Italian Football League Power Rankings: A new #1 and mid ranking shuffling

There has been a change at the top of Italian Football League rankings and a lot of shuffling as well as the fourth weekend of play is in the books.

The Ancona Dolphins lept into the top sport after they surprised the IFL by edging the defending champion Parma Panthers. Meanwhile, the Firenze Guelfi outclassed the Lazio Marines and the Milano Rhinos took care of business with  a sound beating of the lowly Bologna Warriors.

Let’s see how the Power Rankings, voted on by the IFL Commission, which includes AFI’s own Matt Bressington, changed after the weekend’s action.

1 Ancona Dolphins (2-0) – Last week 3

The Dolphins definitely took care of business this past weekend when they surprised the previous #1, the Parma Panthers, edging them 25-24. Ancona had opened the season with a 24-3 win over the Legnano Frogs.

2 Parma Panthers (1-1) – Last week 1

The Panthers relinquished a 17-7 halftime lead against the Dolphins to fall 25-24 this past weekend and slipped down a spot. In their IFL debut weekend they had earned a solid 33-26 win over the Milano Rhinos.

3 Varese Skorpions (2-0) – Last week 2

The Skorpions were idle this past weekend and slid down a spot due to the Dolphins win over Parma. Still, they remain strong contenders with former NFL QB Ryan Griffin behind center. In the week 2 28-7 win over the Lazio Marines, Griffin tossed four TD passes while completing 70% of his passes.

4 Firenze Guelfi (2-1) – Last week 4

The Guelfi hold onto their 4th place in the rankings after another lopsided win after beating the Lazio Marines 37-15. The week before Firenze had overwhelmed the hapless Bologna Warriors 55-0 following their opening day 7-0 loss to Varese.

5 Torino Giaguari (2-1) – Last week 5

The Giaguari were idle this past weekend and retain their 5th place in the rankings. They had opened the season with two straight wins but were thumped 36-7 by the Legnano Frogs in their third outing.

6 Legnano Frogs (1-1) – Last week 7

Despite not playing this past weekend, the Legnano Frogs moved up one spot again. They had upset the previously undefeated Torino Giaguari 36-7 in Week #2 action after losing to Ancona in their first game of the season.

7 Milano Rhinos (2-2) – Last week 6

Despite beating the hapless Bologna Warriors 48-7, the Rhinos slid down one spot. They had staged an incredible 19 point fourth quarter comeback in their game against the Parma Panthers in Week #2 action but fell short losing 33-26.

8 Lazio Marines (0-3) – Last week 8

The Marines are definitely have a bad start to the season and last week was no exception after they were soundly beaten 37-15 by the Guelfi. They were defeated by the Varese Skorpions the week before 28-7 after suffering a 27-16 loss to the Milano Rhinos to open the season.

9 Bologna Warriors (0-3) – Last week 9

The Bologna Warriors are in a class of their own but not in a good way after being humiliated for the third straight week as the Milano Rhinos beat them 48-7. Their other two losses, 55-0 to the Firenze Guelfi and 42-7 to the Giaguari, leave them mired at the bottom of the rankings.