1st tied : Ours - Toulouse
It's truly fascinating to see how much Toulouse has progressed during the offseason. Last year, they finished with a 5-5 record, placing only fourth in the South. The standout performance in this game came from their new import quarterback, Braden Howell, who delivered an exceptional display, throwing for five touchdowns, with no interceptions, and an impressive 70% completion rate. However, such a performance wouldn’t have been possible without the dominance of the offensive line. Keeping their quarterback free from pressure and not allowing a single sack is the kind of protection every offense dreams of.Next week, they will take on the Dauphins, an excellent opportunity to extend their undefeated streak as we know the strength of the opponent. A season is not a sprint, even if they had a great start, they have to stay consistent to get to the playoffs.
1st tied : Iron Mask - Cannes
What on earth is happening in Cannes? For the second week in a row, they pulled off a stunning comeback to secure a win against the Argonautes. There’s no doubt they’ve established themselves as one of the favorite teams for the championship. Timothé Labarrière, still just a junior, has already become Olivier Roy’s go-to target.
We have some significant concerns about the defense, as they seem to struggle early in games. Relying on the offense to score a lot of points every week may not be sustainable. When it came to turnovers, it was more a result of quick three-and-outs rather than impactful defensive plays. In the next game, they are heading to Marseille to face the Blue Stars. A welcomed opportunity for the defensive squad to prove us wrong but if not, they will lose some positions.
3rd : Black Panthers - Thonon-les-Bains
Another game, another dominant performance from the Black Panthers. They stormed to a 28-0 lead before the start of the second quarter. The only reason they’re not ranked higher is the perceived "strength" of the northern division. While it’s easy to call them dominant at this stage, they have yet to face real competition aside from the Flash in the season opener. That said, it’s always entertaining to watch a team stick to a pass-heavy approach—even in the rain. The standout of the night was 2024 Championship Game MVP Pierre-Yves Dayres, who found the end zone three times in the first quarter alone. Adel Bafdile delivered a stellar all-around performance, racking up significant return yards on special teams while going 6-for-6 on PATs and adding a field goal.
On defense, he also made his presence felt with an interception and a Pick-6. Meanwhile, quarterback José Tabora Jr. put in a strong and composed performance. Next game, they head back to Paris, looking to take down the Molosses.
4th : Flash - Courneuve
For many, this was the game of the week, fueled by the rivalry between quarterbacks Badis Grami and Léo Cremades. Former teammates, both were mentored last season by Paul Durant, the Flash’s backup QB. In what turned out to be a defensive battle, neither the Flash nor the Diables Rouges managed to reach the end zone until late in the second quarter, when Grami broke through with a rushing touchdown. Cremades responded in style, rolling out to his left and delivering a perfect deep pass to his number 3 receiver. A field goal then gave the Flash a 9-7 lead, and in the final moments, Flash running back Jason Bofunda weaved through defenders, breaking three, maybe four tackles to seal the game. Next up, they’ll need to stay sharp and avoid falling into the trap of a struggling but determined Cougars team.
5th : Molosses - Asnières-sur-Seine
When facing a weaker team, maintaining focus and consistency can be a challenge. It's crucial to respect your opponent, as they might rise to the occasion, either reigniting their season or causing an unexpected setback in yours.
Brody Hahn and the Molosses were on fire from start to finish, while the defense completely took over. However, against the Cougars, it's tough to determine whether the dominance was truly one-sided or simply a reflection of their difficult season. No disrespect intended, we're just hoping they can turn things around for a stronger finish. What’s next? The Black Panthers. Who will come out on top in this earth-shaking showdown? Tell us in the comments!
6th : Blue Stars - Marseille
A statement win over the Dauphins. Not much to analyze here. The game lacked excitement due to weak opposition. But at the end of the day, a win is a win, especially when sitting at 1-1-1. Hadrien Lynda, a former quarterback now transitioned to wide receiver after his team opted for an import QB, continues to impress with his versatility. However, the real standout was tight end Pedro Rosa, who delivered a phenomenal performance—racking up 152 receiving yards, a touchdown catch, and even throwing for a touchdown.
