Fourth-and-Goal (Div C) – Week 11

Eight Sent Packing

 

Another week has come and gone. The bachelor that is the FPF championship has decided not to give a rose to eight of our playoff teams. Eight remain, and it’s going to be a long and arduous task for a team to win the championship with seven other potential suitors trying to do the very same thing. As such, every team needs to be at their best. That is to say: best roster, best behavior, best play calling. Anything less is not playoff-worthy and shouldn’t even be taken into consideration when trying to be the team that takes the championship into a loving embrace in their arms. And then the lights dim…

 

Huh? Oh, yeah…we’re still talking about football. Let’s have a briefing on a few of the first-round games:

 

 

Longhorns Out to Pasture

 

Early in the matchup between the Longhorns and Flight of the Conchords, it looked like FOTC had no answers for the relentless Longhorns offence that were already up 12-0. However, with a relentless pass rush on FOTC’s part and third and fourth down gambles that didn’t pay off for the Longhorns, the tides quickly turned for the musical duo turned football club that is Flight of the Conchords. FOTC had a fire in their eyes as they took advantage of a Longhorns team who were uncharacteristically taking many risks. A noteworthy (and untouchable) contributor to this victory is Etienne “Champ” Guilmain. Usually known for his defensive prowess, every time the ball made its way into Guilmain’s hands on offence, his feet made their way into the end-zone.

 

G.O.A.T. Deliver

 

Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but smack talk is always best when followed through. This was more than evident on the field Sunday when Park-X Streets and G.O.A.T. jumped in the ring. The two-headed QB that is Jason Cummins or Rick Edwards decided that they, along with their squad, were going to come out on top. Park-X Streets, meanwhile, with their smack talk and unique style of play, had their own plans. As such, spectators were treated to a game that was a tie for more than 80% of its duration. With one play left, Park-X’s smack talk and head games fell flat as Rick Cummins threw the tying touchdown with convert to follow. With this, he looked to one of the team’s other veterans, Jason Edwards. Edwards metaphorically had his team on his shoulders and physically had a Park-X defender on his shoulders as he came down with the game winning conversion, giving Park-X yet another first-round playoff exit.

 

 

With that, I’d like to thank the FAs, Falcons, Rip and Run, Longhorns, Sphinx, Predators, Park-X Streets and X-Men for a season well played. We hope to see you once again next season.

 

 

Stray Observation:

 

– Please refrain from acting like children on the field. At least one of our analysts has to tell you this every season during the playoffs; since I’m also a member of the disciplinary committee, it might as well be me. Just because you are disheartened with the fact that your playoff push is over does not grant you the right to get into altercations with the refs, the opposing team or even your own team.  There are multiple examples of playoff incidents that have drastically affected a player’s ability to play in the following season; don’t be another example added to the list.

 

 

Who’s Left?

 

The Commission (1) vs. Rude Bwoys (4)

Last meeting: 26-13

 

The Commission seem to be finding ways to poke holes in offensively-strong teams. The average points-against in a Commission victory is 11.5. On an average win, they allow less than two touchdowns. This essentially allows them to dictate the pace of any matchup. Their defense speaks for itself, and allows their offence the time to adjust to what’s thrown at them and even to take gambles whether necessary or not.

 

The Rude Bwoys are efficient. Whenever possible, no play goes wasted so that the ‘Bwoys can maximize the number of opportunities to score. This core has been together season after season, and continually gets closer and closer to the finals; seeing what works and what doesn’t for them.

 

The Commission strengths: A defense comparable to security at Fort Knox, statistically the best rusher in the division, patience and discipline.

 

Rude Bwoys strengths: Familiar, season to season core, heavy playoff experience, the most unassuming deep threat ever in Bryan Joseph.

