Playoff Preview: Wild Card Edition

After 11 long weeks, the regular season is in the rear-view mirror, and the “Real Season” is finally here.

 

 

To The Money Team, FBG, DGC, Cette Équipe Là, Sons of Mitches, and The Baker Boys, thank you guys for coming out this season. While it’s unfortunate you didn’t qualify for the post-season, you all definitely made some positive strides this year. With a little bit more time, and maybe the addition of a player or two, I have no doubt that you’ll be able to turn things around, and use this season as a learning experience, and a stepping stone for next season.

 

 

To the 24 teams that did make the dance, congrats. The road to the championship starts here, and as you can imagine, it only gets tougher and tougher from this point on.

 

 

Before I take a look at all the first round matchups, let’s take a quick look at what happened in Week 11…

 

 

Down goes the Mogadishu Pirates; Down goes the Mogadishu Pirates!!!!

 

 

After going 9-0, and on the verge of completing an undefeated regular season, the top team in Division 6, was handed their first loss of the year, and a wake up call, via a 51-14 beat-down by Pardon My Swag, Sunday night in Lachine.

 

 

Having the luxury of doing score-keeping for the game, I can honestly say that Pardon My Swag came to play. After using Jesse Racine as their Quarterback for the majority of the season, PMS, went with FPF Junior QB of the Year, and team MVP (Horned Frogs) Avery Lalla at the position.

 

 

The second year player, and current Chateauguay Raider, sliced and diced the Mogadishu Pirates defense with ease, as he went 15 of 21 for 166 yards, and a jaw-dropping 6 touchdowns. If it wasn’t for some drops from his receivers, he would have posted even better numbers.

 

 

For the Mogadishu Pirates, and the majority of the league, the loss was a shocker. It was fitting though, given that the team had to start the game short-handed due to the late arrival of a player, and they finished the game short-handed as well (more on that in a bit).

 

 

 

Things got worse for the Mogadishu Pirates, as they didn’t have any answers on how to stop the long ball. PMS Wide Receiver, and Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Khazaka, and the aforementioned Racine, repeatedly burned their opponents’ defense for big plays.

 

 

 

 

Frustration for the Pirates started to boil over, and came to a head, when Alex Lutfy, got kicked out for 5 plays after receiving an Objectionable Conduct penalty. Unhappy with the call, Lefty started chirping at the officials from the bench, and was given another OC, which resulted in him tossed from the game.

 

 

Going forward, this is a pivotal moment for both teams. For Pardon My Swag, the change in Quarterback obviously paid off. While Jesse Racine, is a capable QB, (he has had his moments this season) the move to Lalla, (which yours truly has been calling for for a while) was a smart one, as their offense looked unstoppable.

 

 

The 16 year-old spread the ball around to all of his receivers, and looked comfortable while doing so. Equally as important, Racine proved that he is also a solid receiver as well, as he put up a tam-high 5 receptions for 54 yards, and a touchdown. Needless to say, the third-year player showed he can still play an important role on that side of the ball.

 

 

For the Mogadishu Pirates, was the loss simply a one-off, or was it a sign of something bigger? In all honestly, the team looked shocked, confused, and totally out of sync, during and after the game. While they are still the team to beat in D6, beating them, seems a bit more easy than it appeared just a few days ago.

 

 

One Speed: Power, continues to not only make me look like a genius, for picking them as a playoff team before the season began, but they also continued to climb the standings, and maybe more important n=with their fifth win in a row, as they beat FBG 37-20.

 

 

For a team that struggled to do something as simple as complete a pass of more than 10 yards, the OSP offense moved the ball up and down the field. The key to their success on that side of the ball, was throwing drags, as well as in and out routes, that gave the team’s receivers like Daniel Bornstein, Yann Drouin, and Will Power, the opportunity to pick up yac yards.

 

 

All the short passes caused the FBG defense to start to cheat up, and Peeze made them pay, as he started to air the ball out, and take some deep shots. The passes weren’t pretty, but they were effective, as they moved the chains.

