The Falcons started their 2013
French National Championship
Playoff run on Sunday
Southern Conference Division III
Quarter-Finals
#7 seed Albi Hurricane (5-3)
Sud Poule A Second Place
at
#2 seed Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons (8-0)
Sud Poule C Champions
It was exciting to get to face a new
and largely unknown opponent
Spirits ran high before the game
Pre-Game Ceremony Honoring former
Falcons President Maurice Candelo
Current Falcons President, Christophe Thuau on the right, was doing the well deserved presentation.
Game Day was a raw, overcast, rainy one, in other words, perfect FALCONS WEATHER!!!
The Hurricane were in for a long afternoon.
FIRST QUARTER:
Albi got the ball first and promptly went Three and Out, Punt for the first of many times. Our defense came to play today! For simplicity's sake, future Three and Out, Punts will be abbreviated to T&OP.
The Falcons opening drive was a good one as we mixed the run and pass games leading to a six yard TD run by QB John van den Raadt. The PAT was wide but the Falcons led 6-0.
The Hurricane experienced T&OP #2.
The Hurricane punt was returned 60 yards by Falcon Pierro Theyssier to set up a short drive. The Wedgemaster, Mathieu Paredes, weaved his magic for a one yard TD. RB Brice Rontet bolted into the end zone for two more points to push the Falcons' advantage to 14-0.
On a third and long, the Hurricane tried a very long pass that two Falcon defenders simultaneously volley-balled into the hands of an unsuspecting Albi receiver who grabbed the gift, ran from the now fallen Falcons and completed a 50 yard TD play. The Albi two point try was thwarted and now the Falcons lead was a mere 14-6.
Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn every now and then. Même un écureuil aveugle peut trouver un gland de temps en temps.
Pierro Theyssier returned the ensuing kickoff an explosive 40 yards to give the Falcons great field position. A good play by a Hurricane defender stripped a Falcon RB of the ball at the Albi four yard line and the turnover ended a promising Falcon drive.
The Falcon defense put out the fire, Hurricane T&OP #3.
At the end of the First Quarter, the Falcons led 14-6.
Game Day was a raw, overcast, rainy one, in other words, perfect FALCONS WEATHER!!!
The Hurricane were in for a long afternoon.
FIRST QUARTER:
Albi got the ball first and promptly went Three and Out, Punt for the first of many times. Our defense came to play today! For simplicity's sake, future Three and Out, Punts will be abbreviated to T&OP.
The Falcons opening drive was a good one as we mixed the run and pass games leading to a six yard TD run by QB John van den Raadt. The PAT was wide but the Falcons led 6-0.
The Hurricane experienced T&OP #2.
The Hurricane punt was returned 60 yards by Falcon Pierro Theyssier to set up a short drive. The Wedgemaster, Mathieu Paredes, weaved his magic for a one yard TD. RB Brice Rontet bolted into the end zone for two more points to push the Falcons' advantage to 14-0.
On a third and long, the Hurricane tried a very long pass that two Falcon defenders simultaneously volley-balled into the hands of an unsuspecting Albi receiver who grabbed the gift, ran from the now fallen Falcons and completed a 50 yard TD play. The Albi two point try was thwarted and now the Falcons lead was a mere 14-6.
Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn every now and then. Même un écureuil aveugle peut trouver un gland de temps en temps.
Pierro Theyssier returned the ensuing kickoff an explosive 40 yards to give the Falcons great field position. A good play by a Hurricane defender stripped a Falcon RB of the ball at the Albi four yard line and the turnover ended a promising Falcon drive.
The Falcon defense put out the fire, Hurricane T&OP #3.
At the end of the First Quarter, the Falcons led 14-6.
HAMMER TIME!!!
Linebackers Matt Fayard #52 and
David Ollagnier #51
BOMBS AWAY!!!
#7 QB John van den Raadt
GREAT CATCH!!!
The tail end of VDR's Bomb to
#1 WR Romain Nefise
VDR can run too!
#44 SS Papi Bastiand on the Blitz
SWARM!!!!
#11 Punt Returner Pierro Theyssier
He "stands on guard for thee!"
QB Wedge
Pierro Theyssier on a big Kickoff Return
SECOND QUARTER:
The next Falcon drive was highlighted by a great 20 yard catch by WR Romain Nefise. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive possession, the Falcons' drive ended with a turnover. This time it was a pass interception in the end zone that did us in.
The angry Falcons defense quickly reacted as a solid hit by LB Chris Aucoin jarred the ball loose from the Hurricane running back. MLB Matt Fayard scooped up the fumble and took it down to the Albi two yard line.
