A Look at the French American Football Federation Division III National Scene

Since we had no games this past weekend due to the sub-freezing temperatures and snowy conditions, I took some time to look at all nine of France's Division III football leagues to see how every one's seasons were progressing.

A big "MERCI" to Olivier Rival and his Elite Football blog which covers all of French American football with great depth and detail. You can access his fine blog by going to the European Football Links to the left of this post and clicking on French Football Blog.

First, to review, France's Division III is divided into two North and South conferences.

The North conference consists of 27 teams that are further divided into five leagues.

Meanwhile, in the South conference where the Falcons play, there are 18 teams that play in four leagues.

When the playoffs begin the weekend of April 27-28, the North will send each of their five league's champions plus the three best second place teams on the quest for the coveted Silver Helmet Trophy. I am not sure exactly what criteria will be used to determine which three of the five second place clubs will be selected to play in the tournament.

In the South, each of the four league's top two teams automatically qualify for the playoffs.

The survivors of the three game North and South playoffs will meet the weekend of June 8-9, in a fourth and final playoff contest to battle for the 2012-2013 French Division III National Championship.

Let's take a quick look at the current contenders in the North:

Nord Poule A - 6 Teams

Terville Gueules Jaunes 5-0

Strasbourg Minotaure 4-1

Nord Poule B - 5 Teams

St-Herblain Dockers 4-0

Brest Tonnerre 3-1-1

Nord Poule C - 6 Teams

Asnières Molosses B 4-0-1

Caen Conquérants 4-1

Nord Poule D - 5 Teams

Tours Pionniers 4-0

Chatenay Malabry Mousquetaires 3-0

Nord Poule E - 5 Teams

Villepinte Diables Rouges 3-0

La Courneuve Flash B 2-1

Villeneuve d'Ascq Vikings 2-1

At this point, it would be very difficult to eliminate two of the teams currently in second place in the North leagues.

Here are the current playoff contenders in the South:

Sud Poule A - 5 Teams

Montrabé Comètes 4-0

Longages Scorpions 3-2

Sud Poule B - 5 Teams

Biarritz Atlantes 2-0-1

Cénon Devils 2-1 

Sud Poule C - 5 Teams

Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons 3-0

St-Cergues Bulldogs 3-1

Sud Poule D - 3 Teams

Marseille Blue Stars 1-0-1

Marseillan Dragons 1-0-1

Of course, there is still a lot of football left to be played, if the weather cooperates.

As for your Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons, March sets up to be a great month in which to play four games.

Our final five games of the regular season are:

March 3 vs. Lyon Les Gones (1-2)

March 9 at Clermont-Ferrand Servals (0-3)

March 17 at Chambéry Aigles (1-2)

March 31 at St-Cergues Bulldogs (3-1)

April 14 vs. Clermont-Ferrand Servals (0-3)

The final analysis clearly shows that I've got way too much time on my hands.