The Thonon Black Panthers (4-0) will play host to arch rivals, La Courneuve Flash (4-0), Saturday, March 18, in the key matchup of the French Elite D1.
This is definitely the game of the season so far in France, as two undefeated teams square off in Thonon. The Black Panthers, 2022 runner ups in France, opened the year with four lopsided wins, beating the Saint-Ouen Cougars 38-14 and the Amiens Spartiates 49-7, then rolling over the Asnieres Molosses 35-6 and Amiens Spartiates 59-0. The defending champion Flash beat the Molosses 26-14 and the Cougars 47-6, and then blanked the Spartiates 64-0 before getting by the Tours Pionniers 34-28.
The last time these two teams met was in the 2022 title game when the Flash came away winners, beating Thonon 16-10.
Thonon quarterback Jose Tabora Jr. leads the top offense in the country averaging 45.25 points a game. He has weapons which include running back Nicolas Khandar.
For the Flash, young French quarterback Leo Cremes has also impressed and has his offense chugging along averaging 42.75 points a contest. Cremades has been impressive including a six touchdown performance against the Cougars, which earned him league player of the week. One of his key targets is Canadian wideout Ben Von Jagow.
On defense, the Flash have a ton of talent including versatile homegrown talent Wadjihi Said and American pass rusher Zachary Curry.
La Courneuve Flash @ Thonon Black Panthers, March 18, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 2 pm EDT)
