LIVESREAM: France – Thonon Black Panthers @Montpellier Hurricanes, Saturday, Feb. 2, 7p CEST (1p EST)

AFI | American Football | 02/02/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The powerful Thonon Black Panthers will open their 2019 season on the road as they head to Montpellier to face one of four newcomers to the top division, the Montpellier Hurricanes, Saturday, February 2.

The Hurricanes, from Occitanie will be the only, true rookie at this level. Led by QB Hunter Hugues (Hawai University) the Hurricanes will rely entirely on European imports including an offensive line made in Eastern Europe. The team also brought in former national team star Loic Caruso (Centaures Grenoble).

For the Black Panthers, the second best French team for the last two years (consecutive finals losses in 2017 and 2018 to La Courneuve Flash), the team led by Fabien Ducousso is definitely looking to regain the titles it won in 2013 and 2014. Thonon went to neighboring Switzerland and the Calanda Broncos to sign title-winning QB Clark Evans. This traditional running team could very well try to win in the air this season with great receivers like Jeff Alexandre and Ben Plu both Team France pass catchers. The black and white team has become one of the top defenses against the pass and will introduce an international backfield with Bryan Billy, Timon Debiez and Victor Ferrier. There is no doubt that anything other than reaching the final for the third straight year will be deemed a failure for this tradition-rich team.