Here we are two weeks remaining in the season and then playoffs. Everyone, or at least the captains, need to know that for subs the rules have changed. In order to be allowed a sub you need to be fewer than 6 players 7 if your QB doesn’t play defense and all subs need to be approved by the league. I know sometimes you don’t know what is happening and aren’t sure of the rules, but if you aren’t sure you should reach out to Jon a day or two before just to make sure. You don’t want to forfeit a game because of a rule mix up.

Now that we are into August, I hope you all know what that means? The NFL is back (well, kind of) and it’s preseason and to me it just means a few more weeks until we have meaningful games again and I can’t wait.

One last thing before I get to my recaps, I know it’s getting nice out and everyone would rather be at the field than at home, but please pick up your empty bottles when you leave. Nick went around this week and picked up two garbage bags full of trash and that isn’t cool. The city already wants to take the field from us and if we leave it full of garbage it wouldn’t be hard for them to do that, so clean up you trash.

 

Recap

 

Division 1

 

Outlaws vs Ninja Turtles (32-31)

I figured with all the players Outlaws were missing that it was an easy win for Ninja Turtles. Boy, was I ever wrong. Steve was missing a bunch of his weapons and when the game started Outlaws looked lost and dropped a few easy balls and you could see the steam coming from Steve’s ears. This week Tam was at QB and Wade was at wide and the switch looked to pay off. Wade made a few big catches on third down to extend drives. Tam made the hard throws when needed and was able to avoid the rush all day long. Outlaws need to have Terry there so Tam didn’t have all day to find open receivers. This game came down to the very end and with a bobbled ball that was eventually caught on fourth down out of the end zone because a defender made a play on the ball. These two teams will meet again the last week of the season and I expect it to be another close game.

 

Moretti Crime Family vs Henchmen (14-38)

This was a game that Henchmen needed to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. It was great to see Henchmen win, but let’s not overlook that Crime Family was missing Joey at QB. Gabe filled in and didn’t look like he was comfortable throwing on the smaller field than he is used to. I looked over the stats and no one stood out other than Demario with his 3 picks. All Henchmen did was get a few big plays and have short fields to work with while Crime Family looked pedestrian on offense without their QB. Henchmen were able to keep it together this week as a team and not as individuals and got the job done. I know that it will come down to tie breakers for the last spot in the playoffs (ed’s note: I mean, it could, but even that is an outside chance!), but to me I really think both teams are dangerous and I wouldn’t want to see either one of them in the playoffs as at any point they can light you up for points at will.

 

Division 2

 

Outlaws vs Honor Game (45-53)

This was supposed to be a possible championship preview and it didn’t disappoint. I want to say that Honor Game completely outplayed Outlaws and that if it wasn’t for Steve leading the offense it would have been even worse. Outlaws weren’t able to do anything on defense and Honor Games went up and down the field at will and made it look like they were playing people who never played before. I would like to point out that Outlaws lost a player due to injury early in the game which left them at 7 players. With 8 minutes or so left in the game, Outlaws get the ball and the plan was to waste all the time before scoring. I felt that since we couldn’t get a stop on defense that we should try to score quickly and then try to get a stop on defense and if we couldn’t stop them we could allow them to score and then finish the game on offense. Outlaws score and left 3 minutes and that was too much time for Dave. Honor Game went down scored and left 1 play for Outlaws which Laurence picked off and returned for a TD. Honor Games won by 8 points, but really it was only 2 and Outlaws ended up missing 3 key players on their defense, both safeties and their rusher. When these two teams meet in the playoffs expect to see two totally different rosters show up.

 

Honor Game vs OG Panthers (18-41)

This was not a good game if you are on Honor Game or a fan of theirs. OG were missing Terry and Charles and to fill in for Charles they had Simon and let me tell you he looked good. Even before the game you knew that Dave and his team’s heads weren’t in it. They used everything they had to beat Outlaws, Marvin got into it with Dave and decided to leave the team. Then the game started and OG took the opening drive in for six then got the 2 point convert. Then on their first play on defense a safety. Even with the really slow start from Honor Game they were up 18-17 at half. Then the second half started and it all started to unwind for Honor Game. They couldn’t move the ball or get a stop on defense, they started to look at the refs for every little thing that didn’t go their way. The difference in this game was adjustments made at half time and the fact that Honor Game was completely gassed by this point and weren’t making smart decisions. I’ll take Honor Game 9 out of 10 times, but this just happened to be that 1 time.

