Categories: Division 2

Division 2: Contenders, Pretenders, and We’re Not Sure Yet

Every year I release my Contenders, Pretenders, and We Don’t Know Yet article. As you can imagine, with the playoffs just around the corner, I rank teams into those three categories, based off several things. Most notably, their record, schedule, statement games, and most importantly what I have seen them do when I watch them play.

Every year there are some teams that like what I write, and others that don’t. As I have been saying since the first time I wrote this article all the way back when I covered Division 6, if you don’t like what I say about your team, please feel free to prove me wrong, as I have no problem calling myself out when I deserve it.

Here we go:

Contenders

Vengeance (7-1)

They still only have one loss, which was by forfeit. The loss total might jump a little higher, as both Rory and Sean Semerjian are suspended for the rest of the season. The smart money says to not bet against Quarterback Kevin Wyeth, but those are two very big pieces missing from a team who was already short on depth. Their loss will also put that much more on the shoulders of the six remaining players, as they will now have no one coming off the bench in the playoffs. While they still have playmakers on offense in James Drysdale, Matt Kirouac, Antonio Lanni, and speedster Michael Khazaka, the fact can’t be ignored that the Semerjian brothers combined for 16 touchdowns, and their absence also takes some much-needed length out of their lineup.  

Blessed (6-2)

This team has talent, championship experience, and is tied for second with a slew of teams in the division. They have big wins over Urgence Medic, Moretti Crime Family, and Got Skills. They also have a blowout loss to Vengeance, and a tight defeat to Run It Once.

They also have two huge tests to close out the regular season, as they take on Terror Squad tonight in Lachine, and the Braves 2.0 next Sunday. These represent statement games for all three teams involved. More importantly, if Blessed comes out victorious, it could see them lock down second place, and potentially even the top spot in the division.  

Can Stephen Harripersaud outduel both Tam Vilaydeth and Jonathan Maheu? An even even bigger question that must be asked is how will the defense overcome the loss of Rusher Isiah Allard, who is suspended for the rest of the regular season and playoffs? He is one of the best players in the league at his division, and his nine sacks and six pass deflections are invaluable.

Run It Once (6-3)

They bounced back from a 10-point loss to Blessed last Saturday, with (35-24) victory over the Killa Bees one night later. They have won two out of their last three games overall and will look to make three out of four as they close the regular season with a game against Vengeance next Saturday in Lachine.

This team is hard to get a read on because they have lost statement games to Braves 2.0, Moretti Crime Family, and Urgence Medic, but also have big victories over Terror Squad, Touch Foot 450, and Blessed. It is because of those wins I am electing to put them in the contender category. As everyone knows however, the playoffs are the biggest measuring stick when looking at how good a team really is. Let’s see if the spot is justified when the bright lights come on. 

Moretti Crime Family (5-3)

Dreams of finishing first went up in smoke as the Moretti Crime Family simply got outplayed in their shocking (57-54) loss to KGP. It is tough to figure out which defeat was worse, this one, or the 33-point loss to Blessed back in Week 5. One thing is for certain, the MCF know how to win and lose both tight games and blowouts.

The defending Division B champs have shown they can hang with just about anybody, and their Quarterback Joey Taylor who has looked unsteady on multiple occasions throughout the year, seemingly always brings his A-game come playoff time. That reason alone is enough for me to put them in the contender category.

Braves 2.0 (4-4)

Another team with championship experience who has been performing under expectations this season. Besides their Week 1 win over Run It Once, the Braves 2.0, have not beat a team with a winning record, as they have loss head-to-head showdowns with Vengeance and Terror Squad.

It isn’t wise to bet against the likes of Jonathan Maheu, Georges Gariépy, and Mike Pierrecin, but in the words of Bill Parcells “You are what your record says you are.” Despite that, I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. 

Victories over the Moretti Crime Family tomorrow night, and Blessed the week after, would make that a positive quote for the Braves 2.0, and solidify their spot on the contender’s list. Let’s see if they can make it happen. 

Pretenders

Party Crashers Blue (3-5)

They have back-to-back wins over Urgence Medic and the Braves 2.0, and came within one possession of beating both the Moretti Crime Family and Run It Once. Without a shadow of a doubt, they are playing their best football of the year.

In addition to the losses to Urgence Medic and Braves 2.0, the Party Crashers Blue also lost to Vengeance and Terror Squad.

Victories in upcoming games against both Touch Foot 450 and Got Skills would see the Party Crashers Blue separate from the logjam between 8th and 10th place in the division, and more importantly would give them some momentum as they ride into the playoffs.