The Falcons wasted no time as Thibaud Rontet scampered the final two yards for another Bron-Villeurbanne score. Our PAT sailed wide again. It was now Falcons 20 - Hurricane 6.
After a huge sack by LB Sam Ajavon, the Hurricane had undergone T&OP #4.
Another short field for the Falcons and another masterpiece by the Maestro of the Wedge, Mathieu Paredes, for his second TD of the game. The PAT again failed but it was now 26-6 Falcons.
The Hurricane's offensive futility continued, T&OP #5.
The Falcons turned the ball over for a third time on a tipped pass.
The Falcons' defense was in a foul mood over these turnovers. On the final play of the half LB David Ollagnier forced a fumble that was recovered by LB Sam Ajavon.
We had not played efficiently on offense but we still had scored 26 points. To put this 26 point one half total in perspective, that is as many or more points than 11 of the other 15 teams in the Division III playoffs have scored in their entire games this weekend.
At the intermission, the Falcons were up 26-6 but were not happy.
Yet.
Huddle Offense
Baba Vincent catching a Hitch Screen
Tear away jersey?
The Pfaffs were in the house
Our GREAT MLB Matt Fayard
He could play in the States.
He is our Junior team Defensive Coordinator as well. On Sunday he was given the freedom to call the defenses for the Senior game. He did a splendid job!
The Zone to Perfection
QB Counter coming right up
#9 Thibaud Rontet using his blockers
THIRD QUARTER:
It was imperative that our offense got off to a fast start after our lackluster First Half. RB Steve Berthomier started the third period with a physical 35 yard run. The drives second play was a 20 yard TD run by Thibaud Rontet, his second score of the game. The PAT was again wide, the Falcons led 32-6 and we were back on track!
The Hurricane suffered through T&OP #6.
Pedal to the Metal! The Falcons quick strike attack was back as QB John van den Raadt found WR Gaetan Tafa open in the right corner of the end zone for another six points. Another missed PAT. Falcons 38 - Hurricane 6
Dare I say it, Hurricane T&OP #7.
John van den Raadt's last play of the game was a great one as he exploded on a 50 yard TD run. The PAT was GOOD!!! The crowd went wild and the Falcons were in cruise control leading 45-6.
The Hurricane's were on offense as the Third Quarter ended. On this drive the Albi offense notched their first First Down of the afternoon angering the Falcon defense beyond belief. The boys from Bron-Villeurbanne were leading 45-6 with 12 minutes to go.
The Hurricane suffered through T&OP #6.
Pedal to the Metal! The Falcons quick strike attack was back as QB John van den Raadt found WR Gaetan Tafa open in the right corner of the end zone for another six points. Another missed PAT. Falcons 38 - Hurricane 6
Dare I say it, Hurricane T&OP #7.
John van den Raadt's last play of the game was a great one as he exploded on a 50 yard TD run. The PAT was GOOD!!! The crowd went wild and the Falcons were in cruise control leading 45-6.
The Hurricane's were on offense as the Third Quarter ended. On this drive the Albi offense notched their first First Down of the afternoon angering the Falcon defense beyond belief. The boys from Bron-Villeurbanne were leading 45-6 with 12 minutes to go.
Thibaud for SIX!
#2 WR/QB Matt Paredes
greeting some new friends
#25 RB Brice Rontet had some
tough, physical runs today
The Hurricane sported some flashy shoes
VDR's last play of the game . . .
Resulted in a 50 yard TD at the
end of the Third Quarter
Fumble Recovery by Pierre Bouysset
on the first play of the Fourth Quarter
The mood was joyous on the sidelines
The line was still blocking hard
VDR counseling #5 QB Bruno Chapuis
during the Fourth Quarter
John is now our Offensive Coordinator as well as QB and is doing a great job in this capacity.
Romain Nefise was EXCITED!!!
Madcaps!
FOURTH QUARTER:
The Hurricane drive ends on the first play of the Fourth Quarter as LB Pierre Bouysset recovers an Albi fumble.
The Falcons turn the ball over on downs.
A fierce pass rush by DT Will Lacom leads to an interception by Falcon LB David Ollagnier.
The Falcons continue to run the ball and the clock as RB Brice Rontet scores a TD on one of his typical, physical runs, this time from the five yard line. The PAT is good again (YAHOO!!!) and the scoreboard now reads Falcons 52 - Hurricane 6.
The Hurricane run two plays for minimal yardage as the game mercifully comes to an end.
The game was finally over at 4:03 p.m.
