Inside the Red Zone (Div 3) – Playoffs Week 3

And then there were two! We have our Division 3 finalists and they are DK (Conference A) and Served With Ice (Conference B). It has been a tough journey for both of these teams but all that matters is that they made it to the biggest stage of the season.

 

Let’s take a brief look at their paths to the big dance. In Conference A, DK (12-1) defeated the following teams: Le Loft, D-Boys and Dirty Birds. They’ve outscored their opponents by a score of 107-57. They have defeated two teams that went 10-0 in the regular season. Their latest win came against a Dirty Birds team who scored 106 points in the first two rounds of the playoffs but only managed 6 points against DK. Rochdi Benabdelkader, through three games, has 620 passing yards and 14 TDs. The team is firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball and are definitely the team to beat.

 

In Conference B, Served With Ice (8-3-2) beat the Rude Bwoys, Saindlot Saints and B.D. Bandits who were the top three seeds in the conference. The most impressive part of their three victories is scoring 39 points against a stingy B.D. Bandit’s defense in the conference finals. Jordan Panetta has passed for 615 yards and 16 TDs with 0 INTs and has the best QB rating in the Division 3 playoffs. If anyone was to tell me at the beginning of the playoffs that Served With Ice would be in the finals, I would have strongly disagreed. As a matter of fact, I had the same opinion last week.

 

It’s funny that I have picked DK to win every game and Served With Ice to lose every game in the playoffs; they are both in the finals and that brings my playoff record to 9-5. There is only prediction remaining so without any further delay, it’s time to break down the finals.

 

2013 Winter Division 3 Playoffs: Finals

(3) DK vs. (6)

Head-to-Head: None

 

Quarterbacks

 

Rochdi Benabdelkader himself has admitted that he doesn’t have the strongest arm however we know that his football smarts always made him victorious. As a pivot, he knows how to dissect a defense and make the necessary plays to put up a lot of points on opposing defenses.  That said, DK has scored 50+ points in four games this season (including playoffs) and Rochdi’s offensive skills are a big part of that .It is also Rochdi’s first shot at a championship as a staring QB. Already a Hall Of Famer as a receiver and defensive back, his resume gets more impressive with each passing season.

 

Jordan Panetta has a strong arm and athletic abilities. As I mentioned earlier, he has 16 passing TDs with no INTs through three playoff games. He has rushed for 49 yards and 2 TDs. He has the highest QB rating amongst QBs who have played at least 2 games in the playoffs, including his adversary from DK. He is averaging 10 yards per completion which is basically a first down on every throw. He’s definitely underrated but should not be overlooked, especially not at this point in time. I believe he’ll have another strong performance this week especially since it’s the last game of the season.

 

Advantage: Jordan Panetta

 

Receivers

 

DK’s receivers need no introduction but let’s give them one anyway. I’ll start with the Pilon Brothers who have developed great chemistry with their QB through the season and the playoffs. They have speed, strength and can be called on to make a big play. Next, we have Treldon James who brings size and speed, Enrico Pierre who brings experience and good hands. Let’s not forget G.M. Kolethras who improved as a receiver under Rochdi’ tutelage and is contributing to his team’s success.

 

Served With Ice has a three headed monster when it comes to their receiving core. First, we have the bold, daring and outspoken Pascal Tshilambo who is definitely gifted athletically and has matured as a receiver over the years. Next, we have Jean-Daniel Chevalier who has played in higher divisions in previous seasons so he brings that to the table. Moving on, Kark Lavallee had a great regular season but not the best playoffs yet he is still a threat. Last, we have Eric Arsenault who is a deceptive receiver but don’t underestimate him because he’ll burn you every time.

 

Advantage: DK

 

Defense

 

It’s no secret that DK’s defense can be lights out. Just look at what they did to the Dirty Birds last week. They limited Daniele Gentile to less than 50% completion and 1 TD, and shut out the offense in the second half. It again boils down to Rochdi’s ability to run the defense and calling the right plays for proper coverage. It does help having a solid rushing attack and aggressive DBs.  DK’s defense has the following stat line in the playoffs: 6 INTs, 3 sacks and 2 Pick Sixes.

 

 

Served With Ice has a defense that might not stifle teams but can make the necessary plays when needed. So far they’ve been able to win against three solid QBs: Domenic Tosi, Dallon Kuprowski and Scott Kelly. They might not have the fastest rusher but they have playmakers in the backfield that can come up big at any moment. Don’t forget that in our league, if your offense can score 40 points and engineer a defensive stop or two, you will win on most nights. Served With Ice have the ability to accomplish that.

 

Advantage: DK

 

Key Match Up

 

Jordan Panetta vs. DK’s Defense

 

Remember I said last week that Jordan Panetta hadn’t faced a defense like the B.D. Bandits? Well it didn’t seem to matter because he passed for 4 and ran for 2 TDs. He had no interceptions, no sacks and 218 passing yards. He is playing a great all around game and will pose problems for Rochdi’s defense. He’ll need to keep it unpredictable otherwise DK is smart enough to adjust and making his reads tougher.

 

Unsung Heroes

 

G.M. Kolethras

 

He has come a long way. Two years ago, he was a rusher for his Division 3 championship team The Darkhorses. Now he is a receiver for DK and is making the plays when necessary (had a big conversion against the Dirty Birds, and game-changing TD vs D-Boys). He will continue to be a thorn for the opponents.

 

Derek Zackard

 

His name doesn’t come up a lot when we discuss the receiving group of Served With Ice however he has 7 catches for 73 yards and 2 TDs in the playoffs. It’s his first season in FPF and he is doing his part so far.

 

X-Factor

 

Treldon James

 

He has one finals appearance in 2009 Spring Division C season with Chaos. Although he came up short, he gets another chance to get his first championship this season. He is very talented and can do it all on offense and defense. He should have a big game.

 

Jean-Daniel Chevalier

 

He will be called upon by Served With Ice to do some damage. He has enough football experience to play a big role in the biggest game of the season. He’ll also need to be the leader for his team.

 

Analysis

 

Rochdi Benabdelkader will need to do his thing because it has worked in the past. Rochdi has never lost in the finals which is an impressive accomplishment. The whole team has only lost one game all season and that loss was avenged in the playoffs. On the other hand, this is Served With Ice first appearance in the finals however the way they’ve disposed of the top three teams in conference B, you’d think they’re a veteran team.

 

In a position by position match up, DK has the advantage except for the pivot. DK are well managed and well “coached”. However Served With Ice are resilient and don’t let anything phase them including playing against a heavy favorite.

 

Prediction

 

As I said before, that DK are 3-0 when I picked them to win and Served With Ice are 3-0 when I picked them to lose. I feel more confident about Served With Ice’ chances to win now than I have all playoffs long. This is a David vs. Goliath match up so who will come out on top? I’ll reveal my pick during the Road Show so make sure you watch it to find out. For those loyal readers (all five of you), you already know my pick for the finals since you’ve read my columns all season long.

 

That’s it for this week’s edition, the second last one, of Inside The Red Zone. Don’t forget that next is the last edition so that means STAR-AWARDS winners will be announced and I’ll have a recap of all the thirty teams. Please come out and watch the finals Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Bell Complexe in Brossard, Quebec. Till then, enjoy the finals and stay classy Division 3!