Here we are, last week of the season and still so many important games to play. This has been the goal for a while now. It used to be that half way through the season we knew who was getting in and who wasn’t, that is no longer the case. So now that website is back up and I can begin my article. I know that they wanted to clean the site up and add a few new features so I hope that the new site is up and running at 100%. I have also decided that I’m going to switch up the way I do my article this week and focus more on the playoff implications rather than all the games.
Week 8 Recap
Division 1
Outlaws vs Bitter Boys (34-31)
Before the game began I spoke to JS from Bitter Boys and he mentioned how this was pretty much a playoff game for them since they needed to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. I also gave him a little of info. Even with Steve not being there and Rob filling in, the Bitter Boys were able to keep it close but couldn’t get the job done.
4Simba vs Revolucion (18-28)
This game was closer than I thought it would be. Revolucion are a solid team from top to bottom and 4Simba are still figuring it out. I want to say that Revolucion should have had 3 more scores since 4Simba were missing players at the beginning of the game and were supposed to give up points. Revolucion asked for the points not to be added and play it out without any points. That was a nice thing to do, then what they did at the end wasn’t. With under 1 minute left and being up 2 points they could have ended the game, instead they went down scored and went for 2. The funny thing about the convert is that they took 2 offside penalties and had to go for it from the 20. Yes they got it on a run.
Henchmen vs Trollers (12-34)
The Trollers finally won a game and it had been so long since their last one. For the Trollers this was a huge step to try and make it back to the playoffs, but still need to win this week. I also want to point out that the Trollers shouldn’t get too excited about the win as they beat a Henchmen team that was missing 2 players and had one with a bad ankle. I wonder if Trollers won because Henchmen were missing players or if they finally figured it out?
Division 2
Centurions vs Nice TDs (6-37)
This was a rough game for Guillaume and he couldn’t complete a pass that didn’t go to the other team. I haven’t seen him play this poorly since the beginning of last season. Kris had good stats for Nice TDs except most of his stats went to Andrew. Nice TDs are a good team and the ball should be spread around. What is going to happen when Demario comes back if they can put up points on one of the better defenses without him?
D#Nasty vs Raccoons (21-12)
This was a great game that saw a few good plays and a few bad plays. No one killed it in the stats department. This game was all about taking what the other team gave you. It was a lot of short passes and great tackling. What really sucks for the Raccoons is their QB situations and it might end up ruining their playoff hopes. I like both theses teams and both can make some things happen if they make it in, but neither of them will be a high seed and need to play their best to have a chance.
Joey’s Haters vs Old School (26-21)
This game had some arguing between the teams after the game was over. So let me start by saying Old School was up 21 nothing at halftime and should have won the game. The second half didn’t go the same way as Joey’s Haters made what might be the comeback of the year. Near the end of the game there were words said about something not being cool or something along those lines. Then after the game Old School was complaining about Joey’s Haters having a sub to bring them to 7 players and how that their QB played on defense. So by the rules Old School should be awarded 6 points and the win. I’m not sure if this will happen, but you have to look at it like they had Rob play 1 play of defense while they waited for their player to show up who is a better defender than Rob is. I understand that rules are rules and should be enforced. You blew a 21 point lead and Rob did not affect the outcome of the game by playing 1 play of defense. (ed’s note: Old School agreed to ignore the rules violation and the win was left with the Haters. That being said, please be aware that in the future it will not be up to your opponent to enforce the rule or not as a game that should be forfeit could have implications for other teams, not just the two teams in the game itself)
Deep Threats vs Petit Phoques (42-14)
Deep Threats showed that they might have a defense to go along with their offense in this game. If I’m the Deep Threats I’d think that this game proved nothing, they played Petit Phoques who don’t have a QB. At first glance you would think that this should have been a good game then you take the QB situation into it and this happens. Coming into the season Petit Phoques were one of my favorites to win it all now I have to wonder if they will even make the playoffs. They need help at the most important position QB.
