The Wrath of Khan (D2) – Week 6

First off I will like to apologize for not having my D2 article posted last week. My “Marvin Harrison” like reliable computer was unfortunately under the weather. In wake of my computer’s blunder, over the next couple of weeks I will have a 60% season report card to give everyone a quick fix for those who were dying for a taste of my writing skills.

First order of business, are the Wolfpack real contenders? It would seem so after an incredible comeback win over the heavily favored Click Clack, in which over the second half they outscored the best defense in D2, by 18-0. Credit has to be given to quarterback Pascal Murray, who has put up some astronomical numbers this season (33 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 1118 passing yards). But on Saturday night in Laval, surpassing all expectations, he passed for 177 yards to go along with 5 touchdown passes. With this performance Murray has rectified his FPF career. Last year in D1, with his old Yellow Jackets team, his game-play resembled that of former CFL bust, T.J. Rubley. The key element to Murray’s success this season over last is that he has spread the wealth of his passes. In his last game against the Click Clack, he demonstrated this by passing to six Wolfpack receivers, who all caught at least 1 pass. If the Wolfpack are to make a deep run in D2, they will need to rely on Murray’s arm, as right now he is the catalyst to the team’s engine. They will need to continue this consistency to have an impact on future games. Furthermore, if Murray is able to maintain the pace he is going at, his name will have to be included into the equation of the D2 MVP race.  

Looking at the big picture as we hit the third turn of the D2 season, who are the real contenders in Conference A? In this “group of death” the prohibitive favorites are the undefeated Shockers. Led by quarterback Mike McNair, and star 2-way player Andre Knights, it is evident that without these two stalwarts the Shockers would be nothing more than a quiet storm. However, the question remains, can they win a playoff game, or will they follow the Monarchs tradition of consistently falling flat on their faces once the playoffs arrive? I think the Shockers will make a deep run in the playoffs, but they will encounter some tough competition during their voyage.

The Nixon’s Renegades, to the surprise of many, have adjusted nicely in D2 as their present and future quarterback, Scott Mironowicz, has made this team exciting to watch, as he has amassed a combined 22 touchdowns passing and rushing. Throw in some Liam Mahoney, Jason Prince, and Jamal Pierre, and you have yourself the ingredients to bake a very delicious cake. The Renegades have the potential to finish the season with only one loss, which would be incredible for a team newly promoted from a lower division. Furthermore, in talking to Dale Williams, the heart and soul of this team, he feels confident that they can compete with the best of D2. The Renegades won’t be waiting too long, as they face a gauntlet of difficult competition starting this weekend against a tough Thundering Herd team, and the reeling Messengers of Happiness in the following week. If they can come out on top in both of these games, then it will be hard not considering the Renegades as the dark-horse for the D2 title.

Looking at the other teams in this “group of death”, initially, the Messengers of Happiness looked like a team that was destined to run the table on everyone in D2. However, they have encountered a plethora of potholes as they tied the division leader Shockers, and lost to the now surging Waterbuffaloes. Although Bennie Goodfriend has played well, they need to curb the unnecessary roughing the quarterback penalties that they have been amounting. With that they can actually be a contender in Conference A.

As for the Thundering Herd, All Blacks, Texas All-Stars, and Waterbuffaloes, the common theme is that they need consistency. In my eyes they have yet to display the tangibles needed to be a favorite in D2.  Although they are competitive in all the games they have played so far this season, a variety of factors have held them back. Their emotions, inconsistent quarterback play, and defensive breakdowns have resulted in these teams being pegged as the “consistently inconsistent contenders”. But out of this group be sure to keep an eye out on the Waterbuffaloes. With Chad Byers taking the quarterback reins in their victory over the Messengers of Happiness, no one should bet against the wily veteran Byers, who has amassed many upsets of his own. If anyone recalls, in the opening round of the D2 winter’07 playoffs, he single handedly beat the over-confident and undefeated Vipers. The only question that remains is who will be the starting quarterback for the Buffaloes? Chad Byers, or Craig O’Brien?    

Can quarterback Kevin Wyeth carry the now surging Pacmen to the playoffs? Initially, I thought the Pacmen were headed for a 0-10 season and be apart of the elite fraternity of winless teams that recently inducted the ‘08 Detroit Lions. Now with Wyeth onboard, he has revitalized the Pacmen’s hopes as they are catching the ball, and to the surprise of some within the D2 ranks, are even winning games. In the first 3 games sans Wyeth, the Pacmen averaged a decent 27 points per game. Since the acquisition of the gunslinger, they have improved their average offensive output by a full touchdown, as they are averaging 34 points per game. If the Pacmen are to make it to the playoff dance, they will need to make sure that they have the appropriate dancing shoes to catch Wyeth’s passes, as they have dropped far too many footballs this season.

Percentages%

8%, that the Seminoles, and Brotherhood, who are a combined 0-11-1, will win a single game.

10%, that the Wolfpack will go undefeated in D2.

15%, that the Monarchs can make a late surge into the playoffs.

20%, that we will see another tie in D2.

22%, that Click Clack will allow a total of 135 points. Right now, they have given up 75 points.

25%, that the Nixon’s Renegades will finish in second place in Conference A.