And then there were 8; Quarter-Finals Preview

The Divisional Round, aka the first week of the real season kicked off with a bang last Sunday. We saw a total of 8 games, with 8 teams advancing, and 8 other teams going home. Yeah, I know that’s a lot of eights…With that said, we here at FlagPlus Football would like to thank the Tigers, Dirty Mike n the Boys, Jean Guy, Gronky Kong, Super Troopers, Aliens, Suh-Tang Clan, and The Warriors for coming out this season, giving your best shot each week, and making not only Division E, but the league that much better.

You guys obviously all made the playoffs, so not much more is needed in terms of roster or scheme tweaking to ensure you guys take the next step. Sometimes, all that’s required is experience, which a lot of the first year teams and first-time Quarterbacks got this season. Good luck this off-season, stay healthy, and I hope to see you guys this winter.

Before I get into the Quater-Final preview, I just want to briefly mention a couple of things that stood out from the Divisional Round.

James D’Andrea and the SPARTANS took the first step in getting the playoff monkey off their backs with a huge 39-6 blowout victory over a clearly overmatched Gronky Kong squad. D’Andrea who only threw 8 incompletions, tied his season-high of 5 touchdown passes in the win.

A week after being shredded by Trinity, the SPARTANS’ defense, which has been their calling card all season, got back on track, as they harrassed Gronky Kong QB Francois Martin all game long, and forced the pivot into 3 interceptions.

Les Bonhommes Jaunes not only made my pick for Upset Special look bad, but they also showed why they finished with the best record in Div. E, as they exploded in the second half for 25 points, and in the process knocked off one of the hottest teams in the division in Dirty Mike n the Boys 44-27. 

Leading the way was LBJ QB Jeremie Ledoux who had an impressive game, led all passers with 6 TD throws. The team also got a huge performance out of Receiver Mark Provost, who was on the receiving end of 3 of Ledoux’s TD throws.

Jordan Rossie was essentially a one-man wrecking crew for the Smokin Axolotls, in his team’s 39-18 win over the Tigers. The FPF veteran, and 2nd year QB threw for 4 TDS, and ran for 2 more scores as well.

It was a tight one, but TDs and Beer managed to avoid another early playoff exit, as they dug down deep and edged out the Super Troopers 25-19. While Brad Evans, and his divisdion-leading offense were kept in check throughout the majority of the game, they simply made one more play than their opponents.

Both Alex Torres and Kenny Boutilier came to play in this one, as both rushers combined for 5 sacks, and 3 batted balls. Good job gentleman.

The Justin battle, Santillo versus Lerner was a heavyweight fight that went 12 rounds. Both players led their squads, and made lots of plays on both sides of the ball, but Lerner and his team the RoadRunners, came out on top with the 31-20 victory over the Suh-Tang Clan, in a game that was much closer than I thought it would be.

Beastmode continued their dominance of the Aliens, as they racked up an easy 34-12 victory. While their offense and in particular Quarterback Charles-Olivier Lavigne was impressive as he spread the ball around all game.

What really stood out was the Beastmode defense, as they held opposing QB Mathieu Roy-Caissy to a mere 7 completions.  I can tell you first-hand, 7 completions will not get it done in a game, let alone in the post-season.

Trinity fresh off of shocking the world, by knocking off the SPARTANS in Week 10, shook up the FPF world again, by ousting The Warriors Sunday night. Yes, they were helped greatly by the absence of QB Michael Solimene, but they still had to go out and win the game, and that they did, 31-6.

You can’t help but feel bad for The Warriors, as they had a squad that was more than capable of winning it all. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have two Quarterbacks on a team. Much credit to the team for showing up. A lot of other teams would’ve bailed on the game.

Speaking of bailed, Gyr helped keep the shutout streak alive at 11 weeks and counting, as they beat Jean Guy 30-0. Thank you guys!

We are now down to the Elite 8…

 

Quater-Finals Preview

 

Conference A

 

(1) Les Bonhommes Jaunes versus (5) Beastmode

Last Meeting: Les Bonhommes 39-24 (Week 6)

The Week 6 matchup, was a perfect example of why teams need to show up for an entire game, instead of waiting for the second half to turn it on.

