Fourth and Goal – Division A&B – Week 1
21-05-2014 12:00 AM
With last season’s preseason article gaining a fair share of notoriety, I’ve decided to bring it back in anticipation of the season ahead. Having factored in the Week 1 games as well, I’ll talk about my initial thoughts of the teams as a whole.
Love it or hate it (and me by consequence) this is basically just my personal biases mixed with the Week 1 results. Like always, feel free to send me praise (not likely) or hate mail (more likely.)
Team Rundowns
Division 1
1. DA Finest
Suffice to say that going 14-0 in Division 1 in the Winter season hasn’t been done since the Young Guns held that accolade when the league first started, and everyone knows how much has changed since then. There really isn’t anything else to say other than the fact that this is the benchmark that all other teams strive to achieve. Swapping March Champagnie for Guillaume Ward is a switch of similar talent, but it begs the question of who will step in and be as dominant at the rusher position with Ward absent.
2. Rainmakers
Falling just shy of the Division 1 championship this winter in the finals, the Rainmakers have had their strongest roster to date. Losing Mark Deslauriers but picking up Bobby Mikelberg and Teddy Frenette is a decent tradeoff. Ryan Kastner is looking more and more confident in the pocket, and has a solid defense to fall back on. It’s just a matter of minimizing those small errors to make the jump from a great team to an elite team. Despite a Week 1 loss to DA Finest, the Rainmakers are on pace for another successful season.
3. Roosters and Donkeys
The first roster on the list who aren’t a returning Division 1 team. Scoop has put together a roster that is a good mix of speed and size, and they definitely have the skill and the know-how to take on the giants. The only question is whether or not this squad is A) numerous enough and B) deep enough for the division. They have all the skill in place to do damage, but we’ll have to see if the additions will be able to carry them with the elevated competition in the division. While some of the preseason additions have fallen through, their replacements in Theo Ojeaha and Jordan McLaren is definitely a boost.
4. Alkaholiks
Falling just shy to the Rainmakers in overtime of the Division 1 semifinals, the Alkaholiks have somewhat retooled and will definitely be looking to exact revenge on both the Finest and the Rainmakers. While this is definitely a talented roster, they do have more egos and tempers on the squad than past seasons, which Paul Lapierre will have to keep in check. Despite their Week 1 loss (which likely has a lot to do with players playing in the Chateauguay touch tournament as well) I still think that this is a top-tier Division A team and we’ll see a lot of big things from them.
5. Les Grosses Tetes Molles de Chernobyl
A hybrid of the Express and Road Runners with the additions of Kevin Lubin and Tam Vilaydeth, this team has a lot going for it and a lot of potential as well. Coming off of a big win against the Gladiateurs, LGTMDC (there has to be a simpler way of saying that) are in good shape. There may be a lot of strength among the teams in Division A, but it would be wise not to count out LGTMDC. With a proven core and a lot athleticism and size, they can be a sleeper pick each and every week that they play.
6. Gladiateurs
The first half of the winter season in Division 1 was a forgettable one for the Glads. Unable to secure a win until week 7, this core which has many championships to it’s name had no answers. In all honesty, I feel like the Glads have been straying away from what works for them and need to get back to what’s made them successful in previous seasons. Adding roster depth in Eric Bishara, Adam Spence and re-adding Matt Bishara will definitely help them field a roster over 6 or 7 like in previous seasons.
7. Usual Suspects
The “good for them” pick for this season. While this core has played higher division football both in this league and in other leagues as well, the move up to Division 1 has left a few scratching their heads. While it will definitely be a way to grow as a squad in facing steeper competition, the elevated level that the Usual Suspects are now at may be too high. Time will tell.
Division 2
1. One Night Stands
After coming off of a Division C championship last spring, this team has re-tooled and re-emerged. Having Kevin Wyeth at snap, Paul Lapierre at QB and Jamil Springer and Mike Smith gives this already successful team the tools to compete and dominate Division B. Despite some Week 1 absences, the team was able to assert themselves and come up with a win against a struggling Certified Flyguyz team.
