jamal Gittens (D-Boys): 8 RECs for 105 yards and 2 TDs. Jamal made one of the most amazing catches to end the second half in his game, diving to reel in a tipped ball. It’s not new to anyone who already knows you, that you are a FREAK!

DB- Patrick Jerome (Terror Squad): 6 tackles, 1 INT and 2 PDs. Once again everyone knows you are freakish, but I welcome you to my extraordinary league of freaks.

R-Matt Kirouac (D-Boys): 2 sacks and 2 PDs!! Mr. Hall of Fame can still ball!

 

My Top Freaks of Week 1 in Div2:

QB-Patrick Chenard (Chernobyl Circus): 23/30 for 228 and 5 TDs. Not to take anything away from your DB skills, but maybe you should have thrown for Sherbrooke when you played there, maybe.. You’re a freak in my books good sir!

WR-Bobby Mikelberg (Shakalooinz): 8 RECs for 92 yards and 4 TDs.. Umm was anyone playing defense on this guy? Bobby, welcome my friend! FREAKKK MODE ON

DB- N/A

R- N/A

*Soft defensive stats in division 2 this week. I’m not going to be impressed by a million tackles because we all know it could mean two things.

 

My picks for week 2 and my spread for the game:            

Express (3.5) VS Rainmakers  

Montreals Finest (1.5) VS D-Boys  

Demons VS Flag Moi L’Sac   (5.5)

DK (3.5) VS Terror Squad  

 

The Commission (2) VS BC et les McGonagals  

Cold Fusion VS Chernobyl Circus    (7.5)

Les Monsieur Chats VS O.N.S   (4.5)

Shakalooinz (3.5) VS Usual Suspects  

#Noregard VS Flag Football Fantasy (6)

Served with Ice VS Legends (4.5)

TMT VS Wolverines (2)

Wolfpack VS Clockwork (7.5)

CLR Forces (1.5) VS Gladiateurs

 

My Game of the Week:

DIV 1:

Montreals Finest VS D-Boys

 

              Coming into this season I thought the Finest were going to be affected by the changes to their roster. I believed they were going to be without the services of Center Don Shepherd and obviously Rochdi Benadelkader, who has moved his DK team into DIV 1. Foolish of me to think Don would miss a winter season, and all the more foolish of me to think Rochdi was irreplaceable. Guillaume Ward was welcomed back by the Finest with open arms and made his offensive presence felt as of game one. On the other side of the field, we have what looks to be this years’ biggest challenge for the Finest. The D-Boys’ additions of Jamil Springer and Jamal Gittens to an already talented squad will be a handful for every defense in this division.

              I almost want to make the theme “Masciotra VS Wyeth” but both these teams are much deeper than their quarterbacks. Both teams are built on such a strong foundation of past success. Two very strong and aggressive defensive schemes that will be tested and perhaps exposed. This might be the preview to a much more important game on the line later in the season. No matter the outcome of this game, this is one I’m really looking forward to watching.

I believe the key to this game will be the battle of turnovers. Both offenses basically drive the field at freewill against opposing defenses, but might find their prom date this weekend, someone who can really dance with you until the music stops. The key will be for either defense to try something new, try and throw off the quarterback read at a key moment to force a bad decision. One turnover might do it in this one. Rusher is key as-well. Mike Harrington has grown into a top tear rusher in this league and Matt Kirouac is already in the hall of fame for the level and intensity he has always rushed the quarterback with. Question is, who wants it more? I know for certain Marco has been waiting for this moment. The moment where he can stack up against the very best and throw it all in to prove his worth; and what better stage then against Kevin Wyeth and the Finest.

My pick: Montreal’s Finest

 

Since I didn’t give you guys a preseason article to boost egos, I’m going to give you my power rankings now and what I think every team’s record will look like by the end of the season. This will definitely give some of you a reason to hate me, but like it or not, it is what it is.

 

Div1:

1. Montreals Finest 9 – 1
2. D-Boys 7 – 3
3. Express 6 – 4
4. Flag Moi L’Sac 5 – 5
5. DK 4 -6
6. Rainmakers 4 – 6
7. Terror Squad 3 – 7
8. Demons 2 – 8

 

Div2:

Conference A:

1. Chernobyl Circus 8 – 2
2. O.N.S 7 – 3
3. Les Monsieurs Chat 7 – 3
4. Clockwork 5 – 5
5. Cold Fusion 5 – 5
6. Wolverines 4 – 6
7. Wolfpack 4 – 6
8. TMT 3 – 7
9. Usual Suspects 2 – 8

Conference B:

1. Legends 9 – 1
2. Gladiateurs 8 – 2
3. Flag Football Fantasy 8 – 2
4. CLR Forces 6 – 4
5. Shakalooinz 6 – 4
6. #Noregard 4 – 6
7. Served With Ice 2 – 8
8. The Comission 1 – 9
9. BC et Les McGonagals 1 – 9

 

Once again good luck to everyone! Don’t forget to check out the podcast by G.M Kolethras and me, Thursday night around 10:15! Follow me @VinceNardone for very little action on twitter or stop me at the field to chat. Till next time… Get in the gym.