Division E: Championship Sunday/Finals Preview

Welcome to the Week 15 of the FlagPlus Football season, otherwise known as the Finals.

 

After the marathon that is the regular season, and the first four rounds of the playoffs, we are less than 24 hours away from championship Sunday. Thirty teams signed up, and only two remain. Tomorrow afternoon in Brossard will see YAMAJO take on Moss City, for the right to be called Division E champions.

 

Before I get into my Finals preview, I will take a brief look at how each team got here.

 

The Conference A winners YAMAJO, earned their place in the Finals, by knocking off the Greendale Human Beings 32-19 Tuesday night in Brossard.

 

YAMAJO, used their aggressive defense to get the job done, as they smothered the GHB offense, by eliminating their trademark deep ball offense, and forcing them to settle for mostly short and intermediate routes all game.

 

The biggest reason for YAMAJO’s success however, was their treatment of the Aylward brothers, as GHB’s dynamic duo was basically shut down for the majority of the game.

 

GHB Quarterback Danny Aylward, was under pressure all night long, as he was trying to avoid the rush out of Damon Thomas-Anderson, who played like a man possessed, as the rookie picked up 6 sacks, including an incredible 5 in the second half.

 

While Wide Receiver Brandon Aylward, did score a 45-yard touchdown, that reception was the only one the 3-time All-Star recorded on the evening, as he was blanketed in coverage nearly all game by the speedy and physical Alvy Mizelle.

 

When Aylward, actually did get open, he failed to capitalize on it, as he dropped a team-high 3 passes, including two that would have been touchdowns.

 

On the other side of the ball, YAMAJO QB Terrence Dobson, did a good job at spreading the ball around, as he got contributions from six different receivers, most notably Valentin Skrypnik, who had a game-high 5 receptions for 68 yards, and a TD, and destroyed his former team over the middle of the field, especially in the second half.

 

At the end of the day, the defending Winter Season champs simply had no answer for their opponent’s defense. Their offense, which led all of Division E in scoring with 337 points, put up a season-low in points, and the reigning QB of the Year, was held to a season-low in completions, yards, and TD passes.

 

Moss City, punched their ticket to championship Sunday, by edging out Prime Time 34-30 in an action-packed game.

 

Rookie Quarterback Andrew Farrier, continued his more than stellar play, as he led the way offensively, with 4 TD passes.

 

After combining for 19 catches, and 5 touchdowns in their Wild Card Round victory against the Smokin Axolots, the receiving duo of Bruno Provencher, and Victor Rifiorati, continued their dominance versus Prime Time, as they teamed up for 10 grabs, for 139 yards, and 3 TDs.

 

With all the scoring that took place in the game, the winner would oddly enough, be decided by defense. Moss City’s came through, as they were able to get a late stop, by picking off opposing QB Stephen Harripersaud for a second time, which resulted in a pick-6 by Defensive Back Jérémie Lavallée.

 

All night long, the Moss City defense, got after the first-year pivot forcing him to rush throws, and generally made him look very uncomfortable in the pocket much of the evening.

 

As expected, the deep Prime Time receiving corps came to play, as they were led by Josh Levine, who had 6 catches for 38 yards, and a game-high 3 TDs.

 

Brenden Sabloff, Vincent Blondin, and Shyanne Stewart, all contributed as well, as the trio combined for 16 receptions for 211 yards, and a TD.

 

Unfortunately, for Prime Time, their defense wasn’t able to get a stop when they needed it. Part of the problem, was the absence of two-way threat Meïssa N’Garane. The rookie, who also missed the team’s Quarter-Final matchup against the Hot Boys Hotline, would’ve helped slow down the Moss City offense.

 

At the end of the day, it was an extremely solid debut season for Prime Time. While they unfortunately, fell just a tad short of championship Sunday, this team is built for long-term success. They should use the bitter taste of the Semi-Final result, as fuel for next season.

 

Finals Preview

 

(4) YAMAJO versus (2) Moss City

 

These teams are similar in a lot of ways. Both rosters have length, speed, athleticism, and playmakers on both sides of the ball. They are also separated by only one point in the standings.

 

Quarterbacks

 

Terrence Dobson and Andrew Farrier, are two of the best at the position in Div. E. They both have strong arms, and can beat teams with their legs.

 

So far this post-season, Farrier has thrown for 503 yards and 13 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. while Dobson, has passed for 427 yards, with 11 TDs, and 4 INTs.

 

The only difference between the two is mechanics. Farrier, who is more of a pocket passer, has displayed excellent footwork, when throwing the ball, and make throws from anywhere on the field.

 

Dobson, is a scrambling Quarterback, who likes to roll around in the pocket, and buys time for his receivers to get open. The only flaws in his game, are his tendency to occasionally hold on to the ball too long, and his penchant for throwing bad interceptions.

 

Advantage: Moss City

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

This is another intriguing matchup, as both teams have players who are not only capable of taking over a game in a heartbeat, but have stepped up their game this post-season.

