Week 3 already in Tier 3

The title this week is fantastic and no one can tell me otherwise. Oh yes we’re back for my Week 3 preview article. Last article was a ton of fun to write and I’ve already got some pretty good answers on how competitive some of the teams are going to be. 

Idaho Udapimps 49-24 Griffnation 

Man I don’t want to be biased once again, but boy did I get proven right. Idaho scored 8 total touchdowns against Griffnation, and that was a huge thanks to Eric Christian Schiocchet who had a whopping 4 interceptions (one pick-6) and put himself right up top of the DPOY conversation. Shoutout to David Gutkovski who was incredible in replacement of Brady Ohanessian. Iggy Magnets was also dominant with 76 yards and 3TDs. Even with players jumping on top of him, it didn’t matter, he was too much to handle for Griffnation. Though I absolutely have to mention Thomas Moorjani-Houle’s performance, who had 3 TDs and 94 yards on only 3 receptions. Olivier Sabourin has to put the ball in his hands more and let him make plays. 

Lightwork 19-18 In N’ Out

Both Lightwork and In N’ Out were at the bottom of my power rankings, and I can’t say I was too impressed by their game. Both Tyler Havlena and Nicolas Katerelos had less than 50% completion, and only 3 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Anthony Mungiovi was the only notable player on offense with 79 yards and 2 TDs, but that came on 12 targets and only 6 receptions. I know the rain didn’t help, and that’s why I won’t put too much weight on this one. But, In N’ Out’s 36-0 loss against West Island Boys is bad, really bad. 

Team Sexy 27-27 Bandits

Perhaps I overrated Bandits and underrated Team Sexy because I expected Bandits to dominate. Instead we get a tie, with both QBs looking average, throwing 4TDs and 2 picks a piece. Andrew Steinberg and Sam Anastasopoulos were both solid for Team Sexy, and Sebastien Champagne and Jean-Pierre Nahra also were for Bandits. Both of these teams are going to be average teams, though I must say I’m a little bit concerned and disappointed with Bandits. I can excuse this result, but then also losing to The RudeBoyz is definitely not encouraging. As for Team Sexy, they also beat convincingly a really good team in New Diablos.

Bandits 26-30 The RudeBoyz

Skaf again threw for 4 TDs and 2 interceptions, and that is just not good enough in Tier3. Guillaume Labrosse had a great game with 3TDs. On the other side, I said that Raffi Bastadjian was still getting better, and this game was clinical. Not a lot of yards (only 115), but 5TDs and 0 picks is amazing. The 38 yards he added on the run indicates to me that Raffi has a lot of potential, especially with how dangerous he can be on the feet, teams should not take them lightly if he keeps this up. Trevor Ruffner also had a nice 58 yards and 2TDs.

Joes Panini 32-28 Bleue Dry

Oh boy, I had a lot of reserves about Joes Panini but I clearly shouldn’t have. Matthew Zeppetelli was unfazed by the absence of his brother, and used the other pieces on the squad effectively. On the other side, Frederic Juneau only completed 9 passes, and Guillaume Dufresne only caught one pass, though it was a 40 yard bomb. Bleue Dry simply couldn’t do anything in the second half, and Joes Panini showed why I’m an idiot. Good job boys.

The Penetrators 18-24 Killer Rays

Well the Penetrators aren’t number one anymore. After barely beating Les Bébés Dragons Magiques (this name is way too long, it’s annoying), The Penetrators lose to a good Killer Rays team. Justin Goodman struggled, Tylar Bianchi didn’t. Though Rocco Christiano was absolutely too good for this game (7 for 7, 93 yards, 2TDs), Justin Goodman threw 2 costly picks from which Penetrators weren’t able to come back from. Bianchi used Tyler Gurberg and Evan White mainly with 11 targets each, slowed down the game and pulled through with the W in the end. 

Rico Ryders 29-25 Killer Rays

Then what do we have here? Killer Rays beat The Penetrators and then lose to Rico Ryders? As I said previously, Rico Ryders can truly lose or win against anyone. This time we got the hit. Matthew Yanakoulias wasn’t perfect but he spread the ball a lot, and was decisive on converts. Tyler Bianchi struggled in this one, only converting on 17 of his 33 passes, and throwing 2 picks. Curtis Ryan (6 of 9, 93 yards, 2TDs) and Tyler Gurberg (6 of 12, 58 yards, 2TDs) were the main targets in this one.

