The Final Four X2

Peeze’s Playbook

The Final Four (X2)

By Paolo Della Rocca

 

Aging kind of sucks.  If at all possible it is to be avoided. This week I had my grandmother over for dinner. I lived with her for the first 5 years of my life, so, in many ways, she is like my own mother.  Her memory begins to fail her as she has less evenings ahead of her than the great multitudes of mornings before her.  

While it was difficult for her to come over and not recognize me for the first time since her Alzheimer’s disease began it’s course, it was a great experience in sharing the things she does remember even if no new memories can make space in that aging, beautiful mind.  She sat with us and regaled us with tales of her youth and we both got emotional about how we missed my grandfather.

We sat at the table he once made that now sits in my dining room and lamented that there would never be anymore of his homemade grappa that we could enjoy sitting around that round piece of mahogany. We sat on the chairs he made that I argued with my girlfriend to keep and spent hours remembering a man who I once saw as superman, a woman who was more beautiful than any Instagram wannabe model wishes to be and of a young Peeze who was not yet a sardonic, self-loathing, fake sports journalist.  

Oscar Wild said that “Wisdom comes from winters”.  We spoke and shared my grandmother’s wisdom for hours as this winter fades into an oncoming spring.  I realized that my own wisdom gained came from many nights like this.  

My grandmother’s house was a lot like a tavern in my youth.  Her brothers and sisters, my grandfather’s coworkers and friends would stop by on their way home every night. It was seldom a question of whether or not someone was coming over that night but rather how many would be sharing a meal, a pastry or a glass of wine or six. 

I would sit with these, then young men who have now become forever youthful in their current incarnation of memory.  I sat and sipped my milk and listened to stories of pranks my grandfather had pulled on them or of how my grandparents had helped them when they first got to this country. Years past and the milk turned to seven-up with a dash of wine (color as my grandfather called it), then soon it would be his home made wine and finally a pint of my own beer as once again we sat huddled and engaged in story telling.  

The night came to a close and my grandmother was being taken back to my parent’s place.  My mom and I discussed plans for easter weekend, St.Jean, Canada Day and naturally independence day (nothing like watching Will Smith save us from aliens while I smoke some ribs and sip on a cold one). My grandmother was finally lucid and she turned to me and said “Obviously you guys are hosting every event! You are just like your Nonno Giovanni.” 

Thanks, FPF nation for once again, indulging me and allowing me to share my stories.

Laying Waste

You can tell from reading the schedule tab, or from having seen the game or by reading through my thinly veiled headline that Waste Yout did not win in their first round playoff game. However, I believe that we can truly consider this season to be a success for Waste Yout.  However, the performance in the franchise’s first ever playoff game was not out of character for Waste Yout. Jame Ohayon was a big play receiver for quarterback Dan Lazarra.  Lazarra himself had a solid game throwing.  He threw for 5 touchdowns and in some games this may have been enough.  Justin Julien Jr. hauled in 2 touchdowns as he had done all season long and Jarryd Taylor has proven to be the best value in Division 1.

However, with 10 weeks of preseason action behind him, Rochdi Benabdelkader looked like a championship caliber QB once again. In my article last week, I mentioned that someone would have to fill the role that was cast for Serge Pilon Jr. I did not think it would be Serge himself.  He caught 9 passes for 69 yards and helped keep the ball moving and allowed brother Alex Pilon to out-score him.  Alex Pilon scored 4 touchdowns which doubled his brother’s total. Yet the biggest difference in the game was the error forced on the defensive side of the ball as Pat Chenard forced Dan “Tacos” Lazarra’s only mistake.  DK would go on to win the game 42-32.

 

QBOY! Oh Yeah, He Got Game

While it is far from the most impactful Public Enemy song, it’s one that, for better or worse, sticks in your head every time you hear it.  If you haven’t heard it, or don’t know the group Public Enemy; you are the problem! Damn perspective-less millennials! And with that…I am officially the curmudgeonly old man.

