The Italian Football League offered up a major surprise, a confirmation of a powerhouse in the making, a long-awaited resurgence and a solid performance as the third weekend of play wound up.
The Legnano Frogs stunned the league by whipping the previously unbeaten Torino Giaguari while the Varese Skorpions manhandled the Lazio Marines to stay undefeated and confirm that they are a team to be reckoned with. The Firenze Guelfi rebounded from their opening day loss to the Skorpions to pummel the Bologna Warriors and the Parma Panthers opened their season with a solid win over the Milano Rhinos and thus claim top spot in the rankings.
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 Parma Panthers (1-0) – Last week 1
The Panthers finally made their IFL debut earning a solid 33-26 win over the Milano Rhinos to retain top spot in the rankings.
2 Varese Skorpions (2-0) – Last week 2
In Rome, the Skorpions showed off their passing game with former NFL QB Ryan Griffin tossing four TD passes while completing 70% of his passes in an impressive 28-7 victory over the Lazio Marines. This is the second straight win for Varese.
3 Ancona Dolphins (1-1) – Last week 3
Although the Dolphins were idle this past weekend, they retain their third place in the ranking following their opening round win over the Frogs.
4 Firenze Guelfi (1-1) – Last week 5
The Guelfi overwhelmed the hapless Bologna Warriors 55-0 following their opening day 7-0 loss to Varese and move up a spot in the rankings.
5 Torino Giaguari (2-1) – Last week 4
Following two straight wins to open the season, Torino were thumped 36-7 by the Legnano Frogs causing them to slide down a spot
6 Milano Rhinos (1-2) – Last week 6
The Rhinos staged an incredible 19 point fourth quarter comeback in their game against the Parma Panthers but fell short losing 33-26. But they made a statement and thus hold on to 6th spot in the rankings.
7 Legnano Frogs (1-1) – Last week 8
The Legnano Frogs moved up one spot after they stunned the previously undefeated Torino Giaguari 36-7. If they continue to perform like this, their rise in the rankings will definitely be rapid.
8 Lazio Marines (0-2) – Last week 7
The Marines have struggled out of the gate and the 28-7 loss to the Skorpions, their second in a row, dropped them one spot.
9 Bologna Warriors (0-2) – Last week 9
The Bologna Warriors suffered another humiliating lopsided loss, this time 55-0 to the Firenze Guelfi thus cementing their place at the bottom of the rankings.