LIVE STREAM: Italian Football League Kicks Off 2016 Season

AFI | American Football | 03/05/2016

The Italian Football League kicks off this weekend with six games scheduled. The hunt for the 2016 title begins Saturday. The Milano Seamen would have to be the favorites again this season. The Seamen have won the championship title two years in a row. Nevertheless, last year’s win was hard fought.

The Seamen had to score a last-minute touchdown to down crosstown rivals the Milano Rhinos in the semifinals. They then were forced to battle a tough Parma team in the final finally beating them 24- 14.

The IFL remains with its North-South divisions and one new team has joined the South. The Florence Guelfi will replace the Napoli Briganti for the 2016 season.

Three of the games will be shown live. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Saturday March 5

Torino Jaguars – Milano Seamen

The reigning Italian champions face a tough debut away against a solid team, who can rely on the new quarterback Kevin Arduino and on defense the return of former Notre Dame defensive back Chris Salvi. This will not be an easy task for the Seamen.

Kickoff: Saturday, March 5, 9 PM (3 PM EST)

Bologna Warriors – Lazio Marines

On paper, the Warriors will be facing a Lazio team which dominated the South in 2015. And head coach Stan Bedwell has added All European quarterback Anders Hermodsson from Sweden to his offense. Bedwell’s “Air Raid” offense will also have a tough ground game with Hermodsson behind center.

Kickoff: Saturday, March 5, 9 PM (3 PM EST)

Sunday, March 6

Bergamo Lions – Parma Panthers

This tough North division feline rivalry pits two former league champions. Parma quarterback Tomasso Monardi will have Arkansas wide receiver, Demetrius Wilson to throw to while former Razorback Allan Turner roams the secondary. The Lions have added former Texas State quarterback Jordan Moore. This game will be tough to predict, but Parma should have an edge.

Giants Bolzano – Rhinos Milano

Without taking anything away from the other games, this is definitely the highlight match of the 1st round. It pits the two semi-finalists from last season. New Rhinos head coach Chris Ault, father of the “pistol offense” will give returning quarterback TJ Pryor free reins to run a potent offense. The Giants have turned to James Peterson at quarterback. Peterson played for Braunschweig in 2014 and will lead a team that almost made it to the 2015 final. Although the Rhinos dominated in the only game between the two in 2015, this will be a different game.

Kickoff: Sunday March 6, 3 PM (9 AM EST)

Aquile Ferrara – Florence Guelfi

The Eagles are looking to rebound from a dismal 3-7 season in 2015. The newcomers from Florence should be the best way to start 2016. Florence seem ready to take the step up though as they dominated the second division in Italy. Nevertheless, Ferrara has spent the offseason undergoing a major reinforcement. This one is tough to predict.

Rome Grizzlies – Ancona Dolphins

These two teams finished second (Dolphins) and fourth in the South standings in 2015. The Dolphins have undergone a complete overhaul though and new quarterback Ryan Kasdorf (NAIA All-American) will be learning a new system. Although Ancona had an easy time of it in 2015 against the Grizzlies, Rome improved throughout the season and could prove to be a formidable challenge.