That said no one can doubt the play of Alexandre Nadeau-Piuze.  After winning the Kevin Wyeth award, we knew that this top tier quarterback was having a special season.  The playoffs began similarly to how the season ended for the Flag Moi L’Sac quarterback.  Nadeau Piuze was an impressive 24/29 for 243 yards and 5 touchdowns in this game. Mikhail Davidson had a big game as well as despite only recording a single touchdown, he did catch for over 100 yards.  For the most part, as he did all season long, Samuel Nadeau-Piuze was there to turn the yardage into scores as he scored three times.

Anthony “Time Cop” Vendrame would not be outdone.  He scored three times for Got-Skills.  Nicola Centomo put the cherry on the Sunday of a very good season. His 5 touchdown performance suffered one blemish, an interception to Mikail Davidson was one of the turning points in this game.  Another key difference was Eric Deschambault’s inability to truly contain Alexandre Nadeau-Piuze who ran for two touchdowns in this game.  Many of us discussed behind the scenes whether or not Nadeau-Piuze’s rushing totals would have him considered as Quarterback of the Year.  My philosophy is that yards are yards and touchdowns are touchdowns.   I’m certain that after having lost to Flag Moi L’Sac by a score of 47-33, Got-Skills sees things my way.

 

Beauty and Bekelis

Will anyone ever call me on the fact that the titles to my recaps don’t mean anything?

Shortly after the game between Monstars and Gladiateurs, I got a text from Jad Aridi telling me, “you should buy a lottery ticket.”  This was referring to my prediction that Theo Bekelis would have a huge game for Monstars.  Boy did I hit on that one.  While predictions are completely random and us media types only hold the candle to when we are right, allow me to hold that candle to Theo Bekelis’ stat line. Bekelis caught 7 passes for 135 yards, 2 touchdowns and had two interceptions, where 1 was returned for a touchdown. This was a monstrous effort. I’d be inclined to give him the playoff MVP regardless what happens the rest of the way. Thnk you Theo Bekelis for making it look like we don’t make this up as we go along.  Rod Mashtoub was careful and exploited the defense when he could and Anthony Brisebois was a solid secondary receiver in this game as he recorded 4 catches for 53 yards.

The Gladiateurs see another season come to a disappointing end. Francois Lebeau was not able to make the best of his 40 attempts as the 2 turnovers was too much to overcome despite a herculean effort.  Alex Nadeau-Piuze scored 4 times in a losing effort as Monstars defeated Gladiateurs 39-38.

 

Incredibles Feel Dirty After one Night Stand

On paper, this was a terrible matchup for ONS.  Incredibles are young and fast and just the kind of team that gives ONS fits. However, as my dad has often said, the game is not played on paper. There are times that it looked to be following the script. East ender Chris Milard caught 3 passes for over 70 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Vince Nardone matched his output to round out the scoring.  Greg Stern however, was far from perfect.  He threw interceptions to Jeff Millar and Chris Pinnsonneault. 

Vince Nardone did get his hands on 3 passes. Unfortunately for the Incredibles, he was not able to hold on to any of these passes.  Chris Pinsonneault was able to hold on to virtually everything.  He caught 7 passes for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bryan Lariviere added a touchdown on 4 catches and 33 yards.  Tyler Jutras also wins the Peeze of the game award with 1 catch, 1 yard and 1 touchdown.  ONS moves on to the next round after beating the Incredibles 33-26.

 

Like Clockwork

Heading into the season I expected Clockwork to be the strongest team bar none. There were some tenuous moments and they had a tough first round matchup against a very talented Chronic Pain. However, Clockwork showed us just why we considered them to be so strong in the first place. Marco Masciotra had an explosive game where 17 completions earned him 272 yards and 6 touchdowns.  All season long Masciotra has spouted the accomplishments of Kyle Lebofsky. Lebofsky proved his worth by catching 3 touchdown passes from his BFF (seriosuly, I saw it carved into a park bench).  This naturally sent Matt Kirouac into a jealous rage but, trying to earn back his status as Clockwork’s best man, he caught 2 touchdowns in this game.  

