The rich getting richer.

Glossing over Division 1, the gap between the top tier teams and the bottom is bigger than ever. At the moment, MNX2.0, Top Guns and Rainmakers are fighting each other for that last playoff seed while Finest, D-Boys and Flag Moi L’Sac are just cruisin’ by on their way to the playoffs.

While many teams in Division 2 are slowly making a name for themselves, guys like #NR can absorb a loss and ‘not really care’ whereas one more from STL could really plummet their chances at a playoff seed if things continue to derail THIS badly.

Let’s get started.

Week 8

With a big win over Monstars this week, DK is finally getting back in fighting shape, Waste Yout are slowly turning into the powerhouse we’ve expected them to be, Gladiateurs pulled off the upset that propelled them into a good playoff spot, Terror Squad reminded us all that they shouldn’t be underestimated ever again and Braves are officially back and dangerous.

Thoughts of the Week

I’ve said it on the podcast and I’ll say it again, with Troy Trench and Serge Pilon Jr, the way this game went down, #NR would still be undefeated.
Jarryd Taylor’s bet is looking like the real deal now. I hope he comes around and collects from Peeze and GM who legit jumped on the occasion to mock him back in Week 4.
Can D-Boys’ defence continue to ‘compensate’ for their lack of firepower any longer? We all know it won’t cut it in the playoffs.
D-Boys vs Finest without Theo Ojeaha? Serious test right here.
Loser of MNX2.0 vs Top Guns might very well kiss their season goodbye.
Can Served with Ice claw their way out of their current predicament and into the playoffs once again? I don’t know…
Most prolific offence? #NR. Don’t come ‘round here saying Cory Pecker isn’t an elite QB.
I legit hope Vince Nardone is going to be okay.
BYOB has allowed THE MOST points against in Division 2; that’s shocking.
Pat Jerome with Braves 2.0 in D2? Yeah, if this was a permanent thing, there’s no doubt this would put them over the top.
Man I would hate to be Wolverines last week and show up against that We P.O squad…. And see Kevin Wyeth playing QB ontop of that.
Shoutout to Jeremy Anderson for subbing as a snapper for the game and putting up monster numbers. You’ll all see it on the GOTW.
You’re scrambling for a sub for a game and the guy you asked gets two pick-sixs on defence? Dream come true. Maybe we should give Nicolas Centomo a call more often.
Soooo, Nicolas Arsenault-Hum had a pretty good week all-around…!

