Food For Thought (Div 3) – Week 10
22-03-2012 12:00 AM
First off, congratulations to all four D3 award winners: Danny Gentile (QB), Louis Richard (receiver), Phil Cutler (defense) and Robbie Robinson (two-way).
While Richard, Cutler and Robinson all had a two-way player of the year award to their name, this is Danny Gentile’s first ever FPF award. Good job Danny!
Now how about those first round matchups…
Served with Ice (1)
Served with Ice won 7 straight heading into the playoffs. It seems like my early season prediction (9th) fueled them into first place. Their offense and defense are fairly balanced; they have playmakers on both sides of the ball and have great chemistry. Why do I still doubt their championship chances? Because of their dismal performance in last year’s playoffs (32-12 loss to SWAT). Much like Park-X Streets, they need to prove their post-season worth. Nevertheless, this might be the year they actually get over the hump.
Player to watch: Pascal Tshilambo (two-way player)
Offense: 11th
Defense: 4th
Knockaround Guys (8)
Another pre-season non-favourite, the Guys went undefeated in their last 6 games (3-0-3). They managed to tie two division winners (Terror Squad and Sandlot Saints) which definitely adds to their momentum coming into the playoffs. While their offense is turnover prone, their defense evens the playing field with a very high interception rate (21 INTs).
Player to watch: Vince Nardone (two-way player)
Offense: 17th
Defense: 10th
Prediction: Served with Ice 34 – Knockaround Guys 20
D-Boys (2)
Two important stats: 27 INTs… but a 2-2 record against playoff teams. Still, they managed 10 of their INTs against those 4 playoff teams. That’s 2.5 INTs per game against playoff teams and 2.8 against non-playoff teams. Everyone can agree their defense is exceptionally good (16.6 points allowed per game). What’s not exceptional is their offense. Yes, they spread the ball pretty well (three players with 300 receiving yards) but Marco Masciotra, a second year QB, is still turning the ball over too much (12 INTs).
Player to watch: Matt Kirouac (rusher)
Offense: 16th
Defense: 1st
Park-X Streets (7)
The Greeks are back in the playoffs for the 5th straight season. Their record? 0-4… This year, they enter the playoffs as a low seed. Will it help? Their INT rate is also down and their offense seems more effective with the lethal duo of Jon Makris and Billy Seretis racking up the yards and TDs. Seretis is one of the best rushing QBs in D3 (62 carries, 607 yards, 9 TDs). Will he be able to continue his domination versus one of the best rushers in the history of FPF, Matt Kirouac?
Player to watch: Niko Zermalias (two-way player)
Offense: 19th
Defense: 13th
Prediction: D-Boys 27 – Park-X Streets 25
Big TDs (3)
I know I keep repeating myself, but with only seven players who qualified for the playoffs, the TDs are 1 or 2 depth players shy of reaching the finals. Nevertheless, Jamil Springer is a tremendous asset because of the time he gives his receivers by scrambling in the backfield. Their defense is spottier without Anthony McComber but should, provide them enough leverage to beat SWAT for the second time in two weeks.
Player to watch: Danny Guarna (Receiver)
Offense: 4th
Defense: 2nd
SWAT (6)
With such a low interception count (12), SWAT’s defense doesn’t scare anyone at this point. What rival teams need to worry about is their high stakes offense. If you don’t capitalize on some of Nathan Thompson’s errant throws, he’ll surely pile on the TDs against your team. Discipline seems to be an issue of late with some players arguing amongst themselves mid-game. Once again, the question remains: will we see Jekyll or Hyde?
Player to watch: Rashawn Perry (two-way player)
Offense: 12th
Defense: 10th
Predictions: Big TDs 33 – SWAT 27
Sandlot Saints (4)
The Saints will be hosting their first ever playoff game this weekend. Why is this a big feat? Because apart from all-star receiver Tim Kraemer, most of their players are unknown to the FPF crowd. Despite being one of the youngest QBs in FPF (let alone in the CIS), Dallon Kuprowski managed to post some pretty impressive numbers this season including a 100.3 QB rating. Even though Kraemer can be regarded as the offense’s primary weapon, all receivers get a chance to advance the ball (5 receivers with 240+ yards). A mix of heart and football intelligence took them this far. Can they win their first playoff game or will their defense crack under pressure?
Player to watch: Time Kraemer (two-way player)
Offense: 6th
Defense: 18th
Briscoe High Hawks (5)
The Hawks seem to be living their ideal scenario. Just like in Spring 2010 (when they won their championship) they qualified on the last week of the playoffs. After a rough patch near the middle of the season, they managed to regroup and finally beat a playoff team (D-Boys) in week 10 (1-3 record against playoff teams). Will Scott Kelly’s 7 TD performance pave the way for some exciting playoff football by the Hawks? It remains to be seen. Let’s not forget their defense was one of the best all season and with the likes of Nathan Taylor, Omer Naek and Evan Cook, sparks are bound to fly! Also, they were my pre-season favourites to win D3…
Player to watch: Nathan Taylor (two-way player)
Offense: 6th
Defense: 3rd
Prediction: Sandlot Saints 26 – Briscoe High Hawks 32
VPC (1)
With the best regular season offense, record and differential, VPC are entering the playoffs with great confidence (and an eight game win streak). Their secret is pretty simple: their best players play up to their talent. Louis Richard accounts for 47% of his team’s receiving TDs and 45% of all aerial yards while Robbie Robinson is in the top 5 in D3 for passing yards (4th), passing TDs (1st), defensive INTs (5th) and passes defended (2nd). Let’s just say he is a dominant player. Having Vinny Gualano on the team shouldn’t hurt either as he is known for his red zone expertise. If Dan Dick, the Boyer brothers and the rest of the gang contribute even in the slightest way, they stand an excellent chance of matching their 2010 season and reaching the D3 finals.