 

Moss City

Bruno Provencher

Victor Rifiorat

i
Benjamin De Tilly

Jérémie Lavallée

Antoine Hamasaki-Bélanger

 

YAMAJO

Anton Sakiz

Dvd Joseph

Jack Antaki

Valentin Skrypnik

Damon Thomas-Anderson

Devin Hintermueller

Alvy Mizelle

 

As you can see, both teams have a lot of pass catching options. The only difference here, is that YAMAJO, has more receivers at their disposal, and a size advantage, as players like Thomas-Anderson, and potential red-zone threat Ricky Dieudonné, tower over the majority of the Moss City defenders.

 

Jack Antaki, has made a habit of making clutch catches for his team as well this post-season, as both the Greendale Human Beings, and Dirty Mike n the Boys, both had YAMAJO in 3rd and long situations, only for the rookie to come up with a big grab to give his team a new set of downs.

 

Advantage: YAMAJO

 

 

Defense

YAMAJO

Ricky Dieudonné

Alvy Mizelle

Damon Thomas-Anderson

Dvd Joseph

Jack Antaki

Anton Sakiz

Devin Hintermueller

 

Moss City

Benoit Vanier

Bruno Provencher

Antoine Hamasaki-Bélanger

Sifax Kaced

Benjamin De Tilly

Jérémie Lavallée

Youcef Kaced

 

Seven names, and 7 playmakers each side. One mistake, and any one of these defenders will make you pay. So far this post-season, Moss City has recorded 3 interceptions, compared to 5 for YAMAJO.

 

In the playoffs, YAMAJO, has given up 19 points a game, while the Moss City defense, has surrendered an average of 25.

 

If those numbers weren’t to convince you of who held the advantage here, just look at the sacks. In the playoffs, Moss City Rusher Benjamin De Tilly has taken down opposing Quarterbacks 3 times (1 in all 3 post-season games).

On the other side, YAMAJO Rusher Damon Thomas-Anderson, has arguably been the most impressive player in all of Div E, the entire post-season, as the fellow rookie has an astounding 10 sacks. If FPF had a Conn Smythe Trophy, like in hockey, Thomas-Anderson would’ve most likely won it already.

 

Advantage: YAMAJO

 

 

Intangibles

 

Both teams have this over-looked attribute in spades. The Moss City defenders have the ability to take momentum away from there opponents, by getting a hand on a pass, or even getting a little physical if they have to.

On offense, Quarterback Andrew Farrier, will roll-back 10, and even 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, roll-out to his left or right, plant his feet, and just let go of a bullet, sometimes across his body, to either a receiver who has broken away from coverage, or one who Farrier has thrown open.

 

Simply put, when Moss City, has their backs against the wall, and needs to make a play, Farrier pulls one out from out of nowhere.

 

The YAMAJO defense, brings an attribute that can’t be teached, and that is aggression. The bigger the game, the more aggressive they get. In more than one game this season, I have seen a receiver alligator arm a ball in fear of getting hit.

 

On both sides of the ball, this team has a habit of tipping balls into the air, and into the hands of a YAMAJO player. In their Semi-Final game against the Greendale Human Beings, Devin Hintermueller, scored on a diving 1-point conversion, after a pass from Dobson, went off the hands of intended receiver Jack Antaki. Call it luck if you want, but sometimes games come down to those little plays.

 

Finally, the always over-looked experience factor comes into play. For as dominant as Moss City has been this year, this is essentially an all-rookie team, as only Bruno Provencher (8 games), and Victor Rifiorati (5 games) have experience outside of this season.

 

YAMAJO, while not flush with experience, has a number of players who played a number of FPF seasons. More importantly, Terrence Dobson, Anton Sakiz, and Alvy Mizelle, have experienced championship success before, having won one as members of Game Changers, in the 2014 Winter Season, and Valentin Skrypnik last winter with the Greendale Human Beings.

 

Advantage: YAMAJO

 

As I have been saying over the last three weeks, the playoffs have treated us to some great football games, and I expect tomorrow to be no different. Two fast and exciting teams, who are capable of big plays at any moment. What more can you ask for?

 

Prediction: YAMAJO 30-24

 

That’s it for the season guys, this is my final article. I just want to say thank you to all the players and fans, that took the time to read my writing this season. I appreciate all the kind words, and information. I put a lot of time into my work, but I know it is worth it.

 

Thanks also, for tuning into the podcast each and every week. I know Peeze, Chapman, and I are far from perfect, but we try to make it fun, and a little educational each week. The back and forth we have with players, both good and bad, just adds to the excitement, so please keep sending the tweets, and Facebook messages. As is the case with everything here at FPF, we will continue to get better and better, and maybe even Stef Fennes will make an appearance in the Winter Season.

 

Congrats to my colleague Marc Andre Deslauriers, on a successful first season here at FPF. Your writing is more than solid, and it gave our Division E readers, another source of information and good writing.

 

Tomorrow’s game is slated to start at 4 PM. Even if your team isn’t playing, I encourage all those who are interested, to come by Brossard and check it out. The production experience is incredible, just like the game should be. Come by, have a beer, and say hello.

 

Good luck to both YAMAJO, and Moss City tomorrow afternoon!

 

Thanks again for taking the time to read my article. I’ll see you guys in January.

 

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

 

Cheers!