Categories: Division D

Division D: Recap + Nicolas Katerelos Interview

Division D: The Battle for Playoff Position Heats Up

With 20 of 26 teams earning playoff berths in Division D, the mathematics might suggest that making the postseason is relatively straightforward. However, the current standings tell a different story—one of dramatic swings, and a razor-thin margin separating playoff hopefuls from those facing an early exit.

We caught up with Nut N’ Run quarterback Nicolas Katerelos to discuss his team’s season and the competitive landscape of Division D.

Interview with Nicolas Katerelos, Quarterback of Nut N’ Run

1. Take us back to the beginning — how did you first discover FlagPlus Football and what made you want to join the league?
I first discovered FlagPlus when the whole coaching staff for the La Prairie Diablos decided to form a team and play together during the winter. Some guys had been playing FPF for a few years already and I knew right then and there that flag would become my new thing. I had never played someplace with such attention to detail and it made me want to invest time and effort into building a team and competing.

2. What does your typical day look like preparing for a game? Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Whenever we play, I try and warm-up and stretch as much as I can, but I don’t truly do anything special. I try and stay as calm and composed because I do have a tendency to get emotional about things and as a quarterback, you can’t be costing your team the game because you couldn’t handle yourself. So yeah, focus on my mechanics and see every game as an opportunity to chill with my friends.

3. What was your “welcome to FPF” moment — that first game or play where you realized the level of competition you were facing in this league?
Well, considering we were all football players, we severely overestimated our caliber and completed our first season in Div 3. We went on to win only one game in our first two seasons. We’re a group of guys from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu so it’s particularly hard on our morale whenever we lost 55–7 and had to drive an hour back home. But I remember vividly having to face the Vultures in our first season and having to deal with James Drysdale and Ben McMahon — I knew at that moment we had to regroup and accept that we weren’t as good as we thought we were. We decided to restart at the bottom, sign up in Div 6, and climb our way up.

4. Every athlete has bad days. How do you bounce back mentally after a tough loss?
It used to eat at me for hours, man. Whenever I had a bad game, I felt horrible and as a QB, I felt tremendous pressure to perform since all my teammates depended on me to get them the ball. Before the last season or two, bad days would have me driving in silence and just thinking about all my mistakes, but now I approach football with a lighter touch and a better mindset. I look at stats a lot less and try to see the game for what it is: not every loss means you played like shit and not every win means you played good. I pick apart games like a coach would and try to understand what happened instead of letting emotions kick in and feeling bad about myself. Onto the next and don’t let anything ruin your confidence — it’s everything.

5. You’ve thrown to a lot of different receivers over the years. What makes a great QB-receiver connection in flag football specifically?
I think the most important thing in football, specifically on offense, is timing. Every ball I throw is in anticipation of where I think my receiver should be, so I need to know that he has the football IQ to understand the defense and be where he needs to be. QB-WR chemistry is highly dependent on trust and execution. You could be the best athlete on the field, but if you can’t run clean routes or if you keep on running into coverages instead of understanding where I would want you to cut or sit, I can’t feel confident with the throws I send your way. Therefore, I will inevitably stop reading your routes and focus on a slower runner that actually knows how to get separation.

6. Your team started 3–2, which is solid but not perfect. What needs to happen in these final five weeks to ensure you’re playing your best football entering the playoffs?
Well first off it’d help if I stopped throwing it to the other team. I can’t keep myself in check this year and I’m yeeting the ball downfield every other play. It’s fun football but it’s not the best we’ve played for sure. We’ll get together and agree on a set of plays that have worked for us in the past — plays that have proven to work on a FPF-size field — and go back to the basics. We have the talent, the experience, and the speed to win Div D hands down, we just need to play more conservative and smart football. Can’t be gambling like we currently are.

7. At the halfway point, what grade would you give your individual performance and your team’s performance so far?
That’s a tough question. I’d give myself a C+. I’ve been throwing a lot of picks and fewer touchdowns than previous seasons, so that’s no bueno. But I do feel like my reads are the right ones and that we just seem to be lacking some chemistry in certain instances. It’s something that can definitely be worked on so I’m not too worried about it. As for my team, I’d give the group a solid B. We have A+ potential, we just need to play that way on a regular basis — can’t be dominating teams one week and then panic when we’re not in control the next.