 

 

On defense, One Speed: Power, played fast (Sorry, I had to). Led by the aforementioned Bornstein, along with Jean-Sébastien Roussy, David Della Rocca, and Antonio D’Aversa aka Chapman, the squad made it tough for opposing QB to consistently sit in the pocket and make throws, as he was constantly pressured, and had a number of his passes batted down.

 

 

With the playoffs right at our doorstep, OSP is peaking at exactly the right time, and look like a team who is primed to cause an upset or two along the way.

 

 

In their most impressive game of the season, Blitz Babes, took care of business against the Farmers, as they beat their opponents 40-12.

 

 

The Blitz Babes, were powered by the lethal combination of QB Matthew Gottlieb, and WR Eric Vosko. The two players combined for 3 touchdowns on offense, and 4 interceptions, one of which was ran back to the house.

 

 

Although they had trouble defending post and seam routes, the defense still looked impressive, as they recorded 4 INTs, and Defensive Backs Zachary Gottlieb, Jonah Eisenberg, and Ariel Azoulay, came up with a number of big tackles.

 

 

Just a reminder that the top 12 teams make the playoffs, and the first 4 seeds receive a first round bye. Here are the Wild Card matchups:

 

 

 

Conference A

 

 

*Bye-Week:

 

 

Mogadishu Pirates

 

Goofy Goobers

 

Goon Squad

 

Savage Mode

 

 

(5) Sticknmovers vs (12) Rogue Squad – 10:30PM Field #2

 

Previous Meeting: Sticknmovers 27-8 (Week 4)

 

 

Despite dropping nearly 30 points on the Rogue Squad, Sticknmovers only completed passes to two receivers, in Stav Davidson and Ben Toulch, the latter of who scored two touchdowns. Where the 5 seed really hurt their opponents, is on the other side of the ball, where they picked off Quarterback Emilio Greco, five times.

 

High-lighting the defensive performance, was rookie Defensive Back Jon Werbitt, who had 3 INTs, including he ran back to the house.

 

 

Needless to say, the Rogue Squad will need to first and foremost protect the ball if they want to have any chance of coming out of tomorrow with the victory.

 

 

They will also need to find a way to generate more offense. In their last 5 games, the Rogue Squad has scored more than 2 TDs just once, and has been shut out twice during that span.

 

 

Simply put, while Rogue Squad do have players who are capable of moving the chains in Anthony Evangelista and Erik Ciaccia, Sticknmovers, are just too talented to lose here.

 

 

Prediction: Sticknmovers 28-12.

 

 

(6) Channel 4 News Team vs (11) Los Avocados – 9:30PM Field # 1

 

 

Previous Meeting: Los Avocados 21-18 (Week 8)

 

 

Los Avocados shocked a lot of people, especially yours truly, when they knocked off the Channel 4 News Team four weeks ago. LA Quarterback josh Vasquez, had arguably his best and most efficient game of the season, as he went 11 of 14 for 99 yards, 3 TDs and an INT.

 

 

Vasquez, and his team were aided by the presence of Thomas Zorko, who had a team-high 6 catches for 79 yards and 1 TD, in his first of 3 games played for Los Avocados.

 

 

Defensively, Rusher Samuel Damours, had a big game as he constantly pressured QB Gabriel Salonichios, and sacked him twice.

 

 

For the Channel 4 News Team, it wasn’t that they played a horrible game. They were able to move the ball at times, as QB Gabriel Salonichios, was able to connect on passes to seven different receivers, including rookie Aidan Strasser, who had a game-high 8 receptions for 60 yards and a score of his own.

 

 

The problem for Channel 4 News Team, was their inability to capitalize on their opportunities, as they weren’t able to convert any of their three conversion attempts. No matter what division you play in, extra points are important, and if you can’t punch them in, they come back to hunt you more often than not. Unfortunately, for the C4NT, that was the case.

 

 

On the other side of the ball, despite forcing only 3 incompletions, the defense still showed up, as they Vasquez to less than 10 yards a completion, recorded the game’s only interception, and were able to sack the pivot 4 times, including 3 by Justin Frankel.

