Division 3 Finals: Championship Edition

Welcome to the FlagPlus Football Division C Finals.

After four months, and fifteen long weeks, we are finally here, the final weekend of the FPF Winter Season.

The number of teams started at twenty six, and now only two remain, to decide who will earn the title of Division C champions.

Those two teams are The BrotherHood, and the BearSkins.

This marks the first time this post-season (15 games), that the two teams going head-to-head, did not face each other in the regular season. Yes!!!! Less writing and research for me!!!!

Seriously though, I’ve always loved mystery. Whether it’s in a book, movie, sports, or even in traveling, having a little bit of the unknown, can often be a good thing.

 

Think of the NFL for a second, how much more fun and good is the game, when it features two teams who are doing battle for the first time? Yes, this year’s Super Bowl featured two teams that didn’t meet in the regular season, and it was HORRIBLE, but more often than not, the championship game ends up being better that way.

While going to one of our several fields, and watching a team play, or simply going back and watching the Game Of The Week, allows us to get film on teams, there is nothing like lining up, and going toe-to-toe with a squad for the first time. You might get that akward feeling each other portion of the game, for the first five to ten minutes, but after that, it’s go time.

Before we get into the matchup, let’s take a look at how both teams got here.

For the BearSkins, they punched their ticket to the Finals, with a dominant (36-13) win over the South Harmon Institute of Technology, Sunday night at Loyola.

After getting out to a (12-0) lead at halftime, the BearSkins, put their offense in overdrive, as they scored 18 points, with a touchdown by Kyle Britton, and two more from Sasha Papich.

Although it was a team victory, this contest could have easily been dubbed the Sasha Papich Show, after the 5-time All-Star, dominated from start to finish, as he had a game-high five touchdowns, coming on 4 catches for a game-high 98 yards, and a pick six on defense, that resulted in some pushing and shoving from Josh White of S.H.I.T, who wasn’t happy that the BearSkins two-way threat, ran the ball back to the house to end the game.

For S.H.I.T, despite having a brief window in the second half, where they narrowed the BearSkins’ lead to two touchdowns, they simply were never able to really find a rhythm on either side of the ball.

In the first half, while their defense kept them within striking distance, their offense turned the ball over, and struggled to get any traction.

In the second stanza, despite getting touchdowns from Kevin Smuda, and Josh White, the S.H.I.T offense kept hemorrhaging the ball, with three interceptions by Sasha Papich, Vinny Gualano, and Marco Bertoldi, off of Quarterback Jake Applebaum.

Their defense did them no favours, as they gave up too many big plays, especially on 3rd and 4th down, when as BearSkins QB Neil Etinson, tore them apart repeatedly.

While they were short-handed last week in their thrilling victory over The Alpha-T’s, this time around, S.H.I.T, who were without key two-way players in Jordan Allard, and Zack Goldstein, and would also lose Marty Freedman to a lower body injury in the second half on the Bertoldi INT, that he wasn’t able to return from.

Simply put, the team simply ran out of gas, and weren’t able to make enough plays when they needed it most.

Speaking of thrilling games, The BrotherHood, versus Les Maloudes, more than qualified, as for the first time this post-season, we were treated to overtime.

Before we get to the finish, let’s take a look at how we got there.

This contest started off with a bang, as after a 15-yard gain by Wide Receiver Jamal Gittens, on the second play of the game, Quaysie Gordon-Maule, appeared to have scored a touchdown one play later.

 

Unfortunately for the WR and his team, the score was called back, after one of the officials, said that Quarterback Theo Ojeaha, was sacked by Les Maloudes Rusher Steve Thibault.

After two incomplete passes, The BrotherHood, would get on the board for good, as Ojeaha, who had scrambled to his left to avoid Thibault, threw the ball across his body, and found Gittens, in the middle of the field, at the goal line. The shifty WR backed up into the endzone, a split second before Les Maloudes Defensive Back Vincent Morissette, ripped the flag from his waist. The 1-point convo failed, making the score (6-0) The BrotherHood.

