Have you ever really wanted something badly enough to wait patiently until somebody retires, completely screws up or maybe dies? Whether it’s the girl of your dreams and you’re waiting for the captain of the football team to do something stupid like cheat on her, or that dream job that you can’t stop thinking about? Well, that somewhat explains my journey to become a writer for FPF. Alright fine, not quite that dramatic, but I’ve been dropping hints since 2014. I guess I have learned to deal with rejection over time because guess what finally happened!

I’m completely kidding. I really should start by thanking Rob, Peeze and the rest of the fantastic group of people that make FPF happen twice a year, sometimes even three times as we just saw last fall. Ever since joining the league on an invite from a friend of mine, it’s been an amazing experience. I really only planted the seed to start writing maybe a year ago, and I’m very happy to get to contribute.

To give you guys a background and introduce myself a little – I’m an out of shape QB/WR who was fortunate enough to play at Loyola Highschool and get a scholarship to play at a Prep School in the United States. Pre-Trump, thank God. I have a good understanding of the game, above average hands combined with Peyton Manning speed. I’d argue the same arm strength as him during his last season with the Broncos as well. Think Antonio Brown meets Jeff Saturday. Oh, and I should preface the season by letting everybody know that I’m a Colts fan. I accept all grief, just as long as you’re all prepared to potentially look up ex Colts players to understand a few references.

To get into the fun stuff, since this is my first season, I don’t want to commit to set guidelines or a specific format just yet. Feel free to reach out to me on facebook or on twitter @c_walz for any suggestions you guys might have. Trash talk is always welcome. I know some teams in the division, but I will be getting to know most of you throughout the season. If I mention anything negative about you or your team, or not at all, consider that a challenge to get my attention. I’ll be doing my best to cover everybody as much as possible.

 

Week 1 – Recaps

Division 5A

Warriors get caught up in Harvey.

Let me start by saying that I’ve played against the Warriors and watched them play on a bunch of other occasions, and the combination of Michael and Stefano Solimene have been dominant in the past. I’m sure the Warriors would not blame the lopsided loss on Stefano being out for this one, but it definitely did not work in the Warriors favor. Instead, just like the Southeast United States, they were no match for the incoming Hurricane.

What the Hurricanes lack in FPF experience, they seem to make up for in explosive plays. When Jarryd Taylor completes almost 50% of his passes for touchdowns and spreads the ball as he did, they will be hard to stop. Zachary Dryden did most of the damage during this game, but Taylor has options and it will take a very balanced team to slow these guys down. After seeing this offensive display and knowing that they have players like Andel Thomas-Gordon and Kalvin Trench on the other side of the ball, they are one of my picks for Division favorites.

As far as the Warriors are concerned, I am not too worried. I still think they will manage to finish the season above .500 and get into the playoffs. They are not the most athletic team in the division, but they have a high football IQ and will need to avoid big plays against their defense to win games. If they are able to keep it close, they’ll always have a fighting chance.

 

Experience Triumphs

Longhorns are another team that I know well, and it’s no surprise to me that they outlasted the Mud Dogs in this one. The story in this game was the Longhorns D frustrating opposing quarterback Marc-Antoine Jette. He did a decent job spreading the ball, however the 2 sacks, 2 knockdowns and the 2 picks, one going for 6, was the difference here.

Jon Moody also did what Jon Moody does and run around in the backfield until he spots a weakness in the defense in front of him. He made good reads all game and his receivers often made plays for their QB. On one TD, Moody was running around and made his way to his left, eventually throwing off his back foot to Dave Allen, who found a hole in the End zone and made a nice play for the score.

A couple of new players and some Christmas Holiday rust shouldn’t keep the Mud Dogs down for too long, but time will tell. Marc-Antoine Jette looked as though he has the talent to do well in this league, but he will need to adjust his game to FPF and not force throws in order to be successful. 5 Touchdown passes is nothing to dismiss, but the interceptions can be costly. We’ve all been there – I’m excited to see how his season unfolds.

 

Division 5B

Coming up just short, just like at the Box Office

Back in 5B after a season in 4B last winter, expectations are obviously high. You cannot simply drop down a division and think you will get a free pass. Just like the rest of the NFL and their feelings towards the Patriots, they are coming for you. This game is the perfect example of how extra points can make or break a game or even your season. Let this be a warning to those reading.

