AFLE: Wroclaw Panthers rally from 13-point deficit to defeat Paris Lights

The Wroclaw Panthers (5-1) erased a 13-point first-half deficit to defeat the Paris Lights (2-3) 38-27 in American Football League Europe action Saturday, using a dominant second half and a momentum-changing interception return touchdown to strengthen their position near the top of the league standings.

After struggling with penalties and defensive breakdowns early, the Panthers flipped the script after halftime and outscored Paris 26-8 over the final two quarters.

Lights strike early

The Lights looked sharp from the opening kickoff.

Evan Hillock wasted little time finding Florian Larose, who hauled in an 85-yard touchdown pass to give Paris a quick 7-0 lead. Larose struck again early in the second quarter on a 21-yard touchdown reception as the visitors stretched the advantage to 13-0 after the extra point was blocked.

The Panthers finally answered when Jameson Wang connected with Juan Flores-Calderon on a 37-yard touchdown pass before Hillock found Larose for a third touchdown of the half, this time from four yards out, to make it 19-6.

Just before halftime, Wang hit Michael Harley Jr. for a spectacular 60-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 19-12 and providing the spark Wroclaw desperately needed heading into the locker room.

Momentum swings

The second half belonged to the Panthers.

Wang opened the third quarter by finding Eduardo Perez for a 41-yard touchdown, trimming the margin to a single point. Moments later, Ben Wenzler delivered the game’s biggest play, intercepting Hillock and returning it 43 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

With the momentum completely shifted, Dawid Brzozowski added a two-yard touchdown run as Wroclaw scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter to seize a 30-19 lead.

Panthers finish strong

The Lights refused to disappear as Hillock threw his fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon, connecting with Chris Voumbo for an eight-yard score before Voumbo added the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 30-27.

The comeback attempt ended when Wang capped another outstanding performance with a 23-yard touchdown run before adding the two-point conversion pass to Bartosz Woch to seal the victory.

Wang finished 23-of-31 passing for 343 yards and three touchdowns while adding the decisive rushing score. Brzozowski contributed 77 rushing yards, a touchdown and seven receptions for 91 yards, while Krzystof Wis led the Panthers defense with 13 tackles.

For Paris, Hillock threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns, with Larose catching four passes for 116 yards and three scores in a losing effort.