Word From The Mouth: Crowning Champions Edition!

Welcome to what could be (could be?) the last article of the season. It has been long one and the last few weeks cold, but it should be nicer on Saturday this week, I mean it can't get any worse than last week I hope. I'm glad it's the last week, but it's going to be a long off season. There will be a winter season (starting January 5th) if any of you want in on it just email Jon and let him know.

Round 1 Recap

Nice TDs vs Krakens

This was a complete blowout for Nice TDs. I know that some of the Krakens players thought they had a chance, but they were barely able to beat Team Mustard to get in. These teams had the privilege to play in the best conditions of the day and before the fields got all ripped up. Best player of the day was Andrew who came to play getting 2 TDs and 2 picks and one went back for a score. Not going to get into this game that much since it was such a blowout.

Bitter Boys vs Barracudas

This game ended in the Barracudas forfeiting the game. They did start the game and after 4 drives decided it wasn't worth playing in those conditions, especially since by that time the score was already 18-0. JS looked to have not missed a beat after 3 weeks away. Raph kept up with his 3 picks a game. He threw more picks (3) than completions (0) on 3 drives, that's when they knew they had no shot and decided to give up. Smartest decision all day. (Ed's note: in Raph's defense, once your hands were frozen you couldn't even grip the ball, and he had been out all day!)

Iron Wolves vs Chuck Norris

This game started out great for Iron Wolves being up 12-1 at half time, then it all fell apart for them. Ted didn't play good (Ed's note: "well"...), but was able to do enough to help his team win. Jon's first half was good second half once they were down was trying to get the ball deep but was unable to get a grip and ball was going everywhere, but into his receivers hands (Ed's note: see my note on frozen hands!). This game had very few exciting plays it was a grind it out type game. I did call last week that Dahic was going to pick the ball off on the last play to seal the win that wasn't the case, though he did end up picking him off twice and one went for 6. Iron wolves scored on their last play and then ended the game.

Raccoons vs 7th Rounders

These 2 teams almost went the whole first half without scoring. It took until 5 seconds left for points to go up on the board. In the second half points were scored, but not many. Raccoons got on the board with a safety. 7th Rounders scored with 8:20 left in the game and I thought it was going to be over then, but Raccoons scored with a little over 2 minutes to make it a 14-8 game, so they were only down 6 and had a chance with a stop or turnover. They got the needed stop on a 3 and out so hopes were still alive, a score and a convert and they would be moving on. With 1:10 left on the clock they had plenty of time to march down and score. First down incomplete second down with 49 seconds to go it's a pick and game over, 7th Rounders move on. This was the only close game of the weekend.

Semifinals Match Ups

Nice TDs vs Chuck Norris

Here we are the third meeting between these two teams. This will be the deciding game to see who is a better team since they split the first two matchups.

QB - Kris for Nice TDs is a top QB in the division. He runs around buys time and throws the ball in all different throwing motions. It might not look great but it gets the job done. As long as Kris stays composed he will handle his business. Ted will try to do the same when he needs to, but would much rather stay in the pocket and deliver the ball. Ted has come a long way from week 1, but not sure if it's enough to get out this week with a win. I'm giving my advantage to Nice TDs since Kris has more experience and I think he is better at making plays to get guys open and confuse the defense.

WR - Both teams have one top tier talented receiver on the team in Andrew for Nice TDs and Dahic for Chuck Norris, but the groups aren't made of one guy only and it will come down to who else is going to step up. Nice TDs have Remi who is pretty quick and Brian who has solid hands and is faster than he looks, it's these two guys that need to step up and make plays if they want a chance to win. Chuck Norris will need Gabe to play the way he has all season and ball out, but who else is going to step up for them? Will it be Goldrick or Charles? One of them if not both needs to show what they can do for Chuck Norris to have a fighting chance at a title. Advantage goes to Nice TDs since the guys know what Kris is expecting and have played together for a while now.

