Points Bonanza, And A Disappearing Act

Welcome to week 9 of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season.

Thankfully here at FPF, we use basic non-electric scoreboards. If we decided to get fancy, and go the bright lights route, I think our Founder and President Rob Campana, would have had to spring for a free extra lightbulbs, after the offensive explosion that we witnessed in Week 8.

Five teams cracked the 50 point marker, with the Cougars (48), and Blue Chips (45) almost hitting the half century mark as well.

Those however, weren’t the most impressive numbers put up in Week 8, as The Alpha-T’s, came within a hair of hitting 70 points (69), and the Jaguars did the same with 60 (59).

The free fall for the Junkyard Dogs continues, as they lost their third straight game, this time to Lightweight (31-20), last Sunday in Lachine.

As little as three weeks ago, JYD, were among the top three teams in Conference A. Currently, less than a month later, they find themselves in the tenth spot.

On the outside looking in, it appears like this team is incapable of putting together an entire game on both sides of the ball during their slump.
In their (40-14) Week 6 to South Harmon Institute of Technology, the JYD offense was practically non-existent, and would go on to get shutout in the second half.

Sunday night in Lachine, while they did get a bit more offense, JYD Quarterback Jason Rossie, would struggle mightily, as he threw three interceptions, and completed just 36% of his passes, while finishing with a QB Rating of 44.6, both season lows.

As I have said throughout the season, this team is way too talented. As we’ve seen time and time again however, talent only gets you so far.

The step in the right direction, starts Wednesday night, with a game against KGP. This game is huge for both squads, as they both sit with 6 points each. While this may be a little early to say, the loser of the matchup will have a hard time getting into the playoffs.

Speaking of struggling teams, what’s going on with Trinity?

After solid wins over the Junkyard Dogs, KGP, and Blue Chips, Trinity, has lost two in a row. While a mini slide isn’t exactly a reason to say the sky is falling, the fact that they have gotten blown out, a lost by a combined 49 points is.

Despite having former All-Star Marc-André Lapointe, underrated Rusher Benjamin Dansereau-Leclerc, and a ton of speed on defense, throughout the years, Trinity’s calling card has been their offense.

Unfortunately for Jean-Félix Marquis’ squad, that side of the ball has been struggling during the slide, as they have averaged less than 13 points a game (12.5).

The gunslinger QB, has also thrown interceptions in the last two games, including 3 last against the Cougars, and former teammate AJ Gomes.
Up next is a game against Martine et le flag, tonight in Brossard. Can Trinity get back on track?

The Alpha-T’s versus The Crew game looks like a must-watch. Both teams are fast, aggressive, and they can score at will.

Both teams are also battling for first place in the Conference B West Division.

For The Alpha-T’s, they will be looking to continue on their path to perfection.

For The Crew, after losing 3 straight, they need a win, to not only try to keep pace with TAT’s, but they need to separate themselves from The Commission, and South Harmon Institute of Technology, who are battling it out for the last playoff spot in Conference B.

 

Lightweight versus The BrotherHood or as I like to call, it the Jamal Gittens Bowl, should be a good showdown, as it features a pair of teams who have won their last two contests, and appear to be playing their best football of the season, at exactly the right time.

Speaking of the former All-Star Wide Receiver, and favorite target of Lightweight Quarterback Simon Dagenais, who on Lightweight, will cover him? Will it be Hendrick Ambroise, Justin Blanchard, or Cory Kennedy?

Matchups

Jason Prince (The Magicians) versus Jamal Henry (Olympia Performance)

One team’s best defender, against another squad’s best receiver.  Both players are legit playmakers, who more often than not, hold their team’s fate in his hands.

 

The Magicians’ playoff hopes are slipping away, while this is most likely the Olympia Performance best chance to get a win this season. Who will step up and make a play?

 

Joel Malkin (The Commission) versus Dave Chitayat (Dirty Dawgs)

Two great Wide Receivers, who throughout the course of their careers, have made big play after big play, for whatever team they play on.

Both game-changers will be on the same field tomorrow night at Stade Hebert, when The Commission, take on the Dirty Dawgs.

The last time these two teams squared off was last spring, (Malkin wasn’t on TC), it was an exciting game that went down to the wire, with TC winning it (26-19), after getting a 4th down redzone stop on the game’s final play.

The Dirty Dawgs, come into the contest winners of five straight, and are right on the heels of The Alpha-T’s, for the best record in Division 3.

The Commission, coming off of a tough (32-25) to the South Harmon Institute of Technology, need a win to keep in the playoff race.

AJ Gomes (Cougars) versus (Les Maloudes)

The All-Star, is coming off of a phenomenal performance, as he recorded three touchdowns, and two interceptions last week versus Trinity, in a win that catapulted them into the eighth and final playoff spot in Conference A.

The Cougars, will need another performance like that out of Gomes, if they want to knock off a Les Maloudes squad, that has won seven straight.

 

Elite 8

The Alpha-T’s

Dirty Dawgs

Les Maloudes

 

Les Studs

South Harmon Institute of Technology

The BrotherHood

Lightweight

Martine et le flag

 

Picks

Martine et le flag vs Trinity – Trinity

Big Ballers vs Jaguars – Jaguars

Sweat & Beers vs Top Sauce – Sweat & Beers

Lightweight vs The BrotherHood – Lightweight (Upset Special #1)

Olympia Performance vs The Magicians- Olympia Performance (Upset Special #2)

Dirty Dawgs vs The Commission- N/A

TOPSZN vs Freshmen- Freshmen (Upset Special #3)

LGM vs Les Studs – Les Studs

South Harmon Institute of Technology vs BearSkins- South Harmon Institute of Technology (My pick for Game Of The Week)

The Alpha-T’s vs The Crew – The Alpha-T’s

Scored your GF vs Blue Chips – Blue Chips

Les Maloudes vs Cougars – Cougars (Upset Special #4)

Junkyard Dogs vs KGP – KGP

Last Week: (5-6)

Season: (56-31)

 

That’s it for this week. Next time out, I will give you my annual Contenders, Pretenders, and We’re Not Sure Yet article. Where will your land?
Good luck to everybody in their games.

Cheers.

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left so nothing out, feel free to reach me at [email protected] or on Twitter @BADNEWSB51