Every week, I question myself on Thursdays who will be crowned victor this week in an attempt to look brilliant at my predictions. Every week, I can’t seem to put my finger on the right answer.

Now that pretty much everyone has 7 games under their belt, the crunch of the season is upon us. There’s very little room for errors (unless you’re one of the rare teams that have already clinched playoff berth) and every game matters.

Hopefully, we won’t get to say goodbye to anyone this week and upsets will continue to haunt Division 4 and keep every single team in contention; we’ve seen crazier things in FPF over the years.

Let’s get started.

 

Week 8

With great upsets this week again (Tom Cesari playing the game of his life against me, The Commission over The Tide, Les Blues Branleurs choking Blue Chips, Past Our Prime getting their first win of the season, No Name blowing MVE out of the water, Small Giants upsetting A-Squad), it’s getting tougher and tougher to paint a clear picture of what Division 4 is supposed to look like.

Luckily, I’ve got my official standings (somewhere down there) to help me keep track of what’s going on in Division 4.

 

Thoughts of the Week

• Special shoutout to Dilan Daoust for tackling (deflagging) himself rather than the receiver and looking hella confused afterward. I’ve seen crazy things in FPF, but that’s definitely a first.
• 8 interceptions (4 per side) and still 43 points scored total. Les Blues Branleurs vs Blue Chips was a very strange game.
• It’s really good to see Craig O’Brien back for Past Our Prime. I mean, for us, not for Aztec Sasquatches, obviously.
• The Commission vs The Tide’s game had a playoff feel to it. It was also as good as it gets. I can’t imagine how great that game would’ve been if it was Week 12 rather than Week 8.
• I’m still surprised by how the playoff standings do look at the moment.
• As I write this line, I can’t help but hope I submit this article before Yannick Doston does. I’d never hear the end of it if it gets to 3 weeks in a row.
• If you haven’t tuned in yet, Division 4’s podcast featuring GM Kolethras and Alex Holowach is as good as it gets. This week’s episode can be found HERE
• Although it isn’t D4 related, losing on a safety must be excruciating. Also, winning 8-6 due to a safety is what I call a weird game.
• I’m happy no one is out of playoff contention at this point. Hopefully it’ll last for, at least, one more week.

 

Recaps

Division 4A

• Les Maloudes managed to survive 69ers’ attempt at a comeback and keep them below 20 points (a first this season). In epic fashion, both teams went head to head and, although it was chirpier than most games, both teams managed to keep their cool and bring it down to the wire. Anthony Frezza-Beauchamp continues to impress under center buying time and finding receivers left and right for scores, but his presence as a DB was the key factor on Sunday night; with two impressive interception, he took away Shea Harbour’s favorite throws and his offense struggled. Although Dylan Drake did have a good night rushing (4 sacks), it simply wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit and 69ers suffered their 2^nd loss of the season (they remain at the top of their division for now nonetheless). If this game proves anything, both of these teams have a top tier defense.
• Jordan Moses shows he’s been learning the QB position really well as he managed to overcome Nonna’s Sauce and fight back the upset on Sunday night. The fact that he took sacks instead of throwing dumb interceptions was one of the reasons why 5-Star managed to keep it close most of the night and walk away with a W. Emilio Cecere went off for 136 yards and 3 Tds as he emerged as his brother’s favorite target for the whole hour, but it wasn’t enough to help his team get a win. If anything, both defenses impressed on Sunday night and showed they can make plays at any given time. This game also featured something I’ve never seen before; a defender deflag himself instead of the receiver; the level of confusion was pretty awesome.
• In recent weeks, No Name’s offense has been struggling to get going early in games and were forced to play from behind. This week was the complete opposite as Michael Roy looked great under center getting off to quick scores early in the game and getting a 25-0 lead at half (Jonathan Grizzley’s pick-six to end the half did help). Without their starting QB and missing a few key pieces, MVE looked in shambles on Wednesday night and Steve Hovington (although he’s proven he’s a good QB) couldn’t do much; the defense was all over his receivers and the amount of drops he suffered in the 1^st half was baffling. This is exactly what No Name needed to bounce back from the last few weeks and maintain themselves in the playoffs (currently 8^th seed). On the other hand, MVE desperately needed the win and were plagued with sickness (something no one can control unfortunately). The road to the playoffs for MVE will be no cake-walk.

