Categories: 35+ Division

Carmine’s Coffin Corner – Week 8 review and Playoff Preview

35+ Division

Carmine’s Coffin Corner

Regular Season recap and a look ahead to the playoffs

And there goes the 2020 Regular Season for the 35+ Division.

For everyone who has taken the time to read so far…thank you 

The division has been on a BYE week as many players are Dads first and foremost and this is Spring Break!

The article will follow its usual ramble.  In addition, I will give you my completely unofficial All-Star team as well as my top two candidates for the 4 award winners.

 

Random 35+ thoughts

  • Brother Jordan edges out Brother Jason in the first ever “Rossie Bowl.” All kidding aside, it was funny to see these two go head to head most of the season for the Rushing Title.  Not that such a thing exists, but since stats exist, they should be mentioned.  A late season injury took away Brother Jason’s lead and allowed Brother Jordan to emerge victorious.
    • FYI…they meet up this week in the semifinal match up.
  • Rob Allen did not seem to play a huge part of the PAZAZZ offence this season, at first glance. 26 receptions is definitely a low number for him.  However, if you look at the fact that he scored 15 TDs on those 26 receptions (58% of his catches), you quickly realize that he played a large part.
  • Speaking of large, the trio of Brian Martin, Lonnie Johnson, and Tim O’Hara are going to provide size mismatches for the FPF offence in the post season. Tim O’Hara played a crucial part in last year’s final…will he do so again in 2020?
  • Does the double bye week help or hinder? Due to a scheduling quirk, the bye week coincided with the end of the regular season.  The top team in T1 and T2 each got a bye to the final so it will be 3 weeks since they last played when they next lace them up.  Will they be rusty?
  • Top offence was FPF with 338 PF. Top defence was O.A.S. with 193 PA.  Something to be said about team names with only 3 letters.

 

Random league thoughts

  • D1: The D1 QB race seems to have been decided. A great push has seen Jonathan Maheu surge ahead.  He currently leads the division in Yards and TDs and has a game in hand against his closest competition.  Looks like a no-brainer.
  • D1: Having said that, the hottest team in D1 right is STL.  They are playing some really good football, just ask Da Finest and YCSWU, their last two opponents.  Da Finest got to see Dylan Taylor at his “finest” as he finished 16-16 with 4 TDs against them.  Last week, YCSWU got to see the STL defence step up as they held them to 13 points.  YCSWU’s offence has been frustrated by the STL defence this season with their 2 lowest outputs (28 points in G1 and now 13 points in G2) of the season.  Should be interesting to see what happens if they face off in the playoffs.
  • D2: Staying on the Dylan Taylor bandwagon, he is making a late season charge for QBOTY in D2 with the Underachievers 2.0. They are 4-0 in the past month and he now finds himself 2 yards and 2 TDs off the lead in each category.
  • D2: Headed in the opposite direction are Taco Tuesday and the Bad Boys, who are both in free fall after great starts to the season. Can they turn things around in the last two weeks?
  • D2: While his team is not doing well, Mathieu Thuot of the Bad Boys is racking up HUGE receiving numbers. He currently sits at 81 receptions entering his last game of the season, tying him for the 3rd highest single season total in FPF history.  He has a ridiculous 71 catches in his last 5 games!  Of course, the team is 1-4 in those games so perhaps Pat Chenard should consider spreading things around a bit more…LOL
  • D3: Backyard Bullies absolutely kenelled the Dirty Dawgs in D3 action 48-0. Jordan Allard with another big game on both sides of the ball finishing with 7 TD passes and 2 INTs.  Benji Zieglar pressed into QB action in this one and it really was a tough week for him, more on that in a bit, as he finished with 50 yards passing and 3 INTs.
  • D3: KGP looked good again this week with Phil Cutler putting up 7 TDs, 4 to Mat Lepage. Lepage is lighting it up in both D2 & D3.  How long before we see someone recruit him for D1 ball?
  • D3: JYD continues to “stumble” as the season ends.  QB Jason Rossie is dealing with a foot injury and seems off a bit.  They fell to P.O.P. this past week (love it when the 35+ guys go up against each other) and Ty Hoas showed that he can still play as he finished 8-110-3 TDs and an INT on defence.  For JYD, Paul Lapierre had a big night ending it 10-152-2 TDs.
  • D4A: The Bandit Brothers sit at 8-0 and have a shot at the perfect season. QB Cory Walwaski also leading the way for QBOTY as he sits atop the Passing TD leaderboard.
  • D4A: The Tide & the Eskimo Brothers put on a show with the Tide holding on 53-46.  Doug McKernan finished with 6 passing TDs, including 4 to sub Scott Payne.  Scott has not played much in recent seasons, but he is a burner who plays hard to the ball.
  • D4A: In the “Something has to give” Bowl we had KGP RA and the Mad Bears square off with both teams sitting comfortably at 0-7.  KGP RA got their first win, in a big way, as this one ended 40-0.  KGP RA with 3 passing TDs, 2 PICK 6s, and a rushing TD.  Nathaniel Niedermann with a huge impact finishing with 4 Sacks and 2 PDs.
  • D4B: Nice to see Ian Einheiber doing well this season.  He leads the QB race by 250 passing yards and is 1 TD pass of the lead. 
  • D4B: Team Ethnik and the Mean Machine squared off this past week with both squads missing their QB. Team Ethnik reached out to Mathieu Bourbonniere-Morin who finished with 6 TDs in the reserve role.  He has been somewhat of a super sub for the past 3-4 years.  For the Mean Machine it was Benji Zieglar stepping up for the second time this past week and it was no more fun than his stint with the Dirty Dawgs and he finished with 5 INTs.  Zieglar is a really good receiver/DB/Rusher and I give him credit for answering the call.  Never an easy thing to do.

