Peeze’s Playbook (Div 5) – Playoffs Week 3

In the aftermath of the tragic events that took place during the Boston Marathon I felt it difficult to put pen to proverbial paper to write my article. In times like these I feel it ludicrous to talk about sports. How does one write about a recreational league when not 500 Kilometers from here people mourn the lost and care for their wounded loved ones?

It is in these times that I remind myself of the importance of sport and competition. It is in these moments where we see the darkest hearts of humanity that we need to remember the camaraderie that exists within us all. In ancient Greece, city-states would interrupt war to compete in the Olympics. In that way sports have always been the great distraction; they are a celebration of human spirit in the most trying of times. It is with great pleasure that I serve as your distraction this week. If in any way we, the pundits of FPF, can help take your mind off of these horrific events I am confident that I speak for all of us we will gladly do so.

I know that this is the part of my article where I ramble on with my idiosyncrasies and other such nonsense only to try desperately to it all into flag football. This week, it didn’t seem appropriate. Thank you all for reading. It makes what we do worthwhile.

Quraterfinal Recap: The Elite Eight

Goliath Wins!

In a match that pitted a heavy favorite against a team that had already knocked out two of the sort, Turf Toe Inc. would not be caught off guard. An early stop would set the pace as Pier Luc Beauregard was picked off by Kevin Lubin. Once TTI got the ball their offense marched the team down the field. They looked as effective as he has throughout the playoffs. In the end the interception was the difference as TTI was able to come away with the 37-30 victory.

Kingdom of Loss

Perhaps this game ended during Kingdom’s second possession of the game. Quarterback Brad Puklicz went down and he looked to be in a great deal of pain. Now that the doctors have had a chance to look at it, it has been confirmed that he tore his calf muscle. After the injury, Gobi Nadesh filled in admirably but could not pull off the win. Joey Taylor has been talked about all season about his command of the Two and a Half Dans offense. In this game, he and Foti Evangelista combined for 4 interceptions (2 each) on defense and the Dans dominated on both sides of the ball. When this one was over, Two and a Half Dans were declared victorious by a final score of 39-19.

First Down and Spring

The First Downers now look to prepare for the spring season after having been beaten by Les Maloudes by a final score of 27-14. The First Downers defense stepped up huge in the second half and allowed only 7 points. Unfortunately it was enough to match their own second half output. You won’t be able to win many games when you only score two touchdowns and this was one of those games.

Locking it Down

Television teaches us that the issue with alter-egos is that at some point the villain within will surface at the moment where we most need our heroic persona to shine (and we all know that television doesn’t lie). Meltdown Gian is the alter-ego that he has avoided all season long. During the playoffs we have seen him be Superman but against TCO, we saw only Mr.Hyde.

Ranaudo was unable to get the offense going against the very athletic and physical TCO defense. Three of his six interceptions were returned for touchdowns (2 by Rupcic and 1 by Hoyte-Charles). Ranaudo was seen having heated conversations with FPF veterans Zaf Fardellas and Geoffry Brown. TCO on the other hand played a very complete game and with the defense performing at such a high level Mathieu Bondoux controlled the pace and did what he needed to ensure that TCO would move on into the next round. TCO obliterated Lockdown by a final score of 38-9.

Semi-Final Recap: The Final Four

Sea of Red

Les Maloudes vs. TCO was a game that was billed as a game between two great sets of trash talkers. The worry is that this game would get out of hand. Unfortunately it did. Words were exchanged, (unfortunately) shoving ensued, UR’s were handed and all sorts of silliness proceeded. The game ended with an asinine quasi-brawl that lowered the IQ of anyone who was subjected to it. The shame here is that this was a great game between two teams and unfortunately more people will remember how it unraveled rather than it’s outcome.

Les Maloudes played this game a little close to the chest. Shawn Lafortune was able to use his intelligent play calling to negate the aggressive TCO man defense. Hitting quick outs in the flats and slants and drags over the middle allowed Les Maloudes to work there way into the redzone and this is where they proved to be the most effective. Ludwick Jananji, Lafortune’s primary redzone receiver caught two touchdown passes to lead the Maloudes to a 27-25 victory.

TCO played a hard fought game until the final whistle. The game ended with Mathieu Bondoux putting up a prayer that slipped through the fingers of a leaping Akeem Hoyte-Charles. In the end, it was TCO’s inability to convert after touchdowns told the tale. The season ended on somewhat of a sour note and with Brent Callender out of town for the spring what will become of TCO (Tomato Collectors Organization)?

No Heimlich Required

Despite his incredible success in FPF and the accolades he has earned, Kevin Lubin has never won a Flag Plus Football championship. Turf Toe Inc’s heartbreaking 34-31 loss against Two and a Half Dans marks another occasion where the veteran quarterback would come up just short. For many, it would appear that, with two opportunities to win it (albeit with the final chance coming on a final play, Hail Mary) that Lubin choked this game away. This could not be further from the truth.

