The FFFA D1 Elite (Federation Francaise de Football Americain) league has only one game on tap this weekend as the 1-0 Nice Dauphins will host the 0-1 Catalans Grizzlys.
The Dauphins are coming off an impressive 36-3 thumping of the Grenoble Centaures while Catalans suffered a tough 26-14 loss to the 2022 Southern division champions, the Marseille Blue Stars.
The Dauphins last played in France’s top division in 2017 but after an excellent 2022 campaign in the second tier brought back much of the core that had them knocking at the door the last few seasons. The win over Grenoble was proof that the formula works. National team quarterback Sullivan Silverio leads the returning group of players along with linebacker Benjamin Touati and offensive lineman Anthony Simper. Silvero was particularly impressive completing 16 of 19 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The Grizzlys, under head coach Enver Ramovic, are coming off a hard-fought loss last week. Against a Blue Stars team that was clicking on all cylinders from the opening whistle, they took a half of football to get going and trailed 20-7 at the break. Still, with Jagger Laroe a former Ohio State Buckeye quarterback and Canadian wide receiver Jonathan Breton Robert who had a standout career at Laval University, winning two Vanier Cups, they staged a comeback although it fell short. Robert scored both touchdowns in the loss to the Blue Stars and will cause problems for the Dauphins secondary today. With last year’s DI leading receiver, Idriss Ramky, and a loaded receiver corps which includes Aymeric Guillemaud, the Grizzlys could surprise.
Grizzlys Catalans @ Nice Dauphins, Feb. 11, 18:30 CET (6:30 pm, 12:30 pm ET)