 

Prediction: The Commission 13, Rude Bwoys 14

 

 

Flight of the Conchords (2) vs. Eagles (3)

Last meeting: 25-18

 

FOTC seem to be a bit of an enigma. Two of their three losses have come to far weaker teams, and they tend to manhandle stronger teams. They have found ways to win with a roster of 6, and have found ways to win without their quarterback. They’re smart, they’re crafty and they are resilient. Having multiple award winning players and higher division experience is something that makes the often under-the-radar Flight of the Conchords a noteworthy and dangerous team.

 

The Eagles unique brand of football has managed to stay afloat in higher divisions. While it has failed with so many other teams, it continually works for the Eagles and works well. The difference is that the Eagles execute the play action pass perfectly. Combined with a defense that is difficult to read and difficult to penetrate, the Eagles are difficult to prepare for. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to see them take the upper-hand early and watch other teams attempt to play catch-up.

 

Flight of the Conchords strengths: Incredible chemistry, resilient and adaptive, players who are are always level-headed and think outside the box.

 

Eagles strengths: A roster that is NFL-like in size, TWO all-star rushers at their disposal, perfect mix of brains and brawn.

 

Prediction: Flight of the Conchords 19, Eagles 12

 

(EDITOR’S NOTE: FOTC HAVE FORFEITED THEIR QUARTER-FINAL GAME DUE TO A LACK OF ELIGIBLE PLAYERS ABLE TO PLAY. THE EAGLES WILL AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCE TO THE SEMI-FINALS)

 

 

Mysterious and Magical Men (1) vs. G.O.A.T. (7)

Last meeting: 26-26

 

Mysterious and Magical Men are the goliath at this stage of the game. Winning the regular season, and being expected to have a repeat finals appearance, people clamor that the championship is theirs to lose. While they are not infallible, they certainly learn and adapt to their mistakes incredibly well. You know what plays MMM are ready to throw at you, and yet teams are often powerless to stop them.

 

G.O.A.T. went from being 0-4 to tying the divisional powerhouse, and defeating the heavily-favoured Park-X Streets twice. Testament to their skill, they certainly play up to their opposition. With the addition of veterans Andrew Carruthers and Jason Edwards, both sides of the ball have been strengthened tremendously.

 

Mysterious and Magical Men strengths: Tested and proven playbook, heavy football knowledge, Joe Birds.

 

G.O.A.T. strengths: Gritty “get-it-done” style football, unpredictable offence, strong under pressure.

 

Prediction: Mysterious and Magical Men 32, G.O.A.T. 26

 

 

Spring Cleaning (3) vs. Kardiac Kids (5)

Last meeting: 40-30

 

When looking at Kardiac Kids, it’s important to essentially discount their first-week meeting with Spring Cleaning. Kardiac Kids are a completely different team; only Shawn Steen and Justin Lavallée remain from that original roster. Kardiac Kids have come leaps and bounds since then, signing strong higher-division talent and incredible two-way athletes. While they often look less than organized, organization becomes pretty much nonessential when the Kardiac Kids are athletic enough to turn an 8 yard hook into a 25 yard gain.

 

The Spring Cleaning group seems to be of the Darkhorses formula. Mix a bunch of role players with game breakers from different lower division teams. Add a veteran defensive coordinator. Hope for the best. Spring Cleaning are of the “go big or go home” mentality, and their inconsistent record certainly shows it. However, Spring’s players are also famous for getting it done when it matters most. Which squad will we see?

 

Kardiac Kids strengths: Phenomenal athletes, dual-threat quarterback, element of surprise with new roster changes.

 

Spring Cleaning strengths: Six players with at least one championship under their belts, large roster of eligible players allows for different offensive and defensive schemes at any given time, clutch players

 

Prediction: N/A

 

 

Two Weeks Away

 

The event at Brossard is quickly approaching. If you’d like to accompany me on a date to this prestigious event, pack those cleats and shorts and shoot me an email at [email protected]

 

Or you can, y’know, use it to talk to me about what’s going on in the league. Your choice.