Intermediate Semi-Finals Preview

Four powerhouse teams have earned their spots in Monday’s semi-finals after a competitive regular season and thrilling quarter-final action. Les Giants, Still C.R.A., and Blue Dry all finished tied at 7-3-0, while Five Guys (6-4-0) punched their ticket with an explosive playoff victory.

How They Got Here

Les Giants (7-3-0) – Automatic Semi-Final Bye

Les Giants earned their semi-final berth by finishing first place in the regular season standings. With a +200 point differential (383 PF, 183 PA), they boasted the most explosive offense in the division while maintaining an elite defense. Led by quarterback Marc-Andre Reeves, who threw for 2,611 yards and 54 touchdowns with a 133.3 QB rating, Les Giants enter the playoffs as the most complete team in the division.

Key Regular Season Stats:

Marc-Andre Reeves: 183/258 (70.9%), 2,611 yards, 54 TDs, 6 INTs
Gab Couture: 49 receptions, 745 yards, 11 TDs
Marvin Renaud: 37 receptions, 460 yards, 12 TDs

Still C.R.A. (7-3-0) – Automatic Semi-Final Bye

Still C.R.A. matched Les Giants’ 7-3-0 record to earn their playoff bye. Despite having a lower point differential (+106), they showed remarkable consistency throughout the season. Quarterback Ryan Kharouf managed the offense efficiently with 1,611 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, while their receiving corps, led by Nirosh Suresh (42 receptions, 569 yards) and Alexandre Bachaalani (37 receptions, 438 yards), provided reliable targets.

Key Regular Season Stats:

Ryan Kharouf: 116/200 (58.0%), 1,611 yards, 30 TDs, 11 INTs
Nirosh Suresh: 42 receptions, 569 yards, 11 TDs

Bleue Dry (7-3-0) – Advanced via FC Bing Forfeit

Bleue Dry secured their semi-final spot when FC Bing forfeited their quarter-final matchup. Having finished the regular season at 7-3-0 with a +99 point differential, Bleue Dry enters the semi-finals well-rested but potentially lacking game rhythm. Their offense features multiple weapons, with Frederic Juneau (91 completions, 1,376 yards, 31 TDs) leading a diverse receiving corps.

Key Regular Season Stats:

Frederic Juneau: 91/141 (64.5%), 1,376 yards, 31 TDs, 8INTs
Yvan Desjardins: 32 receptions, 608 yards, 10 TDs

Five Guys (6-4-0) – Defeated Ambush 38-33

Five Guys earned their semi-final berth with a thrilling 38-33 quarter-final victory over Ambush on August 11th. After trailing the other three teams in regular season record, Five Guys proved they belong with an explosive playoff performance. Quarterback Jared Buck threw six touchdown passes (17/24, 216 yards), spreading the wealth among receivers James Nguyen (3 TDs), Mathieu Lepage, Ryan Vanslet, and Danny D’Amour.

Quarter-Final Performance:

Jared Buck: 17/24, 216 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs
James Nguyen: 7 receptions, 99 yards, 3 TDs
Dominated first half 26-15, held off second-half comeback (18-12)

Head-to-Head History: What the Regular Season Tells Us

Before diving into predictions, the regular season matchups between these four teams provide crucial insight into what we can expect in the semi-finals.

Still C.R.A. vs Blue Dry: Defensive Battle Expected

Regular Season Meeting: Still C.R.A. 20, Blue Dry 13 (Week 4, June 10th)

This was one of the lowest-scoring games involving either team, suggesting both defenses might have figured out ways to neutralize the other’s offense. Still C.R.A.’s seven-point victory came in a grinding, methodical game that may preview Monday’s semi-final style.

Les Giants vs Five Guys: Offensive Fireworks Ahead

Regular Season Meeting: Five Guys 47, Les Giants 38 (Week 7, July 3rd)

This 85-point thriller was one of the highest-scoring games of the regular season for both teams. Five Guys proved they could go toe-to-toe with the division’s most explosive offense, with the game likely decided by big plays and momentum swings. Expect another shootout in their semi-final.

Cross-Matchup Analysis:

Les Giants vs Blue Dry (Split 1-1):

Week 7: Les Giants 38, Blue Dry 18
Week 8: Blue Dry 21, Les Giants 14

Blue Dry vs Five Guys (Blue Dry swept 2-0):

Week 1: Blue Dry 50, Five Guys 30
Week 3: Blue Dry 34, Five Guys 18

Blue Dry’s perfect record against Five Guys and split with Les Giants suggests they may have been the most underrated team in the regular season, making their semi-final path potentially easier than expected.

Semi-Final Matchups – Monday, August 18th

Game 1: Still C.R.A. vs Bleue Dry (8:30 PM, Complexe Marie-Victorin)

This matchup features two teams that finished with identical 7-3-0 records.

Still C.R.A. Strengths:

Consistent offensive execution under Ryan Kharouf
Multiple reliable targets
Great defense

Bluee Dry Strengths:

Elite receiving duo in Desjardins and Cossette
Strong defensive play led by Didier Brisebois

Prediction: Still C.R.A. 31, Bleue Dry 24 Still C.R.A.’s game takes the win as Ryan Kharouf will be near perfect.

Game 2: Les Giants vs Five Guys (9:30 PM, Complexe Marie-Victorin)

This clash features the division’s top offense (Les Giants) against the hottest team entering the playoffs (Five Guys). Les Giants dominated the regular season with explosive offensive numbers, while Five Guys showed their ceiling in the quarter-final thriller against Ambush.

Les Giants Strengths:

Marc-Andre Reeves’ elite quarterback play (133.3 rating)
Explosive receiving corps led by Gab Couture and Marvin Renaud
Best point differential in division (+200)

Five Guys Strengths:

Jared Buck’s clutch playoff performance (6 TDs vs Ambush)
Mathieu Lepage’s big-play ability (88 receptions, 1,413 yards in regular season)
Momentum from thrilling quarter-final victory

Prediction: Les Giants 35, Five Guys 28 While Five Guys showed their explosive potential in the quarter-finals, Les Giants’ and Marc-Andre Reeves’ elite play should prevail in a high-scoring affair.

Championship Preview

Based on these predictions, we project a Still C.R.A. vs Les Giants championship game – a fitting finale between two teams that tied for the best regular season record. Both teams feature strong quarterback play and great offenses, setting up what should be an epic title game to crown the Intermediate Division champion.

The stage is set for an exciting Monday night of semi-final action at Complexe Marie-Victorin, with championship dreams on the line for all four remaining teams.