With one game remaining in the 2017 regular season in France the stats continue to tell a story.
There is a new leading receiver The La Courneuve Flash have begun to assert themselves in downing the Thonon Black Panthers in the battle for first place with players in all three categories and two of the three leading receivers. The absence of the country’s leading rusher, Andreas Betza, seems to have hurt the running game of the Thonon Black Panthers and was definitely a factor in the loss to the Flash.
The defending champion St. Ouen l’Aumône Cougars have managed to claw their way back up into championship contention behind the play of quarterback De’Auntre Smiley.
The St Ouen l’Aumône Cougars managed to score 41 points in their last game against the Bron/Villeurbanne Falcons despite missing quarterback De’Auntre Smiley who had to travel home for family reasons. The defense did not hold up however as they lost tghe game 50-41. Smiley still leads all quarterbacks and is keeping the Cougars in the hunt.
The Flash and Black Panthers have assured themselves of home field advantage in the playoffs while the Cougars’ loss makes them vulnerable. The Aix-en-Provence Argoanutes are right on their heels.
Passing
Despite missing the last game, St. Ouen l’Aumône Cougars quarterback De’Auntre Smiley continues to lead his team back to respectability. He has 2,545 yards passing and a 156.69 QB rating which is by far the best in France. Rouen Leopards QB Connor Reilly remains one of the reasons Rouen is challenging for a playoff berth in their first year in France’s top division. He has thrown for 2,381 yards and a league leading 24 touchdowns. Moses Skillon is in third with his seventh place Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons and after putting up 239 yards against the Cougars now has 1,579 yards. La Courneuve Flash QB Paul Durand is climbing up the list and now has 1,327 yards and 19 TDs. Jeremy Duponchelle of the last place La Queue-en-Brie Gladiateurs is in fifth with 1,261 yards.
Receiving
With 107 yards against the Black Panthers, Flash receiver Mickael Doukoure has overtaken the lead as the top receiver in France with 677 yards. St. Ouen l’Aumône Cougars wide receiver Herve Omgba had a quiet day without De’Auntre Smiley throwing to him and sits in 2nd with 673 yards. has jumped to the top of the receiver list after eight games with his 673 yards. Doukoure’s teammate Stéphane Fortes is in 3rd with 653 yards. Falcons receiver Cyprien Virot has moved into 4th with 585 yards. Oktay Tulan of the Rouen Leopards has climbed up into 5th after a 132 yard, 2 TD performance against the Argonautes and now has 582 yards.
Rushing
Despite missing the last two games, Black Panthers running back Andreas Betza continues to lead the league in rushing with his 1,101 yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. The 2016 rushing leader, Rondell White of the Nice Dauphins stays in a solid second with 943 yards. Amaud MBouthcha of La Courneuve Flash has moved up into 3rd and now has 652 yards after rushing for 177 yards against the Black Panthers. Argonautes quarterback Jimmie Russell is in 4th with 574 yards rushing while Thonon’s Stephen Yepmo is 5th with his 543 yards.