 

 

WEEK 8 REVIEW

 

Polvige 19 PAZAZZ 28

What I wrote: Playoff preview in this game.  Ryan Kastner has had a solid season and the Polvige defence has proven that they can slow most teams down.  Overall, I think that they are the more complete squad.  Having said that, Eugene McLaren brings big play ability to any game.  PAZAZZ also have the most dangerous individual player in the Division in Rob Allen.  While he has not been the focal piece of the offence, he has still hit the end zone on 11 of his 19 receptions this season.  I am looking for PAZAZZ with the upset in this one

What actually happened: PAZAZZ indeed with the upset in this one.  No Eugene McLaren…no problem.  Marc Farley took the snaps in this one and did the smartest thing he could have done…find Rob Allen deep!  While Marc only finished with 9 completions, he did hit Allen for 3 deep TDs.  Allen finished with 96 yards on his 4 receptions (24-yard average) and his height & speed provide huge difficulties for anyone trying to cover him.  Allen also led his squad with 4 Tackles.  Ryan Kastner with a quiet game finishing with 149 yards and 3 TDs.  He will need to step that up this week.

JMJ 18 FPF 40

What I wrote: Interesting how both Draft matchups to end the season are the playoff match ups.  Somewhat ironic.  Cory Johnson had a great performance last week and he will need to be even better this week is he hopes to knock off FPF and his older brother Lonnie.  Robbie Robinson and Brian Martin looked “normal” last week for the first time this season.  I do not see that happening two weeks in a row.  Give me FPF by 3 scores

What actually happened:  FPF took the game by 22 points making my 3 scores prediction look pretty darn good.  Robbie Robinson solidified his hold on the QB award finishing with 5 TDs and Brian Martin clobbered the ROTY award by hauling in 4 of those 5.  While Robinson has contributed on both sides all season long, it was one of the few times that Martin has been called upon to do so and he did well finishing with 5 Tackles and an INT.  For JMJ this was a game to put behind them and regroup for the rematch this week.

