Winless No More, One Up One Down, BYOB, NBA Free Agency, and the AVS

Sorry to interrupt your long weekend, but here we go…

Congrats to Mangoose on getting their first win of the season, with a (32-12) blowout victory over Touch It Catch It, Thursday in Brossard. I had a chance to watch some of the game while I was playing on the field beside them.

This game was a tale of two Quarterbacks, as Fred Mallette struggled all game long to get into a rhythm and hit open receivers. One of the reasons for his performance was the absence of his Snapper Nicholas Gomes-Risso. The speedster and younger brother of Wide Receiver AJ Gomes has been his QB’s top pass catcher this season, as he leads the team in targets, catches, and yards. Having him out of the lineup threw off the offense’s timing and chemistry.

The main reason the QB and his offense struggled so mightily, was due to the Mangoose defense, who for the second time this year, dominated the Touch It Catch It offense. After holding them to 14 points in the first meeting, Mangoose was even stingier this time around. While TICI still recorded two touchdowns in the rematch, they were shut out in the first half, and held them to a combined two for six on third and fourth downs.

After losing the first meeting due to an interception by Nicholas Groppini, that gave Touch It Catch It the ball back and allowed them to run out the clock, the Mangoose, were able to return the favor as they recorded two interceptions, including one by Marc-Antoine Chaput, who ran the INT back for a touchdown.

When looking at the other Quarterback in this matchup, Nicolas Schaefer, did anything but struggle, as he delivered his best performance of the season, going 16 of 20 for 199 yards for four touchdowns and one interception. The veteran QB also put up his best QB Rating 126.9 and completion percentage of the season at 80%.

The win was huge for Mangoose on two fronts. First, they are assured of not finishing winless, and more importantly, they have placed themselves just outside the playoffs. While their Week 1 (37-31) loss to the Junkyard Dogs keeps them in ninth place, the victory now leaves Mangoose tied for points with JYD as each team has two.   

Going out and playing the game is the most important factor in deciding winners and losers, but looking at each team’s remaining schedule, Mangoose has the easier path to the post-season.

It is hard to call a regular season victory over a team that eliminated you form the playoffs as getting revenge, but after getting beat by KGP in the Division 2 Semi-Finals the Party Crashers, were able to get the last laugh, as they beat their nemesis (48-42) Monday night at Stade de Montreal.

Coming into the game, the Party Crashers were without the services of Anthony Brisebois. Filling his enormous shoes was 5-time All-Star Jeremy White. The replacement was apropos, as White did his best Brisebois impression, making an impact on both sides of the ball, with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also added an interception when he picked off KGP Quarterback Phil Cutler on the final play of the game.

In addition to White, the game featured a lot of big performances. Party Crashers QB Frédéric Dupuis, continued to show why he is one of the top passers inf FPF, as he went 20 of 26 for 269 yards and seven touchdowns. More TDs than incompletions especially when going up against a Division A defense can not be ignored.

The P.C Receiver who benefitted the most from the play of Dupuis, was Phil Pharand, who shredded the KGP defense for four touchdowns. He was especially lethal in the redzone, as three of his TDs came in that area.

Despite coming out on the losing end, Cutler, had a solid outing as well, as the 7-time All-Star threw six touchdown passes, and made sure that each of his receivers scored at least one TD.

Snapper Julien Paiement, continued to show his skill as a full-time Receiver, as the veteran led his team in targets, catches, and touchdowns with nine, eight, and two respectively.

This was an exciting game that delivered on all fronts. Lucky for us, both teams will square of again next Monday once again at Stade de Montreal. I think we are all expecting another fantastic game.

The momentum from the big win over KGP, didn’t last, as the Party Crashers were blown out by Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems one hour later, (44-19).

For as impressive as Frédéric Dupuis was against KGP, he was the complete opposite in this game, as the Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems defense intercepted the Quarterback four times. AJ Gomes ran one of the INTs back for a touchdown.

The 8-time All-Star who would add another interception, also made his presence felt on the other side of the ball, as he caught all seven passes thrown in his direction for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Snapper Ben McMahon, who has quietly been the second most productive and important Receiver on the team, made an impact as well with eight receivers for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Two-Way threat Isiah Allard made a big impact, as the Rusher/Receiver recorded two sacks and a pair of pass deflections, to go along with seven-yard TD as a pass-catcher.

Quarterback Dan Lazzara had a spectacular game as he tore apart the Party Crashers defense to the tune of 207 yards and six touchdowns.