Dawgs vs Space Apes (26-38)
Dawgs jumped out to a halftime lead and I felt that it was going to continue that way in the second half. Spaces Apes made an adjustment at half that really paid off for them as they were able to score 26 points and whenever they wanted, and they also stepped up on defense. I want to see Spaces Apes play like this every week and see how they do. I think that both QBs need to cut down on the picks. Yes a few of the picks were good plays by the defense, but some of them are just really bad decision making.
Joey’s Haters vs Nice TDs (20-13)
This was a tale of 2 halves. The first half belonged to Nice TDs as they were able to score 13 points and control the game. The second half it was all Joey’s Haters. They figured out how to stop Nice TDs and were finally able to move the ball and get it into the end zone. I don’t think that Joey’s Haters are the better team, I just think that it was a bad day for Nice TDs. 9 out of 10 times Nice TDs will walk all over Joey’s Haters. Yes Joey, I said it.
Old School vs Iron Wolves (21-9)
If you were at home checking up on the game at home on Saturday and say the score you might think you were on the wrong site checking a soccer game with a 2-0 halftime score. Iron Wolves could have won the game if Jon didn’t throw so many picks and give Old School so many extra possessions and short fields. I don’t think that Old School played their best game on Saturday, they did enough to win and that is what really counts.
Division 3
Beautes vs Thunder Buddies (32-49)
The first half was a very close game and you felt the game could go other way. Then the first ended and so did any chance of Les Beautes winning the game. After the game I spoke to Terry and he said that Thunder Buddies are a second half team. I had to let him know that if they end up playing a good team half a game won’t cut it if they want to win.
Thunder Buddies vs Professional Punters (31-24)
Another game for Thunder Buddies and another second half win. So at the beginning of the season Professional Punter couldn’t score and now they seem to almost be scoring at will. Offense is great but if you can’t stop anyone you can’t win. Guillaume out played Terry in this game and no one would have seen that coming before the game. Terry might have a better roster but Guillaume has a decent roster that seems to have gotten better as the season went along.
Playoff Breakdown
Division 1
- Outlaws have the first spot locked up
- Revolucion have the second spot locked up
- Henchmen have a playoff spot locked up. With a win they will finish third with a loss and a Trollers win they finish fourth.
- Trollers will lock up a spot in the playoffs if the win this weekend. With a win and a Henchmen loss they can finish third. With a win and a Henchmen win they will finish fourth. They can make it even if they loss as long as 4Simba lose their second game.
- 4Simbas are in complete control of their own playoff chances. They just need to win both of their games on Saturday.
- Bitter Boys have been eliminated
Division 2
- Nice TDs have the first spot locked up win or lose
- Deep Threats have a spot locked up for the playoffs. With a win they finish second. With a loss they can fall to fourth.
- Centurions have a spot locked up for the playoffs. Win their next 2 games and finish second and if they lose both they can fall all the way to eight.
- Old School are locked into a playoff spot. With a win they can jump all the way to second spot and a loss can bump them all the way down to eight.
- Spaces Apes have a spot in the dance it’s just a matter of win and they can move up or lose and move down.
- D#Nasty are locked into a playoff spot. With a win they can jump all the way to second spot and a loss can bump them all the way down to eight.
- Joey’s Haters have 2 games this weekend and with a win in 1 of them will guarantee them a spot. Should the win both they can move up considerably. They can even make it if they lose both just as long as Raccoons or Petits Phoques lose.
- Petits Phoques will make it in with a win but from the looks of it they are in even with a loss due to the tie breaker rules.
- Dawgs need to win and hope for some help and hope that they have a favourable tiebreaker scenario.
- Raccoons just like Dawgs need to win and get help and hope for a scenario that is in their favour.
- Iron Wolves have been eliminated
Division 2 can have a bunch of ties for seeding and might come down to tiebreakers so this might not be 100% accurate, but it should give you an idea of what you need to do this week.
Division 3
- Mustard Tigers have locked up the number 1 spot.
- Thunder Buddies have locked up the number 2 spot.
- Gold Rush win and they are in if they lose it will come down to a tie breaker.
- Beautes win and they are in if they lose it will come down to tiebreaker.
- Professional Punters, if they win and Beautes win they are in. If they win and Beautes lose then it will come down to a tiebreaker. (ed’s note: I believe if they win they are in as the tie breaker will go: Beautes, Punters, Gold Rush. So, I believe the Punters vs Gold Rush game is for a playoff spot!)
