Folks, we made it to the seasons end. Last fall we got cut after four weeks so we had no champ. The season is over and now the real season is beginning, the playoffs (ed’s note: spoilers!).
I want to say thanks to everyone for making the season what it was. This season we saw a bunch of new teams and a few teams switching up the roster. I’m not sure about everyone else, but I am so glad we moved from Le Ber to Rosemont which actually has grass.
This week it looks like there might be rain over the weekend which means games are going to be sloppy and the earlier you pay the better the field will be. At this point of the year, we can’t really ask for better weather and we can all pray for another 2 weeks of good weather to finish off the season. I personally hate playing in the rain, but will deal with it. I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will help me and my team.
This week we will only have round 1 of the playoffs which means its going to be an early day wrapping up and a little later start. First game will be played at 9:30 and the last game will be over by 3:30. I can’t wait to not get up and leave the house by 6 am. I know this week we will have only 10 games being played, but I can see at least one or two upsets happening.
I missed watching football all weekend, but in both the NCAA and NFL there were a few games that shocked everyone. I also have to wonder what the NCAA is doing with the first week of playoff rankings. How is Cincinnati not in the top 4? (ed’s note: wait, they are.) I agree with Georgia and Alabama, but having Michigan State and Oregon really, both those teams are crap. The PAC 12 is the worst conference out there and when you think Michigan State you think basketball or at least I do. When their playoffs are set, I can see it being Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and Cincinnati. This will only happen if Alabama beats Georgia in the SEC championship.
That’s it for now you all want to know which games I picked to cover and what I heard from all the other games this weekend, so here we go.
Weekly Recap
Division 1
Centurions vs Holy Trollers
Game 1 (26-38)
With playoffs on the line, Centurions had a few chances to get in. They need to win one of their two games and Gros Coqs lose or to win both of their games. In the first game of the day, both teams started out by scoring on their first three drives. Some of those scoring drives were because of big plays, but both teams seemed to be ok with working the ball and taking a shot when they had the chance and the player being open. With a minute left in the half the first change of possession happened and it was a punt from the Trollers, this was now the opportunity for Centurions to take the lead and with them starting the second half with the ball, put some separation between the teams. Well, it only took two plays for centurions to give the ball right back on a pick made by Max S. Max was able to punch it in before the half, but failed on the convert. The second half began, and Centurions went in to score and get their convert to hold a 1-point lead 26-25. Max then proceeds to eat up 7 plus minutes on the clock as he led the Trollers back down to score and take the lead. After Trollers scored Centurions tried to rush and get going, but threw their second pick on the day and with Max having a short field to work with he extended the lead and that was it after that Centurions were done.
Game 2 (12-24)
After just playing a game against each other there was going to be no feeling out the other team, it was straight to business. It took Centurions three drives before they were able to reach the end zone and once they did, they narrowed the score down to 12-6. Trollers scored not by the big plays, but by chunk plays all the way down. With the Trollers starting the second half with the ball, Max did something he normally doesn’t do and that was chew the clock. Trollers took almost 9 minutes off the clock while scoring again. At this point it felt like everyone knew the game was over and Centurions were going to be watching the playoffs from home this season. Centurions tried to make it a game by scoring quickly, but then the defense let them down by not being able to get a stop. With the score 24-12 Trollers and just under 7 minutes left no one was able to do much from this point on. Centurions needed to score twice, and Trollers just sat back and didn’t allow anything big and that ended up being the game. Trollers finish with the second seed and knew they would be facing Henchmen in round 1.
Division 2
Outlaws vs Tannantes (38-48)
In a must win game for Outlaws, they came out and screwed the pooch yet again. All season the Outlaws defense has given up play after play and nothing changed this week. The first half was all offense and no defense what so ever. What has been the big problem for Outlaws this season popped back up again in this game. Outlaws scored with 23 seconds on the clock and it looked like the half was going to end 20-21 Tannantes. Vincent had another idea and took 4 plays to go 45 yards and then convert on the convert all that and they still left time on the clock for Outlaws to get a shot, but that fell short. Half score was 28-20 Tannantes. Outlaws started second half and scored right away missed convert and then got a quick 4 and out, but couldn’t capitalize on it and were still down 2 points. It started to go back and forth until Simon picked the ball off and retuned it for a score. At that point the Outlaws pretty much knew it was over and any shot at repeating as D2 champs were gone. Outlaws not in the playoffs, who would have though that going into the season?