The Party Crashers and their offense simply ran into a brick wall. Although they were without Anthony Brisebois, the team still had enough firepower, to score more than 19 points, but it seemed like they were stuck in quicksand all game long, curtesy of the aggressive Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems defense.

BYOB went two for two in the win column, as they blew out Touch It Catch It (25-6) and used a second-half four touchdown surge to get past Brand New (39-26).

The first game was over just past halftime, as the BYOB defense smothered an anemic Touch It Catch It offense, limiting them to only one touchdown.

The win over Brand New on the shoulders of six touchdown passes by QB Mathieu René, and a 102 yard, one TD, and an INT performance by Mathieu Lepage, was a lot more competitive, and it gave BYOB sole possession of first place in Division B. It also sets up a huge contest next Monday versus the second place B-Raves.

Before the highly anticipated meeting with the B-Raves, BYOB, takes on the Junkyard Dogs this Thursday in Brossard. Despite their (1-4) record, JYD still has a talented roster, and an offense that is in the top half of scoring in Div. B.

Currently sitting at (1-3), The Apocalypse face a crucial spot in their schedule tomorrow night, as they take on both the Braves and the Allstars at Stade de Montreal. T.A’s (26-21) Week 1 win over KGP feels like a lifetime ago. More recently, they are coming off a (42-30) loss to the Allstars on Father’s Day, as Receiver Quaid Johnson toasted The Apocalypse’s defense for four touchdowns.

The Apocalypse have a talented and deep roster, but it hasn’t translated into wins. Coming into this week, they sit on the outside of the playoffs looking in, as they are two points behind both the Braves and KGP. A loss to the former tomorrow night, would be a big blow for a team many expected to qualify for the post-season. More importantly, it could also potentially make their second meeting with the Braves next Sunday a lot less important.

NBA free agency has kicked off with a bang. A number of big names have re-signed with their teams, while others have inked deals with new squads. In a move even weaker than when he signed with Golden State, Kevin Durant has asked for a trade, because let’s be honest, that is who he is. I don’t blame him for wanting to distance himself from Kyrie Irving, but he made the bed in Brooklyn. Man up and try to fix it.

Being a New York Knicks fan, has been depressing over the last two decades, so I think my excitement this week was understandable, as we signed Point Guard Jalen Burnson, and re-signed Center Mitchell Robinson. Adding a true PG to run our offense has been a need since Jeremy Lin and Linsanity was running Madison Square Garden. Brunson was a big reason why the Dallas Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals this year. He is a true scorer and a legit playmaker. His best basketball appears to ahead of him, and he seemed to get better the bigger the games became, so adding him to the lineup is huge, especially when you look at who we had at the position last season. (Ex. Walker, Kemba).

Brining back Robinson was a solid move as well. When healthy, he is a difference-maker on defense and on the glass. His offensive game is starting to take some shape as well. He is a reliable finisher around the rim, and he is starting to develop a shot from just outside the key. He is only 24 years old, so his best ball should be in front of him as well.

We have some good young pieces in R.J Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin. All three of those players showed growth this past year. If we can get the same out of our 2021 rookie class in Quentin Grimes, Jericho Sims, and Miles McBride, all of whom got minutes towards the end of last year, we can make a push for the Eastern Conference Play-In at the very least.

Just to be clear, I have been tricked by the Knicks too many times in the past to get my hopes too high, so if we manage to fall on our faces and end up in the lottery again, I won’t be surprised, but free agency always gives fans hope no matter how ill-advised it is.

Congrats to the Colorado Avalanche on winning the Stanley Cup. With the exception of Game 3, they dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning. Except for Corey Perry (three Cup losses in a row), I don’t feel bad for the Bolts at all, and neither should anyone else. Despite not completing the three-peat, they are still a dynasty, and should be seen as favorites to be back in the championship race next year.

The Avs finally broke through the second-round window. Obviously, the free agent decisions of their secondary scoring including Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, and Valeri Nichushkin, as well as starting goalie Darcy Kuemper, will impact how well they do next year, but this team isn’t falling out of contention anytime soon.

With the NBA and NHL now being done, we are left with only baseball and the CFL. I have been an Atlanta Braves fan since the early 90’s, and I played baseball well before I ever played on a football field. I like the game, the homers, the skill it takes to pitch, and the science behind it all. Despite all that, I like most people, can admit that the sport is mostly boring to watch.

