Week 2 Recap

By Brent Bodkin

Last Updated: January 6, 2026, 12:46 pm UTC

After four months, 15 weeks, and 39 games, we are finally here, the Tier 2 Finals. The 40th contest of the season sees the number one seed Idaho Udapimps, take on fourth seeded Hard 8 tomorrow afternoon in Laval. (1)Idaho Udapimps versus (4) Hard 8 Previous Meetings: Idaho Udapimps (38-33) Week 1. The first and only meeting between both teams happened all the way back in September. In that contest, Hard 8 led in passing yards (213 to 188), redzone visits (6 to 5), conversions (3 to 1), first downs (15 to 12), and offensive plays (38 to 31). When one team has that type of advantage, they usually win the game. One of main reasons why Idaho Udapimps ended up winning was because they had the edge in possession (7 to 6). That extra time with the ball resulted in a walk-off 1-yard TD by James Nguyen on the final play of the game. Talk about excitement. The rematch should deliver more of the same. When looking at how both teams reached championship Sunday, Hard 8 did so by knocking off the number two seed Camping Boutin (32-12) despite missing two starters on defense in Ahmed Boubacar and Rusher Jakob Sacksner. A key to their win was a suffocating defense that even though short-handed, still held their opponents to a season low 14 points, and a combined 2 for 10 on third and fourth down. Idaho Udapimps advanced with a (37-20) victory over the number six seed Flag Slayer Corp. The win was aided by a strong defensive effort in the second half that saw the unit intercept Quarterback Ryan Kharouf three times, after doing so just once before the break. This matchup features an intriguing battle between two veteran passers in the reigning Quarterback of the Year Brady O’Hanessian, and his counterpart Jeff Rosenblatt. Both pivots have played in numerous big games throughout their careers and have championships under their belt. The playoffs however have not always been kind to the duo, as each has struggled getting their teams over the top consistently. All eyes will be on them once again. Which QB will step up and help deliver his team to a championship? Another matchup that could decide the game will be the that between the newly minted Receiver of the Year in DonnDre Borden (who missed the first meeting), and teammate Danick Coulombe, versus the Defensive Back duo of Sanders Armand and Ahmed Boubacar, the Defensive Player of the Year, who was also absent for the Week 1 showdown. All four players are blessed with size, speed, and reach. The deep passing plays where they are matched up against each other will be exciting. Whichever side wins this battle could very well lead their team to victory. When looking at the Rushers in this contest, in Yvan Salomon of Idaho Udapimps, and Sacksner of Hard 8, each bring speed and playmaking to the field. Neither player recorded a sack in the first meeting, but they still made an impact as both caused O’Hanessian and Rosenblatt to get rid of the ball quickly and at times before they wanted to. I fully expect the duo to change the zero in QB takedown column this time around. For Idaho Udapimps to get the win, they will need to find a way to limit the damage done by Paul Lapierre. The FPF Hall of Famer is Rosenblatt’s favourite Receiver, and who he looks for when in need of a big play due to his ability to create separation and large catch radius. The 49er fan’s style of play is reminiscent of Tight-End George Kittle. Out routes on the goaline, jump balls to the corner, back of the endzone drags, quicks slants over the middle, or working the seam, Lapierre can run virtually any route. The task of stopping him will most likely fall on the shoulders of James Nguyen, Sam Anastasopoulos, Manu Allard-Roy, and O’Hanessian. All four are savvy defenders who bring physicality to the secondary. They will need to produce that and than some to slow down Lapierre. Another key to victory for Idaho Udapimps will be in the ability of O’Hanessian to vary his passing attack. When speaking to Armand after his team’s Semi-Final win over Camping Boutin Monday night, the veteran defender was confident in his team’s ability to take away the QB’s options. “We aren’t worried about Brady in the short passing game. We want him to throw deep. We know he loves to go long. We can matchup with his Receivers and take that away from him.” Idaho Udapimps finished with the top offense in Tier 2. It will be on O’Hanessian to show why and prove Armand wrong. For Hard 8 to get the win, they will need to vary their offensive attack as well. Rosenblatt must make sure to include all his Receivers. Daniel Mancini Is the engine that makes the offense work, and while he will deservedly get his opportunities, some will also need to be given to the likes of Adam Malinoff and Armand. Despite both players hauling in 38 passes, they are occasionally afterthoughts in big moments. Can Rosenblatt keep them involved throughout the contest? On defense, Hard 8 will need to take Armand’s advice, and force O’Hanessian to become one dimensional. For all the success and dominance that the QB and his teams have shown on that side of the ball in recent seasons, the team becomes entirely different when they are forced to be over-reliant on the deep ball. When opposing defenses can just sit back and wait for go routes, corners, and posts, Idaho Udapimps’ chances of winning drop significantly. When looking at X-factors in this game, I choose Felix Clairmont for Hard 8. The return of the third-year player who missed three out of the last four games, including the Semi-Final victory due to injury, will be huge as he adds another defender with speed, physicality, and sound instincts to the team’s backend. For Idaho Udapimps, I am going with Receiver Justin White. He brings length, solid hands, and a physical style of play, that is hard to match offensively. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one and out-jump them for balls will prove useful against the likes of Armand, Boubacar, Malinoff, and Clairmont. After both Semi-Final games ended up being duds, I expect tomorrow’s Final to deliver the goods. As I said on the podcast earlier this week, I feel that these are the two best teams in Tier 2. The number one offense against the number two defense. Neither side has a weakness on their roster. The first meeting was a barnburner that went down to the wire, I expect the rematch to end the same way. While similar Quarterbacks, I don’t see Rosenblatt making the same mistakes Kharouf did against an Idaho Udapimps team that was getting outplayed by Flag Slayer Corp until the second half meltdown by their QB. Prediction: Hard 8 (36-32) Picks Hard 8 vs Idaho Udapimps – Hard 8 (Upset Special) Last Week: (2-0) Regular Season: (6-5-1) Playoffs: (3-1) Upset Special: (4-2) That is it for this week, and the Fall Season. I would like to say thank-you to everyone that came out to play this season, and to all of you who read my articles and watched the podcast this year. Good luck to both teams tomorrow. I will see you in the Winter Season. Cheers! If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at brent_bodkin@yahoo.ca, or on the FPF Facebook page.

