Football is finally back in France after a far too long two-year hiatus. In a Saturday night rematch of the country’s last championship, the Thonon Black Panthers will visit Paris’s Flash La Courneuve in a highly anticipated matchup kicking off football’s return to France in prime time style.
On the visiting side, the defending champion Black Panthers head into their first season since 2020 under the leadership of returning Canadian head coach Larry Legault. Legault has bolstered his offense by bringing in two import players in Canadian college football All-Star Brett Hunchak (York University, Toronto) and American running back Akiva Wedge, who broke several school rushing records during his collegiate career at Southern Virginia (NCAA DIII).
Thonon has also added former ELF-All Star for the Barcelona Dragons Remi Bertellin. The French Mcgill University (Canada) product was one of the European League of Football’s most exciting pass-catchers last season putting up 750 yards and seven touchdowns.
Thonon Black Panthers @ Flash La Courneuve, February 12th, 19:00 CET (7 PM, 1 PM ET)
Defensively, Hungarian Kristof Szakocs safety and kicker joins a solid core of experienced French defenders. The 29-year-old National team player brings experience from the German Football League playing for the Marburg Mercenaries. Other newcomers include Marciano Rodrigues who last played in Hungary as well, along with Brazilian two-way lineman Paulo Andrade.
The Flash also come into this season with a new quarterback as they’ve signed former division one (Florida Atlantic) passer Conor Miller. Miller last played for the Graz Giants in Austria throwing for a league-best 2,170 yards and 23 touchdowns in eight games. A new target for Miller this season will be former Green Bay Packers tight end Ryan Smith whose experience and massive catch radius could help form one of the league’s passing top duo’s. Complimenting size with speed, French receiver Stephane Fortes will look to take the top off of the defense.
Amir Kilani and Mamoudou Drame will be key players in the Flashes defensive backfield. Head coach Nicholas Simoneau will compliment his athletic secondary with a strong defensive line that features French National team defensive tackle Jean Claude Mouliom, along with Christ Kumbedi, and Olivier Gyan.
Fans of French football are thrilled to be back in the stands as the country’s gridiron scene makes its long-awaited return. Viewers will be treated to a showcase of two of the country’s traditional powerhouses as the football starved community looks forward to another great season.