The reality is that offensively, Kevin Lubin did everything he could. In fact he even struggled to keep his composure as he saw 3 extra point attempts dropped (which would have amounted to 4 points). Despite the team’s struggles when converting extra points on a late drive that ended in an interception, Kevin threw a perfect pass to Patrick St.Louis. The typically sure handed red zone threat misjudged a pass that was thrown to the back of the endzone. Just like that the amazing season played by TTI would come to an end.

For Two and a Half Dans, their tickets to Brossard have been punched and they get ready for the finals. The Dans game is not exciting. They move the beanbags continuously and Joey Taylor relies on the athleticism of his receivers to make big plays. Luckily they do this amazingly well. The Dans put TTI in positions that made them uncomfortable. They infuritated the defense by chewing up their zones and running and spinning through tackles like Tasmanian Devils working in bullet-time. The Dans have been up to the challenge every step of the way and ahead of them will be game with such an atmosphere that they have never experienced before. It will be interesting to see how the typically cool as cucumber Two and a Half Dans cope with the frenzy that is the FPF finals.

Bracket Breakdown

The Finals

Here it is, the battle for the big enchilada, all the marbles and every other sports cliché. Two brand new franchises face off against each other and between all the players in this game there is not one moment of FPF experience between them. Two and a Half Dans are a fun-loving, easygoing group that are a born and bred flag football team. Les Maloudes are high-strung, intense converted tackle players. Despite being quite different both of these teams share a common goal and one of them will leave Complex Bell adorning a championship t-shirt and holding the Division 5 trophy above their heads.

Keys to Success

Two and a Half Dans

Two and a Half Dans have always impressed me with their poise and composure. In that way you would never guess that these young, gifted athletes are concluding their, first yet magical season. That being said, they are a team that took me a little while to embrace. Their style of play is gritty rather than pretty (think Harrison Ford over Jason Priestly). What they do, they do well and that is a formula for success in FPF. Knowing their limitations, they have focused on their strengths (intelligence, team speed, chemistry) to be successful. In order for them to be successful in this game they will need to avoid engaging in verbal or physical altercations with Les Maloudes. As much as penalties and such would affect most teams it is compounded in this case because the Dans are only 6 players. With regards to the X’s and O’s the Dans will need to adjust to Les Maloudes as Lafortune will keep adapting his game to the defense in front of him. Speaking of which, keeping Lafortune in front of him will be a tough task for ‘Dirty’ Dan Lepore but it will be hugely important this Saturday. If they can move the ball well and force Shawn Lafortune to throw the ball in uncomfortable spots this game will turn in their favor.

Les Maloudes

I like Les Maloudes style. They are efficient and they know which players to get the ball to and in which spots. They truly play as a team. Players seem to gladly fill their roll and the only thing on their mind from the first to last whistle is victory. One said piece is Ludwick Jananji, who has been Lafortune’s go to player in the redzone all season long, will not be there as he will be serving the first half of his two game suspension. Guillaume St.Amand will need to fill in his shoes as he is an equally big, physical receiver. Snapper Dragann Mallette is a matchup nightmare for most teams and I expect his style of play to be difficult for the Two and a Half Dans to contend with. With the referees on high alert after the rowdy finish to the semi-final game last week Les Maloudes will need to be careful not to draw their ire and their flags. Defensively they are athletic and if they are able to undercut Taylor’s receivers and force him to have to throw deep they will be forcing the Dans to play a style of football where I do not think they an thrive.

Prediction: Two and a Half Dans by 9 points

Reflections Rants and Ravings

Ludwick Jananji received a two game suspension. If you throw a punch you don’t deserve to play…period.
I thought Will Hurst was deserving of a suspension as well. The dude is a gritty player but a fight always involves multiple parties.
If an elderly person consumes large quantities of Crystal Meth does it decay their dentures?
In the Division D finals last spring Norman Bellemare attempted to use his short pass attack and was shut down. How will this play out when both teams use this strategy.
Why would anyone trust me with live play-by-play?
Playing on back-to-back days yielded interesting results, some teams looked to be completely in stride, others looked like they needed a nap.
I’ve realized that I don’t like cakes. On a related note, I’m pretty sure that I only like cupcakes because they make me feel like a giant.

Weekly Wrap-Up

The finals will be played on Saturday April 20^th, 2013 at Complex Bell in Brossard. I invite everyone to join us, as this is truly one of the most festive events on the FPF calendar. Similar to last season, I will be in the broadcast booth during this one. Joining me this year in the play-by-play analysis of the game will be Daron Badmadjian. Simon Dagenais, GM Kolethras and Moe Khan will be fully engaged in their commitments to the roadshow. I need to rock a shirt and tie for this event so for those with fashion advice please note that you can contact me at [email protected] or tweet me @PeezeFPF.

In addition to this article and the live play-by-play please note that the end of the season press conferences will be released shortly. This year they are in Podcast form and will be available for your listening pleasure. This week Simon Dagenais and I interview Danny McFee of Two and a Half Dans and Dragann Mallette of Les Maloudes. Our musical theme is: Eagle took control of the music this week and thus should receive all complaints directly. See you at the Finals!