(1)Idaho Udapimps versus (4) Hard 8

Previous Meetings: Idaho Udapimps (38-33) Week 1.

The first and only meeting between both teams happened all the way back in September. In that contest, Hard 8 led in passing yards (213 to 188), redzone visits (6 to 5), conversions (3 to 1), first downs (15 to 12), and offensive plays (38 to 31). When one team has that type of advantage, they usually win the game.

One of main reasons why Idaho Udapimps ended up winning was because they had the edge in possession (7 to 6). That extra time with the ball resulted in a walk-off 1-yard TD by James Nguyen on the final play of the game. Talk about excitement. The rematch should deliver more of the same.

When looking at how both teams reached championship Sunday, Hard 8 did so by knocking off the number two seed Camping Boutin (32-12) despite missing two starters on defense in Ahmed Boubacar and Rusher Jakob Sacksner. A key to their win was a suffocating defense that even though short-handed, still held their opponents to a season low 14 points, and a combined 2 for 10 on third and fourth down.

Idaho Udapimps advanced with a (37-20) victory over the number six seed Flag Slayer Corp. The win was aided by a strong defensive effort in the second half that saw the unit intercept Quarterback Ryan Kharouf three times, after doing so just once before the break.

This matchup features an intriguing battle between two veteran passers in the reigning Quarterback of the Year Brady O’Hanessian, and his counterpart Jeff Rosenblatt. Both pivots have played in numerous big games throughout their careers and have championships under their belt. The playoffs however have not always been kind to the duo, as each has struggled getting their teams over the top consistently. All eyes will be on them once again. Which QB will step up and help deliver his team to a championship?

Another matchup that could decide the game will be the that between the newly minted Receiver of the Year in DonnDre Borden (who missed the first meeting), and teammate Danick Coulombe, versus the Defensive Back duo of Sanders Armand and Ahmed Boubacar, the Defensive Player of the Year, who was also absent for the Week 1 showdown. All four players are blessed with size, speed, and reach. The deep passing plays where they are matched up against each other will be exciting. Whichever side wins this battle could very well lead their team to victory.

