The fourth place, 5-5 Lazio Ducks will play host to the fifth place 4-6 Ancona Dolphins at CS Arnaldo Fuso Ciampino stadium today, Sunday June 17 in Rome, Italy, in a wild card playoff game in Italy’s Div. I.
The winner will advance to the semifinals to face the first place Milano Seamen. In the other semifinal game, the Bolzano Giants take on the visiting Firenze Guelfi.
In the only meeting between these two teams this year, Lazio came away with a 36-30 victory. In that one, Ducks quarterback Hans Fortune threw for 300 yards and five touchdowns but also was picked off three times, once for a touchdown.
Fortune finished the year as the top passing quarterback in Italy in terms of yardage with 2,503 yards and 28 TDs. Ducks RB Mike Gentili finished the year in 3rd in rushing yardage with 780 yards and 11 TDs and was the second leading scorer in Italy with 17 TDs. WR Paolo Biancalana wound up as the 3rd leading receiver with 815 yards and 9 TDs.
Ancona Dolphins linebacker, Nikolas Suppa was the 2nd leading tackler in Italy’s Div. I with 55.5 tackles while quarterback Josh Dean was sixth leading passer with 1,398 yards.
The Ducks had the third best offense in the league in 2018 but the defense was among the worst. For Ancona to have a chance today, they need to take advantage of that. Dean has to have a good passing day to put pressure on the Ducks secondary which gave up an average of 186 yards passing every game.
However, the Lazio offense should be the difference maker. Although the Dolphins were third best against the pass, Fortune’s last game against them proves they are vulnerable.
Watch the game live here. Wild Card Playoffs – Ancona Dolphins @Lazio Ducks, June 17, 6p (12p EST)
