First big meeting well negotiated by Paris, who are waiting for Rhein Fire with bated breath.
Madrid Bravos – Paris Musketeers: 13-29
The Paris Musketeers have started their series of 4 away games in a row well, with a victory over one of their conference rivals, the Madrid Bravos.
Marc Mattioli's men won 29-13 thanks in particular to their defense and their special teams. Like last week, the attack was irregular. Sacked 3 times, Zach Edwards was mainly helped by his ground game, although he was deprived very early of his best runner Jason Aguemon, injured at the start of the game.
Clumsy attacks
After a well-defended first series, the Parisians were aggressive from their first offensive series. Unfortunately, Zach Edwards (19/31, 274 yards, TD, INT) saw his run stopped 1 yard from the first attempt. Fortunately, the special teams were there to compensate for the clumsiness of the attack.
The Bravos punter sees his attempt blocked, safety Amir Kilani didn't ask for much, and scores the first points of the game. This blunder by the special teams will wake up the Bravos attack. Found by his quarterback Steven Duncan (21/37, 256 yards, 2 TDs, INT), receiver Willie Patterson (8 REC, 122 yards, TD) scores his 3rd touchdown of the season.
This will ultimately be the only flash of the Spanish attack in this first half. Duncan will then be intercepted by linebacker Jordan Genmark-Heath. But, opposite, the Paris Musketeers do not do much better.
Sacked twice in the first half, Zach Edwards can count on Chris Voumbo, Aguemon's replacement. After some sharp runs, the French running back commits a fumble close to the red zone, fortunately without consequence. It was only during the last offensive series of the half that Paris managed to build a clean attack. After a magnificent pass from Edwards to his number 1 receiver Austin Mitchell (4 REC, 43 yards) on the 4th attempt, kicker Mathys Dupont allowed the Musketeers to go into the locker room with the lead. (7-10)
The Dauson Dales Poison
Expecting more rhythm in attack, Marc Mattioli still sees his men being messy in attack. On a 3rd short attempt, Zach Edwards sees his pass to Rémi Bertellin intercepted by the Bravos defense. Fortunately, Paris escapes the equalizer after Alvaro Guitan's missed field goal. Actions symbolic of a defensive 3rd quarter, in line with the first half.
After a field goal by the excellent Mathys Dupont, the Musketeers finally managed to make a first gap at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Receiver Cheikhou Sow (3 REC, 62 yards, TD) escaped linebacker Luke Glenna, author of the interception, and resisted to go into the end zone. But, Paris definitely likes to give their supporters cold sweats.
The Bravos responded with a 23-yard pass from Duncan to his tight end Raul Cernuda (3 REC, 47 yards, TD). But the Spanish attack's improvement was short-lived. Impressive in defense with 9 tackles, Dauson Dales was the man at the end of the game, relieving the Parisians of a bad surprise.
The linebacker from Ohio State will first be the author of a defensive touchdown, after a sack fumble forced by Stanley Zeregbe. Finally, on the last series of the Madrid players, he succeeds in several decisive plays in order to avoid the rapid progression of the attack. Paris only has to run to let time pass to win its 6th victory of the season in ELF.
Other matches of the day
- Fehévar Enthroners – Milano Seamen: 27-17
- Berlin Thunder – Vienna Vikings: 9-34
- Stuttgart Surge – Wroclaw Panthers: 40-0
- Munich Ravens – Helvetic Mercenaries: 55-23
- Rhein Fire – Frankfurt Galaxy: 48-13
- Cologne Centurions – Hamburg Sea Devils: 32-25
Standings and next match
The next match of the Musketeers is a match at the top of the Western Conference. The Parisians travel to Germany in Dusseldorf to go to the defending champion, the Rhein Fire. The Germans remain on 5 consecutive victories, and are in great shape.
In the standings, the Paris Musketeers remain 2nd in this conference. A victory against the Germans would allow Marc Mattioli's men to take the lead in the conference, and get closer to the playoffs.
