Division B: Quarter-Finals Re-Cap and Questions That Must Be Answered

The Quarter-Final round of the FlagPlus Football Division B playoffs are now officially behind us. There are four teams left in contention for the championship. Mangoose, Run It Once, Udaho Idapimps, and Shake & Bake. I will deliver a Semi-Final preview article next week. In the meantime, let’s look at how those four teams advanced.

(1)Mangoose vs (8) Les Verges Folles

What a difference a week, or in this case, four days makes. After shocking Division B and knocking off first place Mangoose with a (39-33) upset victory, on the shoulders of a season-high six touchdown performance from Quarterback Thomas-Charles Paradis to punch their ticket to the post-season, Les Verges Folles, armed with their complete roster, and some confidence, looked to do the unthinkable, and bounce the number one seed out of the playoffs.  

Mangoose took away the any hope of a second upset, as they used a stellar second half performance that saw their defense smother their opponents holding them to six points, while generating two interceptions off Paradis, including a pick-six by Marc-Antoine Chaput, to put away Les Verges Folles.

On offense, Mangoose was led by Samuel Emilio Pelchat. The three-time All-Star put the team on his back, as he had a game-high five grabs for 65 yards and two touchdowns. The outing was in sharp contrast to his earlier performance vs Les Verges Folles, where he was held to one catch for four yards and a TD.

Questions that need to be answered:

Can Mangoose win it all?

They might lack the plethora of big names that other teams have, but they do have chemistry, and just as important, signature wins versus top teams over two of the other three teams remaining in Shake and Bake and Run It Once.

Their loss against Udaho Idapimps, came with a little bit of controversy, as one could make the argument that the referees swallowed their whistles on a jump ball in the back of the endzone on a pass to Thomas Coutu, that was intercepted by Brady Ohanessian with four plays to go in the game.

Can Les Verges Folles build on this?

I go into more detail on the topic on this week’s upcoming podcast, but Les Verges Folles who proved me wrong by leapfrogging Never Overtime and qualifying for the playoffs, showed how they look with their full roster. Just as important, QB Thomas-Charles Paradis, showed that he is a solid pivot, who if surrounded with legit high-end weapons, can keep his team in games. You have to wonder how the team would’ve looked if they had elite players in Francois Rocheleau and Guillaume Beland, the entire season, instead of just the five games each guy played.

Can the Mangoose defense keep generating turnovers?

Since Week 3, the team’s defense has recorded at least one turnover a game. The extra possessions have been a key to the team’s success. Shake & Bake Quarterback Marc-Andre Reeves has tossed just one interception total over his last four games and threw only one INT vs Mangoose in Week 2, in his team’s (32-31) loss. The irresistible force meets the immovable object.

(3) FINS UP vs (6) Shake & Bake

In their most impressive offensive output of the season, Shake & Bake delivered more than a few touchdowns in their (56-49) upset win over FINS UP.

In a battle of the two best Quarterbacks in Division B in Will Power and Marc-Andre Reeves, neither pivot disappointed, as they combined for 15 touchdown passes. Reeves would get the edge and stake a claim for the QB of the Year award, as he put up a masterful performance that saw him throw eight TD passes to Power’s seven.

Both pivots had help from their Receivers. Joey Notaro of FINS UP led all players in yards and TDs, with 126 and three respectively. The four-time All-Star was joined in the endzone by teammates James Langshaw, Simon Duchesne, and Maximilien Sadori.

Shake & Bake’s pass-catchers would not be denied either, as four different players -Jerome Hovington, Felix Boutet, Emile Descoteaux, and Victor Boutin- all recorded two TDs reach. Marvin Renaud was the only member of the team to not reach the endzone.

A big turning point in the contest was the unsuccessful try by FINS UP on an onside attempt following a TD by Notaro, during their second to last possession of the game. The incomplete pass gave Shake & Bake the ball on their opponents 5-yard line. Four plays later, Reeves would find Boutet, for what would end up being the game-winning TD.

One can’t help but think that if FINS UP had the services of their best defender in Carl Achy, perhaps the result would have been different, but you play with who you have, and the team still had enough talent to not give up nearly 60 points.  

Two explosive teams putting up a combined 105 points. If you love offense and fireworks, this game had everything you needed and then some. It’s a shame that someone had to lose, but that’s how football works. Shake & Bake gets to keep playing, while FINS UP is left searching for answers.

Questions that need to be answered:

Can Shake & Bake survive giving up nearly 50 points and expect to win again?

If they keep dropping nearly 50 points a game themselves, then yes, but chances are the further we get into the post-season, the tighter things get. To beat the number one seed in Mangoose, Shake & Bake will have to approach that number once again on offense.

Can anyone slow down the Shake & Bake offense?

Coming into the Semis-Finals, they are averaging 48 points their last four games. Two of those wins came against teams at the bottom of the standings in Les Verges Folles and Never Overtime, but a pair have also come versus Silent Ticklers and FINS UP. Quarterback Marc-Andre Reeves, is playing on another level right now, so the answer might very well be no.

Does Shake & Bake have an answer for Marvin Steinberg?

In the Week 2 meeting, the 11-time All-Star roasted Shake & Bake for four touchdowns. How will they try to stop him this time around?

Where does FINS UP go from here?

They are a tight unit with tons of talent, but they can’t seem to get over the hump. They have never made it out of the second round of the playoffs. Do they look to bring in another weapon to help their shaky defense?  

