First week of the season is in the bags and only 11 more to go until playoffs. I want to start by saying sorry to whoever had to play on that wonderful field #5 this past weekend. I know, and so does everyone who has every played on it before, that it’s not the best. Okay, who am I kidding? Playing in the streets full of potholes would have been smoother than that.
Just so we are all clear, the fields were set up like that because we couldn’t get Arthur Therrien until this weekend, since the city wouldn’t give us the park. This week we are back to 2 locations so please check your schedule to know which park you are at.
With this being week 1 we had a bunch of close games and even a few blowouts. I’m not surprised by how some games went, but I was a little shocked at a few. There might even be a few changes made because of it. Now that most teams have a game played and banged off the rust, I can’t wait to see what happens the rest of the season.
Weekly Recap
Division 1
Gros Coqs vs Trollers (41-26)
A few things stuck out to me in this game. First let me mention that Gros Coqs got new jerseys and they are Cream and not white as I was told on multiple occasions. For the first time since the league was put together back in 2014 there is no original member of the Trollers on the roster. Now to what happened in the game. The game was close and both teams were going back and forth on the scoreboard and with the talking. Half way through the second half Gros Coqs scored and were up 10 when Trollers started to drive down and try to keep it close, until Charles Rousseau-Bélanger picked off a pass from Vinny and ran it back for 6. At this point the game was out of reach but both teams traded scores once more and the game ended with Gros Coqs winning by 15.
Division 2
Spritz Gang vs Jagerbomb (20-26)
This game was lots of fun to be able to watch. Mario was cheerful and wearing some flashy jewelry, JS looked fresh with zip on the ball, plus they added 2 new players Laurent and Dagher both who will help. Then there is Jagerbomb who came with the same team as last season and are solid from top to bottom. This game started out great for Spritz Gang they went up 12 to start the game with Pat getting both TDs. Then Simon woke up and got things going. Late in the first half after a TD by Jagerbomb JS made his worst throw of the game with a pass over the middle right into the hand of Loic who ran it in for 6 and that was what turned the game in favor of Jagerbomb. Very late in the game Spritz Gang scored and had 2 timeouts left which meant jagerbomb couldn’t end the game. They needed a first down to end it, but ended up punting giving Spritz Gang 1 shot at scoring, but the ball fell short and the game was over.
Division 3
Phoenix vs Bines (24-26)
This game had a few plays that made huge impacts in the game. Phoenix was able to march up and down early in the game and score. Bines on the other hand had a hard time because of the rush from Khalil at least to start the game. Late in the first half Bines had just scored and left 45 seconds on the clock I was thinking to just end the half, but figured see what happens on first down. We gained some yards so I figured we can get some more yards before taking a shot at the end zone. That was a mistake because on the very next play Bines picked the ball off and were in good position to score to take the lead before half. They managed to score and get their second convert to take a lead at half. Phoenix was down at half, but were getting the ball to start the second half. Nothing to worry about except on fourth and 2 the ball went through one receiver’s hands and into the chest of another and the ball fell incomplete giving great field position back to Bines. At this point Bines looked in control of the game and could have started to run away with it, except Nick picked off the ball in the endzone keeping it a 1 score game. Late in the game Phoenix was down 8 with 3 minutes left and need to score and get a 2-point convert. Phoenix scored quickly because of a big play down the sideline to Khalil followed by a quick pass to Riley for the TD. Convert failed and that meant defense needed a stop. They managed to get it and left time to drive down and try to win the game. After a few plays and use of timeouts Phoenix was left with 1 play the ball was thrown to the endzone where Bines were able to knock it away and prevent the score.
Division 4
Super Friends vs Raw Sauce (31-0)
Wow this game was never close and let me tell you why. Oliver started the game by completing his first 2 passes, one short to Alex N who took it the distance and his second was a deep bomb to Alex M for another TD. After that Oliver only took 1 more deep shot and that was in the second half and once again went to Alex M for his second score of the game. For RawSauce, Gabriel really struggled since this was his first time playing QB, his first 3 drives all resulted in picks. You could tell he was just trying to get the ball out of his hands as quickly as he could. Even when he did make the rusher miss and had time, he would get rid of the ball. This is what you expect from a new QB, but it also would have helped him if his team didn’t drop easy passes. The one bright spot for RawSauce was Jamilie Provencher, she caught every pass thrown her way, even when it was over her head she went up and pulled it down. Right now, RawSauce doesn’t look like a good team, but let’s give them a few weeks before we start nailing the coffin shut on them.
