Covering Division B this season has been a treat. I have witnessed some great teams, fantastic games, and thrilling finishes. However, the one thing that stands out to me the most are the players. 

This division has no shortage of big-name players. Looking for a stud Quarterback, look no further than Will Power, Brady Ohanessian, Marc-Andre Reeves, Rocco Christiano, Jordan Panetta, or Nicolas Schaefer. Need a gamebreaker at Receiver? Can I interest you in the likes of Mack Dessources, Thomas Coutu, Rhami Aboud, Joey Notaro, Jerome Hovington, Jaylan Greaves, Juwan Edghill, or Adam Rosen?

You need a stop on defense to win the game? Carl Achy, Marc-André Lapointe, Bakari Barrett, Sanders Armand, Danick Coulombe, Ahmed Boubacar, Marvin Steinberg, and James Langshaw, literally have you covered.

Big names are great. Every team from flag to tackle football, from professional to amateur, needs at least a few of them to win a championship. Winning it all also depends on those players who do the dirty work, can make plays when their number is called, but often fly under the radar. True fans and students of the game know who they are, even if the spotlight never shines on them.

With that in mind, I want to look at the Top 10 under the radar players in Division B. Each team will be represented.

10. Olivier Sabourin (Never Overtime)

The dynamic duo of Mack Dessources and Rhami Aboud are more than deserving of all the attention they get, as they are not only two of the best players in Division B, but they’re also the engine that powers Never Overtime.

One of their teammates who is a key contributor as well is Olivier Sabourin. Coming off a Winter Season that saw him post a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns, you would be right to assume that he would build on those numbers this year. He hasn’t as a pass-catcher, but it isn’t his fault, as the second-year player has been playing mainly Quarterback this season.

With Never Overtime regular QB Ryan Kharouf missing most of the second half of the season due to injury, Sabourin has been the man behind Snapper in five out of his six games played. In those contests, Sabourin has recorded a more than respectable 13 TDs, six interceptions, while completing more than 55% of his passes, and averages 12.4 yards per throw.

Already a redzone threat as a Receiver due to his height, adding the ability to play QB to his repertoire, might see him come off the underrated list in the not-too-distant future.

9. Evan Vavinis (Poseidon’s Kiss)

Arguably the funniest player in Division B, the big man’s play is as robust as his jokes. Never shy to let players, officials, or scorekeepers know how he feels, the former St. Leonard Cougar also isn’t afraid to play any position his team needs to get the win. Look no further than Vavinis playing Rusher this season where despite his lack of elite speed, he still has recorded an impressive two sacks.

When he lines up at his more natural position of Snapper, the big man is great at using his size to box out defenders and has an underrated top gear that he uses to separate from Defensive Backs and pile up the yards after catch out in the open field.

Leadership, and the ability to keep things light even in tight moments, those are some underrated qualities that every team needs.

8. Brandon Vickers (Silent Ticklers)

On a team with top division talent in Jordan Panetta, Daniel Mancini, Adam Rosen, Ben McMahon, and Tysen Otis-Copeland, it might be tough for anyone else to standout, but Brandon Vickers continues to make plays on both sides of the ball and has been a key contributor for his team all season.

Offensively, while Vickers has yet to record a touchdown, his speed provides his team with a constant deep threat, that opens the passing game for his teammates. On 14 targets this year, he has 11 catches for 145 yards, and an average of more than 13 yards per catch. That tells you two things. First, his QB in Panetta likes tossing him deep shots, and secondly, when his number is called, he will make a play.

On the defensive end, the third-year vet uses his speed to chase down opposing Quarterbacks, as he leads his team in sacks with three. Vickers also is solid in coverage, as he has recorded one interception and a pass deflection as a Defensive Back.

Speed and versatility are important in flag football. Vickers brings both to the table, along with production. Those are the reasons he is on the list.

7. Nassim Ouadhi (Les Verges Folles)

This has not been a banner season for Les Verges Folles. After having a solid season in Division 3 this past winter, the team moved up to Div. B, and it has been nothing short of a disaster, as a combination of an inconsistent roster, and the inability to play complete games have doomed them this year.

One of the few bright spots has been the play of Ouadhi. Heading into Week 9, the 10-year vet leads his team in receptions and receiving yards with 26 and 296 respectively and is second in touchdowns with three. In an offense where only one other Receiver (Carl Bernola) has over 100 yards, his impact can’t be understated.