 

Division 4B

• Although I wasn’t present for this game, Les Blues Branleurs’ upset over Blue Chips deserves a special mention. Every season, LBB signs up in Division 4 and has the potential to be a top contender, but simply can’t get it done. This season looked like every other until this week’s special performance. I don’t know if it’s what they ate, if it’s luck or a combination of all the astral signs put together, but they put on a show for Blue Chips to scratch their heads about and the result is fantastic. With this week’s win, they move into playoff contention and are one step closer to actually clinching their seed (currently 7^th with a comfortable lead). If their defense can continue to excel, Les Blues Branleurs won’t go down easily this season.
• The Alpha T’s took on Game Changers and in, very much TAT’s fashion, their defense prevailed mightily. Anton Sakiz isn’t known to throw many interceptions (he’s not me), but The Alpha T’s defense was a step ahead of him most of the night. As always, Jesse Dupuis continues to impress offensively by spreading the ball and limiting his mistakes to next-to-none (he did have an interception this week). Sitting undefeated after 7 weeks, The Alpha T’s remain the top dog in Division 4B; with their matchup against The U this week, we might get a clear indication of how strong their defense really is. On the other hand, we can say that Game Changers’ newest addition paid dividend already!
• Jagerbomb took an early lead against Obamacare on Sunday night in Lachine and never looked back. Although Obamacare did manage to make the final score look good, the game didn’t quite feel the same way; take away the last 2 Tds late in the 2^nd half and we had a blowout on own hands. Jack Zergiotis continues to struggle under center and Obamacare’s defense can’t seem to find its groove when the offense isn’t clicking; call it demoralization, but it’s not pretty. Nonetheless, Simon Duchesne had a pretty good night early distributing the ball to 3 different receivers for Tds and running one in himself. Although Jordan McInnis did all he could (he did score all 4 of his QB’s Tds), it simply wasn’t enough to keep Obamacare ontop. With a tough Conference A, there’s very little time to bounce back. Luckily, both of these teams are in the clear for now.

 

Players of the Week

Division 4A

• Justin Blanchard (Still Still Teamless): Even though I really enjoy making fun of him, this week’s stats were no joke: 81 yards, 3 Tds and 2 sacks. I guess there’s still plenty left in the tank.
• Giuliano Trussi (Nonna’s Sauce): 3 tackles and 6 (!!) sacks in a single night. Impressive stats line, regardless of the result of the game.
• Byron Archambault (Nobodies): 76 receiving yards, 2 Tds and 2 interceptions. Unless people haven’t noticed him on the fields yet (doubtful), this kid of stat-line will definitely put him on everyone’s radar.

 

Division 4B

• Alexander Phung (Les Blues Branleurs): The defensive hat trick (and he involved a pick-six in there). Great way to spark a defense.
• Mathieu Fafard (Sphinx): 10 catches, 114 yards, 2 Tds and 2 interceptions on defense. Fafard feasted this week.
• Rod Mashtoub (Get Off My D): The infamous defensive hat trick (with a pick-six involved); it’s the kind of stat-line that will get you recognition any given week.
• Erminio Iadeluca (STL Cougars): 288 combined yards, 84.6% completion, 149 QBR and a 8:0 ratio. It’s the kind of stats line any QB dreams of having.

 

Power Rankings

Division 4A

1. Still Still Teamless (6-0-1): They’ll remain first until they lose. I’d love to hate them for being undefeated, but I just can’t…
2. Les Maloudes (7-1): Another victim falls to them. I hate the idea that I’m next.
3. The Commission (6-2): Coming off a very impressive victory, The Commission is looking playoff-ready.
4. 69ers (5-2): They never aimed for undefeated and they current record is more than satisfying.
5. Flying Weasels (5-2): Winning without your starting QB is quite the impressive feat.
6. Eskimo Brothers (4-2-1): If it ain’t the offense, it’s the defense that’s putting on a show.
7. Gotham Knights (4-3-1): Beating a team higher than you in the Rankings will see you climb a few ranks. They’re more and more impressive with each passing week.
8. The Tide (4–3): How much longer will the slump last?
9. TOPSZN (4-3): Tough loss to an underdog. It happens.
10. Backyard Bullies (4–3): Close loss to the top team in D4A won’t see you off my rankings just yet.

