The EFAf cup starts off bad for the Parma Panthers, losing 40 to 14 verse the Black Panthers of Thonon Les Bains from the French League.

Coach Papoccia fielded a team without many of its offensive weapons due to injuries. WRs Gavesi, McIntyre, Tunnera and Grigolo were all unable to participate.

The Parma Panthers kicked off to start the game and the defense yield the first touchdown after a drive put together capped by the first TD of Cooper. The French decided to kick the PAT, but the Panthers defense blocked the attempt by their kicker Sevrin.

Without many of its WRs, the Parma Panthers aerial attack was not on display, as the Black Panthers shut down Parma’s offense resulting in a punt on its opening possession. Parma’s Defense held and got the ball back. The offense again had trouble moving the ball and fumbled inside its own 10 yards line, resulting in a quick TD by Vitret and the two point conversion good by Cooper.

The Panthers offense responded by moving the ball on its next possession with receptions by Polenghi and the runs of Bulgac. The drive ended with an interception by LaZotte.

In the second quarter the Panthers defense stepped up but could not find the answer for the rushing attack of the Black Panthers. The French RB, Jackson, broke a long run of 60 yards to put the Black Panthers ahead 20 to 0.

Papoccia’s squad responded and put together a nice drive resulting in the first TD. Craddock to Polenghi and runs by Tully highlighted the drive, as Tully capped off the drive with a 3 yard TD with 2 minutes to go in the second quarter. The PAT was blocked and the score remained 20 to 6. The Black Panthers received the ball back with just over a minute to go in the half, and carved their way down the field. On the goal line, the Black Panthers scored another TD, with Jackson, with 15 seconds remaining in the half. The 2 points conversion was good, and at halftime the score was 28 to 6.

In the second half, the Parma Panthers returned to the field hoping to get back in the game. The Offense started the half moving the ball again with Tully. The first drive of the second half resulted in another TD by Tully and the two points conversion made it 28 to 14. However the Black Panthers returned on offense and the Panther defense could not stop them. Another long TD by Jackson and one by Kiernan resulted in the final score, 40 – 14.

With this lost, the Panthers compromised the passage to the next round. Anyway, the next game in the EFAF Cup for Parma will take place May 16th verse the Calanda Broncos of Switzerland. However first the Panthers will need to recuperate injured players quickly because next Saturday, the 25th, returns the Italian Championship, with a home game where the black-silver will need to defend their top spot in the rankings verse the Milano Rhinos.