ELF: Paris Football Team bolster defense with All American LB Dauson Dales

| American Football | 12/01/2022

The Paris Football Team has made another key signing with the addition of the Italian Football League’s (IFL) 2022 leading tackler, Dauson Dales.

Dales most recently suited up for the Parma Panthers of the IFL where he proved to be one of the stoutest defenders in the league. In eight games the 5 ‘11, 230-pound wrecking ball tallied a league-leading 62.5 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Despite multiple injuries to key positions, Dales led the Panthers to a winning regular season. Parma fell short of the Italian Bowl, but Dales’ dynamism as an athlete was exemplified during the season when he was asked to play both ways. In 34 carries at running back he averaged an impressive 7.2 yards per game with his longest run being just 24 yards, showing just what a unit he is.

Parma LB/RB Dauson Dales #42 Photo: Luigi Felisa

Raised and educated in Ohio, Dales attended Ohio Dominican (NCAA, DII) as a biology major where in 47 games he recorded an outstanding 376 tackles. His nose for the ball broke Ohio Dominican’s single season (2021) and all-time tackle record, earning him D2 All-American honors twice.

The 23-year-old will now be reunited with head coach Marc Matiolli who he played for in 2021 with the Panthers. Dales’ sturdy leadership and reliability will play a crucial role in building a new team and also develop the fresh faces around him.

Head Coach Matiolli praised Dales as a player and more importantly, a leader:

“Dauson is another young man who I am very excited about adding to our roster. I had the pleasure of coaching him last year in Italy. He is what we want at linebacker. He is extremely instinctive and has a nose for the ball. He fits the run, tackles, and plays in coverage exceptionally well. 

“Having Dauson on the field increases the physicality of the entire defense because of how he plays. As good of a player as Dauson is, he is a better person. He is a young man of high character who will represent our team well on and off the field.”

Daniel Mackenzie is a Press Association graduate who works in journalism and communications in the third sector. Daniel began playing football for the London Warriors and Team Great Britain and has since played across Europe.