8. The division has 26 teams but only 20 make playoffs. Do you think that format creates the right amount of competition, or would you change it?
I don’t want to jinx myself but I feel like the playoffs are rather easy to make in this format. I’d have fewer teams make it, have regular season games mean more, and have them all be important. A lot of times we witness upsets though, so I might be wrong and having 20 teams might give the chance to lower-seed groups who found their rhythm late in the season to squeeze in and create havoc. I guess we’re gonna have to wait to find out.

9. What do you want the rest of Division D to know about this Nut N’ Run team heading into the stretch run?
That our current record does not represent the quality of this group, that I’m about to go off and not look back, and also that no matter how hard you try, #14 will always be open.

10. If you accomplish everything you want this season and win the Division D championship, what’s the first thing you’re doing to celebrate?
Signing Nut N’ Run up in Div 3 next season. That and a couple brewskis with the boys, eh?

The Unbeaten Leaders

At the summit of Division D sits Snowdon Deli Degens, the lone undefeated team at 8-0. Led by quarterback Adam Malinoff, who ranks second in the division with 1,474 passing yards and a league-leading 44 touchdown passes, the Degens have established themselves as the clear favorites. Malinoff’s exceptional 118.8 QB rating demonstrates his efficiency, while his supporting cast has capitalized on his precision.

The Degens’ offensive explosion is complemented by contributions from receivers Lewis Epstein (533 yards, 11 TDs) and Evan Shiveck (292 yards, 15 TDs). This offense has resulted in an impressive 291 points scored while allowing just 175—a point differential of +116 that dwarfs the competition.

Chasing the leaders is a trio of 6-1 teams: Practice Squad III, Uncle Rico’s Ryders, and Rick and Marty.

Statistical Leaders: Awards Watch

PASSING LEADERS

  1. Adam Malinoff (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 1,474 yards, 44 TDs, 4 INTs, 118.8 rating
  2. Philippe Gélinas (Studz) – 1,416 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs, 111.9 rating
  3. Marty Freedman (Rick and Marty) – 1,347 yards, 33 TDs, 4 INTs, 117.2 rating
  4. Mathew Yanakoulias (Uncle Rico’s Ryders) – 1,328 yards, 37 TDs, 7 INTs, 112.1 rating
  5. Charles Presser (1-9ers) – 1,255 yards, 34 TDs, 12 INTs, 94.6 rating

Malinoff’s dominance is evident not just in yardage but in his remarkable 44:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His 118.8 QB rating leads the division among qualified passers, making him the clear frontrunner for Division D’s QBOY honors.

RECEIVING LEADERS (YARDS)

  1. Lewis Epstein (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 533 yards, 11 TDs
  2. Noah Groper (Rick and Marty) – 485 yards, 17 TDs
  3. Justin Lerner (Uncle Rico’s Ryders) – 441 yards, 12 TDs
  4. Stefano De Seta (NIGHTHAWKS) – 422 yards, 15 TDs
  5. Tim Horner (The Boys Are Back?) – 393 yards, 10 TDs

While Epstein leads in total yards, Noah Groper’s 17 receiving touchdowns make him the division’s most dangerous threat. His 13.1 yards per reception demonstrate his big-play ability.

RECEIVING LEADERS (TOUCHDOWNS)

  1. Noah Groper (Rick and Marty) – 17 TDs
  2. Stefano De Seta (NIGHTHAWKS) – 15 TDs
  3. Evan Shiveck (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 15 TDs
  4. Justin Lerner (Uncle Rico’s Ryders) – 12 TDs
  5. Alexandre Blais (1-9ers) – 12 TDs

RUSHING LEADERS

  1. Kenny Boutilier (Super Troopers) – 308 yards, 3 TDs
  2. Adam Malinoff (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 201 yards, 0 TDs
  3. Charles Presser (1-9ers) – 193 yards, 0 TDs
  4. Richie Mondesir (Ball Hawks) – 148 yards, 0 TDs
  5. Pranav Sharma (Mighty Ducks) – 141 yards, 1 TD