Chronic Pain tried to keep pace but was simply unable to run stride for stride.  Rob Robinson threw 4 touchdowns and relinquished the reigns on one pass to Paul Lapierre who threw his one pass for a 35 yard touchdown.  Lapierre was also the team’s leading receiver with 7 catches, 64 yards and a touchdown.  Touchdowns were also spread among teammates Jon Lyristis, Leo Lanni, James Crowe and Dan Dick.  Clockwork wins over Chronic Pain 42-32.  This does leave one question: if Marco Masciotra is Archie, is Kyle Lebofsky Betty or is he Veronica?

 

Points R’Not (Moving On)

Given that we thought this would be featuring a James Floreani-less Points R’Us and the Dan Lazarra led Dan & Co, few thought this would even be a game.  Floreani however headed down the Don Valley parkway the 401 and the TransCanada in order to be at this game. Perhaps it was the travel that made him unwise.  Floreani was able to lead PR’Us to the 1 inch line twice before throwing interceptions on floating shovel passes. I’ve never seen Floreani even attempt a shovel pass prior to this game. By the time the game was over Floreani threw only 1 touchdown as compared to 3 interceptions.  

The three interceptions were hauled in by Jean-Christophe Viens, Zack Jauniaux and Thomas Roadley Trohatos. On offence, this game followed the script from last time these two teams faced each other where no one could cover Zack Jauniaux.  Similarly, Jauniaux lit up Points R’Us for 78 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Stephen Casey scored twice as well to push Dan & Co. past Points R’ Us with a 33-12 score. #TacosTriumphant  

 

Hungover Visions of the World of Tomorrow

 

Montreal’s Finest vs. DK

Previous Result: Montreal’s Finest 41-DK 13

For some reason, there was a great deal of doubt heading into this season regarding Montreal’s Finest.  Perhaps we all convinced ourselves that Division 1 finally was home to the Parity we so desired.  Nonetheless, attaching the season with blinders on, Montreal’s Finest finished 9-1, earned a bye and is now ready to do battle with the Rochdi Benabdelkader led DK squad. 

Last time these teams met, it was in the middle of DK’s mid-season funk….or crisis…the funk crises (picture George Clinton questioning his life choices while The Meters were dropping some sick beats).   Nonetheless, Jermaine Parrish-Lewis and Akked Moore took advantage and intercepted Benadelkader last time around.  I do think that the Montreal’s Finest defence will force a mistake this time around as well.  However, the return of Serge Pilon Jr. does make this an interesting game.  

We can expect DK to make quick passes and move the ball.  When opportunity arrises expect Bennabdelkader to air the ball out to Nicholas Arsenault-Hum and Matt Bond.  Kevin Wyeth will do Wyeth things.  Expect a post over the top early and so many triple slants your eyes will cross. The player I expect to have the greatest impact is Brian Lariviere. For some reason I feel he catches at least 2 touchdowns including the game winner.

Prediction: Montreal’s Finest 38-DK 31

 

D-Boys vs. Flag Moi L’Sac

Previous Result: D-Boys 38-Flag Moi L’Sac 32

This is the matchup I would have most liked as a Division 1 Final. Last time these two teams played, we saw the game go down to a handful of plays where Matt Kirouac had to make a miraculous catch to defeat Flag Moi L’Sac.  The pressure remains heaped on the shoulders of Matt Kirouac as his job will be to contain the best dual threat quarterback in Alexandre Nadeau-Piuze.  The last time around we saw Theo Ojeaha go head to head with Mikhail Davidson as the two receivers combined for 21 catches 259 yards and 7 touchdowns (5 of which were scores by Theo Ojeaha).  