 

Division 4B

1. The Alpha T’s (7-0): As long as they remain undefeated, I can’t move them from the top spot.
2. The U (6–1): This week’s game against The Alpha T’s should determine who owns the #1 spot for good.
3. Get Off My D (6-1-1): Is there anything this team cannot do well?
4. A-Squad (6-2): A weird loss seems them dropping a few spots. Nonetheless, A-Squad leads their division.
5. Blue Chips (5-2): Bad games happen; hopefully they get them out of their systems before the playoffs come rolling.
6. Jagerbomb (5-2): A dominant victory over Obamacare this week raises you a few spots.
7. Team Ethnik (5-2): 5-2 is still a pretty good record at this point of the season. They’ve almost clinched playoff berth too.
8. STL Cougars (4-3-1): Slowly creeping up on teams, STL Cougars have been playing well the entire season.
9. Mud Dogs (4–4): I’m not too sure what’s happening with Mud Dogs, but that’s not how you want to start a playoff run.
10. Sphinx (4-2-1): Without a strong divisional record, Sphinx needs a very good record. This week’s dominance was a proof they’ve got what it takes to make it happen.

 

Playoff Standings

Every week, I’ll keep the standings tabulated for Division 4A and 4B and post it in my article. This way, you guys can keep track of where you actually are and what needs to be done.

Green: Clinched playoff berth

Yellow: Currently in playoff contention

Red: Eliminated from playoff contention.

 

Division 4A

Conference A	Team	GP	PTS	Wins	PA	Div Record		Conference B	Team	GP	PTS	Wins	PA	Div Record
1	Still Still Teamless	7	13	6	184	[4-0-0]		1	Les Maloudes	8	14	7	141	[4-1-0]
2	Flying Weasels	7	10	5	145	[3-1-0]		2	69ers	7	10	5	173	[3-1-0]
3	Eskimo Brothers	7	9	4	180	[2-2-0]		3	The Commission	8	12	6	146	[4-1-0]
4	Backyard Bullies	7	8	4	158	[4-0-0]		4	Gotham Knights	8	9	4	202	[2-3-0]
5	Frosty Bronsons	8	8	4	204	[3-2-0]		5	The Tide	7	8	4	188	[4-0-0]
6	5-Star	7	8	4	161	[2-2-0]		6	TOPSZN	7	8	4	198	[3-1-0]
7	Junkyard Dogs	8	8	4	225	[2-3-0]		7	Nobodies	8	8	4	216	[3-2-0]
8	Big TDs	7	6	3	227	[2-2-0]		8	No Name	8	6	3	179	[1-4-0]
9	Bad Case	8	6	3	246	[2-3-0]		9	MVE	7	5	2	211	[1-3-0]
10	Damps 25/8	8	6	3	228	[1-4-0]		10	ZOO	7	4	2	223	[1-3-0]
11	Golden Flashes	7	4	2	154	[1-3-0]		11	Aztec Sasquatches	8	4	2	246	[1-4-0]
12	Nonna’s Sauce	7	2	1	198	[0-4-0]		12	Past Our Prime	7	2	1	244	[0-4-0]

 

• As mentioned in my League-Wide this week, top 8 makes it in. Top 2 seeds are divisional leaders, 3^rd to 8^th are wild cards.
• With a tough back-end, Nonna’s Sauce is in for a thriller finish.
• Past Our Prime saved themselves from elimination with an upset victory this week. Can they do it again this week?
• Aztec Sasquatches only have 2 games left and desperately need a win. Sadly, they face D4A’s toughest competition in Still Still Teamless this week.
• Still Still Teamless, Les Maloudes and The Commission are the only three teams in 4A that have clinched playoff berth; well done boys.
• Flying Weasels, 69ers, Eskimo Brothers and Gotham Knights can all clinch with a win this week.

