PREVIEW: France’s American Football Elite Set For Week 4
[tps_title]FFFA Elite Week 4[/tps_title]
[tps_header]Flash de la Courneuve (2-1) v. Elancourt Templiers (0-1-2)[/tps_header]
>> WATCH the LIVE STREAM
Tomorrow night, the Flash de la Courneuve (3rd) host the Templiers of Elancourt (7th) in a battle of Ile-de-France. Compared to last year’s duel, this season’s meeting seems more unbalanced due to the ‘Elancourtois’ difficult season start.
Although the offensive squad of coach Emmanuel Charret showed some beautiful things two weeks ago, the defense completely crumbled against the Black Panthers, conceding 39 points (see summary video of the game). The Templiers defense has conceded 974 yards since the start of the season, the worst in the Elite. On offense, although QB Zack Shaw has a duo of effective receivers in Rody Surpin (268 yards, 1 TD) and Jonathan Eckmans (171 yards, 1 TD), it has been strongly handicapped by an offensive line that has give up 10 sacks in the first three weeks.
That said, we know that the defense of La Courneuve is one of the most aggressive on opposing quarterbacks, and will give Zack Shaw‘s passing attack a hard time. With a stat line of 11 sacks, 9 assists and 2 interceptions, the defense the Flash black and yellow is indeed formidable. They have the second best scoring defense in the Elite, conceding only 35 points.
On offense, QB Paul Durand has had a great start to the season (8 TD, 3 INT and an average of 228 yards / game). He is aided by WR Mickael Doukouré, (290 yards, 5 TD) who is undeniably the best receiver Elite. In the backfield, the Flash is also very well served by Marcus Shaw, author of 239 yards and 4 TD. This may be a difficult encounter for the Templiers, whose chances at the playoffs may already be in play in this game.