2. Daron World Wide
Despite a Week 1 loss, I’m confident that the defending champs will get it together. While they only finished third in the regular season last season, they’re definite contenders this season just as they were last. Having big acquisitions in Eddy Martinez, Steve Sanner, Marco Ritondo and Adam Spence, as well as having J-S Gradowski listed on the roster with the returning squad is good news indeed.
3. #NR
Love them or hate them, the facts are plain: Division 5, Division D, Division 4, Division C, Division 3, Division B. EVERY season that the #NR core have played, they’ve moved up a division. They’ve put in a compressed squad in B that seems to play off of their strengths without having too many players on the roster in the rotation. Don’t mistake their cockiness for weakness, or you’ll end up frustrated and losing.
4. KGP Champs
I feel like I say this every season, but THIS is definitely the strongest KGP roster that we’ve seen. Boasting additions in Aleksander Papich, Marco Bertoldi and now Vince Nardone as well, Phil Cutler has plenty of weapons to throw deep to, and this is definitely a pick-your-poison defense with Brophy, Saleh and Parm as well. Look for them to do some serious damage while flying under the radar.
5. Legends
The first team of the Division B squads to upset a Division A team. Looking at the Legends, they don’t seem like much at first glance but upon a closer look, they’re a squad who are athletes who find ways to grind out a win. Don’t kid yourself; the Legends find ways to win. They seem to have a lighter first-half schedule, but are still a legitimate threat.
6. Hustlers
For a team as built as this one, the Hustlers had a disappointing winter season. Moving forward, it looks like they’ve replaced Benny Goodfriend with Sean Avraam. They’ve got the cohesion and the know-how to play well as a squad, but it seems like they fall just short. With a big Week 1 win against their Darkside counterparts, they’re already a third of the way to their wins from the winter season, and I see them being more successful in B.
7. Wolverines
Former division B champions, the Wolverines have had a rough few seasons as well in the past. After a close but necessary win against AMJ Campbell this past week, the Wolverines are on pace but still up in the air in my opinion. They’re too good of a team to be beating a brand new team in the league by only a single point. I’m a huge fan of the squad and hope that they make another championship run, but until they win against some established teams their status will still be a question mark.
8. AMJ Campbell
So far, a bit of a letdown. With all the promise of a top-tier Laval Rouge-et-Or QB, and some solid athletes listed on the preseason report, it seems like a lot of that has fallen through and they’ve basically scoured the free agent wall for replacements. Patrick Chenard is an incredible athlete and hall of famer, and M-A Viens is a lower division all-star, but there’s little else of substance on this roster (so far). Here’s hoping that they can make do and turn it into a successful season.
9. Darkside
Initially, I was more skeptical of this team than I am now. With the additions of familiar face Donald Shepherd and Karim Binette to the squad, Gino Di Fazio has an old safety outlet and a phenomenal two-way athlete to throw to as well. With both Kennedy and Haney on the squad, this team is a physical, gritty team that any opponent should fear on their roster. So long as Gino is careful about his deep passes and turnovers, this team can do some damage.
10. The Commission
With Sean Avraam playing QB for the Hustlers, The Commission have acquired a new top-tier QB in Leon Holder. Facing off against a loud and stifling defense, Holder had a difficult time but still showed some resiliency. The Commission have moved up and beefed up, following the loss of Avraam, but still have a competent and competitive squad. The question remains as to whether these new additions will fit the mold of The Commission.
11. Certified Flyguyz
The last time this core made the jump to Division B (as Patriotes) they had limited success but ultimately learned a lot. Now, moving forward with a solid Spartiates quarterback in Nicolas English, the Flyguyz are looking to learn and challenge themselves. While at the bottom of the power rankings currently, they have nowhere to go but up and will likely do so since they’ve already faced the perceived top dog.
