The 2019 Italian DII American Football Season Is About to Kickoff

Wednesday, 20 February, 2019

Still in somewhat of an R&R mode after both the Venice trip and a long, late practice session that was extended due to a much needed, post-practice coaches meeting, I opted for some me time today.

It started by finishing my latest book from the Varese Public Library's fine collection and then into watching a Hercule Poirot Mystery DVD.

This fun, interesting DVD was from the library as well, was scheduled to last 90 minutes but died at the 58 minute mark.

As for who killed the party's host, I guess that both Hercule and I will never know.

More on the book at the end of this post.

I headed into Varese to return said book and DVD in exchange for two new ones and then walked about town a bit.

My favorite antiquarian was

open for once

He has lots of fascinating things

worth at least a gander even

if I do not buy anything

I did indeed buy some old currency notes from a few different countries at a moderate price of a Euro each for the grandsons' collections. 

 The grease being absorbed by the price

cards resting on these pastries is

a good sign of quality, no?

At the Feltrinelli bookstore next to my

bus stop this sign begged that I

"Get in the game and take a selfie with

the book that has thrilled me the most"

  

Well, that was easy

This is the Italian translation il Professionista of John Grisham's 2008 book, titled in America Playing for Pizza, about life playing American football in Italy for the Parma Panthers.

It got my juices flowing back then when I read it in English, not in Italian.

Thanks for the use of your book Giorgio Nardi for this photo op.

This is Opening Weekend

of the 2019 Italian DII Season

But not for the Skorpions or 12 other DII teams with Week #1 byes to start the campaign.

Here is a colorful, alphabetical look at the 19 teams playing in DII this season.

To recap a long ago blog post, DII will be divided into three groups this year with each team playing eight regular season games.

At the end of the season the 12 best teams based on a Power Ranking system, regardless of groupings, will go to the playoffs with the top four seeds getting First Round playoff byes.

Here is the group breakdown which includes each team's 2018 record in DII unless otherwise noted.

GROUP A

Nine teams that will play each other one time.

Brescia Bengals 5-3

Busto Arsizio Blue Storms 9-1

Canavese Mastifs 3-5

Martesana Daemons 6-4

Milan Rhinos 4-6 in DI

Monza Brianza Hammers 5-4

Palermo Sharks 4-5

Varese Gorillas 1-7

Varese Skorpions 5-4

GROUP B

Five teams that will play each other two times.

Castelfranco Cavaliers 5-3

Ferrara Aquile 5-3 in DIII

Isonzo Sentinels 0-8

Padova Saints 9-1

Verona Mastini 6-4

GROUP C

Five teams that will play each other two times.

Bologna Braves 3-5

Modena Vipers 7-3

Reggio Emilia Hogs 7-2

Roma Pretoriani 10-2

Sarzana Red Jackets 2-6

WEEK #1 GAMES:

Group A Games

No Games Scheduled Week #1

BYES: Brescia Bengals (0-0), Busto Arsizio Blue Storms (0-0), Canavese Mastifs (0-0), Martesana Daemons (0-0), Milan Rhinos (0-0), Monza Brianza Hammers (0-0), Palermo Sharks (0-0), Varese Gorillas (0-0) and Varese Skorpions (0-0)

Group B Games

Saturday, February 23rd

Isonzo Sentinels (0-0) at Verona Mastini (0-0)

Sunday, February 24th

Ferrara Aquile (0-0) at Padova Saints (0-0)

BYE: Castelfranco Cavaliers (0-0)

Group C Games

Sunday, February 24th

Sarzana Red Jackets (0-0) at Roma Pretoriani (0-0)

BYES: Bologna Braves (0-0), Modena Vipers (0-0) and Reggio Emilia Hogs (0-0)

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Reading Is FUNdamental!

Now this was a fun, action

packed read!