Beastmode was trailing 19-6 at halftime, and weren’t really doing anything productive. QB Charles-Olivier Lavinge struggled mightily, and failed to connect on a lot of his passes, while his receivers did their part by dropping numerous balls.

The second half, was different as the offense finally woke up, and managed to score three TDs, but it was too little too late as they couldn’t stop LBJ who visited the endzone three times as well, led by 3rd-year Wide Receiver Marc-Antoine Vallee, who had a huge game with 7 catches for 132 yards and 3 TDs, and averaged nearly a whooping 20 yards per catch.

The key for Beastmode to pull off the upset, is obviously getting off to a better start. Last week they started off quickly vs the Aliens and never looked back. They will need to do the same thing this Sunday, as they will arguably be taking on the best offense that they’ve faced all year.

To do that, Lavigne will have to get the ball into the hands of his play-makers Jean-Christophe Ferland, Nicolas Blais, and Felix-Antoine Lavigne as much as possible. The QB, who ran for 21 yards and a TD, and averaged 9.3 yards a carry in the regular season, will need to punish LBJ with his feet.

For the number 1 seed LBJ, they have to put their foot on their oppopnent’s throat when they have the chance. To do that, they will need to continue the push the pace offensively, but cut down on the turnovers. In the Week 6 meeting, QB Jeremie Ledoux was intercepted 3 times. If he gets careless with his passes, the outcome might not be so favourable this time around.   

Les Bonhommes Jaunes are on a mission to win it all. They have the best record in Div. E. After their path to perfection was knocked off course due to a Week 10 tie with the Super Troopers, LBJ shook it off, and looked dominant in Round 1. I think they carry that momentum into Sunday.

Final Score: Les Bonhommes Jaunes 30-21

 

(2) TDs and Beer versus (3) Smokin Axolotls

Last Meeting: Smokin Axolotls 25-7 (Week 9)

This is the second time both teams square in 3 weeks. The first contest was dominated from start to finish by the Smokin Axolotls, as they breezed to a 25-7 victory.

QB Brad Evans who was second in the league with 43 TD passes, was held to 1 the entire game, and a season-low 77 yards, as both he and his team had no answer for the Smokin Axolotls defense.

Not all the blame could be placed on Evans’ shoulders, as his top receiving duo the Keiller brothers (Myles and Brandon) combined for 3 catches for 33 yards. Not exactly game-breaking numbers.

The only real positive the team can take from the game, is that rusher Alex Torres who picked up a sack, also knocked down 4 passes. It goes without saying, that TDs and Beer will need Torres to turn some of those batted balls into sacks.

To pick up the win, TDs and Beer will obviously need A LOT production out of their offense. They will also need Evans to be carful with the ball, as they are taking on a defense who recorded the most interceptions, with 27.

For the Smokin Axolotls to knock their opponents off for the second time, they will need keep the ball moving on offense, and pick their spots, as they are taking on the best defense in points allowed this season with miniscule 141.

Looking for reliable targets in Jason Rossie and Jason Kokolakis will be key, as will the play of little-used Martin Geary who stepped up big time in their last meeting, as he had 2 touchdowns, his only 2 of the season. The pressence of two-way threat, and TD leader amongst the team’s receivers, Will Power (is there a better name in FPF?) will also help. The 3rd-year WR missed the Week 9 meeting. 

As the saying goes, it’s always tough to beat a team a second time in a row. Despite that, I think the Smokin Axolotls do enough to get the W.

Final Score: Smokin Axolotls 28-20. (My pick for Game of the Week)

 

Conference B

 

(1) SPARTANS versus (6) Trinity

Last Meeting: Trinity 26-14 (Week 10)

Another re-match in a short time frame, as these two teams squared off 2 weeks ago, in a game that saw Trinity pull off the upset, and hand the SPARTANS their first loss of the season.

To knock off the favourites, Trinity used a rock-solid defensive effort, as they held SPARTANS’ QB James D’Andrea to a season-low 79 yards passing. Backup QB Alexis Bessette was no better, as he went 1 of 3 for 12 yards and an INT.

