Panthers edge Frogs to reopen Group A, Dolphins and Skorpions dominate, Marines crush Pirates
When the difference between victory and defeat comes down to a single point or a gutsy call in the final seconds, you know the season has hit its peak. Week 11 of the IFL delivered hard-fought games, major shifts in the standings, and standout performances. With teams chasing confirmation, redemption, or the element of surprise, the road to the playoffs is heating up.
Panthers Parma vs Frogs Legnano 26-25
The Panthers secured a crucial win, edging the Frogs by just one point and overtaking them in the standings, albeit with one more game played. The future of Group A remains wide open, with point differential in head-to-head matchups continuing to play a pivotal role. It was a thrilling, tightly contested game between two evenly matched teams. The Panthers started strong, scoring in the first quarter with a powerful run by Parnell followed by a two-point conversion from Alinovi. The rest of the quarter was a fierce defensive battle, with the Frogs unable to break through offensively. Early in the second quarter, Felli added a 26-yard field goal to extend Parma s lead. Only just before halftime did the silver-and-black Frogs finally find the end zone with a Zahradka touchdown pass to Kittner once again a game-changer for Legnano’s offense. The try failed, leaving the Frogs trailing 11-6. In the second half, Zahradka and Kittner struck again to give Legnano a brief lead, though another failed conversion made it 11-12. The Panthers responded immediately, retaking the lead in just two plays with a 55-yard run by Fiscelli and a Felli PAT. The back-and-forth continued as Pulsinelli hauled in a TD reception for the Frogs, with Masini converting the extra point to end the third quarter. Five minutes into the fourth, the Panthers pulled ahead once more with another Parnell run and a two-point conversion reception by Tassan. With time running out and defenses tightening, the Frogs launched one last comeback attempt, with Zahradka connecting deep to Segre to bring them within a point. But the decision to go for two and win the game didn t pay off. The Panthers kneeled out the clock to seal the victory.
Dolphins Ancona vs Rhinos Milano 35-7
A dominant home performance by the Dolphins, who made light work of the Rhinos already mentally checked out and looking ahead to next season. The first quarter was balanced, giving the Dolphins enough time to calibrate before unleashing an aerial assault that overwhelmed the Rhinos’ secondary. Eaton threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter two to Terhark and one to Dazzani with Brancaccio converting all three PATs. The teams went into halftime with the Dolphins up 21-0. Though the second-half pace slowed, Ancona’s control never wavered. Eaton added two more TD passes, to Orlandini and again Dazzani. The Rhinos managed a late touchdown with just over two minutes remaining a McCarty pass to Boni, who also kicked the extra point but the outcome was never in doubt. The Dolphins remain atop Group A thanks to point differential in head-to-heads, and head to Bergamo next week.
Skorpions Varese vs Giaguari Torino 37-14
The Skorpions claimed a decisive win in this key matchup against the Giaguari, overturning the 31-7 loss from the first leg but falling just short of overtaking Torino in the standings due to a one-point deficit in the aggregate. At Varese’s Franco Ossola Stadium, it was mostly one-way traffic, despite the surprise return of American QB Lewandoski for the Giaguari after last week s injury. The first quarter ended tied at 7, with rushing and receiving TDs by Marcheselli (Varese) and Salsa (Torino), respectively. In the second quarter, the Skorpions capitalized on Giaguari mistakes, striking deep with McClure s passes to Rai and Zanovello (twice). Lewandoski found Salsa again for a score, but the Skorpions defense shut things down from there. After the break, fatigue and heat slowed the pace, but Varese maintained control. The final blow came in the fourth quarter with a field goal from Granelli who also hit all PATs and Zanovello’s third TD catch of the game.
Marines Lazio vs Pirates 1984 Albisola S. 38-10
No mercy in the capital for the Pirates, whose roster decimated by injuries in key positions was no match for a finally consistent Marines squad living up to expectations. With American QB Norwood in top form, Lazio opened the scoring with a rushing TD, followed by two passing touchdowns to Thornton and a QB sneak, all in the first quarter. Impallomeni s perfect PATs, along with a pick by Adriano Araceli and a fumble recovery by Cascio, capped a dominant start. The Pirates made too many mistakes early and struggled to contain their opponents furious pace. A 34-yard field goal by Parodi gave Albisola their first points before halftime, but Norwood answered quickly with another TD pass to Thornton. In the final quarter, the Pirates managed a highlight with a pick-six by Bologna, followed by a Gregorini PAT, setting the final score at 38-10.
Current Standings (as of Week 11):
GROUP A
* Dolphins Ancona (6-1)
* Panthers Parma (7-2)
* Frogs Legnano (6-2)
* Rhinos Milano (3-5)
* Warriors Bologna (1-6)
* Lions Bergamo (0-7)
GROUP B
* Guelfi Firenze (8-0)
* Giaguari Torino (4-4)
* Skorpions Varese (4-4)
* Aquile Ferrara (3-4)
* Marines Lazio (3-5)
* Pirates Albisola (1-6)
More results, analysis, and standings:
https://1divisione.fidaf.org/
Ph. Credits: @Lorenza Morbidoni