 

Division 4B

Conference A	Team	GP	PTS	Wins	PA	Div Record		Conference B	Team	GP	PTS	Wins	PA	Div Record
1	The U	7	12	6	128	[4-0-0]		1	The Alpha T’s	7	14	7	154	[4-0-0]
2	A-Squad	8	12	6	156	[5-0-0]		2	Get Off My D	8	13	6	139	[4-0-1]
3	Blue Chips	7	10	5	132	[3-1-0]		3	Team Ethnik	7	10	5	172	[3-1-0]
4	Jagerbomb	7	10	5	147	[2-2-0]		4	STL Cougars	8	9	4	223	[1-3-1]
5	Mud Dogs	8	8	4	216	[4-1-0]		5	Sphinx	7	9	4	126	[1-2-1]
6	Obamacare	7	8	4	144	[2-2-0]		6	Game Changers	7	8	4	198	[3-1-0]
7	Les Blues Branleurs	7	8	4	140	[1-3-0]		7	Rancerz	8	7	3	192	[2-2-1]
8	Gators	7	7	3	211	[2-2-0]		8	Mean Machine	8	6	3	246	[1-4-0]
9	V-Cieux	7	4	2	273	[1-3-0]		9	Falcons	8	6	3	265	[3-2-0]
10	Small Giants	7	4	2	182	[0-4-0]		10	Sandlot Saints	6	4	2	132	[1-3-0]
11	J’s	7	2	1	246	[1-3-0]		11	Green Lantern Corps	7	2	1	218	[1-3-0]
12	Vikings	7	1	0	245	[0-4-0]		12	The Expendables	6	0	0	251	[0-3-0]

 

• The Expendables have a double-header this week. They need to win at least one of the two to remain in contention.
• Green Lantern Corps need to win 2 of their next 3 to remain in contention, and even there, it’s a slim chance.
• Vikings aren’t technically out yet, but they need to win-out to remain in the conversation.
• The U, A-Squad, The Alpha T’s, Get Off My D have all clinched playoff berth. Congratulations.
• Blue Chips, Jagerbomb, Team Ethnik, STL Cougars, Sphinx can all clinch this week with a win.

 

Picks of the week

Another week, another tie. Yannick Doston and I going with different picks, yet the same result (14/24). I’m not sure whether it’s luck or embarrassment at this point. Either way, it’s getting ridiculous!

 

Division 4A

Big Tds vs 69ers: 69ers

Eskimo Brothers vs The Tide: The Tide

Golden Flashes vs ZOO: ZOO

Backyard Bullies vs Past Our Prime: Backyard Bullies

5-Star vs Gotham Knights: Gotham Knights

Damps 25/8 vs The Commission: The Commission

Nonna’s Sauce vs TOPSZN: TOPSZN

Junkyard Dogs vs No Name: Junkyard Dogs

Bad Case vs Les Maloudes: —-

Flying Weasels vs MVE: Flying Weasels

Still Still Teamless vs Aztec Sasquatches: Still Still Teamless

Frosty Bronsons vs Nobodies: Nobodies

 

Division 4B

The U vs The Alpha T’s: The U

Gators vs Team Ethnik: Gators

V-Cieux vs The Expendables: V-Cieux

Small Giants vs Sandlot Saints: Sandlot Saints

Blue Chips vs Falcons: Blue Chips

Les Blues Branleurs vs Mean Machine: Les Blues Branleurs

Obamacare vs Rancerz: Rancerz

J’s vs Sphinx: Sphinx

Vikings vs Game Changers: Game Changers

Mud Dogs vs Get Off My D: Get Off My D

Jagerbomb vs Green Lantern Corps: Jagerbomb

The Alpha T’s vs The Expendables: The Alpha T’s

A-Squad vs STL Cougars: A-Squad

 

That sums it for this week’s article. It’s always a pleasure to write and hear back from you guys. After all, the content is meant 99% for you. I keep a percent for me; ranting here and there is fun after all. You can always reach me via twitter @DagenaisFPF or via email ([email protected]). I’ll be at Lachine every Sunday night and Hebert every Wednesday night scorekeeping so you can stop by and chat. Don’t hesitate. Until next time…! So, basically, Eagle, you’re the infamous mole Peeze is afraid is listening on every conversation…