Highlights from Co-ed and Women’s Division Kicks Off

While most of the games in week 3 played out as I predicted, the outcome of the game between It’s a Match and Dream Crushers was surprising. It’s a Match were off to a great start this season. They were 2-0 and dreaming of championships. Those dreams were crushed this week when they lost 45-6 to Dream Crushers. The key to Dream Crushers’ success was their robust defence. Over the first two weeks, It’s a Match’s quarterback Alexis Labonté had passed for 400 yards. Dream Crushers held Labonté to just 30 passing yards. They even picked Labonté off three times. Up until now, I had never really given Dream Crusher’s defence much credit but after this showing in week 3, their defence has to be considered one of the best in the division. Dream Crushers also made a key change at their quarterback position. Mikael Arseneau was under center in week 3 and he led his team to victory with a near perfect game. He passed for 140 yards and four touchdowns. Most importantly, he did not turn the ball over once. He also ran for 50 yards and scored two touchdowns. I think the key to Arseneau’s success was his ability to spread the ball. All of Dream Crusher’s receivers had at least two catches and none had more than three. Arseneau spread the ball so well that It’s a Match was forced to pay equal attention to all of Dream Crusher’s receivers.

Rhinos also gave a scare to Kiss My End Zone. Kiss My End Zone were brimming with confidence after a 2-0 start to the season. However, they were without their starting quarterback Joshua Vazquez for this game and backup Jonathan Hared just barely managed to lead his team to victory. While Hared may not be the most talented passer, he makes up for that with his running ability. Hared rushed five times for 104 yards. Rhinos were in this game until the very end. Their biggest play of the game was a 40-yard touchdown pass to Simon Frappier. Rhinos other touchdown pass came courtesy of a five yard catch courtesy of Valentin Lamoulie. Rhinos have a talented corps of players. With a bit more experience in co-ed, they should be able to compete with any team in co-ed 2.

In the women’s division, I had predicted  a victory for Team Texas over District. I was surprised and impressed when District won. To be perfectly honest, I knew very little about District while I recognized most of the players on Team Texas. When these two teams showed up, I was confident in my prediction. Texas took to the field in matching team Canada jerseys while District showed up wearing generic black jerseys. Well, now I know not to judge a team by their jerseys. District took the game to Team Texas and went on to win this one 33-19. District quarterback Sandrine Gobeil-Huot tore apart the opposing defence. She completed over 60% of her passes on her way to passing for 209 yards and 5 TDs. The only blemish on her record were the two interceptions she threw. The leading receiver for District was the speedy Jasmine Bethelemy. She had a fantastic game with seven catches for 82 yards. Three of those catches were for touchdowns. As for Team Texas, I am sure they will rebound quickly from this loss. This team has spent the past few weeks at tournaments and I’m sure they’re exhausted. A bit of rest should go a long way for this team. I am sure they will get on the winning track very soon.

 

Week 3 Game of the Week:

Co-ed 2

A-Town (14) vs La Secte (19): Before the season started, I had no clue what to expect from La Secte. I did not recognize any of the players on their roster. Three games into the season, I don’t know much more about their players. However, they proved with their week 3 win that they are an up and coming force in the division. This team’s first two games were against ATH Squad and Yin & Yang. That is a very difficult start to the season, especially for a new team. After two weeks of bitter losses, La Secte won their first game of the season this week with a 19-14 victory over A-Town.

La Secte quarterback Alyson Francillon did just enough to secure her team’s first win. She completed over 50% of her passes on her way to passing for 145 yards and three scores. She added to that total with three rushes for 20 yards. The only blemish on Francillon’s record were the three interceptions she threw. While those interceptions did not cost La Secte the game, throwing three interceptions often leads to a loss. When Francillon was looking for a big play, she turned to Olivier Janini. He had a fantastic game with three receptions for 70 yards and a score. When Francillon wasn’t looking for the deep ball, her favorite target was Laurie Ethier. Ethier led the team in receptions with four. On the defensive side of things, La Secte did a great job of slowing down A-Town. A-Town has some extremely talented receivers and holding them to only two touchdowns is an impressive accomplishment. La Secte’s defence also managed to pick A-Town off twice.

To give A-Town credit, they were able to move the ball. They tallied nearly as many yards as their opponents but they had two issues in this game. The first was not being able to punch the ball in from short yardage situations. The second issue that A-Town faced was interceptions. They turned the ball over twice and their opponent made them pay. Despite the interceptions it is obvious that A-Town have a talented quarterback in Emmanuelle Bronsard. While Bronsard is still learning how to adapt to FPF, she has all the arm talent needed to succeed. When you couple her skills with the athletic receivers that A-Town has, you realize the potential that this team has. One of those talented receivers is Djomax Mukuna. He once again had a fantastic game in week 3 with four receptions for 53 yards and two scores. On the defensive side of the ball, A-Town picked off their opponents three times. Clearly, this team has all the talent needed  to win. 

