Thonon Black Panthers dominate Manchester Titans 55-8 in CEFL Quarterfinals: Renteria throws four touchdowns
Behind a spectacular performance by quarterback Mateo Renteria who threw four touchdown passes and scored another two on the ground, the Thonon Black Panthers steamrolled the Manchester Titans 55-8 in the quarterfinals of the CEFL Championship tournament.
The defending champions, playing on their home turf in Thonon-les-Bains, demonstrated why they are the team to beat this season. With a mix of explosive offense and a stifling defense, the Black Panthers left no doubt about their intentions as they secured a spot in the semifinals against the Firenze Guelfi.
Black Panthers set the tone early
From the opening whistle, the Black Panthers played with the confidence of a reigning champion. Running back Lucas Davoine set the stage with powerful runs, and quarterback Mateo Renteria quickly found his rhythm. Renteria connected with Pierre-Yves Dayres for a touchdown, putting the Panthers up 7-0 early.
The Titans attempted to respond, but their efforts were thwarted when Ryan Jacquin intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick-6, extending the lead to 14-0. The Titans struggled to find their footing, and a subsequent punt led to another scoring drive for the Black Panthers. Renteria showcased his versatility, rushing for a 22-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.
Defensive dominance and offensive firepower
The Titans faced another setback when their drive ended in a turnover. Just as they seemed poised to score, the Black Panthers defense forced a fumble, recovering the ball and maintaining their momentum. Mehdy Radeau took over as the workhorse for the Panthers, contributing both in the air and on the ground. Radeau capped off a strong drive with a touchdown reception from Renteria, pushing the score to 27-0.
As the first half wound down, Renteria connected with Amin Ibrahim for another touchdown, bringing the score to 34-0. The Titans were left reeling, unable to answer the Black Panthers’ relentless attack.
Second half surge and Titans’ late score
In the third quarter, the Black Panthers continued their onslaught. Fodé Drame caught a long pass and was tackled just short of the end zone, but Renteria quickly punched it in for a 41-0 lead. The Titans struggled to gain any traction, and a defensive score by Adel Bafdile, who returned an interception for a touchdown, made it 48-0.
Finally, the Titans managed to get on the board with a series of successful plays, culminating in a touchdown pass from Josh Mills to Matt Wilson, making it 48-6. However, the Black Panthers responded with another touchdown from Renteria to Drame, pushing the score to 55-6.
In the closing moments, a mishap on a snap led to a safety for the Titans, finalizing the score at 55-8. With this victory, the Thonon Black Panthers advance to the semifinals, ready to defend their title against the Firenze Guelfi on June 6.