Les Maloudes, would answer back on their first possesion of the game, as they marched the field with a 5-play drive, and scored when Les Maloudes Quarterback Anthony Beauchamp-Frezza, threaded the needle with a bullet pass to Dragann Mallette, between defenders Khalil Kerr and Gordon-Maule.

Just like their opponents, Les Maloudes, missed their conversion attempt as well, so the game was tied (6-6).

Besides the touchdown, a lot of physicality, and some chippyness between both teams started to develop, that would not just dictate the drive, but rather the entire game.

Two plays before the TD, Morissette, gave Ojeaha a shove, and the Hall-of-Famer went into full flop mode, as he hit the turf like there was a sniper in the building.

One play later, Les Maloudes Receiver Ludwik Jananji, who caught a pass from his QB, was running up the middle of the TB defense, lowered his shoulder right into the chest of the oncoming Ojeaha. Miraculously, after not drawing a flag on the aforementioned flop, the much smaller defender (size wise), brushed off the contact like it was nothing.

The truck attempt, was a response from an earlier post-play dustup, where Ojeaha, de-flagged a receiver, let out a scream, and then threw his opponent’s flag to the ground. That also did not draw a flag.

For as much as players, (some more than others) complain about the refs, it is times like that, where you have to give them their due credit. Instead of throwing deserved flags at both teams, the officials simply gave a quick warning to both sides, and continued play.

On the next drive, The BrotherHood, were able to recapture the lead, on a 27-yard TD by Gittens, that was set up by a crucial 3rd down catch Ahmed Majid. The conversion was no good, making the score (12-6) TB.

Les Maloudes, wasted little time in trying to answer back, as they went for a deep shot on first down, to Steve Thibault. Unfortunately, for the two-way player and his team, the six-year vet, who burned The BrotherHood coverage, would drop the ball.

Two plays later, Vincent Morissette, would nearly make up for the mistake, as he would make a huge 18-yard catch on the right sideline, while falling to the ground, after surviving contact from Gordon-Maule, on a true bang-bang play.

Much to the disappointment of Les Maloudes, they weren’t able to capitalize on the field position, as after a short gain on first down, an incomplete pass on second, and a sack by Gordon-Maule on third, Ojeaha, emphatically batted down a pass down the seam, that was intended for Marc-André Paradis, with five plays remaining before the half.

The ensuing drive by The BrotherHood, almost ended before it even had a chance to start, as Ojeaha, narrowly avoiding throwing an interception, by a couple of inches, as his pass to the endzone, was caught by Marc-André Paradis, the 3-time All-Star who jumped for the ball, wasn’t able to get both of his feet down inbounds. Talk about luck.

Luckily for The BrotherHood, four pplas was all they would need to extend their lead, as Ojeaha, picked up a first down on a 15-yard run, that put his team in the redzone.

After a false start on first down, a PD by Vincent Morissette on second down, and a incomplete pass, Ojeaha, found Gittens, for an 11-yard touchdown on the final play of the half, at almost the exact same spot he scored his first TD of the game on.

The BrotherHood, hit the break up (18-6), but as we’ve seen throughout the regular season and playoffs, no lead is safe.

Les Maloudes, came out of halftime with a purpose.

After dinking and dunking their way up field with a couple of drags and hooks over the middle, Les Maloudes shrank the lead to (18-12), via an 11-yard TD run by Anthony Beauchamp-Frezza.

On their next defensive drive, the Les Maloudes defense, gave the ball back to their offense, on an interception by CB Louis-Philippe Paquette, that was intended for Khalil Kerr. The stop was huge, as it occurred in endzone, putting an end to a promising drive by The BrotherHood.

Les Maloudes would capitalize on the turnover a few plays later, as Anthony Beauchamp-Frezza, hit Ludwik Jananji, for his second TD of the evening, tying the contest at 18 apiece.

The BrotherHood, would answer right back once again, on a 8-yard TD catch by Gordon-Maule, that was set up by a beautiful 14-yard catch between two Les Maloudes defenders, by the aforementioned touchdown maker. (24-18) TB.

