The Paris Musketeers (6-1) moved into sole possession of second place in the European League of Football West conference with a convincing 29-13 road victory over the Madrid Bravos (5-2) this past weekend.
The Musketeers used a 16 point fourth quarter to pull away from Madrid and seal the win.
Paris took a 7-0 lead when defensive back Amir Kilani scooped up a blocked Bravos punt and returned it 12 yards for the score late in the first period. Madrid tied the game up with a minute remaining in the opening stanza as quarterback Steven Duncan lofted a ball to Willie Patterson from the 33 yard line who raced the rest of the way to the end zone.
Then with time running out in the first half, Musketeers kicker Mathys Dupont booted a 29 yard field goal to give the visitors a 10-7 lead going into the break.
Neither team could find the end zone in the third but Dupont kicked his second field goal of the contest with just under two minutes left, a 47 yarder, and Paris increased the lead to 13-7.
Early in the fourth, Edwards found a wide open Cheikhou Sow over the middle for a 39 yard touchdown to boost the lead to 20-7 for Paris.
Photo: @maximelepihif
At the 10 minute mark of the quarter, Duncan tossed a perfect pass to tight end Raul Cernouda who made a leaping catch to reduce the lead to 20-13.
Dupont kicked his third field goal of the game with just over five minutes left, this time a 29 yarder, to give the Musketeers a 10 point lead, 23-13.
Paris plunged a dagger into the hearts of the Bravos just a short while later as linebacker Dawson Dales scooped up a Duncan fumble and raced 25 yards to increase the lead to 29-13.
The Musketeers managed to hold on the rest of the way to secure their sixth win over the season.
For Paris, running back Chris Voumbo was a force rushing for 161 yards on 14 carries. Zach Edwards completed 19 of 31 passes for 184 yards and at touchdown with his favorite targets being Cheikhou Sow with three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, and Hugo Tekedam with eight receptions for 54 yards.
Madrid quarterback Steven Duncan threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns with Willie Patterson catching eight passes for 116 yards and a score. Raul Cernuda had three receptions and the other touchdown. Running back Dwayne Obi had 17 carries for only 42 yards.
Next up for the Musketeers is a showdown with the first place Rhein Fire this coming weekend while the Bravos will take on the Cologne Centurions in an interconference battle.