LIVESTREAM: France – Thonon Black Panthers @Marseille Blue Stars, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2p CEST (8a EST)

AFI | American Football | 02/24/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The 1-0 Thonon Black Panthers head over to Marseille’s Stade Delort field to take on the 2-0 Marseille Blue Stars in the top game of the week in the French Federation of American Football.

These two teams met twice in 2018 with Thonon coming out on top both times, 18-6 and 46-19. The Blue Stars still managed to reach the French semifinals where they were beaten by the La Courneuve Flash 19-9.

Marseille has opened the season with two convincing wins, beating the Aix-en-Provence Argonautes 24-0 and then trouncing the Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons 49-8. Quarterback Chase Burton has been solid in both games completing a total of 32 of 49 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns. His leading receivers are Rudy Dumar (9 rec/169 yds/2 TDs) and Hadrien Lynda (9 rec/95 yds/1 TD). The Blue Stars have rushed for a total of 136 yards in two games with Michel Fargeon the top rusher with seven carries for 50 yards.

Meanwhile, the Black Panthers flexed their offensive muscles in shutting out the Argonautes 51-0. Thonon quarterback Clark Evans was a man on a mission completing 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and five touchdowns while leading the team in rushing with 132 yards on 11 carries.

In fact, the Black Panthers racked up 296 yards rushing with Mike Correia gaining 60 and a touchdown, Meril Paul Zero 58 and a touchdown, and Swedish running back Kasper Wedberg 46 yards. Benjamin Plu led all receivers with six catches for 61 yards and three touchdown receptions, while Leo Sarteel added three receptions for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Needless to say, the Blue Stars front seven will have to find a way to neutralize Thonon’s running attack. That could be a key to this game with both offenses able to move the ball in the air effectively.