It's now time to step up, as they head to Cannes for a pivotal showdown against the Iron Mask. This game could be a turning point in their season, a chance to build momentum and prove they’re a real contender.
7th tied : Argonautes - Aix-en-Provence
Despite the loss, the Argonautes delivered a highly convincing performance—especially from quarterback Jason Gaines. It’s always great to see a familiar face bringing the heat on the field. After making a strong playoff run a few years ago with the Pionniers, before the team was forced to forfeit the entire following season, Gaines has returned to France, this time to help the Argonautes establish themselves in the D1 Elite championship. He had no trouble picking apart the Cannes' defense in the first half, delivering a masterclass in execution—until the most unpredictable comeback unfolded. In other words, are we starting to see the cracks in their game? Or will they bounce back stronger next week against the Grizzlys de Perpignan? We will see, but one thing’s for sure, you’ll want to stay tuned.
7th tied : Diables Rouges - Villepinte
Last week saw the Diables Rouges ranked near the bottom of their division, and while the loss isn’t great news, they certainly left a better impression this week. We also caught glimpses of the potential this team could reach. They’re clearly not the worst team in the league right now, and they have the weapons to become a much stronger contender. At this point, they sit right where they should be, at the lower half. However, with Badis Grami showing more consistency in his passing schemes and the team still actively building. Their latest addition, Kieran Griffith, a GFL 1 talent from the Saarland Hurricanes and a member of the Great Britain National Team, proves they’re thinking long-term.
Maybe this won’t be their year, but what about the next ones? We love seeing teams grow over time rather than going all-in on a short-term “win-now” approach. Next week should be a much more favorable matchup for the players as they take on Rouen, a team that has been struggling to put points on the board.
9th : Grizzlys - Perpignan
We can’t help but feel a bit disappointed with the Grizzlys performance this week. Just last game, we highlighted their progress, noting how they were building momentum and showing signs of real improvement. But just like that, it all seems to have deflated. This kind of inconsistency is not an encouraging sign as they move forward in the season. One week, they appear to be finding their rhythm and growing stronger; the next, they struggle to maintain that same level of play. If they want to be a real contender, they’ll need to find stability and deliver strong performances on a more consistent basis.
Why not turn things around next week against the Argonautes? A win over a team that fights as hard as the Argos could be exactly what they need to regain confidence and steady their season. It won’t be an easy matchup, but coming out on top in a battle like this could be a major mental boost and a statement that they’re still in the fight.
10th : Léopards - Rouen
Well things may not be looking good for the Rouen team, having scored just 30 points while conceding a staggering 133. Another scoreless loss against a top-tier squad only reinforces the fact that something is fundamentally missing. Initially, it seemed like the absence of a true quarterback was the issue, with both starter Nicolas Cremer and backup Noah Carreau sidelined due to injury and illness. However, even with Carreau back on the field, the team still appeared disorganized and struggled to find any real rhythm.
11th : Dauphins - Nice
The outlook for next week isn’t promising, as the Dauphins starting quarterback is now dealing with an injury. Sullivan Silverio has stepped back into the role of offensive leader, but that comes at a cost, meaning they can no longer rely on him as the standout receiver he was at the start of the season. This shift only adds to their challenges, forcing them to adapt yet again in an already difficult season. All we can do is hope they find an answer to turn things around in a greater way.
12th : Cougars - Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône
Week after week, the story remains the same. It’s almost surreal to watch this Cougars team struggle. Just six years ago, they were competing in the championship final. Now, they’re on the verge of relegation to Division 2 for the first time since the start of this century. A dramatic fall from grace, and unless something changes fast, history is about to be rewritten in the worst possible way for them.
CLOSING OUT WITH A DIVISIONS RANKING
Southern Division:
1: Iron Mask - Cannes =
1: Ours - Toulouse =
3: Blue Stars - Marseille +2
4: Argonautes - Aix-en-Provence -1
5: Grizzlys - Perpignan -1
6: Dauphins - Nice =
Northern Division
1: Black Panthers - Thonon-les-Bains +2
2: Flash - La Courneuve -1
3: Molosses - Asnières-sur-Seine -1
4: Diables Rouges - Villepinte +1
5: Léopards - Rouen -1
6: Cougars - Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône =
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