The La Courneuve Flash open their FFFA D1 Elite 2024 season at home against the Asnieres Molosses on February 3.
These two teams faced each other twice in 2023 with the Flash coming out on top both times, 26-14 and 27-9. La Courneuve reached the semifinals but were upset by the Marseilles Blue Stars and unable to defend their title. Meanwhile, Asnieres finished with a 4-5-1 record in 2023 and out of the playoffs.
The Flash and head coach Nicholas Simoneu fell just short of back-to-back titles last year when they lost to Marseille in the semifinal. They did however win the CEFL beating the Black Panthers in another epic game between the two French powerhouses. This year Simoneu and the Paris team hope to make it two of three and win the national title again.
The Flash have brought in wide receiver Darius Dawson, an Alabama native who has been a standout in Poland, Germany, Mexico, and France over the past several seasons. They also signed American offensive lineman Hans Solberg from Concordia College to beef up their offensive line.
The Flash will be led by young homegrown quarterback Leo Cremades. The French passer was one of the league’s best quarterbacks last year throwing for 2,442 yards and 33 touchdowns while protecting the ball with only five interceptions.
For the Molosses d’Asnieres, veteran American quarterback Brody Hahn will be behind center. Hahn spent the 2023 season with the Saint Ouen Cougars. He is joined in the backfield by speedy running back Meril Zero, who comes back to the club after GFL All-Star and ELF stints the past two seasons.
Defensively, veterans Bryan Jubert and Marwin Kamagu look to help first-year coach Brayden Mccombs club make a playoff push. Mccombs comes to the Paris region after coaching at Eastern Washington (NCAA DI) as well as in Brazil and Australia.
Asnieres Molosses @ La Courneuve Flash
Feb. 3, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)
