The Thonon Black Panthers return to the road Sunday, February 10 when they travel to Aix-en-Provence to take on the Aix-en-Provence Argonautes.
The red-and-gold clad Argonautes have hired veteran head coach Richard Bonds which could help after they suffered through a 2-8 season last year. Bonds’ steadying hand has been a factor for many teams over the years. The 55 year old from South Carolina, has coached in nine different countries outside of the United States since 2012. This is his second stint in France. In 2015, he guided the Gladiateurs de la Queue-en-Brie to the Div. 2 title in France. Most recently he helped Poland’s Tychy Falcons reach the LFA semifinals. To aid him, the club has brought back Jimmy Russel, although not as quarterback but as offensive coordinator while new running back/returner/defensive back, Troy Rice (Youngstown State.) should have an impact
Following their fruitless trip to Montpellier last week which saw the game cancelled right before kickoff, the Black Panthers will be looking to take their frustration out on someone. The second best team in France two years running now (consecutive finals losses in 2017 and 2018 to La Courneuve Flash) Thonons, led by Fabien Ducousso, will definitely be looking to regain the titles it won in 2013 and 2014. Thonon went to neighboring Switzerland and the Calanda Broncos to sign title-winning QB Clark Evans. This traditional running team could very well try to win in the air this season with great receivers like Jeff Alexandre and Ben Plu both Team France pass catchers. The Black Panthers have become one of the top defenses against the pass and will introduce an international backfield with Bryan Billy, Timon Debiez and Victor Ferrier. There is no doubt that anything other than reaching the final for the third straight year will be deemed a failure for this tradition-rich team.