Recaps

Monstars vs DK: No Rochdi no problem? I’ll give DK some credit, they game planned this perfectly. Patrick Chenard is not the type of QB to go out and put up 8 TDs, but Rod Mashtoub certainly can. Two different rushers with 2+ sacks? Brilliant. Nicolas Arsenault-Hum with 3 picks? Dirty. DK’s defence took this game by storm and we’ve seen, probably, Rod Mashtoub’s worse game of the season. Patrick Chenard did ‘just enough’ to keep his team alive and got the job done with it really mattered. I have a feeling this isn’t the last time these two teams will face this season and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out now that Monstars have this knowledge of their opponents and kind of know how to attack it the second time around.
Top Guns vs Braves: In a game where defence did not exist (Both teams combined for 21 tackles, 2 PDs. That’s it), the offences combined for 707 yards!!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a high number in FPF. It’s ridiculous. Jonathan Maheu and Paul Lapierre were basically unstoppable and put up a combined 104 points. With a 30-27 score at halftime, you just knew this game wasn’t going to be about defence and making a stop. Donald Shepherd, Guillaume Bourassa and JD Chevalier had huge games for their respective teams, but in the end Braves were able to muster just a little bit more to end with the win in what could’ve been a serious upset for Top Guns and put them in control of their faith. Braves move up to a .500 record and are in good shape for the playoffs whereas Top Guns now have a leg to stand in (sort of) and will play what could end up being a play-in game this week vs MNX2.0 after a nice morale booster.
Clockwork vs Gladiateurs: In probably the biggest shocker this week, Gladiateurs beat Clockwork by 11 points (37-26). Glads have one of the best offence in the division so their ability to put up 37 against Clockwork isn’t all that shocking, but the way their defence fought back is what caught my eye. If Gladiateurs can find a way to have this sort of defence week-in and week-out (the addition of Paul Lapierre recently paid immediate dividends), Glads could turn from a team that most people know it’s not an easy game but aren’t scared of to a legitimate D2 contender. Francois Lebeau is a more than capable QB in Division 2, heck he’s on pace to be QB of the year and he has all the weapons he could possibly need to make a deep playoff push. If their defence can frustrate Marco Masciotra, I have a feeling it’s not the last time I talk in high praises about Gladiateurs this season.
CLR Forces vs Braves 2.0: Gabriel Cousineau is not Fred Dupuis (at least not in the FPF format) and it showed this week against Braves 2.0. After two solid games from CLR Forces, I anticipated their streak to continue and sort of bring Braves back down to earth, but the replacement at QB simply wasn’t up to the task and Braves 2.0 won this one fairly easily 34-13. As talented as one can be in tackle football, transitioning from tackle to FPF, as a QB, is very difficult and you usually won’t cut it in your first game. Gab Cousineau has had a few stints at the FPF format, but none since that one game in Winter 2016 and D2 isn’t exactly what it used to be. The most surprised aspect of this game? Patrick Jerome playing for Braves 2.0 and his immediate impact on the game. I’m curious to see what’s in store for CLR Forces as they can’t seem to keep the same roster every week and aren’t quite the same team while missing key components, but one thing’s for sure, this is a huge win for Braves 2.0 who are no longer afraid of being on the outside looking in and can focus mainly on defending their title.
Terror Squad vs You Can’t Sit With Us: In a game where I, honestly, expected You Can’t Sit With Us to dominate and really shine, I was actually pretty surprised to see Terror Squad not only win but put up this sort of fight in what could be a key playoff matchup in a few weeks. Tam Vilaydeth played smart football, made basically no mistakes and finished the night with a pretty impressive stat line (25/35, 270 combined yards, 7:0). As Terry Tam mentioned on the podcast last night, YCSWU were down early, but sort of clawed their way back in the game, but it simply wasn’t enough to actually overtake TS. Nicolas Arsenault-Hum had himself quite the night (see below) as he’ll leave an impression on all members of You Can’t Sit With Us for quite some time. With this win, Terror Squad elevate their current seeding and pretty much guarantee themselves a playoff spot; they’ve only lost 2 games this season and are really coming into their own as the “real season” approaches; the perfect time to peak.
#NR vs Waste Yout: This week’s Game of the Week did not disappoint. I will let you all have your own take of the game as it was filmed by our very own Lance Daniels, but I’ll take a moment to share my own perception of it as I was there scorekeeping. This game was close from start to finish and nobody played flawlessly. Maybeeeee Jeremy Anderson / Jarryd Taylor, but Cory Pecker and Daniel Lazzara took some shots that weren’t necessarily needed and put themselves in situations that could’ve costed their team. At the end of the day, I will not blame Cory Pecker for this loss, (nor would I blame Loic Robidoux; drop do happen, and from his expression on the field, no one was more disappointed in him than himself) as it was the proper read and the proper throw. With Serge Pilon Jr and Troy Trench present, #NR’s defence would’ve had a completely different look and would’ve given different matchups for Daniel Lazzara to exploit. I doubt that really would’ve changed the stat lines, but I don’t think this would’ve turned into a race to 40. I can’t wait for this rematch, at full roster, in the playoffs.

Players of the Week

Kevin Wyeth (Montreal’s Finest): 202 passing yards? Not bad. 8 touchdowns and no picks? I wish I could put up that stat line.
Nicolas Arsenault-Hum (DK): 11 receiving yards? Meh. A defensive hat-trick (3 picks)? Wow. In D1 of all places too.
Jonathan Maheu (Braves): 368 combined yards, 8 touchdowns and, obviously, a perfect QBR. Two yards short of the record for most combined yards by a QB in a single game. Color me impressed.
Paul Lapierre (Top Guns): Really can’t blame him for losing this one after putting up 339 combined offensive yards and 8 touchdowns. Just can’t.