 

Division 3

 

Mustard Tigers vs Les Tannantes (32-28)

Again this week Owie comes in and plays the hero for Mustard Tigers. I thought Brian would be back this week when I made my picks, but I guess Brian saw my reasoning why I didn’t pick them and decided he’ll take another week off just to cost me the crown. Again this week Les Tannantes were without their QB and you can see the team has really struggled once everyone started missing games. I hope that once the playoffs are here they have their entire roster. The thing that I find funny is how Dave and John do all the work getting yards and catches and somehow Tom gets all the glory with 3 TDs. My bet would be that teams started to focus on them and allowed Owie to hit Tom over the middle while he was wide open or Owie be the smart QB that he is just threw it up where only Tom could get it so at least 8 feet in the air.

 

Iron Wolves vs Chiefs (26-12)

Once it was known that Deep Threats were forfeiting their game, Iron Wolves had secured the number 1 spot and a first round bye, but that didn’t stop them from going out and getting the win to keep the perfect season alive. Look at that, Ian finally made it out to a game after taking months to move. Going into the season I had very low expectations for Iron Wolves, but now if they don’t win it all I feel the season will be a bust and a waste of time for them. Every week Mauricio is doing more and more to get on the stat sheet, this might be his best overall season ever.

 

Division 4

 

Les Pananches vs Flamboyant Flamingos (25-26)

All season people in the media have all thought the same thing, Flamingos haven’t played anyone good this season. Finally we get to see them play a top team and this game didn’t disappoint. This game had it all. Both teams played solid defense forcing the offense to be smart with the ball and take what is given to them. I kept getting score updates on this game and it was back and forth all game. With 2 minutes left in the game Panaches was up and it seemed like they were going to keep it that way, but on fourth and ten Dimitri threw up what looked like a prayer and the ball fell incomplete and it looked like it was over until you look around and see the flag on the ground. Martin was called for Pass Interference giving Flamingos another go at it. It only took Dimitri two plays to punch it in and go up by 1 point with 10 seconds left. Felix couldn’t get it done first play was a check down for a few yards, second was incomplete and on the last play of the game the ball got picked off. That is it, we are left with 1 undefeated team left in the division.

 

Cereal Killers vs Titans (26-37)

I’m a little bit surprised it was this close in the end. I figured that Titans would have their way in this game. I, like many people in the division, might be going to speak to Lucas about what he did to stop Ben. Okay, maybe not stop Ben, but at least slow him down as he managed to get 3 sacks this week on him. For weeks now I have been saying that Cereal Killers are very athletic and they just proved it again this week, now all they need is some more experience. Austin was the big target this week for Titans, but every week someone else making plays for them as Ben does a good job of spreading the ball around really well. Titans have the best offense in the division and have only been stopped a few times all season. For Cereal Killers to do it twice in one game seems like a victory to me. Cereal Killers should make the playoffs with 1 win in their last 2 games. Both games are winnable for them, it will just be a matter of who wants it more.

 

Division 5

 

Les Last Calls vs Phoenix (39-6)

Before the game I had heard talk about how good the sub was for Les Last Calls, but I really didn’t think anything of it, then the game started and well the rest is history. I will say that everyone thinks I’m a bit of a dick, but not all the time. I could have had this game voided because of the sub rules and I didn’t. Les Last Calls deserved to win this game they out played us right from the start. Seb had a pick 6 on the opening drive and then Phoenix was forced to punt. Les Last Calls took a shot deep and got behind the defense for an easy 45 yard score. By half time it was 33-0 Les Last Calls and the game was over except for the time. I can tell you from being there and seeing the game that the defense on Phoenix didn’t show up to play and the offense couldn’t get any big plays to try and bring the game back to respectability. Again, being on Phoenix and seeing how we came out flat and relaxed to play right from the start it didn’t take long to see that the intensity wasn’t there. Les Last Calls needed this game to keep their playoff hopes alive and it was a well-earned win.

