Division 2: Finals Preview
Welcome to the FlagPlus Football Division 2 Finals. We are finally here, championship weekend. Out of the eight games that will take place in the men’s 6 on 6 format, this matchup is the only one that will feature the top two seeded teams going head-to-head for a title.
(1) Dirty Birds versus (2) EZW
Previous Meeting: N/A
EZW versus The Dirty Birds. It is only fitting that we have saved the best matchup for the last game of the season. These two teams were head and shoulders above the competition, and they proved it the entire year.
The Dirty Birds grabbed first place in the standings in Week 1, and never gave it back. After starting off the year (0-3), EZW, has rattled off nine wins in a row, and will look to make it 10 tomorrow night.
Despite their dominance and superb play, both teams have taken completely different paths to get to this point.
Led by Quarterback of the Year Jeremy White, EZW, have taken the phrase all gas and no brakes, and applied it to their offense. As a unit, they are the highest scoring team in Div. 2, as they come into tomorrow averaging 43 points a game.
EZW, has proven that they can put points on the board from just about anywhere on the field. Repeated deep shots, attacking an opponent’s weakness, and forcing missed tackles, White and his receivers operate with surgeon-like precision when the ball is in their hands.
Need more proof? Look no further than their Semi-Final matchup against the red-hot Silent Ticklers, who had won three in a row and five of their last six contests, all while giving up an average of only 25 points a game over the last month. EZW did all the laughing, as they nearly doubled that total in their (42-22) win, as White shredded their defense to the tune of 22 of 28 passing for 219 yards and six touchdowns.
Looking at the Dirty Birds, they are led by the Defensive Player of the Year in Quaid Johnson. As a unit each member that lines up on that side of the ball has speed, athleticism, instincts, strength, and big game situational awareness. They use those attributes to disrupt, smother, frustrate, and shutdown opposing offenses.
In a league that is designed to make scoring easier, this team has done the exact opposite, as they held their opponents to a mere 22.8 points a game in the regular season. The team has become even stingier in the playoffs, as they have given up an average of 22.1 PPG.
In the Quarterfinals against the Party Ballers, the Dirty Birds did what they do best, holding them to a season-low 12 points. One week later versus the number four-ranked offense in FINS UP, the Dirty Birds limited them to 26 points, two more than the 24 they allowed when both teams met up in a Week 10 showdown that the number one seed won (37-24).
Those are the differences between both teams. Earlier, I touched briefly on a similarity, but here are a few more.
Having played both tackle and flag football for over a decade, and also writing and commentating on it for the same amount of time, I have realized that while you need at least one or two star players to win, you also need ones who are reliable, buy into what is going on, and can step on to the field at any time and make a play no matter the situation. Both teams have that in spades.
You need a deep shot to ignite your offense? Look no further than Nathan Desjardins, James Tyrell, Jamal Noël, or Etienne Laurence-Gervais. Looking for a clutch fourth down catch over the middle to extend your drive? Can I interest you in Matt Bond, J.C Ferland, Anthony Brisebois, or Alexandre Barros? You want to punch the ball into the endzone? Go find Nic Blais, Lonnie Johnson, Samuel Emilio Pelchat, or Fritzgerald Cenatus. Want your QB to put the team on their back and make a big time throw or pick up a first down with his legs? Johnson and White have you covered.
On the opposite side, if you want to stop any of those plays, both teams have some players that can do exactly that. All the names I just mentioned should tell you that these teams are evenly matched. That alone is what gives this matchup a heavyweight fight feeling.
When I look further at the tale of the tape, I give EZW the edge at Quarterback and Rusher, while the Dirty Birds have it at Safety, Receiver, and team defense.
The other area where EZW holds the edge is at health, as the Dirty Birds are expected to be without the services of both Two-Way threat James Ohayon and Rusher Naz Dhillon. The absence of Dhillon is big, as the team will have to find a way to get after White. His replacement in Noël, is not 100% either, as he is dealing with a lower body injury. Perhaps, the absence of those two playmakers gives the Dirty Birds a little extra motivation.
This is what football is all about. Offense versus defenses, and playmaker versus playmaker. The top two teams going to battle. Who will step up and make a play, and hoist the trophy when it is all said and done? This could very well could be the game of championship weekend.
The nine-game winning streak by EZW has been simply outstanding. I was wrong last week when I picked the Silent Ticklers to pull off the upset win. Logic would say not to pick against them again, but I firmly believe that defense wins championships, and I think the Dirty Birds will use that side of the ball to get the victory and the title.
Prediction: Dirty Birds (38-32)
Picks
EZW vs Dirty Birds – Dirty Birds (My pick for game of the week. Even if there were other games going on, this would still be my pick)
Last Week: (1-1)
Playoffs: (7-3)
Regular Season: (16-8)
Upset Special: (6-4)
That is it for this week, and for the 2025 Winter Season! Thanks to everyone for the kind words, and to those who read my articles and watched the podcast this season. I hope you enjoyed both. I can confirm that I will be back doing both in the Spring Season, which as we all know starts this coming Monday night.
Thanks also to all the players who came out to play Division 2 this season. I had a lot of fun covering the teams, watching the games, and talking to you guys. It was my pleasure. See you soon!
If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.