The opening weekend of the IFL Playoffs went according to script, with the Parma Panthers and Legnano Frogs securing their spots in the semifinals after defeating the Skorpions Varese and Giaguari Torino, respectively.
After a regular season full of twists and tight battles, the postseason opened with two convincing wins by the higher-seeded teams. The defending champions from Parma leaned on their experience and playmaking ability to overcome Varese, while the Frogs displayed the dominant defense that has been their calling card all year. Now, the final four are set: Parma will take on the Dolphins Ancona, while Legnano travels to Florence to face the undefeated Guelfi.
Skorpions Varese 29 – Panthers Parma 41
The Panthers looked every bit the defending champions Saturday, showing poise and execution to take down a gritty Skorpions squad on the road.
The first quarter saw both teams trading field goals as defenses set the tone early. But Parma took control in the second, first with a go-ahead field goal, then with a game-changing pick-six by Alemanno, followed by a successful PAT to make it 13-3. Patterson added a touchdown strike to Fiscelli before halftime, and although Varese answered with a MacClure-to-Tovaglieri TD, a missed extra point kept them trailing 20-9 at the break.
The third quarter belonged to Parma. Patterson connected twice with Tassan—once after a sustained drive, and again after a defensive interception—stretching the lead. Varese fought back with a MacClure TD pass to Volonnino, but a failed two-point attempt left them with ground to make up.
In the fourth, both teams picked off passes, and Varese once again found the end zone through Volonnino, plus the extra point by Granelli. But Patterson responded with a rushing touchdown, and despite a late score by Marcheselli (plus another Granelli PAT), it was too little, too late. Alinovi closed it out with a final interception to send the Panthers into their third-straight semifinal.
Next up: a high-stakes rematch with Ancona, the only team to beat Parma this season—twice.
Frogs Legnano 28 – Giaguari Torino 7
The Frogs punched their ticket to the semis with a dominant win in Milan, smothering the Giaguari offense and capitalizing on key opportunities.
Legnano set the tone early, with Maffi scooping up a fumble and returning it for six, followed by a rushing score from Zahradka. Gioco hit one of two PATs to open up a 13-0 lead.
Both defenses held strong in the second quarter, but just before halftime, Zahradka found Pulsinelli in the end zone. A successful two-point conversion from Kittner to Calegari made it 21-0 at the break.
In the third, it was all Pulsinelli again, hauling in two more touchdown passes from Zahradka—both converted by Gioco. With a 28-point cushion, the Frogs coasted through the final quarter, rotating in backup QB Zerbo. Torino salvaged some pride with a TD pass from Lewandoski to Tenconi and a PAT from Salsa, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Legnano now turns its attention to the unbeaten Guelfi Firenze in what promises to be a thrilling semifinal in Florence.
For more: https://1divisione.fidaf.org
Photo credits: Cinzia Roganti & CUBO Photo
