LIVESTREAM France Game of the Week: Cannes Iron Mask @ Grizzlys Catalans, March 17, 13:00 CET (1 pm, 8 am EDT)

AFI | American Football | 03/17/2024

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The surprising unbeaten Cannes Iron Mask (2-0) take on the undefeated Grizzlys Catalans, Sunday, March 17 as the French D1 Elite league finishes up its fourth full weekend of play.

The Iron Mask, newcomers to the top league in France this season, earned a surprising victory in their opening games when they knocked off the Nice Dauphins 19-6 and followed that up with a 35-8 pounding of the Aix Argonautes. Meanwhile, the Grizzlys downed the Dauphins 21-19 and then rolled over Toulouse 30-6.

Catalans Spanish head coach Oscar Calatayud has his team humming with quarterback Jayen Tregle (Southwestern Oregon, NAIA) looking impressive. Tregle leads the league in passing yards with 528 while tossing five touchdown passes. In the win over Toulouse, Tregle threw three touchdown passes and ran another one in himself. Receivers Aymeric Guilllemaud, Loris Savalle and Idress Ramky all hauled in scoring passes from Tregle.

The Iron Mask are led by head coach Christophe Ferres who relies on Hungarian national team quarterback, Mate Hegedus who has thrown for 272 yards and three touchdowns in the two games. Joining him in the backfield is running back Yanis Polin who has rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, good for second overall in France. Wide receiver Mathieu Apchain is a key target for Hegedus.