Touch Foot 450 (3-5)

They have a chance to take a stranglehold on the 10th and final playoff spot in Division 2, provided they beat KGP, who are currently on their heels sitting one game back of Touch Foot 450 for a spot in the dance.

If this squad can get in, they have shown that they can match speed and athleticism with any team in Div. 2. They also have a win over Terror Squad, so they have shown they can beat a veteran squad with championship pedigree.

Only one team (Killa Bees – 174) have scored fewer points (216) than Touch Foot 450. Can this team find enough offense and take care of business Monday night to punch their ticket?

KGP (2-7)

Championship know-how, chemistry, and talent. This team checks a lot of the major boxes. One of the most important ones they have left unchecked however, are wins. Currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in, they face a must-win game versus Touch Foot 450 Monday night at Stade Hebert.

The second half of the schedule has been brutal to this team, as they have had to go up against Vengeance, Braves 2.0, Terror Squad, and the Moretti Crime Family. To their credit. KGP, has stood tall in each of those games, as they are coming off a huge upset victory over the MCF, while they were literally one play away from beating both Terror Squad and Vengeance.

I don’t think they are a contender, but in do-or-die games, I have bet against this squad before and have been wrong nearly every time. I think they will get into the dance but calling them contenders is a little too optimistic.

Killa Bees (0-8)

Clearly, the playoffs are out of the question, but they still have a chance to play spoiler, as they take on Got Skills and Terror Squad

The Killa Bees have been playing better ball as of late. Their offense has averaged 25 points a game over their last four contests compared to 18 during their first four games. Quarterback Patrick Chénard, is coming off his first interception free (4 TDs – 0 INTs) outing of the year in their (35-24) loss to Run It Once last once. At least they have some momentum.

They sit winless, but there are some talented players on the roster. Here’s to hoping they can end the year with a victory.

We’re Not Sure Yet

Urgence Medic (6-3)

After a (40-30) win over Run It Once last weekend, Urgence Medic finds itself on a two-game winning streak. This team is one of the staples of FPF, as they possess both big game and championship experience. They also have chemistry down to a tee.

On the flip side, this squad also has some questionable defeats, as they have lost to the Party Crashers Blue and a experienced a blowout defeat at the hands of Blessed.

The (5-1) first half start and (2-2) second stanza slide raises questions. The biggest one is, are they true championship contenders? The loss of AJ Gomes for the rest of the regular season says no, but they have won all their championships in various divisions without him. Only Urgence Medic can answer the question. Until they do, we’re not sure yet.

Terror Squad (4-4)

Talent, speed, playmakers, big game experience, statement wins, championship history, this team has it all. The one thing they are lacking however is consistency. After huge wins over Urgence Medic and Braves 2.0, they barely squeaked by KGP, and then fell to Touch Foot 450 a week later.

If this team wants to make a run, they will have to find consistency and quickly, as they take on Blessed tonight, and then follow it up with a showdown against a Killa Bees squad that are hungry and looking to finish the season on a winning note.  

Terror Squad’s (1-3) start to the year left a lot to be desired, as does their play as of late. A 17-day layoff since their last game might have been a blessing in disguise. If TS can get a win versus Blessed tonight, that would put them in contender status, and more importantly give them some much-needed momentum at the right time.

Got Skills (3-4)

This is an intriguing team. They have won two of their last three games overall, and almost made it four for four with close losses to both Blessed and Vengeance. They also have wins over Terror Squad and Braves 2.0.

Over the next two nights, they have winnable games against the Killa Bees this evening, and Party Crashers Blue tomorrow at Loyola.

They close out the regular season taking on the Moretti Crime Family. Like their name indicates, this team has skills. If they can knockoff MCF, they will have another statement win, and find themselves on the contender list.   

Picks

Blessed vs Terror Squad – Terror Squad (Upset Special #1 and My pick for Game of the Week Div. 2)

Vengeance vs Run It Once – Vengeance

Got Skills vs Killa Bees – Got Skills

Moretti Crime Family vs Braves 2.0 – Braves 2.0 (Upset Special #2)

Party Crashers Blue vs Got Skills – Party Crashers Blue (Upset Special #3)

KGP vs Touch Foot 450 – KGP (Upset Special #4)

Last Week: (5-5)

Season: (29-21)

If you haven’t had a chance, check out my article on FPF Head Referee and Chief, as well as all-around great guy Leo Gervais. He is full of stories, and a lot of laughs. https://www.flagplusfootball.com/en/article/flagplus-interview-series-part-2-leo-gervais

I will have a new interview up next week.

That is it for this week. Good luck to everybody in their games tonight and this week!

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