Falcons 52 - Hurricane 6
Dancing with the Stars
Falcon Style
Pierro Theyssier took home
the Game Hammer for his great Returns
Words of Wisdom???
Boys Will Be Boys
The field was quite wet, so they just could not resist a post-game 20 yard sprint followed by a belly slide for five more yards.
The Defensive Line
They make games really boring for our DBs
Opposing QBs are under great pressure and the last two teams we have played have not rushed the ball very well.
With Christophe Thuau and
John van den Raadt
Post-Game Social at
Les 3 Brasseurs
It was a good day INDEED!!!
I could not pass up posting this picture
of our Junior team before leaving
on Saturday for their win in Avignon
Two great wins for the Falcons' program this weekend!
2013
Division III National Playoffs
Conference Quarter-Final Game Results
Northern Conference
#1 St-Herblain 26 - #8 Asnières-sur-Seine 0
#5 Caen 39 - #4 Villepinte 36
#6 Strasbourg 27 - #3 Terville 18
#2 Tours 26 - #7 La Courneuve 8
Southern Conference
#1 Montrabé 21 - #8 Flayosc 6
#4 Marseille 18 FORFEIT WIN - #5 Cenon 0
#6 St-Cergues 30 - #3 Bordeaux 8
#2 Bron-Villeurbanne 52 - #7 Albi 6
Conference Semi-Final Games
Saturday or Sunday, May 11 or 12, 2013
Northern Conference
#5 Caen Conquérants (8-3) NPC #1 at
#1 St-Herblain Dockers (9-0) NPB #1
#6 Strasbourg Minotaures (9-2) NPA #2 at
#2 Tours Pionniers (7-0) NPD #1
Southern Conference
#4 Marseille Blue Stars (4-1-1) SPD #1 at
#1 Montrabé Comètes (9-0) SPA #1
#6 St-Cergues Bulldogs (7-2) SPC #2 at
#2 Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons (9-0) SPC #1
NPA = Nord Poule A, SPC = Sud Poule C, etc.
Some upsets in the opening round of the Division III playoffs this past weekend as the Northern Conference's #3 and #4 seeds lost. In the Southern Conference the #3 seed cashed in its chips as well.
Also, in protest against the French Federation of Football Américain's somewhat bizarre playoff bracketing decisions, the Cenon Devils (4-4, SPB #3) opted to forfeit their game against the Marseille Blue Stars (3-1-1, SPD#1). Due to a paperwork snafu, the Devils were placed in the playoffs over the SPB's on the field #1 squad, the Pau Sphinx (6-2).
The St-Cergues Bulldogs
As for your Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons, our Southern Conference Semi-Final game in two weeks will be at home against our Sud Poule C rivals, the St-Cergues Bulldogs. Although we have won our two previous meetings with the Bulldogs, we are well aware of how hard it is to beat any team three times in one season. We are in for a very tough game to be sure!
Falcon Defensive Swarm in our
first Bulldog game on February 17th
The Bulldogs have a Stout Defense as well
A quick look at the two teams that will square off against each other in two weeks:
St-Cergues Bulldogs (7-2)
Sud Poule C - Second Place Team
Oct. 28, (1-0) Chambéry Aigles 12-6*
Nov. 11, (2-0) Clermont-Ferrand Servals 27-13*
Nov. 25, (3-0) Lyon Gones 28-0*
Feb. 17, (3-1) Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons 7-28*
Mar. 3, (4-1) Clermont-Ferrand Servals 14-13*
Mar. 16, (5-1) Lyon Gones 12-9*
Mar. 31, (5-2) Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons 6-41*
Apr. 20, (6-2) Chambéry Aigles 27-20*
Apr. 27, (7-2) Bordeaux Lions 30-8**
May 12 at Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons**
* Sud Poule C Game
** French National Division III Playoff Game
Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons (9-0)
Sud Poule C Champions
Nov. 11, (1-0) Lyon Gones 21-7*
Nov. 25, (2-0) Chambéry Aigles 18-0*
Feb. 17, (3-0) St-Cergues Bulldogs 28-7*
Mar. 3 (4-0) Lyon Gones 35-6*
Mar. 10, (5-0) Clermont-Ferrand Servals 47-0*
Mar. 17, (6-0) Chambéry Aigles 34-14*
Mar. 31, (7-0) St-Cergues Bulldogs 41-6*
Apr. 14, (8-0) Clermont-Ferrand Servals 41-0*
Apr. 28, (9-0) Albi Hurricane 52-6**
May 12 vs. St-Cergues Bulldogs**
* Sud Poule C Game
** French National Division III Playoff Game