Game Predictions
KGP Champs vs. Legends – I can see this one being exciting. These two teams have seen each other often and know each other well. The last time these two squads faced off, the Legends won it quite easily but I’m sure with the new roster re-vamp the Champs will have something to say about this one. I think the athleticism of the newfound KGP will be too much for the Legends to handle.
Prediction: KGP Champs
Rainmakers vs. Les Grosses Tetes Molles de Chernobyl – I’ve ranked the Rainmakers above LGTMDC, but I’m thinking that this one is going to be a little tougher to call. Tam Vilaydeth has been a thorn in the side of Ryan Kastner when rushing him, and Alexandre Gatien will prove to be an obstacle that Kastner has not seen before either. The Rainmakers have the deeper roster but I can see this one going to LGYMDC solely on the defensive cohesion that this team has.
Prediction: Les Grosses Tetes Molles de Chernobyl
Wolverines vs. Hustlers – These cores faced off in the previously mentioned Division B final when the Snookers took on the Trojans, so expect two teams to be running plays that they know will work against the opposition. Much like the last time it happened, I can see the Wolverines group effort and chemistry being the main reason that they will win this one.
Prediction: Wolverines
AMJ Campbell vs. #NR – A brand-new team against a savvy, ball-hawking and frustrating defense? Benoit Groulx is really going to have to play carefully and use his expertise to come up with great plays and make sure they take the lead and force #NR to play catch up. Because, judging by the roster comparison, it’s going to be a long night indeed if they don’t.
Prediction: #NR
Gladiateurs vs. The Commission – The Gladiateurs will be closer to a full roster with snapper Nicolas Guimier back, and will be looking to avenge their Week 1 loss and show that they’re still a contender. The Commission are a solid squad, but this is a nightmare matchup for a team with new pieces looking to develop chemistry. I get the impression that Francois Lebeau is going to analyze this squad and exploit the weaknesses all game.
Prediction: Gladiateurs
DA Finest vs. Roosters & Donkeys – It’s hard to make decisions like this. Because you don’t want to choose the Finest to win every week because it gets boring, but you also don’t want to be wrong every week. HOWEVER, I am of the opinion that if there’s going to be a loss on the schedule of the Finest, R&D are the ones who will do it. The Finest are kings of game planning and exploiting based on that, so they’re most vulnerable against teams they’re unfamiliar with. However, when in doubt, pick the Finest.
Prediction: DA Finest
Certified Flyguyz vs. Darkside – While I can see Certified Flyguyz learning and flourishing in Division B, this is going to be a nightmare for a learning QB and a team that has just moved up. The Flyguyz will have to ballhawk Gino Di Fazio and hope for some turnovers, because the physicality of Darkside will be really difficult for them to handle.
Prediction: Darkside
Alkaholiks vs. Usual Suspects – With both teams having (potentially) their full squads back after the tournament; this has for a potentially interesting game. These two rosters are very familiar with each other and will know what patterns work and what do not. At the end of the day, I’m going to have to go with the deeper roster however.
Prediction: Alkaholiks
Daron World Wide vs. One Night Stands – In my opinion, a possible preview of the finals. Two of the top dogs will be facing off this week, and it would definitely be a game of the week if the voting was this week. This one is definitely a toss-up, but I would say that I’m more likely to side with the athleticism that DWW possess, especially if it’s Colin Taylor rushing Paul Lapierre. ONS may have the experience advantage, but DWW have the numbers advantage.
Prediction: Daron World Wide
Well, that’s it for me for this week. Expect the articles to be out at the last possible minute on Wednesdays each week. The trade-off is that I’ll do my best to cover EVERY TEAM every week, and ensure that my articles are the longest and most content-filled on the site. If you’d like to contact me with more info about your team, send me a facebook message or hope that your email doesn’t get lost among the countless spam that my [email protected] email faces on a daily basis. Feel free to also follow me on twitter at @GMKOLE44 for live tweeted games and somewhat witty FPF anecdotes that can only be summarized in 140 characters or less.
Until then, see you on the turf.