 

 

Although they have momentum from their upset victory in the regular season, with the help of Thomas Zorko, I don’t see Los Avocados making it happen a second time, especially since Strasser, who is one of the nominees for Defensive Player of the Year, will now get to put his focus solely on Samuel Damours, instead of having to worry about another potentially game-breaking receiver.

 

 

Prediction: Channel 4 News Team 26-6

 

 

 

(7) Rolling Rock vs (10) Farmers 8:30PM Field # 1

 

 

 

Previous Meeting: Rolling 33-25 (Week 3)

 

 

One of the most experienced teams in Division 6, the Rolling Rock, who appear to be going through a transition year, as they have seemingly fallen short in almost every big game this season, will have to rely on some aforementioned experience, as they take on an athletic Farmers squad.

 

 

For the Rolling Rock to get win, they will need to emphasize a short passing game that gets the ball in the hands of Kevin St-Pierre and Michael Timmis early and often. Quarterback Stormin’ Normand Bellemare, will need to keep the Farmers’ defense honest, by making plays with his feet when the opportunity rises as well.

 

 

For the Farmers, we all know how dangerous Wide Receiver Marc-Antoine Jette can be, as the rookie WR has 13 TDs and nearly 500 yards. The main concern, is who else on the team will step it up to shoulder some of the load. For the team to win, they will need Maxime Potvin or Simon Viens to take their game to another level. Both players capable, let’s see if they will.

 

 

Another key for the Farmers, will be the play of Quarterback Benoit Robidoux. The first-year player had an ugly game in the regular season finale against the Blitz Babes Sunday night in Lachine, as he threw 5 interceptions. The majority of the offensive plays also revolved around him rolling out to either side, and chucking the ball. While it worked on a few occasions, that is definitely not a recipe for success, especially in the post-season.

 

 

Defensively, the team will need to create pressure on Bellemare, and force him to make off-balance throws, and hope that their ball-hawking defense led by Jette and Viens, can cause some turnovers.

 

Despite the off season from the Rolling Rock, I expect them to be able to get their act together long enough, to beat the Farmers.

 

 

Prediction: 33-12

 

 

(8) Dez Nuts vs (9) Broke Boys – 9:30PM Field # 2

 

 

Prediction: N/A

 

 

In the spirit of March Madness, this matchup feels like a legit matchup, where the differences between both teams is an extremely fine line.

 

 

Both teams closed out the second half of the regular season in less-than impressive fashion, with the Broke Boys last tasting a win all the way back in Week 6, via a 40-6 win over FBG.

 

 

Dez Nuts, haven’t been all that much better, as they have only won once in their last 5 games.

 

 

Despite each team backing into the post-season, I still think this will be an exciting game, due to the fact that both teams can score, and both have trouble stopping anybody.

 

 

Leading the Broke Boys as always, will be the dynamic duo of Quarterback Cameron Wilson and Wide Receiver Shamar Joassaint. The combo has teamed up for an incredible 17 TDs.

 

 

For Dez Nuts, besides trying to find a way to slow down Joassaint, they will need to get the ball into the hands of their explosive rookie playmaker in Jono Mandracchia. The first-year WR had 13 TDs of his own.

 

 

On the other side of the ball, both players led their teams in takeaways, with 5 INTs each.

 

 

The only “tie-breaker” I could find between both teams is sacks, as the Dez Nuts’ Dominic Mangione who has twelve for the season, has recorded at least one in 7 straight games, including a jaw-dropping 5 in his last 2 contests.

 

 

A consistent rush does wonders for a team, and I think that along with the over-all better play from Dez Nuts will be the difference.

 

 

Prediction: Dez Nuts 24-20.

 

 

 

 

Conference B

 

 

* Bye-Week

 

 

Greendale Human Beings

 

 

Warriors

 

 

Ravens

 

 

Super Troopers

 

 

(5) Blitz Babes vs (12) Bruins – 8:30 Field # 2

 

 

Previous Meeting: Blitz Babes 28-7 (Week 4)

 

 

In their previous meeting, Blitz Babes’ Quarterback Matthew Gottlieb, was the epitome of efficiency. Besides running for a touchdown, the second-year player would only complete 7 of 14 passes for 101 yards, but 3 of his completions went for touchdowns.