Defense - This game is going to be decided by the team with the best rusher and whoever can get the QB off his game will be the team that wins. Greg is a top Rusher for Nice TDs so it makes it easy for the guys on the back end knowing the ball is coming out fast. That means they can jump the routes and not worry too much about the deep ball. For Chuck Norris I think Charles or Mathieu is rushing and its going to be a long day for them since Kris moves around so much. On the back end Dahic is an interception machine and can cover the entire field so it will be difficult to throw it deep. Mid to short guys for Chuck Norris need to make tackles and bat balls away if they want to win. Have to go with experience on this one and give the advantage to Nice TDs.

Yes I have given every advantage to Nice TDs. but that doesn't mean I think they will blow out Chuck Norris. Yes I think they will win, but it will be by less than 2 scores. I think Chuck Norris has a shot if everything goes their way all game long.

Bitter Boys vs 7th Rounders

The Bitter Boys are once again into the semifinals for a second year straight, but this time with a different name. This is also the second meeting between these two teams and the first one Bitter Boys won by 18 without JS at QB. This should be a closer game but you never know.

QB - JS is my top pick as a QB if I have to choose one from this division. He probably has the best arm out of everyone. He can easily make every throw that is needed. The only problem with JS is that he can't run that well, but since he takes the snap from so far back and gets rid of the ball so quickly he doesn't need to run. He knows where he wants to go with the ball and when to get rid of it. Julien is a decent middle tier QB in the division, but he needs to improve his decision making to advance to the next level. Get down that pick number and the TD number will go up. Julien need to make plays to get guys open one or two reads and if that's not there take off running once teams think you are going to run guys can sneak out behind and you'll get easy completions. Advantage Goes to Bitter Boys

WR - 7th Rounders are stacked at this position with Terry leading the way, but not far behind you have Jafar, Angelo, Francis, and Simon, and every one of those guys had over 250 yards and at least 3 TDs. That's great for the offense but horrible for the defense to cover they will need to pick who to key on or just play a regular defense and force Julien to find the open guy. Bitter Boys have a 4 big targets to worry about. Guillaume is the guy, but Mario, Carl, and Patrick are all very good targets. Between those 4 guys they have over 1300 yards and 30 TDs. Those are some very impressive numbers almost as many as the top 5 guys from 7th Rounders (1700 yards and 31 TDs). I have to go ahead and give the advantage to 7th Rounders on this one as I think that 5 is better than 4 and with the age and athleticism from 7th Rounders might be a little much for Bitter Boys to handle.

Defense - Terry is the best rusher in all of division 2, but even with the speed he has it will be difficult to get to JS. This is where the back end of the defense needs to step up like they have in previous games. In the secondary 7th Rounders have Angelo and Jafar those would be the two guys that I would try to keep the ball away from. The Bitter Boys lack a good strong rush, but against 7th Rounders all they will need to do is get up in his face and force a bad throw. In the secondary Guillaume is the top guy in the division with 16 picks. The rest of the guys are solid but they are a bend don't break type defense that will make you work your way down the field to score and don't give up big plays. Yes, 7th Rounders might be quicker but with the QBs that each team are playing I have to give the advantage to Bitter Boys.

I have to go ahead and pick Bitter Boys to win the game. I think both teams will face a challenge, but I think that Bitter Boys will be able to deal with it and move forward. Bitter Boys by at least 2 scores.

Finals

So after writing up and picking who I feel will win the Semifinals I could go ahead and do a write up on the game I see it being, but if I did that and was wrong on the teams I picked it would be a waste of my time.

Nice TDs vs Bitter Boys

We have the #1 & #2 team meeting in the finals for once. I can see this being a good game. I know Bitter Boys want revenge for that early season loss to Nice TDs. I'm not sure if that will happen, but they do have a good chance if they can get Kris flustered and take Andrew out of the game. In order for Nice TDs to win both Kris and Andrew need to play their a** off. Defense will need to step up but it will require Greg to get JS off his mark and moving around. I'm not really sure who will win but I would like to see Bitter Boys win it all this way next season when they come to division 1 they have what might be there only title ever. Bitter Boys win by 5, but Nice TDs have a chance to win it on the last drive.

Congratulations to everyone making it to the semifinals, but you might still have 2 games left. Go out there play your ass off and hope for the win and a chance at the tittle. This is the last week of the season so don't hold back.

Remember have fun, its only a game. See you all on Saturday.