The top two teams in France met in Thonon-les-bains, France on Saturday and only one would leave calling themselves number one.
Both teams took a 7-1 record into this match, but it was La Courneuve’s Flash that came out victorious (35-21) in the duel against the Black Panthers of Thonon-les-Bains.
The Flash opened the game with a long drive that ended with Flash quarterback Paul Durand finding tight end Kevin Mwamba wide open in the flat for a 13-yard score. The team from Paris extended their lead to 14-0 on a lucky break when a tipped ball fell into the hands of Flash receiver Sofiane Mahmoudi, who raced for the end-zone.
The Black Panthers got on the board in the second quarter when running back Willy Zodeougan found room on a sweep from 10 yards out. The Black Panthers drew even on their next possession when Thonon quarterback Sam Poulos connected with receiver Jefferson Alexandre deep over the middle for a 67-yard touchdown. Shortly before half-time, the Flash marched down the field and Durand hit receiver Mickaël Doukouré for a 3-yard score with :39 on the clock. The Flash defense stepped up and an errant Poulos throw was picked off at the Thonon 45-yard line with :17 seconds left in the half. After a defensive penalty and with no time left on the clock, Durand tossed a ‘Hail Mary’ to Stephane Fortes who landed in the end-zone with the ball. Touchdown Flash.
Leading 28-14 at halftime, the visitors also controlled the second half. In the third quarter, Durand found receiver Doukouré on a 65-yard bomb. With five minutes before the end of the game, quarterback Poulos threw a 24-yard pass to Vincent Bégout for a Black Panthers touchdown.
Down two TDs late in the game, the Thonon couldn’t manage to score again leaving the final score 35-21.
The Flash are now alone atop the FFFA’s Elite Championnat at 8-1 and, with only one week left in the regular season, should clinch the top Elite playoff seed. On May 27th, the Flash host the defending champions Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone Cougars who sit in third at 5-3.
Watch the replay of the game below.
Black Panthers VS Le Flash : Journée 8 : Elite… by blackpanthers-football