Hai Minh Luong, as unorthodox as he is, always seems to get the job done. 191 yards and 3 TDs is a good performance, but he’ll need to draw up a few better red zone plays to finish strong. Jerson Previllion had an outstanding game with 7 catches for 82 yards and all 3 of the Green Lantern TDs, but they fell just short to Stephen Harripersaud and friends.

Nothing fancy by the Wrecking Crew here, but consistent drives and often dealing with a short field was the difference. They capitalized on 3^rd and 4^th down often and more importantly, we’re able to get 7 on the board twice instead of just 6. Stephen often used his checkdown to Kevin Kousaie as Green Lantern Corps was able to keep Xavier Ldon and Josh Levine relatively quiet. Both teams have a shot at making the playoffs in Conference B, but at least for now, Wrecking Crew proved they have the slight edge.

 

Everybody loves TDs and Beer

Anybody make that joke before? Probably, but it’s too good not to use again. This matchup was a true battle between a team who’s been there before against a team who probably could have benefited from some pre-season practice. Brad Evans did not light up the stat sheet, but he did just as Brad Evans does and continues to make solid plays without over extending himself and let his defense shine in this one. Besides a few long passes to Michael Khazaka, the offense rolled smoothly and only gave up the ball once.

As for the Browns, I don’t know if the plan is to stick with Alexandre Fafard or not at QB as they had 4 different players throw the ball, but it did not look pretty. A goose egg in the touchdown column along with 2 picks will never get the job done. Ever. The long bright spot was Joey Potvin who looked solid and consistent in an otherwise erratic offense. I invite them to prove me wrong, but for a lot of these guys, it’s their first season in FPF and there will be a lot of lessons to be learned.

On the flip side, this is the start of things to come for TDs and Beer. Besides having one of the better team names in the Division, they have a plethora of weapons on both sides of the ball centered around Myles and Brandon Keiller and Olivier Dussault. If Brad Evans can limit his turnovers, make smart plays and avoid being sacked as much as he has in the past, they should do relatively well.

 

Power Rankings

I will preface this by saying that I have not seen everybody play just yet, so Week 2’s rankings will be solely based on Week 1’s performances, my limited knowledge, things I have heard about different players and the quarter sitting on my desk.

 

Division 5A

1. Greendale Human Beings – Putting up 45 points in Division 5 isn’t always easy. Danny and Brandon Aylward and co. are off to a great start.
2. Hurrican SZN – As I mentioned earlier in the article, beating the Warriors that badly makes a statement.
3. Texas Baremanz – They will be tested against a veteran Longhorns group, but they have the playmakers to match up against any team in this league.
4. Finessers – They’ll need to be able to spread the ball around a little bit more, but they have a good core of players who have a lot of FPF experience.
5. Half A-Stars – AJ Rashkovan, Andrew Langburt and Jeremy Rosenberg. I don’t need to say much else.
6. Ghosts – Wiseman has enough experience and talent to take this team very far. It helps to have Alexis Gaumont and Zach Zwirn also.
7. Hot Boys Hotline – Another team with a lot of experience, can Tom Gatehouse get his first Championship?
8. Grand Lionel – Solid victory against a team that’s been around before.

 

Division 5B

1. Team Y.S. – The Duo of Mehzoudi and Nykolas Pierre-Masse looks dangerous. The only team to put up 40, they get my first spot after week 1.
2. Falcons – They put up the second most points this week and made the game look really easy. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball and will be dangerous.
3. Takeover – Ian Einheiber looks comfortable back there and Will Power is on hell of a weapon. The Punsihers are not a bad team and they made it look easy.
4. Finners – With a roster sheet as long as theirs, there are bound to be a ton of playmakers as they have shown after week 1. Seriously, check it out. You might even be on their list.
5. TDs and Beer – Brad Evans looked Case Keenum-esque and a shutout is nothing to overlook. The question, though, is Avery Lalla’s name on this roster there as a distraction, or will we see him at one point?
6. Moss City – They get my respect after beating a very good Black Knights team.
7. Retired All Stars – They looked good beating a team who is brand new to the league. Can they stay in the top 8?
8. Straight Outta Breath – Solid first win and bonus points for a great team name.

 

“You ball, You get the call”

Alright, so I’m sure most of you know the segment on NFL Network called by the same title. Well, all week I have been trying to think of something catchy to replace the title, but when it works, it works. I present to you a weekly segment that will be included in my articles called, well you get it. Every week, for the players of the week section, I will be reaching out on Facebook to guys who stood out and set up a small interview. I encourage everybody to be as cocky, ridiculous as you want and give your opponents potential bulletin board material. Most of the responses this week we’re much more politically correct than the US President, but the participation was fantastic and I look forward to this in the weeks to come. As you can imagine, show up on this list more than once, and the questions will get all that more interesting.