Monster 34 Pacemakers 13

What I wrote: As this game has no real meaning it will be interesting to see if Jason Rossie pushes things and plays.  Without him this will not be a pretty game to watch.  The offence truly is built around his strengths.  It was interesting to see Scott Bins take snaps this past week.  I would have assumed that Rob White would step in.  For Monster, this will be an opportunity to work on a few things before the playoffs begin.  If Craig O’Brien is back look for them to drive the Pacemakers nuts with their halfback offence

What actually happened:  Jason Rossie did not suit up and it was indeed less than pretty to watch.  The Pacemakers offence simply runs through Rossie and is built around his strengths.  Robert White did take the majority of the snaps as Bins was also absent.  The Pacemakers defence actually did a good job and forced a few turnovers from Monster.  Unfortunately, it was nowhere near enough to make up for the lack of firepower.  Monster did use their dual QB system on occasion with both Craig O’Brien and Paul Lapierre making a few throws.  Domenic Tosi with yet another strong game to close out his first season in T1 with a TD on offence and 4 Tackles and a Sack on D.  Dave Richter also contributed on both sides with an INT to go along with his 2 TDs.

Old Age Outlaws 19 Grumpy Old X-Men 27

What I wrote: Stephen Harripersaud is on a major role right now, truly firing on all cylinders.  I really do not see the GOXM slowing him down much.  For the GOXM, Jordan Rossie is going to have his hands full with Remy Nguyen rushing him.  Should be a fun match up to watch from the sides.  I think that we see a 2 TD victory from OAO.

What actually happened:  After looking brilliant in my first 3 write ups I am left shaking my head with this one.  Hats off to GOXM for avoiding the winless season and getting off the “shneid!”  Their normally generous defence held Stephen Harripersaud to under 50% completion and forced 3 INTs.  Where has this been all season?  Jordan Rossie was not flashy, but he was effective when he needed to be as he mixed in the running game and dual QB game with Wade Williams.

Spitfire 21 OAS 34

What I wrote: The last game of the season!  The Spitfire have looked better in the last two weeks and seem to be rounding into form as the playoffs approach.  OAS have been on fire all season long.  Cory Pecker has been lighting things up in D2 and in the 35+ Division all Winter long.  He looks really comfortable in the pocket right now and Shane Williams looks like he never stepped away from the game.  Stopping these two will be one of the keys if the Spitfire hope to end the OAS perfect season.

What actually happened:  NO Cory Pecker again…still no problem with Kevin Wyeth ready to throw bullets.  Shane Williams continuing to put on a show as he finished 7-109-3 TDs on offence and had an INT on D.  This was a fun back & forth game until a controversial non-call tipped the scales towards OAS who took the advantage and ran with it.

 

 

Carmine’s POTW

  • Shane Williams (OAS) 7-109-3 TDs and 1 Tackles, INT, and PD on D
  • JP Moreau (Spitfire) 8 Tackles
  • Rob Allen (PAZAZZ) 4-96-3 TDs and 4 Tackles
  • Brian Martin (FPF) 9-59-4 TDs, & 5 Tackles, 1 INT, and 1 PD on D

 

Carmine’s POTY nominees (top 2 for each award)

QBOTY

  • Robbie Robinson
  • Robbie Robinson

 

ROTY

  • Brian Martin
  • Brian Martin

 

DPOTY

  • JP Morea (Spitfire)
  • Jason Prince (OAS)

 

2WOTY

  • Shane Williams (OAS)
  • Jason Prince (OAS)

 

Carmine’s All-Stars (one team for the Division)

QB – Robbie Robinson (FPF)

C – Marco Ottoni (Monster)

R – Brian Martin (FPF)

R – Shane Williams (OAS)

R – Josh Levine (OAO)

R – Rob Allen (PAZAZZ)

Rusher – Remy Nguyen (OAO)

DB – JP Moreau (Spitfire)

DB – Jason Prince (OAS)

DB – Domenic Tosi (Monster)

DB – Jeff Brown (Spitfire)

DB – Shane Williams (OAS)

  • This is my team and my rules. Shane makes it on BOTH sides of the ball. 

