Italy: Legnano Frogs play Stainless Steel Warriors Emilia in midweek battle for playoff spot 

| American Football | 05/23/2023

On Wednesday, May 24, the Legnano Frogs and Emilia Stainless Steel Warriors face off for a rare mid-week game in the Italian Football League (IFL). For the Frogs, the game has monumental importance as it will decide their playoff fate in just their first year in Italy’s top league.

These two teams were scheduled to play on May 13, but the game was postponed due to severe weather conditions. So, Legnano is now faced with the prospect of having to play the Warriors after only four days of rest following their 38-14 loss to the Lazio Ducks. To add to the precarity of the situation, starting quarterback Eystin Salum suffered a minor dislocation in the last game which will now force running back Monquavion Brinson to step in as quarterback.

Legnano Frogs (3–4) @ Emilia Stainless Steel Warriors (0–5) 

Just three days after their matchup against the Ducks, the Frogs will again have to hit the field. Their contest against the Warriors was canceled last weekend due to weather and has been rescheduled by the league to Wednesday night.

As previously mentioned, Brison will be stepping in at quarterback for the injured Salum. The former Georgia Southern (NCAA, DI) cornerback has for the most played second fiddle to Salum. In five games, he has amassed just 209 yards and four touchdowns running the ball. As expected, he has also contributed heavily on defense. 

If the Frogs hope to win on Wednesday, they will need Brinson to step in when Salum left off. Salum mostly attacked opposing defenses through broken, chunk-yardage plays. Brison will not have to be a pocket quarterback to replicate this, but it is extremely unlikely he also has the ability to launch the ball 60 yards as Salum did.

The Warriors are yet to win a game. But despite their horrific record they are ranked middle of the pack in nearly every statistical category. Quarterback Derek Green currently ranks third in the league in yards per game but has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. This is where the Warriors biggest weakness lies, an inability to convert opportunities into points.

On paper, the Warriors have nothing to play for. On the field, however, the team will certainly be chasing their first ever victory as a team. Due to its playoff implications, this may just end up being the most exciting game of the week.

Daniel Mackenzie is a Press Association graduate who works in journalism and communications in the third sector. Daniel began playing football for the London Warriors and Team Great Britain and has since played across Europe.