Italy: Milano Seamen claim top spot in week 2

The Milano Seamen have claimed the top spot in week 2 of the Italian Football League after handing a decisive 21 – 3 defeat to last years’ champions, the Parma Panthers.

After the Panthers went on an undefeated run to the title last season, and entered this year with a roster that was more or less unchanged, they looked set to repeat it this year. But in their week 1 matchup against Firenze Guelfi they showed holes despite securing a close win.

Parma’s new quarterback, Brook Bolles, showed growing pains during the team’s first outing, a trend that only continued in week 2 as the new signal caller completed only 13 of 32 passes and was sacked three times, failing to put any touchdowns on the board.

Seamen quarterback Luke Zaradkha had a similar stat line as far as completions go but racked up over 300 yards and two touchdowns. It was the Seamen’s defense that shone the brightest though, allowing the offense to make mistakes but stay in the game.

The late-night game in Italy saw the Bologna Warriors face off against the newly promoted Mastini Verona. But the first appearance for Verona was not a fortuitous one as the team failed to register a point, totaling just 21 passing yards against a stout Warriors defense and Bologna came away with a 31-0 victory, their first of the season. The win was the first victory for Canadian-Italian quarterback Gabriel Cousineau who put together an impressive performance, throwing for over 220 yards and three touchdowns.

The final game of week 2 was unlike the first two, with the Lazio Ducks and Milano Rhinos going down to the wire in a 28-27 shootout win for the Ducks.

Lazio quarterback Calvin Stitt redeemed himself in his week 2 matchup after completing just four passes in week 1. The dual threat passer threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 70 yards and a touchdown with his legs.