The CFL is tradition. It can also be entertaining, and we get to see some good games. Yes, we all know it isn’t the same as the NFL and the production that goes behind it, and it does get tiring seeing the same teams all the time (How is there still no team in the Maritimes)  On the positive side, there have been several FPF names that have played in the league before, during, and after their CFL careers, and obviously a few refs as well, like Leo Gervais, Walter Berry, and Tom Cesari to name a few. More importantly, it is ball to watch, and some football is better than no football.

Power Rankings

Division A

Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems – Their only loss was to the Braves by one (27-26). They are coming off a 25 point blow out win over the Party Crashers. Last Week: N/A

Allstars – Just like Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems, the Allstars have loss to the Braves, (42-33) in Week 1. They have a matchup with The Apocalypse tomorrow, and then a huge meeting next Sunday versus Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems, in a game this will be a must-watch. Last Week: N/A

Party Crashers – One big win, followed by a huge loss, Can the Party Crashers continue the trend and get a victory versus KGP next week?

Braves – After giving up 183 points through their first four games for an average of 46 points a game, the team’s defense showed up big time in their (27-26) win over the top team in the division in Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems nearly two weeks ago. Can that side of the ball shine tomorrow night when they take on The Apocalypse? Last Week: N/A

KGP – The six-point loss to the Party Crashers keeps them in the lower half of the rankings. It isn’t the playoffs, so the team hasn’t heated up yet, but getting wins against the two teams who have beaten them in the last two weeks in Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems and Party Crashers, would be huge for this talented team.

The Apocalypse – They have an uphill battle to climb the rankings and more importantly the Division A standings, as they take on the Braves tomorrow night at Stade de Montreal. Last Week: N/A

Division B

BYOB – They have the best record in Division B and have won four out of their last five contests. They close out their regular season with games against the Junkyard Dogs, B-Raves, and Moretti Crime Family. Can BYOB keep up their stellar play? Last Week: N/A

B-Raves – The only undefeated them left in Division B, their last victory was over the Junkyard Dogs nearly three weeks ago. After the long layoff, can the B-Raves find success against a rapidly the improving Moretti Crime Family? Last Week: N/A

Thor’s Hammer – This title contender is currently riding a 3-game winning streak. Thor’s Hammer will try to make it four wins in a row, when they take on the Silent Ticklers next Sunday in Lachine. Last Week: N/A

Moretti Crime Family – They are riding a two-game wining streak and came within a play of making it three in a row with a Week 2 (42-41) loss to Thor’s Hammer. Up next for the Moretti Crime Family, is a colossal showdown with the B-RAVES tomorrow night. Let’s see what happens. Last Week: N/A

Silent Ticklers – They have a game against Thor’s Hammer sandwiched in between contests against the Mangoose and Touch It Catch It. If the Silent Ticklers can win at least two of three, they will climb the rankings and the standings. Last Week: N/A

Brand New – This is a crucial juncture for Brand New, as they have lost two in a row, with a game this Thursday against the next team on the list. Can Brand New get back on track? Last Week: N/A

Touch It Catch It: The offense looks lost, and the team is failing to meet expectations, both internally and externally. Getting a win against Brand New on Thursday night in Brossard, would be huge to build some confidence and momentum to kickoff the second half of the season. Last Week: N/A

Mangoose – They got their first win of the season with a (32-12) victory over Touch It Catch It. This Thursday they have a chance to make it two wins in a row as they take on the Silent Ticklers. Can Mangoose build off their momentum and pull out another upset?

Junkyard Dogs – Plain and simple, this team needs a win. They have the talent to be better than their record indicates, but you need more than talent to win in FPF. The Junkyard Dogs have a tough matchup this Thursday versus BYOB, so their odds of stopping their losing streak doesn’t look promising, but you have to play the game on the field, so let’s see what happens.

Picks (Favorites in bold)

Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems vs KGP – Mo’ Khans, Mo’ Problems (My pick for Game of the Week Div. A)

The Apocalypse vs Braves – Braves

The Apocalypse vs Allstars – Allstars

Moretti Crime Family vs B-Raves – B-Raves (My Pick for Game of the Week Div. B)

Junkyard Dogs vs BYOB – Junkyard Dogs (Upset Special #1)

Touch It Catch It vs Brand New – Brand New

Mangoose vs Silent Ticklers – Mangoose (Upset Special #2)

Last Week: (5-2)

Regular Season: (20-4)

Upset Special: (4-0)

That is it for this week. I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and all the festivities. Good luck to everybody in their games tonight and this week!

If you liked, loved, or hated the article, or simply feel that I left something out, do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected], or reach me on Instagram @brent_b51