Categories: 5V5 REC

Recreational Finals Preview

Recreational Championship Finals Preview

Mercenaries vs. Trapstar 5s
Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 22:00
Location: Complexe CN

After 14 weeks of flag football and a short but fun playoff run, the Recreational Division season culminates in a championship clash between two great teams: the dominant Mercenaries and the gritty, battle-tested Trapstar 5s. Both squads have taken distinct paths to the finals, but only one will walk away as champions on Sunday night.

Mercenaries: The Heavy Favorites

The Mercenaries have been the gold standard all season. Finishing the regular season with a staggering 9-1 record, they led the division in both scoring (289 points) and defense (just 125 points allowed), posting a remarkable +164 point differential. Their playoff run has been just as convincing, dispatching First Down Sniffers 25-12 in the semifinals to secure their spot in the big game.

Offense: High-Octane and Balanced

The offense is orchestrated by Maya Di Fazio, who was also named the division’s 2-Way Player of the Year. Di Fazio’s numbers have been spectacular:

  • 2031 yards on 173 completions
  • 41 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions
  • A 64.1% completion rate and 118.7 QB rating

Her top weapon? Xavier Couture, the newly crowned WR of the Year, who hauled in 48 catches for 683 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 14.2 yards per reception. Additional threats like Alexandre Blais (438 yards, 11 TDs) and Chloe Betourne (326 yards) provide plenty of options, making it difficult for any defense to focus on just one playmaker.

Defense: The Best in the Business

Mercenaries aren’t just about scoring—they shut opponents down. Andrew Denis Lynch, the Defensive Player of the Year, leads a unit that racked up turnovers all season. His 9 interceptions and 12 tackles were pivotal, while Di Fazio also contributed 11 interceptions and 60 tackles on defense. Ethan Velenosi and Alexandre Blais added valuable support with multiple sacks and picks, giving Mercenaries the divisions most complete defensive unit.

Trapstar 5s: The Underdog Story

Trapstar 5s may not have the gaudy stats, but they’ve proven to be clutch when it matters most. They finished 6-4 in the regular season, landing the #3 seed despite a -41 point differential. But numbers don’t tell the full story. Their shorte playoff run has been all heart: a narrow 20-19 win over Zaro in the quarterfinals and a stunning 34-33 upset of Green Monster in the semifinals punched their ticket to the finals.

Offense: Accurate and Dangerous

QB Cooper Young has quietly been one of the division’s most efficient passers:

  • 1140 yards on 116 completions
  • 21 touchdowns to 9 interceptions
  • A stellar 75.3% completion rate and 110.9 QB rating

His top targets include:

  • Ryan Garber: 56 receptions, 529 yards, 14 TDs
  • Tyler Stern: 33 receptions, 359 yards, 5 TDs
  • David Giroux: 32 receptions, 325 yards, 7 TDs

This trio gives Trapstar 5s enough firepower to keep pace, especially if they can exploit mismatches.

Defense: Opportunistic and Tough

The defense isn’t elite statistically, but they make timely plays. Cooper Young also shines on defense with 17 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 sacks—true 2-way value. Tyler Stern and David Giroux have chipped in with interceptions, while Ryan Garber adds depth to the defensive backfield. The unit showed its resilience in high-pressure playoff moments, which could be key against Mercenaries’ prolific offense.

Key Matchups to Watch

  1. Maya Di Fazio vs. Trapstar 5s’ Secondary: Di Fazio’s combination of precision and decision making will test Trapstar 5s’ defense all night.
  2. Ryan Garber vs. Mercenaries’ Defense: Garber’s reliability will be crucial if Trapstar 5s are to keep up.
  3. Turnovers: Both teams have playmakers who can swing momentum with interceptions. The team that wins the turnover battle could dictate the game’s outcome.

X-Factors

  • Mercenaries’ Depth: With multiple receivers and defenders capable of stepping up, Mercenaries can adapt mid-game to whatever Trapstar 5s throw at them.
  • Trapstar 5s’ Grit: Their playoff run shows they thrive in close games. If the game stays tight late, their experience in crunch time could be decisive.

Prediction

Mercenaries have been the division’s juggernaut all season, boasting the top offense, defense, and a roster full of award winners. Unless Trapstar 5s can force multiple turnovers and capitalize early, the depth of Mercenaries should be too much to handle.

Prediction: Mercenaries 32, Trapstar 5s 20.