Boutilier’s rushing prowess adds another dimension to Super Troopers’ offense, while several quarterbacks like Malinoff and Presser contribute significantly with their legs.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (TACKLES)

  1. Alban Turmel (Still an Inch Short) – 30 tackles
  2. David De Andrade (Team Ethnik) – 28 tackles
  3. Vincent Marquis (Trinity) – 22 tackles
  4. Simon Dufort (Team Ethnik) – 21 tackles
  5. Antoine Piché (Trinity) – 20 tackles

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (INTERCEPTIONS)

  1. Anthony Drysdale (Rum & Coke) – 8 INTs
  2. Jakob Sacksner (Rick and Marty) – 5 INTs
  3. Sam Anastasopoulos (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 5 INTs
  4. Vincent Bolullo (Les Super Turbos Navets) – 5 INTs
  5. Léandre Grimmel (Studz) – 5 INTs

Drysdale leads the way with 8 interceptions, showcasing his ability to read quarterbacks and make crucial plays in coverage.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (SACKS)

  1. Benjamin Neil (Mighty Ducks) – 13 sacks
  2. Jeremy Steinberg (Snowdon Deli Degens) – 12 sacks
  3. Jérémie Coe (Bullshigh) – 9 sacks
  4. Vincent Demers (Practice Squad III) – 9 sacks
  5. Marin Counoyer (Glogang) – 8 sacks
  6. Zackary Alberts-Gill (Super Troopers) – 8 sacks

Neil’s 13 sacks demonstrate his ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, making him one of Division D’s most disruptive defensive forces.

Week 8 Game Predictions

Thursday, July 10

Bullshigh vs. Les Super Turbos Navets (7:00 PM) – This matchup pits two teams heading in opposite directions. Bullshigh sits precariously at 21st place (2-5), desperately needing wins to climb back into playoff contention. Les Super Turbos Navets (3-3) occupy a more comfortable 17th place but can’t afford to lose ground. With Bullshigh’s season on the line, expect a desperate effort, but the Navets’ superior talent should prevail. Prediction: Les Super Turbos Navets by 8

Studz vs. Vieux Lynx (9:00 PM) – A fascinating clash between two playoff-positioned teams with contrasting styles. Studz (4-3) features one of the division’s most prolific quarterbacks in Philippe Gélinas (1,416 yards, 32 TDs), while Vieux Lynx (3-3) has been more defensively minded. Gélinas’ arm talent should be the difference in what projects to be a high-scoring affair. Prediction: Studz by 5

Sunday, July 13

Practice Squad III vs. Uncle Rico’s Ryders (9:00 AM) – The marquee matchup of the week features two 6-1 teams in a potential preview of playoff action. Both teams boast elite quarterbacks—Fabrice Tremblay for Practice Squad III and Mathew Yanakoulias for Uncle Rico’s Ryders. This should be a chess match between two well-coached squads. Uncle Rico’s slight edge in offensive firepower, led by Yanakoulias’ 112.1 QB rating, gives them the nod in a potential instant classic. Prediction: Uncle Rico’s Ryders by 3

Ball Hawks vs. FBI FC (12:00 PM) – Ball Hawks (4-3) enter as favorites against FBI FC (4-2), but this game is closer than the records suggest. FBI FC has been one of the division’s surprise stories, while Ball Hawks have shown inconsistency despite having talented players like Richie Mondesir. FBI FC’s recent momentum gives them the edge in what should be a competitive contest. Prediction: FBI FC by 4

Super Troopers vs. Les Super Turbos Navets (12:00 PM) – Both teams sit at 3-3 and in similar positions, making this crucial for playoff positioning. Super Troopers have the slight statistical edge, but Les Super Turbos Navets could be riding momentum from their expected Thursday win over Bullshigh. In a pick-em game, we’ll take the team with more rest. Prediction: Les Super Turbos Navets by 2

NIGHTHAWKS vs. Nut N’ Run (1:00 PM) – Perhaps the most intriguing matchup for playoff implications, this game features two teams with identical 3-3 records. Katerelos’ experience in pressure situations gives Nut N’ Run the edge in what should be a defensive battle. Prediction: Nut N’ Run by 6