Food For Thought (Div B) – Week 11

With two weeks left before the long-awaited finals, it’s safe to say that the natural order of things has been upheld. Both first seeds in each conference will face off against hungry underdogs in what should be exciting final four matchups.

Before we dissect the upcoming games, Lets take a look at what transpired last week.

 

Snookers 40 vs Terror Squad 33

The gritty Snookerines were able to thwart the Fright Squad’s offence proving once again that winning twice against the same opponent in a short span of time is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish in FPF. While I was anticipating a firmer defensive showdown by the Squad, Weiland Prosper’s dropped interception on the Snookers first drive proved to be a foreshadowing event. Indeed, while Prosper managed to deflect three passes during the game, a no-show in the INT column ended up being lethal. While Tam Vilaydeth played a solid game amassing over 250 total offensive yards including 55 by foot, the SAM side of the defence was atrocious allowing completion after completion to Raffi Kozanian and Sevag Kaloussian. While Jo Duclair got beat his fair share of times, Sadrak Gervais really struggled. The defence a whole failed to elevate their game in the playoffs.

It seems like a strong preparation proved to be a key to Tony Tabet’s success on offence once again. He led his offence through Terror Squad in an impressive manner and posted the best stats out of any QB this week. Great effort by Anthony Comeau in a losing cause, however. He proved once again that his size is lethal when inside the red zone.

Big TDs 32 vs Evolution 26

While the Big TDs were the higher seed, they clearly were not the favourites due to their lack of experience at QB. Still, they managed to capitalize on the absence of key players Kenton Lowe and Renaldo Jordan and reduced Paul Lapierre to his worst outing of the season. Evolution’s defence kept missing tackles and looked flat from beginning to end. To add to their despair, they kept dropping passes and turning the ball over against a resilient 6 man roster.

Even with all their players playing both ways, the TDs managed to minimize defensive errors and capitalized on an early lead provided by David Cesari’s surprisingly blinding speed on the first drive. Five different players chipped in with a TD, making this win a truly collective one.

 

Trojans 33 vs Prestige World Wide 27

While I was expecting a higher scoring game, the Trojans still managed to win with a little help from the defence. Garnering two INTs was a great bonus for an offence that seemed rusty after having their least productive first half this season (excluding the Park Street Elite game that Rick Nincheri missed). While both teams spread the ball around on offence the real matchup here was between the QBs. For the second time in 3 weeks, Rick NIncheri emerged victorious against a disgruntled Alex Lever. After playing a great first half of football, Lever and his offence struggled in the second half. They did, however, end their sub-par season with a valiant effort.

 

SWAT 45 vs Park Street Elite 37

The experienced SWAT came and took a huge bite out of Park Street Elite’s ego, proving once again that defence is the key to victory in the playoffs. In a fast paced, high-voltage game, Gino Di Fazio outshined Scott Kelly with good reads and strong throws to his athletic receiving core. Most impressive of all, was the veteran QB -turned WR Carmine Pollice, who came through with one of the best games ever played by a receiver in the FPF playoffs. With an other-worldly stat line that included 12 catches for 151 yards and 4 TDs, Pollice managed to outsmart and outrun a Park Street Elite defence that seemed like it wanted to curl up and die. The lack of fire demonstrated by PSE during SWAT’s 4 consecutive unanswered scoring drives was startling. Almost as much as seeing them surrender a 31-19 they had taken late into the first half…

 

Conference A Semi-Final Matchup

 

Snookers (1)

 Surfing on a strong offensive outing, the Snookers will need to be at least as insightful against the TDs desperate brand of football. With a crafty preparation freak like Tony Tabet, you know his offence will be ready on game day. As for the defence, they will need to rely on some on-the-spot pattern recognitions since the TDs offence is extremely unpredictable as of late.

Offensive go-to guy: Sevag “Savage” Kaloussian is the guy to watch. Great hands, solid routes and a knack for making important first down conversions; you can expect him to catch at least 5 passes for 60 yards and a TD.

Unsung offensive hero: Raffi Bastadjian, who works on the weak side of the field, is the desperate-catch-made-with-your-toes-just-inside-the-line guy. Do not underestimate.

Snapper situation: With the veteran Shane Paquette manning the middle, the Snookers are in good hands. Almost as good as Mr. Paquette’s…

Game-breaker: Raffi Kozanian will burn you with speed and constitutes the deep 40 yard threat. One play from this guy and your defence starts feeling the pressure.

Offense overall score: 8

 

Defensive go-to guy: Serge Moumdjian is one of the most vocal players on the team. His mere presence keeps his teammates on their toes and alert.

Unsung defensive hero: Eric Kavaldkian keeps making big play after big play every week without anyone noticing.

Rusher situation: Perhaps the Snookers biggest weakness they lack a dominant presence at the rusher position. However, the contribution of Michel-Ange Pierrecin and Kozanian is decent. 

Game-breaker: Michael Young aka Repus is this team’s game-breaker. He usually gets the tougher assignments and acts as a shutdown corner for the blue squad.

Defense overall score: 7

 

Big TDs (2)

While the biggest story in the last few weeks has been Jamil Springer’s suspension and Duraney White’s vacation to Toronto, the Big TDs have shown tremendous resiliency despite facing overwhelming odds. Dave Cesari has been phenomenal as QB and their short roster has been able to ward off any collapses on defence. However, one question remains. Can they keep it up?

 

Offensive go-to guy: Duraney White is a force to be reckoned with when in the line-up. His height makes him a prime target inside the red zone and his speed enables him to garner those precious YACs.

Unsung offensive hero: Jeff Murphy is usually the least tightly covered receiver on the TDs offence. Able to wriggle free of most 5th and 6th DBs on the opponents depth charts, he is a great option for a surprise play.

Snapper situation: Ryan Browne proved to be the best snapper in Div B (excluding Don Shepherd) and managed to lead his team in TD catches throughout the season. He constitutes the number one option on offence.

Game-breaker: Ryan Brewster is the team’s desperation receiver. Whenever they are in trouble they will go to him.

Offence overall score: 7

 

Defensive go-to guy: What Chris Cesari lacks in the vocal department he makes up for in size and grit on the field. Not a superstar, but enough of a playmaker to make the opposing QB mindful of his presence.

Unsung defensive hero: Jeff Millar just goes about his business on defence and rarely gets any accolades. However, he is as reliable as anyone when covering short zones.

Rusher situation: Just like his teammates, Dave Cesari is a master of two-way play. Virtually tireless, he manages his fair share of sacks on defence.

Game-breaker: Once again, Brewster is the go-to guy on defence as well. A consummate ball-hawk, he has a flair for the dramatic.

Defense overall score: 7.5

 

Prediction: Snookers 33 – Big TDs 27

 

Div B All-Stars – Spring 2011

Gino Di Fazio

Rick Nincheri

Ryan Browne

Vinny Gualano

Mathieu Bélanger

Matthew Brethour

Sean Kennedy

Brian Eudoxie

Shawn Haney

Sébastien Pereda

Anthony McComber

Weiland Prosper

 

I would like to congratulate all 12 Div B All-Stars for a terrific season and wish good luck to the 5 who are still battling in the playoffs. For more info on the All-Star game, please check the post in the website news feed.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Score_keeper where I will be blogging live from Brossard and Lachine on game day!

If you have any comments, suggestions or rants, feel free to email me at [email protected].

See you on the field!