On defense, Ouadhi’s impact has been more profound, as he leads in interceptions and pass deflections, and is third in tackles with seven.   

6. Maximilien Sadori (FINS UP)

There is nothing flashy about him or his playing style, but the two-time All-Star is simply a playmaker. The prototypical goaline and short-yardage threat, Sadori, uses his size and strength to move defenders off their spot, and his rock-solid hands mean that virtually any ball thrown in his direction will be caught by the big man.    

He has become a security blanket, as well as one of the go-to Receivers for his Quarterback Will Power, and their third-ranked offense.                   

5. Sam Anastasopoulos (Udaho Idapimps)

He might lack the top-end speed of his teammates in Danick Coulombe, Jeremy Rooney, and Thibeault, but Anastasoppolos, has the same clutch ability and penchant for making tough catches as those players. Whether he lines up at wide, or plays the slot, he simply makes plays.

On the other side of the ball, the seven-time All-Star who currently sits tied for second in Division B with four interceptions in just four games played, has a knack for both timing and jumping routes.

While he sometimes needs to be protected against himself as he tries to play through various injuries, the arrow is pointing up in terms of being an annual All-Star, meaning he won’t be underrated for too much longer.

4. Victor Boutin (Shake & Bake)

The sample size has been short, but since joining FPF this past Fall Season, Boutin has made plays. To be more exact, he is a touchdown machine. In 37 games played, he has 30 touchdowns, including seven in six contests this year.

There are very few players in this league who can average nearly a TD a game. The fact that Boutin does, should tell you everything you need to know about his ability to make a play when his team needs it. If he continues his production, Boutin, won’t be on an underrated player’s list much longer.

3. Hakim Kasbi-Filiatrault (Mangoose)

His teammates in Thomas Coutu, Marvin Steinberg, and Nic Schafer get more attention because the trio have been doing it in the division longer, but Hakim Kasbi-Filiatrault, is just as important to Mangoose’s success as they are.

Since joining Mangoose last winter, Kasbi-Filiatrault, has been a game-changer for the team. This past Winter Season he finished in the top 10 in tackles with 25. This season, he is currently tied for third with 27, four behind the leader in Shake & Bake’s Marvin Renaud.

In addition to his tackling prowess, the 10-year vet has been an eraser defensively. While he is the first to admit he doesn’t have the top end speed he had in his 20’s, his knowledge, timing, anticipation, and leaping ability allow him to cut off angles, stay with Receivers, and come over the top in support. His presence along with teammate Marvin Steinberg, allows the team’s defense to take away parts of the field on every down.

A late comer to Division B, which is a key reason he is in this Top 10, Kasbi-Filiatrault, has proven that he can make plays as a Receiver in other divisions. While he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity to produce on offense with Mangoose, the talent to do so is there.  

2. Ashton Thibeault (Udaho Idapimps)

Receiver, Cornerback, Quarterback, no problem. Thibeault, can line up anywhere and make a play for his team. The former All-Star possess speed, length, and toughness to excel at any position. Look no further than last Sunday when filling in for an absent Ohanessian at Quarterback, Thibeault threw six touchdown passes in his team’s win (39-38) over Shake & Bake.

Looking for his first championship, Thibeault brings that hunger and dog mentality. He is never afraid to mix it up on both sides of the ball. He also adds a bit of trash-talk to the equation which seems to fire up his teammates as well as himself. When you’re putting together a team, he is the type of guy you want.

1. Felix Clairmont (Run It Once)

He should be the posterchild for the free agent combine. Plucked from last year’s event, by Ben McMahon, Clairmont, has been that player Captains dream of.

A physical player of both sides of the ball who has speed, length, hops, and the skill to literally snatch the ball out of the air, Clairmont, combines all those traits, while making the game look easy at the same time.  

Never rattled by the moment, the second-year player has no problem lining up against the opponent’s best Receiver, or top Defensive Back. If there is a 50-50 ball thrown, whether it is in is direction or not, it has become surprising when Clairmont doesn’t come down with it.

Due to his play, this will probably be the last time he can be included on any list talking about underrated players. Surrounded by teammates in multiple time All-Stars like Jaylan Greaves, Paul Lapierre, Sanders Armand, and Noah Groper, Clairmont, who is still looking for his first nod, has proven he belongs.  

Picks

Poseidon’s Kiss vs FINS UP – Poseidon’s Kiss (Upset Special)

Udaho Idapimps vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers (My pick for Game of the Week)

Regular Season: (0-3)

Upset Special (0-1)

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.