Second Half Drama; Playoff Races Heat Up – FlagPlus Football League

Welcome to Week 6 of the FlagPlus Football Winter Season. We are officially in the second half of the season, and with it, comes the clear definition of who teams really are, where they start to fit in the pecking order. More importantly, this time of year, sees the beginning of the playoff race, which shows who not only who has what it takes to not just qualify for the dance, but the importance of seeding and matchups comes to the forefront as well.

Less than a week since my annual Mid-Season Report came out, I have received a lot of positive feedback from both players and staff throughout the league.

For those who are unhappy, as I said in the article, feel free to prove me wrong. I encourage you to, and if you do, I will be the first one to admit it. You have the rest of the regular season, and playoffs to do so. You’re now on the clock…

This past week, we had a shake-up at the top of the Division 4A standings, as The Commission, pulled off the upset, and beat the 69ers, (46-32) last Saturday in Brossard.

As I mentioned briefly in last week’s article, the game featured a late start for TC, which gave 13 points to the 69ers, numerous big plays, a ton of trash-talking, and even a little pushing and shoving at the end.

Coming out of the game, a few questions must be asked. Namely, was this just a bad game for the 69ers, as their Defensive Back Rico Tulino, suggested to me in the game’s dying minutes, or was this the first sign of bigger problems for the team many predicted, would be making a trip to the Division 4A Finals?

For The Commission, this was a big win, and a statement to the rest of 4A, that are still a force to be reckoned with. This team must keep in mind however, that FPF championships aren’t won in February, so as solid as the victory was, they can’t get ahead of themselves, because TC, still haven’t accomplished anything in the bigger picture.

After getting blown-out by The Commission in Week 4, Up & Coming, has looked impressive over the last 2 weeks, as they have gotten victories over the Warhawks, and Brocassion. The key to the team’s winning streak, has been the play of their defense, and the numbers put up by Quarterback Travis Moses.

After playing what could best be described as up and down football the opening month of the season, Moses, has rebounded over the last two weeks, as he has thrown for 428 yards, to go along with 10 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions.

On the other side of the ball, the veteran squad has at times, played suffocating defense, that has led to them to generating sacks, and turnovers. If both sides can continue their stellar play going forward, I will be forced to take Up & Coming off the Pretenders list.

Speaking of veteran squads, last week I talked about Gotham (a great show btw), as a team, whose struggle to win close games, was a major reason why they remain in the winless column. To their credit, Chris Rivest’s crew plays hard, from the first whistle till the last. They deserve a better fate than what they have received so far.

Things have a way of balancing themselves out, and with a team this talented, who has played in four games that have been decided by a touchdown or less so far, the chances are high, that Gotham, will see get a favourable bounce or two, that will finally help them get their first win of the season.

As the late great Gorilla Monsoon (if you don’t know who he is, shame on you, and look him up) would say “Close, but no cigar”, LOB, is another team who has come agonizingly close to grabbing their first win of the year, but fell short yet again. Their latest loss came Wednesday night, against the Jaguars (33-27). The heart-breaking defeat, on Valentine’s Day no less, dropped LOB, to an (0-6) record on the season.

All hope for Lonnie Johnson, and his squad, is not yet lost, as they are still only two games back of the eighth and final playoff spot in Conference B, that is currently being held by The Tide, who aren’t exactly playing their best football right now, as they are on a two-game losing streak. As fate would have it, these two teams square off in Week 8, in a huge game at Kirkland.

Speaking of that 8th and final playoff spot in Conference B that is currently held by The Tide, they are clinging to it by a fingernail, as they are tied points-wise with the Backyard Bullies, with 4 points apiece. The tie-breaker goes to The Tide, due to their superior Conference record (2-3) to (1-3).

To make matters even more interesting, Show Me Your TDs, who sit only one game back of The Tide, and Backyard Bullies, take on The Tide, tonight at Loyola.

It is only Week 6, but as I mentioned at the top, the race for the post-season has officially begun.

In Division 4B, the race for playoff positioning is just as hot.

In the Conference A East Division, the Vikings, are one game behind fourth-place LV. Unfortunately for the Vikes, they will need to finish with a better record than LV, as they lost to them (45-36) in Week 1.

With games against Norfolk In Chance, A-Squad, Le Red Tiger, and Tone It Down, the road is tough, for the Vikings, but not impossible.
The 39 cent wings, and Tone it Down, are right behind LV, and the Vikings, as they are both one game back. Needless to say, the plot thinkens.

In Conference B, the race for the final playoff spots are even tighter, as noname©, Small Giants, Les Studs, and the Mean Machines, are all tied at 6 points apiece.

Thanks to their (36-25) Week 2 victory over noname©, the Small Giants hold the tie-breaker.

Although there is still 4 weeks left in the season, it is clear that the Small Giants, have the better chance of grabbing the final spot, not only cause of their head-to-head victory, but also due to their remaining schedule, which sees them play the Sphinx, All Hooks, Grabuge, and the Truth Squad.

Conversely, noname©,finishes the regular season with a much tougher schedule, as they have to take on Norfolk In Chance, All Hooks, Mean Machine, and Blue Chips.

Let’s see what happens.

Les Studs, and Mean Machine, are set to do battle in an Week 11 showdown, that in all likelihood, will decide the final playoff spot.
Leading up to that highly anticipated matchup, Les Studs, have to play A-Squad, Grabuge, Blue Chips, and All Hooks, while the Mean Machine, have to go toe-to-toe with Game Changers, noname©, and Lobster Dinner.

The math says Les Studs, have the better odds of getting in, due to the fact that they have one more game, which gives them an extra chance to get points than the Mean Machine do.

The schedule, says that the Mean Machine, have the better chance, as they have an easier strength of schedule.

The last month of the regular season will be exciting, and these two teams are just another example why.

Picks

The Commission vs Mutation – N/A (My pick for Game of the Week)

LOB vs Top Secret – Top Secret

Keyport Lock vs Jagerbomb – Jagerbomb

Show Me Your TDs vs The Tide – Show Me Your TDs (Upset Special)

Grinders vs Past Our Prime – Past Our Prime

Truth Squad vs The Manglers – Truth Squad

A-Squad vs Les Studs – A-Squad (My choice for Game of the Week)

All Hooks vs LV – All Hooks

Le Red Tiger vs Game Changers – Le Red Tiger

That’s it for this week, my apologies for the shorter article this week. Next week, I will be back with a normal one. Since I’ve had time to see a number of teams play, I will also debut my Elite 8 Rankings as well. Enjoy the rest of the games this week-end, and during the coming week.

In a totally separate note, if you haven’t seen Black Panther, go see it, it’s AMAZING! You can thank me later.

Cheers!

If you loved the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] or reach me on Twitter @BADNEWSB51