 

5A

Finessers – Alexandre Bachaalani – 9 catches, 122 yards, 4 TDs.

• How did you and Ryan develop such chemistry?

Ryan and me played high school football together plus 4 seasons at FPF as a QB-WR duo. He’s also one of my best friends, so he knows me pretty well. We usually come up with the same play to call in the huddle and it works 8 times out of 10. We also bail each other out sometimes. If he throws a bad ball, I’ll make a play for it, or if I run a bad route he’ll put the ball in the only place I can catch it. The chemistry is real.

• How did you manage to stay in shape over the holidays? Any tips for the rest of us?

I didn’t lol. I almost had a heart attack during our first game and I was sore the next 3 days.

• Should everybody else on the Finessers expect to take most plays off?

Absolutely not! I just happened to have the hot hand, so Ryan fed me the ball, but guys like Nirosh Suresh and Thomas G-Lajoie are as much a threat as me. So if our opponents start double covering me, they’re doomed; my teammates will carve that D up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Don’t sleep on the Finessers, everybody has a role on our squad even if it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet every week.

 

Greendale Human Beings – Danny and Brandon Aylward – 22/34, 263 yards, 7 TDs 1 Int and 6 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs.

• After a statement victory like the one against Weasels and Falcons, what makes Greendale great?

Wednesday was a very fun game in the absulotely freezing lachine dome , but in any tempature our depth is what makes us great. Our ability to make plays with any 6 of our players on the field is what we pride ourselves on

• You both have been playing FPF for a few years now, what drives you?

Even though weve been playing FPF for a while now , we are absolutely hooked. We love FPF as a league. FPF staff and all people who contribute to making this league as amazing as it is is the reason well be playing in this league for a very long time.

• Do you have any embarrassing facts to share about eachother?

Brandon talks to himself in pregame warm up telling himeself “I’m a pressure player” and Danny is an abusive quarterback and doesnt stop making fun of what his recievers do.

 

5B

Team Y.S. – Rayan Mehzoudi – 12/22, 226 yards, 6 TDs

• As a first year player, do you expect to come out and dominate every week like you did in Week 1?

Of course, our goal is to win the championship and go in a higher division so as the qb I must expect the best out of myself to give the best.

• What should FPF know about Rayan Mehzoudi?

Just know that I have no experience as qb or in offense in contact football so me and my team are only going to get better through the season and through the years

 

Team Y.S. – Nykolas Pierre-Masse – 6 catches, 97 yards, 3TDs

• What is your favorite football memory?

It would have to be my last year of high school football, playing with 8 out of 9 of the guys on this team Y.S. roster. We played in a small league, division 2B Lac Saint Louis to be exact, and we won the championship. Most of the guys never played organised tackle football again so, up until last week, this was my last memory of how incredible football can feel like when playing with a group of guys who have a great bond.

• Do you have any personal goals for the season that aren’t team related?

Honestly, my main goal and our team’s goal is quite simply to compete for a championship although this is the very first FPF season for 9 out of 10 guys on our roster, including myself. That being said, although my good friend and Team Y.S. weak side corner Gerry Vincent would not want me to admit it, I have set a few personal goals for myself this season. Being a tackle football receiver at Vanier College, I do expect to do well in this league and would like to put myself in a position to compete for the Division 5B Receiver of the Year Award by the end of the season. Of course, this goal remains secondary to our team’s main goal and focus of competing every week in an effort to win a championship.I am confident that I will have a lot of succes at receiver this season because of the bond and timing I have with Rayan who has been my emergency/ training QB for more than 6 years now. Our whole team is ready to be led by his play, for someone who has never been an organised football QB before last week, he has incredible talent, skills and knowledge of the game.

 

Takeover – William Power – 4 catches, 71 yards, 4TDs

• You guys finished below .500 last season, what’s the biggest difference this year?

Not to make excuses but last year we had a really tough schedule. We also added Vincent Benjamin who is a great player on both sides of the ball. Our QB ian Einheiber is continuing to get better year after year. Julien Wilson is the heart and soul of our team and gets everyone believing in each other.

• Which guys would you say are your biggest competition for WR of the year?

Anthony Siggia, Myles Keiller and Mickey Marini I’d say. I have played against all 3 of these guys and they are a nightmare for defenses. They all play a bit differently but they all have hands of gold.