 

 

The beneficiary of those TD throws was fellow rookie and speedster Eric Vosko, who also had a game-high 89 yards.

 

 

The Blitz Babes’ defense, which has quietly been one of the best in D6, all year long, was stout once again, as they got an interception from Zack Campbell, three sacks from the athletic Noah Wiltzer, and shutout the Bruins the entire second half.

 

 

For the (3-7) Bruins, it will come down to their best players like Antoine Huynh, Jerry Waskiw, and Victor Terceira making plays, and make the Blitz Babes pay for any mistakes they make.

 

The Bruins will also need to keep the quick-strike Blitz Babes offense on the sideline. To do that, the B’s O, which averaged 22 points a game in the regular season, has to establish long drives, and Quarterback Nelson Pereira, who average nearly 10 yards a rush, will have to punish the double B defense with his legs.

 

 

The Blitz Babes pounded the Bruins all the way back in Week 4. They have gotten even better since then, as they have allowed 2 TDs or less in 6 games this season, including a season-high 3 straight contests. I see the trend continuing tonight.

 

 

Prediction Blitz Babes 31-13

 

 

(6) Pardon My Swag vs (11) The Spanish Inquisition – 10:30PM Field # 3

 

 

Previous Meeting: Pardon My Swag 39-19 (Week 3)

 

 

The regular season matchup was all Pardon My Swag, as they used a dominant 19 point second half to wipe out The Spanish Inquisition.

 

 

Jesse Racine had his best day as a passer, as he threw a regular season high 5 TDs.

 

 

Two-way threat Michael Khazaka, had another monster of a game, as he had a 40-yard TD, to go along with 3 interceptions, including a pick-6 on defense.

 

 

 

For The Spanish Inquisition, they will need their 3 best players, in the Buck Brothers (Chad and Jared) who combined for 16 TDs, and Rusher Benjamin Bourque, to dominate all game long.

 

 

They will also need a solid game from their defense, as they will need to contain the trio of Myles Keiller, Tim Racine, and the aforementioned Michael Khazaka.

 

 

That task will be made even tougher, if Pardon My Swag decides to go with the previously mentioned Lalla at Quarterback. As I said earlier, the youngster did not look out of place behind center, and more importantly, he along with Jesse Racine’s move to Wide Receiver, makes the team’s offense much more lethal.

 

 

As the panel and I said on the podcast last night, there’s no legitimate reason not to start Lalla at Quarterback. If I am The Spanish Inquisition, I would be planning to face the youngster at QB.

 

 

 

Pardon My Swag, has proven that they can handle The Spanish Inquisition already this year. While I expect the Buck brothers to put up numbers, I don’t think they have enough firepower to keep up with Pardon My Swag, especially if they go with their new QB.

 

 

Prediction: Pardon My Swag 45-28

 

 

 

(7) Smokin Axolotls vs (10) One Speed: Power (My pick for Game of the Week) – 8:30PM Field # 3

 

 

Previous Meeting: N/A

 

 

This is a solid matchup between One Speed: Power team who is playing their best football of the year, and a Smokin Axolotls squad, who is not only arguably doing the same, but is hungry to prove doubters wrong, and redeem themselves after just falling short of winning it all a season ago.

 

 

After losing their first 5 games of the season, and looking dead in the water, OSP, has reversed their fortunes, and won 5 straight games to propel themselves off the mat and into the post-season.

 

 

One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround, has been the play of their offense. After suffering numerous drops, and struggling to complete the deep ball earlier in the season, Peeze and his receivers have turned to the short passing game, to make plays, and score points. Making the move makes sense, given the speed of the team’s receivers, in Will Power, Lucas Blanchard, and Daniel Bornstein.

 

 

The team’s redzone offense has improved as, well as the team’s speed has made a perfect mix with their bigger receivers in Joseph James, and Yann Drouin, who use their size to create separation from defenders.