When looking at the Rushers in this contest, in Yvan Salomon of Idaho Udapimps, and Sacksner of Hard 8, each bring speed and playmaking to the field. Neither player recorded a sack in the first meeting, but they still made an impact as both caused O’Hanessian and Rosenblatt to get rid of the ball quickly and at times before they wanted to. I fully expect the duo to change the zero in QB takedown column this time around.

For Idaho Udapimps to get the win, they will need to find a way to limit the damage done by Paul Lapierre. The FPF Hall of Famer is Rosenblatt’s favourite Receiver, and who he looks for when in need of a big play due to his ability to create separation and large catch radius. The 49er fan’s style of play is reminiscent of Tight-End George Kittle. Out routes on the goaline, jump balls to the corner, back of the endzone drags, quicks slants over the middle, or working the seam, Lapierre can run virtually any route. The task of stopping him will most likely fall on the shoulders of James Nguyen, Sam Anastasopoulos, Manu Allard-Roy, and O’Hanessian. All four are savvy defenders who bring physicality to the secondary. They will need to produce that and than some to slow down Lapierre.

Another key to victory for Idaho Udapimps will be in the ability of O’Hanessian to vary his passing attack. When speaking to Armand after his team’s Semi-Final win over Camping Boutin Monday night, the veteran defender was confident in his team’s ability to take away the QB’s options.

“We aren’t worried about Brady in the short passing game. We want him to throw deep. We know he loves to go long. We can matchup with his Receivers and take that away from him.”

Idaho Udapimps finished with the top offense in Tier 2. It will be on O’Hanessian to show why and prove Armand wrong.

For Hard 8 to get the win, they will need to vary their offensive attack as well. Rosenblatt must make sure to include all his Receivers. Daniel Mancini Is the engine that makes the offense work, and while he will deservedly get his opportunities, some will also need to be given to the likes of Adam Malinoff and Armand. Despite both players hauling in 38 passes, they are occasionally afterthoughts in big moments. Can Rosenblatt keep them involved throughout the contest?

On defense, Hard 8 will need to take Armand’s advice, and force O’Hanessian to become one dimensional. For all the success and dominance that the QB and his teams have shown on that side of the ball in recent seasons, the team becomes entirely different when they are forced to be over-reliant on the deep ball. When opposing defenses can just sit back and wait for go routes, corners, and posts, Idaho Udapimps’ chances of winning drop significantly.

When looking at X-factors in this game, I choose Felix Clairmont for Hard 8. The return of the third-year player who missed three out of the last four games, including the Semi-Final victory due to injury, will be huge as he adds another defender with speed, physicality, and sound instincts to the team’s backend.

For Idaho Udapimps, I am going with Receiver Justin White. He brings length, solid hands, and a physical style of play, that is hard to match offensively. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one and out-jump them for balls will prove useful against the likes of Armand, Boubacar, Malinoff, and Clairmont.

After both Semi-Final games ended up being duds, I expect tomorrow’s Final to deliver the goods. As I said on the podcast earlier this week, I feel that these are the two best teams in Tier 2. The number one offense against the number two defense. Neither side has a weakness on their roster. The first meeting was a barnburner that went down to the wire, I expect the rematch to end the same way.

While similar Quarterbacks, I don’t see Rosenblatt making the same mistakes Kharouf did against an Idaho Udapimps team that was getting outplayed by Flag Slayer Corp until the second half meltdown by their QB.

Prediction: Hard 8 (36-32)

Picks

Hard 8 vs Idaho Udapimps – Hard 8 (Upset Special)

Last Week: (2-0)

Regular Season: (6-5-1)

Playoffs: (3-1)

Upset Special: (4-2)

That is it for this week, and the Fall Season. I would like to say thank-you to everyone that came out to play this season, and to all of you who read my articles and watched the podcast this year. Good luck to both teams tomorrow. I will see you in the Winter Season.

Cheers!

If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at brent_bodkin@yahoo.ca, or on the FPF Facebook page.