Power Rankings
Division 1
#1- Outlaws
#2- Revolucion
#3- Henchmen
Division 2
#1- Nice TDs
#2- Deep Threats
#3- Centurions
Division 3
#1- Mustard Tigers
#2- Thunder Buddies
#3- Beautes
So this is my final rankings of the season and most of these teams have been the top teams all season long. I will say just because your team have been in the top 3 all season once playoffs start it’s a completely different season and it only takes 1 loss to get bumped out. Congratulations to the teams that made my final ranking and good luck in the playoffs.
Player of the Week sponsored by Les Spiritueux Iberville You can follow them on Facebook @spiritueuxiberville and on Insta @spiritueuxiberville Great alcohol with a great taste by one of MFL’s own Mario. Help support a local business, go follow them and go pick up a bottle or two from the SAQ.
Now it is time for me to pick 1 player from each division who put up some great numbers and helped their team win.
Division 1
- Max (Trollers) He went 24 for 31 for 215 yards, 5 TDs and 0 picks. He also ran twice for 10 yards and on defense he had 2 tackles and 1 pick.
Division 2
- Kris (Nice TDs) filling in at QB this week Kris went 22 for 29 for 199 yards, 6 TDs no picks and ran the ball 3 times for 3 yards. On defense he was able to pick off 2 passes.
Division 3
- Terry (Thunder Buddies) He went 23 for 34 for 181 yards. He threw 6 TDs and 2 picks. He also ran the ball 9 times for 123 yards and 1 score. He didn’t play defense so he didn’t get any stats.
This week was a hard choice for me to make. I wanted to go with my guy Max, but then felt that some players would be upset about me picking my QB. Then I was going to go and give it to Terry and he did have some really good stats, but he also had 2 picks so that knocked him out of the running. So if you guys haven’t figured it out this week’s winner is Kris. So let’s congratulate him on his win.
Q- I know that I have asked you this earlier on in the season but things might have changed. Do you prefer playing WR or QB? A few weeks ago it was WR, but after playing QB the last 2 weeks has the urge to throw come back?
A- I’d rather play WR being that's what I am, I only played QB cause there was a need, but trust me as WR I killed it in my teens and 20's and 30's and till my injuries 40's lol, but QB is better on my body that’s 4sure
Q- What are you guys as a team going to do next season once the cap is put in if you get bumped up to division 1?
A- Oh, really now we're a div1 lol. Well this might be my last run. I know I keep saying that but playing in pain all the time sucks, but I'm not sure what the boys will do guess we shall see.
Q- What do you think the outcome of the season is going to be? Who might be able to stop you in the playoffs?
A- Honestly I don't think anybody can beat us when we all show up and play
Q- So let’s say you became a free agent and could go play for any other team which team do you think you would fit best with to help bring that team a championship? Also what position would you play?
A- I’ll play on any team that has a QB that likes going deep ;) but as long as I'm with my boy Andrew aka FLASH I'm good
Q- Last question would you say you are a better player now or when you first joined the league and why?
A- I'm worse now being my injuries are piling up, especially my torn ankle ligament, but it’s all good. Love playing and the guys I play with let me be me and they’re a great group.
Final Thoughts
So here we are finally most of the playoff spots are secure its just a matter of seeding. It looks to be the most exciting in Division 2, almost every team can move up or down the other two divisions only have the last spot available. I also hope for everyone teams that the refs don’t play a huge factor in the outcome like they did on Monday night. So yes I’m a Packers fan, but I’m also a NFL fan and I will say that Detroit got screwed on 3 plays (ed’s note: Yes, they did). Yes there was a pass interference that was never called, then there were the 2 hands to the face penalties that never happened. So everyone needs to know that these are professional refs and they have more of them on the fields and have access to instant replay and they still don’t get it perfect. So take it easy on the guys in stripes on Saturday. They are out there to make the game safe and fair. This being the last week, if your team is in a playoff battle you better go out and give it your all since it might be you last game until the winter season or even next spring. Play hard, have fun, and be safe.