I think the game will come down to secondary offensive production.  We discussed how Matt Kirouac’s touchdown was the difference in the first matchup, I believe that if Flag Moi L’Sac wins the game it will come down to where they can get scoring beyond Mikhail Davidson and Samuel Nadeau-Piuze. The guy I expect to step up with a big play is Viktor Amede-Soltendieck.  He has a knack for making big plays and this would be a game where they would need him to.

 

Quarter Finals

 

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

The Braves took on the Monsters in one of the most intriguing Quarterfinal matchups.  There was no doubt that points would be scored but whether or not the Braves defence could stop the Monsters offence was something that we needed to see. Other than an interception by Guillaume Dagenais, both offences moved the ball and teams scored at ease.  Had I known that going into the game, I would have thought that this would have favored the Monsters who’s ability to stretch the field has been seen all season long.  Yet, what was most efficient for the Monsters offence was intermediate passes fro Rod Mashtoub to Ryan Aridi who averaged less than 10 yards per catch but each of his three passes were touchdowns.

Jonathan Maheu continued his incredible initial FPF run by throwing 8 touchdowns.  While 3 of them were hauled in by Maheu’s BFF Georges Gariepy, we saw three more go to Antoine Boulard. Boulard had a relatively quiet season which is insane considering he hd 540 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.  Braves win 52-30 over Monsters as the newest FPF team moves beyond one of it’s newest.

 

Zack Jauniaux: Made in FPF

What if I told you that in a game between ONS and Dan & Co. it would be an interception that made the difference?  What if I told you that both quarterbacks combined would only have 11 incomplete passes combined and that Dan “Tacos” Lazzara would have only thrown 2 of them?  What if I told you that Zach Jauniaux would have scored 4 touchdowns in an FPF playoff game?  

All of these things were true.  After an early interception thrown by Kevin Wyeth on a misread of his famous triple slants,  Olivier Barbeau would end up with the ball in his hands and that would change the shape of this game moving forward.  Dan Lazarra was unstoppable in this game.  He threw 8 touchdowns where 4 went to Jauniaux, 2 went to Alex Blanchet and Stephen Casey and Thomas Roadley Trohatos scored one a piece.  Once the interception was thrown Dan & Co. set the pace like the safety car after a big accident on an F1 raceway.  This was the kind of team that would give ONS trouble with their high level of athleticism and they did. Chris Pinsonneault caught 9 passes for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Corey Cook made one of the only defensive plays in the game for ONS as he registered a quarteback sack in this game. In the end, after the mistake was made ONS could not come back.  After 2 failed Hail Mary attempts, Dan & Co. would walk away with a 53-50 win.

 

Gn’R will not RIP

Travis Moses had 5 catches where 3 went for touchdowns.  He also ended his night in the emergency room after going up a long way for a ball and hit his head.  It looks like Travis Moses suffered a concussion but all things considered, will be ok soon.  We wish you well my dude!

Overall, this was an incredible game by two teams that fought there way up from FPF’s lowest divisions.  I would like to say that I am impartial and unbiased.  However, if I were to say that I would be lying. The truth is I was thrilled if either of these teams would have made the finals.  Unfortunately only one could move on.  Unfortunately for #NR Corey Pecker’s 24/32 and 5 touchdown performance would be for naught. Jordan Moses’ 9 catch, 76 yard and 1 touchdown performance would be an afterthought. Lamar Joseph and Jordan Moses’ interceptions would not amount to more than spectacular plays in games that would not go their way.

Vinny Gualano was far from perfect.  The blonde bomber is nothing if not resilient however as he kept finding ways to move the ball and to score against an aggressive and stout #NR defence. Anthony Vendrame and Anthony DaSilva scored 2 touchdowns a piece while Jamal Gittens scored another as he would not be kept from the scoresheet. Grip N’Rip defeat #NR by a score of 33-31.