 

 

While they lack a true ball-hawk on defense, they have speed in Power, Bornstein, and Attard, along with smarts of the underrated Deeze, to keep them in games.

 

 

OSP, will need that speed and smarts, if they want to slow down the Smokin Axolotls offense, and in particular, the often over-looked Kevin Marcil (28 catches and 6 TDs), and of course, Wide Receiver Rory Semerjian. The WR of the year candidate, has been a stud for his team all year long, as he recorded a very impressive 16 touchdowns.

 

The key for the Smokin Axolotls, will ultimately come down to Quarterback Jordan Rossie. The FPF veteran has at times looked like a top 3 pivot. The team will need him to be that, to slow down One Speed: Power.

 

 

Doing so will be difficult, without the services of both Chris Brockwell and Martin Geary, who will both miss tonight’s contest. While the duo might not be blazers, they are important parts of the offense, who have good hands, and are reliable redzone targets.

 

 

On defense, the team lacks a legitimate rusher, so Rossie, along with Semerjian, will need to shot the passing lanes, and get their hands on some passes.

 

 

On the podcast last night, I went with the Smokin Axolotls. I REALLY want to stick with my prediction, but with the absence of the team’s top 2 Centers, plus the lack of a consistent pass rush (you need to get to Peeze to get him off rhythm, and force him to throw the deep ball) I don’t think Stef Fennes’ team will be able to get it done.

 

 

Prediction: One Speed: Power 21-20 (Upset Special #1)

 

 

(8) Victorious Secret vs (9) N.W.O – 9:30PM Field # 3

 

 

Previous Meeting: 12-12 Tie (Week 4)

 

 

This should be another really good matchup. Their first meeting was a defensive slug fest, that saw each side score only 1 TD per half.

 

 

The highlight of the game, was the performance of Pietro Mignacca (N.W.O) and Vince Pisano (Victorious Secret), who combined for 13 receptions, for 129 yards, and 2 TDs.

 

 

For Victorious Secret, the biggest question they need to answer, besides where has their offense disappeared to the last month, is will they be able to shut down the N.W.O offense for a second time in a row.

 

 

To do that, they will need their stout defense, led by Giovanni Bavota, Joe Marziliano, Robert Trombino, and superb Rusher Sammy Falletta, to bring their A game once again tonight.

 

 

On the other side, the N.W.O face a question that they haven’t been able to find the answer to for the last few seasons. That, of course is, do they have what it takes, to get to where they want to go?

 

 

There’s no doubt that the black and white have talent, it’s just that we’ve seen them crumble under the bright playoff lights time and time again.

 

 

To stop that from occurring yet again, Quarterback Michael Sanchez, will need to put his team on shoulders, and make plays. With the also reliable Michael Valmora, Samuel Lamothe, Anthony Di Staulo, and the game-breaking Pietro Mignacca, at his side, the task isn’t impossible.

 

 

Will the N.W.O be able to get past themselves, or will a Victorious Secret team, who after years of underwhelming play, has finally made it to the post-season, be able to make it another first, by winning their first playoff game? We’ll find out tonight at Stade Hebert.

 

 

Throughout the years, I have hitched my ride to the N.W.O, and I am going to do it again. While this year’s team was definitely underwhelming, the plus side, is that they don’t have the pressure of years past, due to the low expectations that many have of them.

 

 

Prediction: N.W.O 20-18. (Upset Special #2)

 

 

That’s it for this week guys. Enjoy the games tonight, I know I will, because they should be great. I apologize for not writing last week. A combination of technology and me constantly banging both my head, and throwing my tablet against the wall. After speaking to the main man Rob Campana, we both decided that putting out an article now,  made more sense than putting out something Sunday night for the sake of putting something out. I hope you enjoyed this one, I’ll be back on the regular schedule this week. Once again, my apologizes.  

 

 

The playoffs are FINALLY HERE! Good luck to all the teams tonight!

 

 

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt that I left something out, feel free to reach me at [email protected]