One of the reasons for the SPARTANS’ offensive struggles was the pressence of the Dansereau-Leclerc brothers (Antoine and Benjamin) who combined for 2 sacks and 2 INTs.

Another reason, was the disapearance of the team’s big play receivers. While Bessette did his part (2 catches for 41 yards and 2 TDs), Charles-David Martel and Dale Messi were virtually invisible. Martel had 3 grabs for a season-low 33 yards, while Messi was held without a catch. Needless to say, the team will need their QB and WRs to step it up big time.

Going to the otherside, Trinity QB Jean-Felix Marquis and his WRs showed up, and showed out in the Week 10 affair. Marquis, ended up slicing up his opponent’s defense for 4 touchdowns.

The team’s other family connection, the Marquis, (Jean-Felix and Vincent) were working in full effect, as J.F hit Vincent  9 times for 100 yards (both game highs) and 2 TDs.

Also coming up big in the game was the underrated Alexandre Jubinville, who had 5 receptions for 46 yards and a score.

This will obviously be a big test for Trinity, as they didn’t get to face The Warriors’ real offense and team last week. Despite that though, you can’t ignore the confidence that the underdogs must be feeling heading into this showdown.

Trinity has no reason to fear the SPARTANS. Marquis played lights out in their previous meeting, and he was able to alude the dangerous pass rush of Charles-David Martel all game long. The team got big plays on both sides of the ball when they needed it as well.

The big question of course, is whether or not Trinity can do it again. I think they can.

Final Score: Trinity 27-26 (Upset Special)

 

(2) Gyr versus (5) The RoadRunners

Last Meeting: Gyr 18-12 (Week 6)

This was a defensive battle in every sense of the word, as neither team was able to crack the 20 point barrier, and both Quarterbacks threw for under 100 yards.

Just like last week versus Jean Guy, Gyr, was without their best player in two-way stud Nathanael Nidermann in the first meeting between Gyr and the RoadRunners. With their backs agains the wall, and without the aforementioned Nidermann, his team was still able to pick up the all-important win.

Stepping up in his absence, was Fred Casgrain, and the underrated Daniel Chan. Both players made plays, and kept drives alive for their team with big catches. At the end of the game, both receivers combined for 7 grabs for 45 yards and 3 TDs.

Gyr QB PJ Belec, also helped out his own cause, by not only throwing for 3 TDs, but by also picking up 42 yards on the ground, and picking off a Mathew Yanakoulias pass too.

Whether or not Nidermann suits up this Sunday, Gyr will need another team effort to beat their opponents for the second time this year.

For The RoadRunners, they will need to step it up offensively, cause 12 points (which was their lowest output of the year) will not get it done this time around as well.

To do so, they will need much bigger performances out of the likes of All-Star Justin Lerner, and playmakers Emmanuel Sarikakis, Daron Migdesyan, and Steven Kritselas. While Lerner did have a 40-yard TD, it was his only reception of the game. No other receiver had more than 30 yards.

Last week against the Suh-Tang Clan, The RoadRunners got a monster performance out of Lerner (5 receptions for 92 yards and 3 TDs), as well as solid contributions from Migdesyan, the Kritselas brothers (Steven and Greg, and defensive specialist Nick Rompotinos. Let’s see if these guys can do it again.

At the end of the day, Gyr won the first meeting without their best player. By all accounts, Nidermann should be playing. I don’t like The RoadRunners’ chances.

 

Picks

Regular Season: 75-29-4

Playoffs: 6-2

 

That’s it for this week. I’ll be back next week with my recap of the Quarter-Finals, and my Semi-Final aka the Conference Finals preview.

Just a heads up, the quick turnaround that has been going on in higher divisions, will be taking place in Div. E this week. All of the Quarter-Final games are on Sunday at Lachine, but Round 3 aka the Semi-Final games will all take place this Tuesday in Brossard. Check the schedule Sunday night/Monday morning for details.

Good luck this Sunday to everybody, I will see you guys at the field in Lachine!

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]