 

Persistence of Memory Melts Clockwork

One of the most intriguing games on the docket had Clockwork paired up with STL.  The game began with absolute chaos for Clockwork.  The first few plays saw a lack of coordination as players ran the wrong route combinations and the timing was often distorted by players running routes too closely together.  Perhaps nothing sums the game up better than Marco Masciotra placing a deep ball to Gordon Hogan perfectly only for Gordon “Hollywood” to drop the would be touchdown.  The next play saw Theo Ojeaha drive-by and intercept Marco Masciotra with the most casual of one handers.  He’s been there before folks.

The second half started 19-8 for STL and Dylan Taylor and friends had the ball. The monstrous Justene Edwards proved to be a matchup nightmare as he continued to help move STL down the field and haul in big catch after big catch.  In the end Theo Ojeaha and Justene Edwards combined for 3 of STL’s 5 touchdowns. Marco Masciotra kept forcing passes for Clockwork and Brent Callender and Dylan Taylor were more than happy to accept his gifts.  STL would win the game 32-14

 

Increasingly Hungover Visions of the World of Tomorrow

 

Braves vs. Grip N’Rip

Previous Result: Grip n Rip 40- Braves 34

As far as rematches go, this one is as interesting as it gets. Grip n Rip handed the Braves their only loss this season and did so with a sub par roster.  These are two of the least prototypical teams in the division and it should be interesting to see how they adjust after having seen each other earlier this season. The biggest returning piece this time around for Braves is Jamal Gittens.  By this point they will know what he can do but stopping Gittens the man is harder than stopping him as an idea.

It is also hard to beat a team twice in a season.  This is particularly true of two teams that are so evenly matched.  Mike Perrecin, Georges Gariepy and Guillaume Dagenais, Antoine Boulard and Jason Courchesne are as dangerous as it gets in division 2.  In my mind the guy who will make the difference is Georges Gariepy.  While other players end up being the lead recevier on any given week, Georges Gariepy seems to always make the play that turns the game in the Braves’ favor.

Teddy Frenette from Grip N’ Rip is a shut down corner. Anthony Vendrame and Tiny Gualano are also 2-way monsters. Jamal Gittens is an absolute freak. However, this may still not be enough to shut down the Braves attack.  I think this game comes down to the wire but fall in favour of the Braves.

Prediction: Braves 34- Grip n Rip 31

 

Dan & Co. vs. STL

Previous Result: Dan & Co. 34- STL 34

It is rare that on each conference we get the 1 and 2 seed facing off against each other.  the previous meeting ended in a tie and thus, we do not have a ton of information heading into this game.  STL looks to have a slight advantage in the roster make up of this team.  Justine Edwards is a huge human being (if he is human) and Theo and Jaime Ojeaha are absolute specimens. Add Julian Maclaren-Thompson and Guillaume De Palma and this team has size and speed that is hard for anyone to measure up with.

The speed part of the equation can likely be handled by Zack Jauniaux, Quaid Johnson and Alex Blanchet have the speed covered.  Dan & Co. are a smaller team by comparison and STL will need to jam them up where they can.  However, and I do not mean this as a slight to Dylan Taylor, but the biggest advantage Dan & Co. has is in it’s namesake.  I feel that Dan Lazarra may just put too many points on the board for STL to be able to compete.

Prediction: Dan & Co. 46- STL 38

 

Sunday’s Silk Snuggy

 

For further analysis, tune in to the official FPF Division 1/2 podcast Calling the Audible, where Simon Dagenais and Terry Tam discuss Netflix’s awesome April Fools prank, they argue over the best spot to get zeppoles and the NXT takeover. Remember that you can catch the Division 1/2 podcast as well as all episodes of calling the audible by visiting www.youtube.com/flagplus (alternatively, you can return to this article and click the link provided). Feel free to criticize me by reaching me on Twitter @PeezeFPF (as I am on most social media) or by messaging me on Facebook @Peeze Della Reeze.