 

Week 3 Team of the Week:

Each week I will choose the top performers from co-ed to create the team of the week. There will always be two girls on offence and two girls on defence. If you are on the offensive team of the week, you cannot be on the defensive one.

Offence:

Quarterback: Jean-Christophe Morin-Phaneuf (Midtown) 16 completions, 296 passing yards, 8 TDs, 137.4 QB rating

Receiver: Olivier Jannini (La Secte) 3 receptions, 69 receiving yards, 1 TD

Receiver: Marie-Esther Chabot (Party Mix) 6 receptions, 49 receiving yards, 1 TD

Receiver: Jonathan Bardo (Yin & Yang) 5 receptions, 43 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Receiver: Marilou Beland (Power Rangers) 5 receptions, 37 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Receiver: Phillip Enchill (Midtown) 5 receptions, 97 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Defence:

Rusher: Hugo Lacroix (Dream Crushers) 2 sacks

Defensive Back: Alyson Francillon (La Secte) 6 tackles

Defensive Back: AJ Gomes (3rd Down for What) 5 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PDs

Defensive Back: Matthew Peacock (Yin & Yang) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PDs, 1 defensive TD

Defensive Back: Wade Jr. Shallcross (Power Rangers) 2 INTs, 1 sack, 1 PD

Defensive Back: Rachelle Vallieres (Yin & Yang) 5 tackles, 1 PD

 

Week 4 Predictions:

Co-ed 1

3 Hunnas (0-3) vs Michael Scott’s Tots (0-3): I am starting to doubt whether 3 Hunnas will win a single game this season. On the other hand, Michael Scott’s Tots are showing signs of improvement. They are an experienced team that knows how to win.

Prediction: Michael Scott’s Tots

Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (1-2) vs Midtown (2-1): Midtown scored over 50 points last week. Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce has consistently struggled to slow down opposing teams. I do not see them being able to slow down Midtown’s explosive offence.

Prediction: Midtown

3rd Down for What (3-0) vs Party Mix (2-0-1): Both of these teams have been on a tear this season. 3rd Down for What appear to have bounced back from a disappointing spring season. Party Mix appear to have regained their form of old. This should be a fantastic battle between two of the division’s oldest teams. Ultimately, I think 3rd Down for What have added a few key players to this roster and that will give them the edge.

Prediction: 3rd Down for What

Power Rangers (2-1) vs Speed Academy (1-1-1): These might be the two most athletic teams in the division. Speed Academy has surprised many over the first few weeks. Emile Plante has already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the division. However, Power Rangers are just as athletic, and they have the experience to outsmart Speed Academy.

Prediction: Power Rangers

Co-ed 2

It’s a Match (2-1) vs ATH Squad (3-0):  It’s a Match had a fantastic start to the season. They scored at will in their first two games. I did not expect them to be beaten by Dream Crushers. On the other hand, the ATH squad boasts the best record in the division and has a +57 points differential. If you had asked me to predict this game a week ago, I would have probably chosen It’s a Match.

Prediction: ATH Squad

Kiss My End Zone (3-0) vs A-Town (1-2): Kiss My End Zone struggled in week 3 without their quarterback. Hopefully they will have Joshua Vazquez back. As for A-Town, they have all the talent to succeed. They just need to learn how to fully exploit their talent.

Prediction: Kiss My End Zone

Yin & Yang (2-1) vs Tigers (0-3): Ever since their opening week loss, Yin & Yang have been playing fantastic football. Tigers have been improving. They went score for score with ATH Squad in the first half of their last game. Despite Tiger’s improvements, I do not think they will be able to rival Y&Y.

Prediction: Yin & Yang

Rhinos (1-2) vs Js (0-3): Rhinos came very close to beating Kiss My End Zone last week. Despite their 1-2 record, this is a very strong team. They have speedy receivers to stretch the field and a defence than create turnovers.

Prediction: Rhinos

Dream Crushers (2-1) vs La Secte (1-2): Dream Crushers stunned all of co-ed by beating It’s a Match. While La Secte are an up and coming team, they do not yet have a signature win under their belt.

Prediction: Dream Crushers

Women’s

Spartiates (1-0) vs Ahunstic (0-1): I knew nothing about Spartiates before last Monday. Their roster was only entered a few hours before the game. They impressed in week 1 with a 21-0 win. On the other hand, Ahunstic was not able to score once in their first game.

Prediction: Spartiates

Fleur de Lys (1-0) vs District (1-0): Both of these teams impressed in week 1. Fleur de Lys played a perfect game and went on to win 27-0. Team District startled many by upsetting Team Texas. If week one taught me anything, it was to never bet against District.

Prediction: District

Team Texas (0-1) vs The Rookies (0-1): After a disappointing loss in week 1, I am sure that Team Texas will be looking for revenge in week 2. Luckily for Team Texas, the Rookies are an easy team to bounce back against.

Prediction: Team Texas

 

I hope you all enjoyed your week 3 article! As always, let me know at [email protected] if you have feedback.

 

Best of luck to all the teams in week 4.