Now with their season on the line, and knowing that if they didn’t get a touchdown it would be over, Les Maloudes had a choice. Score, or go home.

With The BrotherHood playing a prevent defense, Les Maloudes’ only chance, was to march once again, as they had been doing all game long.

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that’s what Les Maloudes did. A six yard pass to Ludwik Jananji, ten yard crosser to Sebastien Thibault, a hook to Vincent Morissette, and a five yard out to Jananji, put the team just outside of the redzone.

With third down, and two plays left, Beauchamp-Frezza, tried to hit Jananji again, as the 8-year vet, inexplicably got behind Ojeaha, but the pass was just out of his reach.

Now, it was do or die time for Les Maloudes, as it was 4th down, and the final play of the game.

Once he got the snap, Beauchamp-Frezza, rolled out to his left and tossed the ball to the left corner right past the front pylon, just before Khalil Kerr was able to snatch his flag. Jumping up to make the miraculous catch, and getting both his feet down just inside the line, just over the out-stretched hands of Jamal Gittens, was Sebastien Thibault.

Tie game! (24-24).

With a chance to steal the game with the conversion, Les Maloudes, wanted to give themselves some space, so they elected to go for 2-points. They weren’t able ride the momentum of their previous play however, as the pass by Beauchamp-Frezza, which was launched into a cluster of players, ended up getting batted down.

Now on to overtime.

The BrotherHood, started with the ball, and they elected to go for a 1-point convo.

Probably feeling little mad that he gave up the game-tying touchdown, Gittens, would redeem himself ironically, as he caught a pass while falling down just inside the left pylon and sideline, where he gave up the Les Maloudes’ TD, at the opposite end of the field.

Now with the ball in their hands, Les Maloudes went for the 1-point convo as well. As anyone will tell you, football is a game of inches, and a prime example of it was on this play, as Dragann Mallette, would catch an pass in the right flat, and appeared to cross the goalline, but he was tackled by Benjamin Ohayon, just inches before the endzone.

The next two plays ended in bat downs by Vincent Morissette, and Khalil Kerr respectively.

Now on to the final round.

Ojeaha, was able to escape the rush of Thibault, and buy some time. He launched a pass to the middle in the back of the endzone to Gittens, but the WR, would have been out of bounds had he hung on to the ball, dropped it.

Now down to their last chance, Les Maloudes, decided to go for the 2-point convo, to end the game.

Beauchamp-Frezza, received the snap, avoided the rush by Kerr, and tossed rocket to the back of the endzone roughly at the exact same spot on the previous play to Gittens. Jumping up to make the catch, among a sea of bodies, was you guessed it, Vincent Morissette. The sure-handed pass-catcher, came down with the ball, and some of his teammates started to celebrate. Unfortunately, for Les Maloudes, the celebration was premature, as the WR wasn’t able to keep his feet inbounds.

Final score (25-24) The BrotherHood.

What a heartbreaking way for it to finish for Les Maloudes. In the playoffs, one team has to win, and the other has to lose, you just hate to see it happen like that.

Both the South Harmon Institute of Technology, and Les Maloudes, have nothing to hang their heads about. Each team had a fantastic season, and came within a couple of plays of playing tomorrow night. Hats off to you guys.

 

On to the Finals

 

(5) BearSkins versus (5) The BrotherHood

 

Previous Meeting: N/A

Two of the most decorated teams in all of FPF, From HOFers in Theo Ojeaha and Vinny Gualano, to All-Stars like Marco Bertoldi, Jamal Gittens, Ryan Etinson, and Sasha Papich, to instant playmakers like Khalil Kerr, Kevin Libman, and Quaysie Gordon-Maule, this championship game will not lack big name players.

One team in The BrotherHood, who are looking to repeat as back-to-back champs, versus another one, who despite having a number of players who have won championships on other teams, have never won one together as the BearSkins.

The closest the BearSkins have come to winning it all, was back in the 2017 Spring Season, when they lost (31-21) to The Commission, who were ironically enough, had current BearSkins WR/CB Sean “trader” Avraam as their Quarterback.