(2) Run It Once vs (7) Silent Ticklers

Run It Once punched their ticket to the Semi-Finals with a (35-24) win over the Silent Ticklers. The RIO defense led the way as they picked off Quarterback Jordan Panetta, a Division B leading four times. Defensive Backs Bakari Bennett and Felix Clairmont each did it twice, with the latter running his second one back to the house to end the contest.

On the other side of the ball, after throwing an interception of his own on his team’s opening drive, QB Jeff Rosenblatt settled down, and would lead his team to four touchdowns. His favourite target was Receiver Jaylan Greaves, who led all players with three receiving TDs to go along with four catches for 47 yards.

It was yet another disappointing end to the season for the Silent Ticklers. They performed better than their 20-point loss against EZW in the Winter Season Division 2 playoffs, but the fact that they only put up 24 points, one night after recording just 20 in their regular season final versus Shake & Bake, isn’t a good look.

Questions to be answered:

Can the Run It Once defense do it again?

They finished with the number one ranked unit, are loaded with ballhawks, and over their last four games they have allowed only one team to score more than 30 points against them. They aren’t the 1985 Bears, but they are tough to score against, and have the size and speed to match up with anyone. Who says they can’t continue to be dominant?

Can Quarterback Jeff Rosenblatt keep protecting the ball?

The team Captain had one interception against the Silent Ticklers, but other than that, he has done a solid job of protecting the ball. His four interceptions are his lowest since last Spring Season, when he tossed five in Division A with Spearhead. The competition only gets tougher from here on out. With Rosenblatt still looking for his first championship at QB, can he continue to keep the ball out of harm’s way, and help lead his team to victory?  

Should we expect more out of the Silent Ticklers?

They were missing one of their core pieces in Jack Antaki, but the rest of the same cast and characters in names like Daniel Mancini, Adam Rosen, Tysen Otis-Copeland, Mike Zenobi, Tanner Burrell, and Brandon Vickers were present. It was no doubt a tough matchup versus Run It Once, but this team has more than enough chemistry and talent to avoid going out with a whimper like they did for the second consecutive post-season.

(4) Udaho Idapimps vs (5) Poseidon’s Kiss

Both teams were absent some key players, as Udaho Idapimps were missing Defensive Player of the Year candidate Sam Anastasopoulos, as well as standout Ashton Thibeault. Poseidon’s Kiss was without the services of redzone threat Amis Mehmetaj.

One player who did show up was Jeremy Rooney. Arguably the most underrated player in the division, the six-year veteran had a game-high two interceptions including a pick-six, and a pair of touchdowns as a Receiver. His second INT of Quarterback Rocco Christiano came with five plays left on the contest. Udaho Idapimps QB Brady Ohanessian would put the game on ice with a 24-yard pass to Alexis Marcotte, that would give his team a first down.

Out of the four Quarter-Final games, this was the closest of the bunch. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Poseidon’s Kiss was involved in this type of contest, as they lead Division B in one-score games. Both teams also locked horns to close out the regular season just a little over two weeks ago, and that contest was decided by a touchdown as well.

This most recent loss was the sixth in a row for Poseiden’s Kiss. It marked an end to a disappointing year that started off so promising with a (5-0) mid-season record, but completely went off the tracks from there.

Questions that need to be answered:

Are we looking at the eventual Division B champs?

Udaho Idapimps have now won six in a row. In addition to their Quarter-Final victory, they also have wins over first place Mangoose, and red-hot Shake & Bake during their streak. This squad has the horses to match up with anyone, and they proved that even when short-handed they still end up on the winning side. The matchups will no doubt get tougher the rest of the way, but right now, you have to like their chances.

Where does Poseidon’s Kiss go from here?

I have said this on more then one occasion, but talent isn’t the issue with this team, consistency is. When you look at heir roster, only three players – Rocco Christiano, Evan Vavinis, and Juwan Edghill – played more than six games. Not having game-breakers like Owen Bujarsky, Amis Mehmetaj, Jahnai Lewis, and both Tyson and Emerson Peterkin in the lineup on a more permanent basis has hindered this team and was a key reason why they finished the year losing six straight.

Do they look to add more consistent pieces, or do they decide to run it back and assume that the lineup will be less fluid with the Spiring Season soon to be in the rear-view mirror? Another issue they face, is with this year being Jahnai Lewis’ draft year, it is highly doubtful that he will be able to commit full-time this upcoming Fall Season.

Can Udaho Idapimps avenge their Week 3 loss to Run It Once?

The first meeting was an ugly one offensively for Udaho Idapimps, as they were held to a season-low 20 points, and Quarterback Brady Ohanessian threw a season-high three interceptions (all in the second half) and had his lowest QB Rating of the year with a 67.6 percentage. Was the result just bad game, or is Run It Once Ohanessian’s kryptonite?

Another big question that must be answered, is how can the Udaho Receivers combat the size and length of the Run It Once defenders? Outside of Snapper Marc-André Lapointe, no pass-catcher had more than 55 yards. That will have to chance.

What is more important, size or speed?

Yes, I kind teased that question already, but I figured I would officially ask it here. I will also add it to the Facebook group.

That is it for this time. I will be back next week with a Semi-Final preview. Congrats to the four team that advanced. To those that did not, thank-you for coming out this season. It was a pleasure to write and talk about you guys. I hope to see you this coming Fall Season.

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.