This past weekend wasn’t a good one, at least not for the grass. It rained once again, but this time we played and next time it rains we will have a plan in place, so we don’t destroy the field completely and we have something to play on next spring.
For the games at Arthur Therrien, we were supposed to play on the side closet to the entrance, but we couldn’t do that since it was horrible. Don’t worry by the end of the day field 1 was mud and barely playable and field 2 was ok at best.
We all need to pray for no more raining Fridays or Saturdays, so we don’t have to change locations.
Recaps
Division 1
A-Team vs Iron Wolves (12-26)
This game couldn’t have started much better for A-Team as they scored on their opening possession when Dave hooked up with Charles for the 26-yard TD. After that they seemed to cool off and only managed to score right before half. Charles had a monster game scoring 2 TDS and getting 4 sacks, 1 of which Demario says he gave to him, but I can tell you that wasn’t the case. For Iron Wolves, Will was the key to them getting the win. Willie was up in Dave’s face most of the game getting 3 sacks, batting a few balls and who knows how many of the 5 picks his team got were based off his pressure. Iron Wolves scored with zeroes on the clock to end the game and make it look like the win was more convincing than it really was. Both teams struggled to move the ball consistently in the second half due to weather since this was the worse part of the day for rain.
Division 2
Pocket Rockets vs Idaho Udapimp (30-26)
This was the last game of the day and by this point everyone was fed up with the rain and cold and wanted to go home and we almost needed to be rescheduled because of the time (17:26) when the first play happened. Had it been 5 more minutes it would have been. With Idaho having to wait for their sub to arrive from Le Ber. One thing that amazes me every time I see Pocket Rockets play is how open Leo gets and how often PO goes to him, you figure by now someone would guard him. What swung the game for Pocket Rockets was scoring on the last play of the first half making it 12 all, then starting with the ball and scoring to start the second half. In the second half no team was able to get a stop and looked like it might come down who makes a convert. Idaho needed to get the ball back late being down 4, but couldn’t get that stop to leave them 1 or 2 plays.
Division 3
Phoenix vs Villains (20-19)
Anyone that knows wrestling knows about the Montreal screw job and Villains got it even worse this weekend. Halfway through the second half and the score 19-6, Villians’ Jeremi Thompson O'Reilly picked off the ball and looked like he ran it back for 6, but was called out of bounds. I said to Pat who was on sideline you guys are up 2 scores and there isn’t much time left so it shouldn’t matter. Was I ever wrong. After using up almost 7 minutes of clock and not scoring Phoenix had 3 minutes to score twice to get the win. Alec scored a 14-yard TD that Jeremy followed up with a 2-point convert. This left 40 second on the clock. Game over, right? Nope. Phoenix had 3 timeouts. On fourth down and 3 yards to go, Villains decided to punt. Phoenix was left with 21 seconds and no timeouts. There was a quick pass to Simon for 5 followed by an incomplete pass. On what should have been the last play of the game, Jeremi came in a bit too fast wasn’t able to stop and ran into the QB giving them another shot at reaching the endzone. This time the Phoenix receivers had time to reach the endzone. Ball was in the air got hit around before Simon made a diving catch to keep the ball off the ground and to secure the win for Phoenix. Luckily for Villains this game won’t affect their shot at playoffs since they have a doubleheader against Pocket Rockets that they need to win both to make it in.
Division 4
Iron Wolves vs Airborne (25-21)
Iron Wolves were missing some key players, but it worked out for them in the end. Kris stepped up a bit with 3 scores, but what was bigger were his 2 picks and the countless first downs he got in big situations. The player for me that stood out the most was Bangaly Kaba, snagging 5 balls for 102 yards and 1 TD, while also getting 2 sacks. To start the season Leo was QB for Airborne but they have moved on to Benoit and the team seems to have taken it in a good way with them all stepping up to help make plays. PO must be one of the biggest surprises in D4. We all knew he could throw, but he has been showing off his hands this season. This week he pulled in another 11 catches for 86 yards, 1 TD, and 1 1-point convert. The game started with Airborne scoring, then Greg got a safety making it an 8-0 and giving them the ball back. Jason and his squad didn’t care and kept their cool and eventually got back into the game before taking the lead with under 8 minutes left in the second half.