West Island Knights 26-47 Les Bébés Dragons Magiques

West Island Knights are already 0-2 and it’s not looking too promising. Guillaume Boulanger made their defense look like cones, throwing for 252 yards and 7 TDs. Nathan Desjardins balled out with 94 yards and 1TD. Vincent Poirier, Charles Beauchemin and Lucian Leontiev all had 2 TDs each. West Island Knights weren’t too bad, but just couldn’t do anything on defense. They only threw 15 passes as opposed to Boulanger’s 35, and the Babies were in control the whole game. Shoutout to Shamar Joassaint (93 yards, 2TDs) and Corey Williams (48 yard TD pass, 74 yards, 2 rec TDs.) though.

Wide Open Bar 30-40 Born in the 80s

After beating New Diablos, Wide Open Bar faced off against the very good Born in the 80s and it didn’t go to plan. Louis Lussier was solid throwing 4 TDs and only 1 pick, and Tristan Scandar balled out with 109 yards and 1TD. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t stop David de Andrade who threw for 225 yards and 6TDs. The main recipients of those passes were Craig Browning (85 yards, 2TDs), and Julien Proulx (69 yards, 2TDs). 

Team Sexy 44-24 New Diablos 

New Diablos move to 0-2 and Team Sexy move to 1-0-1. Benjamin Berbrier only had 3 incompletions, and 4TDs, to once again Andrew Steinberg and Sam Anastasopoulos. Francois Martin was fine, and Frederique Brunette was a menace with 81 yards and a TD. Unfortunately, New Diablos is gonna have to start winning games if they want to improve their seeding because right now it’s looking bleak. 

Performances of the week

Quarterback: Louis Lussier

Despite the 1-1 record on the week, Lussier totaled for 382 yards, 9TDs and only 1 interception thrown. He also added 58 yards with his feet and boasts the best QB rating in the league amongst starters with a 128.5

Receiver: Rocco Christiano

Thought The Penetrators might have been a bit disappointing with their loss against Killer Rays, Christiano was the best offensive player in the league in week 2. In 2 games, he racked up 3 TDs and 158 yards. 

Defensive player: Eric Christian Schiocchet

4 picks in only 1 game, and one of it brought back for a TD. One of the most dominant defensive performances I’ve ever witnessed. Schiocchet’s speed is going to be worrisome for QBs, who will have to think twice before throwing near his zone.

Two-Way Player: Julien Proulx

His 69 yards for 2TDs as well as his 3 sacks on defense against Wide Open Bar give him one of the most valuable performances of the week, especially against such a good team. 

Picks

Lightwork vs. Bandits

Bandits finally get a win. 

Idaho Udapimps vs. The Penetrators

No one dares to pick their own team games but I’ll do it. Anyways, I won’t ever pick against my team and it doesn’t matter anyways.

West Island Knights vs. Joes Panini

Joes Panini are very good but West Island Knights could cause an upset.

Bleue Dry vs. Lightwork

Bleue Dry bounce back.

West Island Boys vs. Rico Ryders

WIB win fairly easily.

Griffnation vs. Les Bébés

Babies are too strong for now. 

In N’ Out vs. New Diablos

New Diablos get a much needed victory.

Illegal Use of Hands vs. Trapstars

Trapstars has much more chemistry and experience together, and Illegal Use of Hands will need a bit of time to adjust.

Wide Open Bar vs. Joes Panini

Louis Lussier keeps playing well.

The RudeBoyz vs. Team Sexy

I’ve already changed my mind about Team Sexy, they’re a better team than I expected. Don’t make me look like a fool though, you guys better win.

Trapstars vs. Rico Ryders

Trapstars are at a higher level at the moment, but Rico Ryders could cause some trouble.

Born in the 80s vs. Killer Rays

Both teams have been great and this is the kind of pick I’ll usually miss on. 

Mengoose vs. Bleue Dry

Mengoose have played higher divisions, but I really think Frederic Juneau is a way better quarterback than Felix-Antoine Lavigne.

There you have it for this week’s article. Good luck in your games.