Division 2: Semi-Finals Preview

Welcome to the Semi-Final round of the FlagPlus Football Division 2 playoffs. We are down to our final four teams, set to do battle tonight for the right to make it to championship weekend in two weeks.

(11) Dirty Birds versus (10) FINS UP

Previous Meeting: Dirty Birds (37-24) Week 10

The first matchup was a tale of two halves, as FINS UP needed just six plays to score their first two touchdowns of the game. They would add a third when after intercepting Dirty Birds Quarterback Quaid Johnson, Receiver Maximilien Sadori, found the endzone, extending their lead to (18-6). The Dirty Birds would respond before the half with an eight-play drive that resulted in a 5-yard TD by James Ohayon.

Heading into halftime, FINS UP had a (18-14) lead. Unfortunately for them, it was all downhill from there. After the break, the Dirty Birds would take their first lead of the game on a 12-yard score from Ohayon. They would then add two more TDs as both Matt Bond and Jamal Noël found the endzone. When it was all said and done, the victors outscored their opponents (23-6) in the second half.

In the rematch tonight, FINS UP will need to keep their foot on the gas the entire game. As they learned the first time around, the Dirty Birds are too good of a team to not play a full game against.

The other thing FINS UP must do is match the intensity as well as the calm that they demonstrated last week in their Quarter-Final game against The Infantry.

To their credit, FINS UP didn’t let the pressure of the moment get too big for them. After giving up the lead during pro-clock, Will Power marched his team on a six-play drive that ended with a game-winning TD by DonnDre Borden on the final play of the contest.

The last down would come after a 5-yard penalty was assessed to Quaysie Gordon-Maule, who to the officials along with Marc-André Lapointe (I guess the refs thought he was too physical), appeared to throw Receiver Simon Duchesne to the ground after he made a catch at the goaline. Replays afterwards showed that while contact was made on Duchesne, it was pass-catcher who attempted to spin off both defenders and would lose his balance in the process. Nonetheless, the offense kept their composure, and would execute the perfect play call – a drag play by Borden – that won them the game.  

For the Dirty Birds to get the win, they must also do two things. First, they need to play a full game as well, as they can be rest assured that FINS UP will have learned from their mistakes in Week 10. Waiting to turn it on in the second half won’t be a recipe for success this time around.

Last week against the Party Ballers, the Dirty Birds got off to a solid start, as they scored on three of their four drives in the opening half. They weren’t so good in the second half, as they suffered two turnovers, and scored just twice, with one of them being a safety. The only reason the game wasn’t closer, was because the Party Ballers would only find the endzone once themselves. Simply put, the Dirty Birds need to be better.

The second thing they must do, is force turnovers. The Dirty Birds have the best defense in the league, and they are loaded with ballhawks and game-changers, with names like Anthony Brisebois, Quaid Johsnon, Markens Valcourt, and both Bond and Noël. They recorded a Division 2 high nineteen interceptions during the regular season, and two more last week. The unit will need to produce at least one tonight.

Will Power is a top-level Quarterback, but he has thrown at least one INT in all but two games. In the previous meeting he tossed one and was held to his second lowest completion percentage (64.7%), third lowest yards per pass (8.7), and lowest touchdown total (4). Can this elite defensive unit do the same thing again?

FINS UP is gritty, they make you earn everything you get, and they loved being counted out. The Dirty Birds, however, have the horses to match speed and length with FINS UP on both sides of the ball. They have been the best team in the division the entire season and have the extra motivation of playing for team leader Naz Dhillon, who is out indefinitely. I think they find a way to get it done tonight.   

Prediction: Dirty Birds (38-30)

(8) Silent Ticklers versus (3) EZW

Previous Meeting: N/A

This game will not be lacking offense. With two teams ranked in the top six in scoring, what else should we expect?

EZW scored more points than anyone during the regular season. Last week against the Vultures, they dropped a Quarter-Finals high 45 points in their (45-42) win. They are all gas no brakes on that side of the ball. Play them man, they will beat you one-on-one. Line up in zone coverage, and they will find the holes and exploit them repeatedly. When Quarterback Jeremy White is locked in as he has been since Week 2, his team is nearly impossible to beat. Need more proof? The last time they lost a game was mid January.

Looking at their defense, the Silent Ticklers have the talent and experience to keep pace with EZW. Of course, that task is easier said than done. The team has smothered some strong offenses in Idaho Udapimps, and Dime & Bougie in back-to-back weeks. Their opponents tonight however are on a different level. Nothing is impossible, but this will be their toughest test of the season.

The Silent Ticklers are no slouch when it comes to scoring. When they find their rhythm on offense, it is hard to disrupt their pace. Whether he is delivering darts or tossing the ball up for his playmakers to make a play, the chemistry and trust between Quarterback Jordan Panetta and his Receivers is second to none.

One of the things that makes this matchup so intriguing, is that these teams are a lot alike. On offense, both Quarterbacks love taking deep shots and stretching the opposing defense. First play of the game, third and short, fourth and inches, it doesn’t matter. The long ball is always a threat.

On the other side of the ball, while both teams do give up a lot of points (they are both in the bottom four in the division among playoff teams) they do take chances and are wiling to live with the no risk it, no biscuit style that relies on aggression, jumping routes, baiting QBs, and giving up potential touchdowns or even penalties, in exchange for turnovers.

The Silent Ticklers and EZW are deep, but one of the keys to their success is that they have interchangeable parts. Don’t get me wrong, each team has more than a few elite players, but when someone comes off for a play, or misses a game, somebody else seamlessly steps in and makes plays without hesitation.

No disrespect to the Dirty Birds and FINS UP, but this is my choice for game of the week. I expect the scorekeeper to be busy, and very little defense to be played, except at the end of the game, when I think the winning team will get a stop to seal the victory.   

How do you slow down an offense that averages nearly 46 points a game? How do you stop a team that has won eight in a row? These are the two biggest questions that the Silent Ticklers must answer. I think they will find a way.

Prediction: Silent Ticklers (47-45)

Picks

EZW vs Silent Ticklers – Silent Ticklers (Upset Special and my pick for Game of the Week)

Dirty Birds vs FINS UP – Dirty Birds

Last Week: (4-0)

Playoffs: (6-2)

Regular Season: (16-8)

Upset Special: (6-3)

That is it for this week. Don’t forget the Finals will by the weekend of May 17^th and 18^th in Brossard. I will be releasing my Finals preview article on Friday May 16^th. Best of luck to all four remaining teams tonight! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there next Sunday!