OG Panthers vs Vultures (35-18)
Before this game happened, everyone knew it was just for fun and meant nothing to either team. Also, before the game Terry somehow convinced Ben not to run in this game and it wasn’t fair. Terry just eliminated half the offense from Vultures in one little conversation. Once the game began and Ben wasn’t running his team was telling him he needs to, but he said that he wouldn’t and he didn’t run all game. What I didn’t think was cool about this game was that Charles was able to run and he did once for 1 yard. I told Terry that this game needs to become a forfeit since it wasn’t fair that Charles was running all over the place. About midway through the first half, if you saw the speed Terry was firing off the line from his rushing position you would have had to slow the film down just to see him, Oh wait, I meant speed it up. Slowest rush ever. The highlight of this game was when Terry went up the seam and was open and according to him the ball was way too high and uncatchable. Terry looked like he had never caught a ball before as it looked as if he was hugging air. I might not always agree with Jafar, but we both couldn’t stop laughing at him after that. We all know that if Ben played QB all season for Vultures they would have been in playoffs easily.
Division 3
Blackout vs Thunder Buddies (0-25) Forfeit
Ok, so right off the bat, Blackout didn’t show up or at least most of the team didn’t come. Ryan was the only one to show up. I asked Terry what he wanted to do, and he said he wanted to play to get some reps. That was fine by me, but now I had to find 5 players to play with Ryan. It wasn’t hard and I had 4 players from KOLB in D2 and Manu from D4 to play. Once it was arranged, Jafar decided he wasn’t going to play. Luckily for Terry, Vultures showed up early and Ben and his center decided to play with them. They were only going to play half, so with under a minute left Terry asked to me to allow him to finish his drive so I stopped the clock every play and they scored got the 2point convert, but still lost by 2 points. In this game Terry looked good on a few deep throws that none were caught. I know Nick dropped one and so did Dave, if I remember correctly, and they both were surprised the ball got there with such a good spiral on the ball and not hanging up in the air. Both probably should have caught the ball or at least Nick should have.
Mustard Tigers vs Panaches (25-26) OT
Both these team were in the playoffs before it began, and it was just a matter of where they would finish. I’m not sure how, but Mustard Tigers jumped out to a 12-0 lead and looked like they were just going to cruise for the win. Felix and Panaches had other plans. They were able to fight back and take the lead 13-12 going into half. Second half began and Panaches started with the ball went down and scored fast and it stayed that way for a while. Mustard Tigers scored with under 7 minutes left, but failed on the convert. Panaches scored once they got the ball and here is where it gets questionable. Why go for 1 when you’re up 7 instead of going for 2 to make it a 2-score game? (ed’s note: to make it a one score game with a 2-point conversion requirement to tie. It all depends on how confident you are in your 1 and 2-point convert plays) It’s not like Panaches are inexperienced, but you need to know these things. Panaches got it to make take an 8-point lead. Brian had 1:46 on the clock and needed to score and get the 2 point convert just to force OT. Brian was able to get it done and left just seconds on the clock for Panaches. They went to OT and Felix led Panaches to score with their first possession and Mustard Tigers who used all their luck on scoring to tie the game just couldn’t get it done and lost the game.
Division 4
Phoenix vs Drama Club (50-25)
This game meant more to Drama Club then it did for Phoenix. Drama Club need to win and get help to make playoffs, where Phoenix were in and just battling for placement. Phoenix jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Drama Club woke up. Nico led them on a drive that was 2 plays and got help from a blown coverage. Then Vezina picked the ball off and ran it back to tie the game. Nico got the convert. I was asked by Manu if he could take a shot at QB and he marched the field, but we couldn’t score. Drama Club did nothing with their last possession before half. Second half began and that’s when it fell apart for Drama Club. Nico threw 3 or 4 picks back-to-back to start the second half and that’s what cost them any shot at the win. Simon was talking a lot of crap about me getting replaced as a QB, but that wasn’t the case as I allowed the other players to take a shot at it and they all ended up throwing a TD pass as well. Second half Phoenix went out had some fun and just played relaxed. At the end of the day with the win and fewer points given up Phoenix was able to finish second in the division.