Top Shooters vs Royale with Cheese (28-25)
This game almost didn’t happen as both teams were missing players, but RWC had a sub bringing them up to 6 and Top Shooters were only 4 until white sweater Paul said “sure I’ll play this way they won’t have to forfeit the game”. RWC decided to be nice and play 5v5 so that the game was competitive. On his very first play Paul, went to rush and just slid and ruined his white shoes and his white sweater. No Marvin meant Ryan was QB for Top Shooters and he relied heavily on Yaseen. Jorge had a great game for RWC scoring 3 times on 4 catches and William had a good game defensively for them as well picking off 2 balls. This game was over, but Top Shooters decided to play out the last minute and a half. On the very last play of the game Ryan threw a deep ball that got picked off by William and at first it seemed like he had no shot at taking it back, but after a few defenders slipped he was left 1 on 1 with Ryan who ended up making the tackle. At the end of the day Top Shooters won and kept their playoff hopes alive and that is because of Paul and his decision to play instead of having them forfeit.
Division 5
Legendaries vs TD Hunters (51-32)
What a game, 83 points were scored in the rain, who would have guessed that? I know not me. It was on a rainy day that the two teams decided to play their best offensive games of the season. But the best game of Legendaries was simply too much for the best game of TD Hunters. Even though their third pass deflected from the receiver's hands to become an interception, we quickly felt that we were finally going to see the true face of the TD Hunters. But the long pass caught by Marianela for the TD is proof that practicing outside of games is worth it, and she's been practicing a lot. Then on the next drive, she stopped Goldrick trying a running play on 4th down. Down 20-6, TD Hunters didn't give up and managed to close the gap to make it a one TD game at half-time. Then a communication problem and another deflected pass led to two interceptions by the Legendaries who capitalized each time with a TD. Goldrick responded with a rushing TD and a pick 6, but this slump had already made this match out of reach and confirmed the victory for the Legendaries.
Phoenix vs Bear Hood (27-30)
David opened the game scoring on Bear Hoods first 4 possessions and built up a 24-7 lead. This game looked like it was going to be an easy win for Bear Hood, but then Phoenix woke up and got things going and made the game interesting. After Phoenix made the game 24-14, David threw his 1 bad pass of the game that ended up getting picked off and almost ran back, but he was able to make the tackle. Phoenix ended the half with Felix scoring 1 of his 2 TDs in the game. Phoenix had the ball to start the second half and had a chance to take the lead, but couldn’t. Bear Hood extended their lead when Simon scored from 2 yards out. Phoenix marched down to score, but with little time left they needed a quick 3 and out to have any shot at winning, but Bear Hood got the first and game was ended.
Studs & Duds
With how bad the conditions were this week I don’t expect to see people have some crazy numbers, but you never know. Now to this week’s winners and then the big losers who might have wanted to take the week off and stay dry.
Studs
Division 1
- Brady Ohanessian 9 TDs. That’s all I need to write.
Division 2
- Nicolas Poitevin 11 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs, 1 1point, plus 8 tackles and 1 pick on defense.
Division 3
- Avery Klimas played 2 games and went 25 of 45, 297 yards, 10 TDs, 5 1point convert in the air. Avery also ran 14 times for 165 yards and 1 TD. On defense he made 6 tackles, 1 pick and 1 sack.
Division 4
- Bangaly Kaba had 5 catches for 102 yards and 1 TD. On defense he made 2 tackles both being sacks.
Division 5
- Julie LeBlanc caught 7 passes for 53 yards, 1 TD and 1 1point convert. Julie also made 6 tackles with 5 of those being sacks.
Duds
Division 1
- Vincent Blondin when your QB throws 9 TDs and everyone gets into the endzone twice you got to get in at least once.
Division 2
- Rob White 3 catches for 18 yards and 1 2-point convert, oh and let’s not forget your 1 tackle. Got to step it up.
Division 3
- RawSauce for going 0-2 this weekend, you want to be considered a top team you must prove it by beating one of the top teams.
Division 4
- Top Shooters for being 10 in their first game then only 4 until Paul decided to play and save any shot you have at the playoffs by not forfeiting in the second game.
Division 5
- Mimosa Crew defense for giving up the lead with 7 seconds left after just getting a score.
There you have it, the MFL Studs & Duds for week 9. Just a reminder, only 2 more weeks to crack my list so if you want to make it up here you better step up your game.