In a game that the defending champion La Courneuve Flash (2-4-1) need desperately to win, they will take on the Rouen Leopards (1-5-1) Saturday, April 20 in the French Federation of American Football eighth round of play.
These two teams met earlier this season and played to a 27-27 tie.
The Flash have struggled and are a far cry from the team that won its second of two straight French titles a year ago. They have scored a total of 83 points and allowed 108 while limping to a 2-4-1 record. The departure of quarterback Paul Durand has left a gaping hole to fill and even if Durand is coaching the team’s two quarterbacks, they are more than just struggling. In their last outing, against the Evy Corsaires, the Flash came out 20-0 winners.
Flash starting quarterback Matthias Josmar has only thrown for 473 yards so far this season. The running game is a little better with Jason Bofunda the fourth leading rusher in the league with 370 yards rushing and 5 TDs. Three of those touchdowns came in the tie game against Rouen.
The Leopards offense is marginally better having scored 99 points in seven games but the defense has surrendered 171. Rouen quarterback Caleb Bedford is the third leading passer in France with 1,308 yards and 8 TDs. In the tie game against the Flash, he threw for 289 yards and 3 TDs.
A Flash win would still give them a mathematical chance of making the playoffs.
Watch the game live here. Rouen Leopards @La Courneuve Flash, Sat. April 20, 7p CEDT (1p EDT)