Idaho Udapimps vs Manitoboys (30-32)
This was the most intriguing game of the weekend from my standpoint. I needed Manitoboys to win, but it didn’t look like it was going to get done. Idaho jumped up 14 points and looked like they were going to run away with it. Adam brought his team back and made it 14 all very quickly and right after tying it up Brady was able to hit Kyle on a deep throw down the sideline and as he hauls it in the trailing defender missed the flag and Kyle walked in for a 45-yard score. This is where it should have been over. Adam was sacked by James for the safety. Now the score is 23-20 with 1:28 left, but Brady threw a pick to Marco on his second pass. This gave Adam a short field and a chance to make it a closer game. Manitoboys scored and made it 23-20 Idaho at half. The second half started, and the game was all Manitoboys from here on out. Adam took his team to score on the opening possession of the half and never looked back after that. This was the first time I saw Simon play for Manitoboys and he is an absolute beast.
There you have it the final week of the season recap and the last time a few teams will get any coverage until next season.
Top Performances of the Week
Last chance for some players to make my list. This past week we had great weather for the first week of November. A bunch of you balled out this week and won you game as well, but for teams who needed to win if you put the team on your back and made it happen, you’re getting bonus points towards making my list and if you lost you most likely you won’t see your name up here. Here are this week’s winners.
Division 1
Offense
I had a few players to choose from, but I came to the conclusion that even with Max Rosenfeld playing 2 games that he need to be given this weeks pick. Max went 57 of 77 for 444 yards, 10 TDs, threw 1 pick and had 2 1point convert. Max also ran twice for 5 yards (ed’s note: I dream of rushing numbers like that).
Defense
I would normally be giving this player love for his offense, but this week Gros Coqs had Dom Lefort play rusher and he finished the day with 3 tackles that just happened to be all sacks. Someone mentioned to me that if Dom continued to rush all game that Gros Coqs were going to win, and they did.
Division 2
Two-Way Player
People hate blowout and so do I, but when you bust your ass wearing a pink shirt you get some love. Kerano Johnson made everyone on the field this week look like they were children. KJ only made 7 catches for 96 yards and a total of 5 TDs. Well on defense this man made 5 tackles to go along with his 4 interceptions and KJ also took one of his picks back for a TD. When you play like that and looked that good doing it, you’re going to get my nod.
Division 3
Offense
It was a hard choice to make this week but it came down to putting the team on your back and stepping up when he needed to, that is why this week’s winner is Jeremy Trudel. Jeremy had 5 catches for 89 yard, 2 TDs and 2 1point converts. He was also the person who scored the game winning convert in OT.
Defense
This week was really hard to pick a winner since so many of you guys play in higher divisions. This is the first time I see this player balling out, but I’m sure it won’t be the last time someone says Pengyi Liaos name. Pengyi made 2 tackles and both of them were sacks.
Division 4
Offense
I picked this player after seeing him play for the first time this week and I have been told that he is a beast by a few of his teammates. Simon Dumas played twice this week and made a big impact in both games. Simon made 14 catches for 162 yards, 4 TDs and 1 1point convert. Simon is tall, fast and you can’t miss him on the field.
Defense
The player I went with here is a player that was added to my teams roster a few weeks ago to replace a player that won’t be able to make it for playoffs. If I had known that Manu Allard-Roy was such a baller I would have added him weeks ago. This week Manu made 1 tackle and had 2 picks he was also able to take one of them back for 6 points.
There you have it my picks for this week. I’m sure next week everyone will be balling out which will make me make these picks even harder and lets all remember next week if you lose your season is over.