 

Phoenix vs Gold Rush (19-12)

This was supposed to be the game for first place. Then during the week Jon messages me and tells me Gold Rush has 2 players and by the rules I can take the forfeit and not have to play the game. I thought about it for a few minutes then decided that this would be a good game to try a few new things and get a few of the players some experience that they need. Gold Rush ended up getting 4 players from Titans in division 4 so it was no longer going to be an easy game for us. Phoenix got up 12-0 and tried to coast to the win and just like the game before, Phoenix made a few mistakes (Vince slipping) on defense and allowed Gold Rush back into the game. With the score 12 all, Gold Rush was driving for the game winning score and Julian came up with 1 of his 3 picks of the game to give Phoenix one last chance to avoid OT. Phoenix was able to waste all but 9 second of the clock before scoring. The convert was a huge play and would give us the extra cushion should Gold Rush score. I take the snap, looked one way, and then throw it up to the back of the end zone where Julian comes down with it and manages to keep his toes inbounds. Gold Rush doesn’t score and just like that the game is over. This was a good game, but I would have rather beaten the real Gold Rush team to take control of the division.

 

There you have it my recap of week 10.

 

Top Performances of the week

 

At this point you know you’re a star or just a role player, but that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough to make my list. All I’m looking for is someone who balled out and helped their team win the game and in very rare cases a player who lost, but had some ridiculous stat line. I’m not Jon, I pick players from teams that dominated, but it would depend on the circumstances. This week I had one or two hard picks to make but the rest were pretty easy. Now let’s see who made my list.

 

Division 1

 

This is one of those weeks where I had no choice but to give out my award to only 1 player since he dominated on both sides of the ball. Demario Cooper played 2 games this week and was a stud in both of those games while playing multiple positions. Demario had 3 catches for 41 yards 2 TDs and a 1point convert as a receiver. He also went 24 of 28 for 301 yards passing with 7 TDs and 7 1point converts. Oh I also forgot to mention he made 12 tackles and 3 picks on defense. Now those are some real stud numbers.

 

Division 2

 

Offense

I have never given the award to a player subbing before, but this week is a first. Simon Duchesne filled in at QB for OG and absolutely balled out in this huge upset. Simon went 24 of 37 for 260 yards with 5 TDs, 1 1point convert and 1 2point convert as well. Simon has struggled before at QB in the MFL but not this week.

 

Defense

I spoke to a few players from the team that this player plays on and was told there was absolutely no defense what so ever, that might have been true, but Alexandre Vallieres made a huge impact and a big difference in the game. Alexandre finished the game with 3 tackles which were all sacks. It wasn’t necessarily the sacks that were huge it was the pressure he had all game long.

 

Division 3

 

For this pick I had a few players all on the same team to pick from, but I went with a person that I have played with before just because I feel without him they don’t win this week. I went with Thomas Znoj over his teammates. His 6 catches for 38 yards might not seem like a lot but his 3 TDs more than make up for it.

 

Defense

If I remember correctly I had picked this person week 1 in his very first game in the league and now 8 weeks later he made it back up here again. Jonathan Lavoie went off this week with 4 tackles which were his 4 sacks. In a relatively tight game he made all the difference on defense for Iron Wolves.

 

Division 4

 

Offense

I went with a player who has struggled this season, but this week he stepped up and showed what he can really do. David Brisson went 19 of 32 for 215 yards, 6 TDs and 2 1point converts. He also ran the ball 5 times for 29 yards. This was the type of performance that Sneaky Snakes wanted to see all season.

 

Defense

I went ahead and gave my pick to a player that did everything he could to help keep his teams slim playoff hopes alive. Thibault Varin went out and made 10 tackles, got an interception, and returned it for a TD. Yes, his team might have won in a blowout, but how would it have been had he not been there?

 

Division 5

 

Offense

Again, like in D2, I’m giving the award to another sub. Felix Senecal came out and subbed for Les Last Calls and made huge impacts in both games. Felix in his two games had 11 catches for 247 yards and 6 TDs. He single handedly beat my team.

 

Defense

I had a tough time making this pick and I ended up picking a player that was one and one on the day. Julian Sablowski made huge plays in the second game and without his third pick of the game Phoenix would have lost that game. Julian had 1 tackle and 3 picks this weekend.

 

You might or might not agree with my pick, but they are my picks and if you don’t like it, then ball out and make my list. You only have two weeks left if you want to make it up here, so ball out and prove to me you are worthy of being my player of the week.