Jordan McLaren (We P.O): 60 receiving yards, 2 Tds and 3 picks on defence. Doesn’t get prettier than this.
Nicolas Centomo (S Club Legion): One time sub? Yes please. 2 pick-sixs in the same game to elevate his team.
Justene Edwards (STL): He gave his all finishing the night with 91 receiving yards, 4 Tds and a pick on defence. Quite the performance.
Nicolas Arsenault-Hum (Terror Squad): 94 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns and a pick. Come on now, let others enjoy it too!

Power Rankings

Flag Moi L’Sac (6-1): No slowing these guys down this season. Also no reason to take their #1 spot away from them.
Montreal’s Finest (6-1): Essentially tied for first at this point. We all know they’re just preparing for the playoffs anyways.
D-Boys (6-1): Big clash with Finest this week. Without Theo Ojeaha? Game might be meaningless for playoff purposes, but it’s still a nice measuring stick.
Braves (4-4): Back in all their glory, Braves found themselves again and could, potentially, upset a team or two here.
DK (4-3): Better with Rochdi? I don’t think so, but they’re definitely doing something right these days.
Monstars (3-3-1): What is happening? 0-2-1 since the big win over Montreal’s Finest. They’re still safe, but it’s not a good time to spiral.
Got-Skills (3-3-1): There’s simply no way these guys slip out of the playoff race. It won’t happen.
MNX2.0 (2-5): From 2-0 to 2-5. Not too sure what to say here. Do-or-die against Top Guns this week.
Top Guns (1-6): They can’t seem to catch a break this season, but next week’s game vs MNX2.0 could finally be that break they’ve been craving all season.
Rainmakers (0-8): Hungry enough to avoid finishing winless? Playing a spiraling Monstars? Time to capitalize.

Waste Yout (5-2): I have to stay true to my word; beat the #1 and become the new #1.
#NR (6-1): At full roster, I still believe this is the best team in the division. Plain and simple.
We P.O (6-2): the only thing scarier than the regular We P.O squad? Seeing Kevin Wyeth play QB for them.
Terror Squad (3-2-2): I think most people, due to their record, tend to forget they’ve only lost 2 games this season. Definitely underrated, somehow.
Clockwork (4-3): From undefeated to 3 straight losses. Is it time to panic yet? Maybe.
You Can’t Sit With Us (4-4): Their current record almost guarantees them a playoff spot, but let’s not forget they’ve got one more game than most teams here.
BYOB (4-3): Most points allowed all season isn’t the kind of stat you can be proud of. They’re still a solid team, but they need to fix a few things before becoming a serious contender this season.
S Club Legion (4-3): Just when I underestimate them, they turn things around to prove me wrong. I can’t say I don’t enjoy it though.
Braves 2.0 (3-3-1): From the bottom ranked team to now, somewhat, a .500 record. Turning things around is an under statement.
Gladiateurs (2-4-1): Probably the most impressive win of the week, they’ve dug themselves out of a deep hole, but they aren’t safe just yet.
CLR Forces (2-5): The team is obviously not the same without their starting QB, so I won’t read too much into that most recent loss.
STL (2-5): Spiraling and it won’t get any easier as the season progresses. Could they not make the playoffs? What?
Served with Ice (2-5): They really needed that win last week, but they can’t sit back and enjoy it just yet, they aren’t out of the hole just yet.
Wolverines (1-6): Have they given up on their season? I don’t know at this point.

Predictions

MNX2.0 vs Top Guns: Top Guns
D-Boys vs Montreal’s Finest: Montreal’s Finest
Braves vs Got-Skills: Braves
Flag Moi L’Sac vs DK: Flag Moi L’Sac
Monstars vs Rainmakers: Monstars

We P.O vs STL: We P.O
BYOB vs Wolverines: BYOB
Terror Squad vs Waste Yout: Waste Yout
CLR Forces vs Served with Ice: CLR Forces
You Can’t Sit With Us vs #NR: #NR
Braves 2.0 vs Clockwork: Braves 2.0
Gladiateurs vs S Club Legion: Gladiateurs

That’s it for me this week. Hopefully this will trigger you just enough to drop me a message either via email ([email protected]), twitter (@DagenaisFPF) or in person. Remember, I didn’t do this to you, YOU did this to you. Until next time…! I’m done giving love for Lockdown and finding excuses; I think I made that clear last night during the pods.

Week 8: The rich getting richer