Player to watch: Robbie Robinson (two-way player)
Offense: 1st
Defense: 6th
Rude Bwoys (8)
Probably the weakest team in the playoffs, the Rude Bwoys have the invaluable advantage of experience. Their defense, which is generally solid, usually enables them to fight for every game. The problem seems to lie with their offense. This season, they scored 17 TDs less than VPC… Houston, we have a problem…
Player to watch: Jeremy Cloutier
Offense: 17th
Defense: 9th
Prediction: VPC 39 – Rude Bwoys 19
Dirty Birds (2)
Joe’s Birds, if all of my predictions hold true, should reach the D3 finals against my pre-season choice for D3 champion, the Briscoe High Hawks. With the QB of the year under center, all they really need to do is make sure their defense holds up. When you have the second best turnover-inducing defense in D3 (26 INTs) it sure helps. Now, can rookie rusher Colin Taylor showcase his skills during the playoffs?
Player to watch: Eric Bishara (receiver)
Offense: 2nd
Defense: 12th
Snookers (7)
Neutralize Andre John and you neutralize the Snookers. At least, that would be the logical approach to playing “the Armenians”. However, as he’s shown us time and time again, Tony Tabet is always a step ahead. Perhaps the Snookers’ biggest asset might be Tabet’s brain. He can see things others can’t and, above all else, he can communicate freely with his receivers in their native tongue without worrying about the opposition. This makes the Snookers highly unpredictable. On defense, it will be up to Michael Young to repeat his Spring finals performance against a very dangerous Dirty Birds offense.
Player to watch: Andre John (two-way player)
Offense: 4th
Defense: 22nd
Prediction: Dirty Birds 39 – Snookers 27
Terror Squad (3)
With QB Tam Vilaydeth in the lineup, the Squad are 6-0-1. Vilaydeth’s shiftiness combined with Pat Jérome and Alex Giroux’s natural abilities make for a very hard to stop offensive team. Just like any edition of Terror Squad, their defense remains their weakness. Ironically enough, their current defensive roster is by far the best one they’ve ever had. They just need to get it together and now seems like a great time to start meshing. Will Weiland Prosper show up in the playoffs? The big man could provide a big boost for his team’s defense.
Player to watch: Patrick Jérome (two-way player)
Offense: 3rd
Defense: 18th
Bandits (6)
A pre-season long-shot to make the playoffs, the Bandits have definitely earned their spot in the post-season. With solid play from their defense especially in the last few games of the season, the Bandits managed to consolidate not only the 6th seed in Conference B but the 6th best points against ratio in D3. Pavlos Papachristopoulos was a tremendous addition to their team on defense. With him, Phil Ede, Alex Hanna, Anthony Bozzo, Alex Khamis and Corey Belliveau, the Bandits can count on a very legitimate defensive corps.
Player to watch: Corey Belliveau (two-way player)
Offense: 20th
Defense: 6th
Prediction: Terror Squad 27 – Bandits 26
Prestige World Wide (4)
After going undefeated for 8 straight weeks, Prestige stumbled against an unlikely Patriotes team setting up their 1st round rematch in the process. Alex Lever was simply atrocious in that week 10 game and will need to regain his usual composure if he is to avenge last week’s affront. As a whole, Prestige are one of the most balanced teams in D3 with not many flagrant weaknesses apart from having several rookies on defence. Stopping Sebastien Pereda will be their most important task this week.
Player to watch: Samuel Drapeau (safety)
Offense: 9th
Defense: 8th
Patriotes (5)
Les Patriotes have a reputation for being ill-tempered and over-aggressive. Is this reputation deserved? It will be for their opponents to judge. All I know is that, after a season marred with bad news and heart-break, their week 10 win against Prestige World Wide seems to have put some generous amounts of air back in their balloon. With one of their weakest rosters in the franchise’s history they managed to qualify for the playoffs despite playing in their most competitive division yet. It will now be up to Sébastien Pereda and Étienne Chauvin to operate their offensive magic if they wish to claim their 3rd championship in 3 years.
Player to watch: Sébastien Pereda (two-way player)
Offense: 8th
Defense: 15th
Prediction: Prestige World Wide 38 – Patriotes 33
If any eliminated team has reached this far into the article some happy news is in order at this point: Spring season is just around the corner! Remember that, with a new season, anything can happen, so never mind your record or your stats because everything starts again in a few weeks. For the lucky few who will make the all-star team, at least, you’ll have a chance to measure up against the D3 champions. THAT is what I call a consolation prize!