Speaking of the former TC passer, his addition, along with that of Vinny Gualano, is huge reason why the BearSkins, have made it this far. What Avraam lacks in speed, he makes up for it in knowledge, and he uses it to provide a calming influence, and extra voice/sounding board for his QB Neil Etinson.

While his stats this year, are far from his regular production on both sides of the ball, Gualano, appears to have the same effect on the team’s defense.

 

Most important of all, the duo has fit in perfectly to this no-ego team, who is only concerned with winning.

For The BrotherHood, they fall in line with the model of tried, tested, and true, as the only real absence from last year’s squad, is Wide Receiver Omar Jackson.

In 2018, the former Concordia Stinger, suited up twelve games, and produced eleven touchdowns. This year, Jackson, only suited up for one contest, versus TOPSZN, where he had 3 catches for 24 yards.

That’s not to say however, that they haven’t gone through change, as the roster at various points of the season, was rotating multiple receivers and defenders, and had replacement Quarterback extraordinaire, Lonnie Johnson, make four starts for them, where they went (2-2).

The last loss for The BrotherHood, came in Week 9, where they (35-25) to Lightweight. Johnson, threw for them in that game, so the last defeat with Ojeaha at QB, was all the back in Week 3, where they lost (26-25) to The Alpha-T’s. Yeah, it’s been a while.

For the BearSkins, their last defeat was in Week 9 as well, to the South Harmon Institute of Technology, in a game where I mentioned last week, that saw Vinny Gualano kicked out for five plays late in the second half, and Sean Avraam, ejected from the game for getting two Objectionable Conduct penalties.

Both teams come into the matchup playing their best ball of the season. They have shown they can win by a blowout, or like BrotherHood showed last Sunday, a nail-biter.

I fully expect this to be a great game. There are a lot of questions that will need to be answered however. Some that come to mind are:

Will the aggressive style of The Brotherhood defense hurt them, and can, or will the BearSkins, be able to exploit the perceived holes?

Will Vinny Gualano be used more on offense?

Can the BearSkins defense keep up with the speed and explosiveness of The BrotherHood offense?

Can Rusher Kevin Libman, keep Theo Ojeaha, from scrambling around, and buying time for his receivers to get open all game?

Will the post-season breakout party for Jamal Gittens continue?

Who else on offense, besides the dangerous trio of Kerr, Gittens, and Gordon-Maule, can step up for The BrotherHood?

How big of a role will x-factors like Kyle Britton, Ryan Etinson, Saad Majid, and Ahmed Majid play for their respective teams?

Can the underrated duo of Jeremy Ronsin, and Benjamin Ohayon, make a game-changing play on defense?

 

Can the BearSkins defense, shutdown or even limit The BrotherHood’s triple threat at Wide Receiver?

 

Who will talk more trash, Theo, or Vinny?

Can Neil Etinson, finally get the monkey off his back?

Yes, I saved the best for last.

Both teams are completely different, but similar at the same time. I did have this as my Finals prediction before the season started.

 

While the BearSkins, are definitely the deeper squad, I think that their top heavy opponents, will use their speed advantage, and championship experience to get the edge.

Prediction: The BrotherHood (28-26)

 

These are the last, and two best teams left standing. Winner take all. Let’s see how it plays out tomorrow night.

 

Picks

The BearSkins vs The BrotherHood – The BrotherHood (My obvious pick for Game of the Week)

Last Week: (1-1)

Playoffs: (10-4)

 

That’s it for this week, and unfortunately the 2019 Winter Season. I had a blast writing for you guys. Thanks to everyone for the kind words this year, it was definitely my pleasure.

Good luck to both teams tomorrow!

Simon Dagenais, and yours truly, will be calling the game tomorrow at Brossard, scheduled to start at 5:20PM. Come watch it if you can, or check it out on the FPF YouTube channel.

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or on Twitter@BADNEWSB51

Until the Spring Season,

Cheers!