The Nice Dauphins open their 2025 French D1 Elite league season on the road when they face the Cannes Iron Mask in Cannes.
These two teams faced each other twice in 2024, splitting the series. The Iron Mask won the first game 19-6 while Nice took the second, 20-16.
The Dauphins reached the wild card playoff round in 2024 but were eliminated by eventual champions, the Thonon Black Panthers. Cannes finished fifth in the six team Conference B with a 4-6 record.
The Iron Mask have brought in Canadian quarterback Olivier Roy who enjoyed an excellent college career in Canada playing for the Concordia Stingers. He finished as the All-time passing yards/passing touchdowns leader.
Nice signed Kiani Freeman to quarterback the team. A graduate of Seton Hill University (NCAA, Div. 2), he played six games for the Bern Grizzlies in the Swiss league throwing for 1.303 yards and 12 touchdowns.