Division 5
Bear Hood vs Titans (39-13)
This game was one-sided as Simon had Bear Hood rolling from the start of the game and built up a 25-0 lead at half time. This should have been enough to coast until the final whistle for Bear Hood, but after giving up a score to open the second half they just continued to pour it on. Simon did complete passes to everyone on the team, but the one pass that really wasn’t cool was when he is taking deep shots at the end of a game being up 26 points. I get you want to get everyone the ball, but just go short. There were two bright point for Titans, Austin had a nice deep catch and run for a score and somehow Robert was looking like RG3 running around and even scored once.
Phoenix vs My Ball Zach Ertz (19-12)
Based on what the rosters looked like, I’m sure people were expecting it to be more lopsided than it was. I will say I was very surprised by how quick most of the players are on My Ball Zach Ertz are. Their rusher was on me all day long and never gave me a chance to run. Speaking of running, boy can Luca ever move. I will tell you that once Luca becomes a better passer this team will surprise a few teams. They do need to work on their play calling and their defensive alignment but that will come in time. Late in the game with a 13-12 lead Phoenix was driving and looking to seal the game and on second down a pass was headed towards James and when it left my hands, I thought it was too high and far out in front of him, but he turned on the jets, extended his arms and managed to pull it in with his fingertips for the score. This gave Phoenix a 19-12 lead. Luca now had 6:30 left to drive down score and get the convert for the tie or win. They moved the ball all the way inside the red zone where now Luca would have to use his arm to win the game and with an incomplete pass on fourth down Phoenix got the ball back and ended the game.
There you have this week’s recaps hope you enjoyed and if you want more MFL new check out Terry, Willie, and maybe sometimes Jaf on their Podcast Wednesday night. If you need more of you weekly football fix, don’t be shy and go check out Matt and his Podcast on MFL Brossard.
Studs & Duds
Man, its only been 1 week and it seems that a lot of you really stepped up your game just so you can make my list. Now let’s go over the rules. I’m only picking 1 payer per division, and it must be the highest division you play in at least to win Stud, you can win Dud for playing in a lower division. You are also able to make it in different divisions if you play a different position, but this is basically if you play QB in one division and receiver in another. You don’t have to win your game, but it does help especially if 2 players are close. Now let’s see who won and lost this week.
Studs
Division 1
- Jonathan Svetna grabbed 6 passes for 129 yards, 2 TDs and on defense made 5 tackles and had a pick.
Division 2
- Quentin Leduc made 5 catches for 76 yards and 2 TDs.
Division 3
- Thomas Znoj made 6 catches for 75 yards and 3 TDs.
Division 4
- Jason McAleer went 17 of 21 for 215 yards, 6 TDs, 3 1point converts, 1 2point convert, ran the ball 3 times for 7 yards and threw 1 pick.
Division 5
- Christopher Jovani Made 4 catches for 72 yards, 2 TDs. He also made 2 tackles, had 3 picks and ran 1 back for 6 points.
There you have it my week 1 Studs. Now it time to see my Duds list where no one wants to see their name, unless you’re really desperate to have your name in my article.
Duds
Division 1
- Jeremy Rooney for staying home and sleeping off the hangover from getting plastered the night before the season began.
Division 2
- Ignacio Valdes-Manzanedo for struggling how badly he did this week. After the way he played last season and how he’s been killing it in FPF. I mean we (MFL Committee) all expected him to light it up with ease.
Division 3
- Jason Armenti for not taking his foot off the gas and running up the score like he did.
Division 4
- Robert White for no other reason than throwing a pick to Jon Evans (ed’s note: a pick 6!), this is an automatic Dud win, so players be aware of this.
Division 5
- Simon Valiquette for putting in a team in D5 with players that you know are too strong for the division and on top of the running up the score by taking deep shots late in the game once the game is already locked up.
Once again you can see I’m not a fan of teams running up scores especially when it’s against a far weaker team. If you made my Dud list, I don’t want to see you up here again next week. If I do you might not like what is written this time around.