 

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

 

FPF vs. JMJ

Battle of the 3 letter names.  FPF won both games this year, surpassing the 40-point mark in each one.  If JMJ is going to have any chance in this game, their defence is going to have to do a better job than they have so far.  FPF are led by the Trophy Duo of Robbie Robinson and Brian Martin.  Both have excelled all season long and there is little doubt in my mind that they will continue to do so this week.  A very strong supporting cast of Lonnie Johnson, Tim O’Hara, and Dan Dick saw FPF finish as the top team in the entire Division for scoring points.  Mike Beriault, Joel Watson, and RR have been the defensive stalwarts thus far.  JMJ can answer with their own power trio of Brian Eudoxie, Ron Oquet, and Karim Yasmine so this could get interesting.  For JMJ to have any chance we need to see Cory Johnson protect the ball and not force things.  The saying is that “On any given Sunday…”, however this is a Thursday night game and FPF are my choice to prevail.

Monster vs. MTL Spitfire

Bring the popcorn for this one.  Both teams have multiple players who have been squaring off for over 2 decades now.  Monster took the opener quite easily and the teams tied the second game in a 40-40 barn burner.  Monster are led by Andy Peterkin and Craig O’Brien who have both taken extensive snaps this season.  The offence has flowed through Marco Ottoni and whomever shows up that night.  It will be hard to focus on anyone as no one has played enough to stand out for Monster with different players playing key roles in different games.  Domenic Tosi has been a strength on both sides.  For the Spitfire, the offence has been more productive of late, but it has not resulted in any victories.  Somewhat like Monster, the Spitfire offence has been a one man show, Domenic Benevento, with everyone else filling in due to a rotating roster.  JP Moreau led the league in tackles this season with Jeff Brown finishing 2nd.  The Spitfire D will generally make you march.  The problem is that they have been letting people march too often.  First mistake in this game will be crucial.

 

Pacemakers vs Grumpy Old X-Men

Momentum can be a funny thing.  I am willing to bet that the GOXM would have LOVED to play last week after finally getting their first victory.  It would have also let them play against an injured Jason Rossie with one less week of healing time.  Alas it was not meant to be.  The Pacemakers finished the season on a very deceptive losing streak with Brother Jason watching from the sidelines.  The GOXM finished the season strong with Brother Jordan playing his most consistent football.  The fun part of this match up is that we can expect to see Brother Jordan rush Brother Jason and really test his injury.  If Brother Jason cannot respond, then the edge goes to Brother Jordan.  I do think that the edge goes to the Pacemakers in terms of supporting cast with Rob White, Chris Brockwell, and NIM-J all able to contribute big plays.  The GOXM are less flashy but a bit more consistent.  This game will ultimately come down to the Rossie Brothers and which one of them plays better.

 

Polvige vs. PAZAZZ

The only playoff match-up that featured a season split between the teams.  Polvige took the first game 30-27 in a nail-biter while PAZAZZ won the second game 28-19 to end the season.  Oddly enough PAZAZZ did it without their starting QB but did so by leaning on Rob Allen.  I still do not see anyone on the Polvige squad that can shut down Allen in a 1-1 match-up.  I would rain deep balls down from every angle.  However, I am not playing, and Eugene McLaren does not call me for advice.  He ended the season playing well but it will now be a 3-week layoff for him.  It will be interesting to see how he responds.  For Polvige, Ryan Kastner had a solid rookie season but picked a bad time to have his worst game of the year in the finale against PAZAZZ.  I expect him to rebound in this one…big time.  Chris Rosen has been the heart & soul of the squad, as he has so often been for teams through the years.  Look for him to have a BIG impact on this game.  I see an upset in the making with PAZAZZ moving on to the finals.

 

That’s all for today! Thanks for taking the time to read along.