IFL Power Ranking - Week 1
- Pasquale Basile
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Italian Football League finally returned last weekend, and it did so in style with three games, all played on February 28th.
Rhinos Milano and Panthers Parma treated us to one of the best games played as of recent IFL history, finishing 58-56 for the Emilians after four overtimes.
The defending champions, Guelfi Firenze, managed to return to the field with a strong victory against Giaguari Torino, who held firm for a half before succumbing 46-21.
The first regional derby of the season went to the Aquile Ferrara, who defeated Warriors Bologna 22-2 on the road, thus confirming the predictions made earlier in the season.
With these results, First Down Magazine publishes the first Power Rankings for the 2026 season for the Italian championship.
1. Guelfi Firenze
Guelfi Firenze picked up where they left off, with a major win that signaled to the entire league that they'll still be in the hunt for the Italian Bowl this year.
After struggling in the first half against Giaguari Torino, the team coached this year by Fabrizio Bocci, last year's only Offensive Coordinator behind Byron McAdams, pushed forward in the second half and secured a victory to get their title-winning defense off to a flying start.
The offense was also a powerhouse in its first outing of the season. Cosimo Casati deserves special mention. After missing part of last season, the Tuscan running back returned with two touchdowns, capping off a strong performance.
Also not to be overlooked is the contribution of Marco Fanni, who returned after a sabbatical and scored two crucial interceptions on a defense that struggled in the first half but was flawless in the second.
The next match against Rhinos Milano, in three weeks, will be an important test to see if the mood will be the same as last year.
2. Panthers Parma
Winning a crucial game like the one at the Velodromo Vigorelli was a huge boost for a team whose expectations are high this year. This year, too, it's Italian Bowl or bust for the Panthers.
Roman Fuller made a convincing debut with six touchdown passes between the game and overtime, while Dario Zatti and Rocco Bonvicini took the top receivers' award in this game. On a team without Simone Alinovi, who left the Panthers to join the FIDAF cause for the Road to Los Angeles 2028, players like them are needed, and not a little.
The team's savior and lifeline on defense was Samuele Copello. Honorable mention goes to him for closing the game with an interception on Darius Perrantes in the fourth overtime.
While the victory was good news, the "but" to consider is the 56 points conceded. It's true that the game ended after four periods of overtime, but conceding so many points in the first game of the season is a negative sign that must be corrected as quickly as possible.
The mistakes made in the first game must be addressed starting with Sunday's match against Lazio Marines, the first home game of the season.
3. Rhinos Milano
Despite losing after four overtimes, Rhinos Milano showed excellent results in their first game of a new era.
Their fifty-six points are already a good sign, thanks also to the additions of Darius Perrantes and Josiah Cotton among the imports and, above all, Roberto Zanovello among the Italians.
Milan has acquired a QB who isn't afraid to take risks and is very courageous in his decisions, and in today's football, they can be an asset.
Despite this, the defense struggled and exposed many of last year's weaknesses, and there will be much to improve there ahead of the next match, against Guelfi Firenze on the road in three weeks.
Milan still has a lot to prove in a year where the playoffs are the main objective. If this is the case, it will be a fun game in the shadow of the Madonnina.
4. Aquile Ferrara
It must be said that the game against the Warriors wasn't a great spectacle, that's true, but seeing the Aquile's determination was a great relief.
Ryan Kraft played well, but struggled greatly due to the many sacks he suffered—seven during the game against Bologna—and the difficulties he faced throughout the game.
One of this team's strengths is its young players, many of whom were key players in the Coppa Italia triumph, the Under-21 Championship, at the beginning of 2026. Pietro Fabro, who scored the first TD of the game, is proof of this.
Despite conceding two points on one of the few snap errors of the game, the defense performed well, even scoring a TD on a fumble recovery by Diego Rinaldi. Two Fumble recoveries and one INT is the final toll for them.
Aquile will now have two weeks off before their home debut against the Lazio Marines at Mike Wyatt Field under the stars.
5. Giaguari Torino
You couldn't have asked for more from Giaguari in their debut against the reigning Italian champions, but at the same time, the two sides of the Piemontese team were on display.
A first half where the yellow-and-blacks had Guelfi on the ropes was contrasted by a second half where the offense failed to score a single point.
The decision to use an Italian player, Riccardo Duranti, a QB with experience abroad, as the team's offensive leader, raised eyebrows among many insiders, perhaps unaccustomed to seeing an Italian QB on the field, but he showed some excellent performances and promises great things for the upcoming matches.
There's no time for the Piemontese team to rest. The Giaguari face the Bologna Warriors in the first of two Week 2 games, an easy game on paper, but fraught with pitfalls.
6. Warriors Bologna
Many insiders expected more from Christian Nobile Warriors' first outing, a disappointment this Week 1.
Despite some flashes of brilliance, especially from Caleb Berry, one of the players selected in the last IFL Draft, and the good work of import Josh Stokes, who recorded an interception, the Bologna team struggled, and not a little, against the Ferrara Aquile.
It's too early to pronounce disappointment, but the blue-and-whites must build on their performance in the Emilian derby to try to make the playoffs.
Despite the huge loss, the defense showed some sparkles, sacking multiple times the opposing QB.
Their next match, Saturday against Giaguari Torino, won't be easy, but it will be an important test ahead of the upcoming games.
The others: Lazio Marines, Dolphins Ancona, and Frogs Legnano
It's perhaps still too early to draw a complete ranking, especially since some teams will have to wait to play for the first time this year.
Lazio Marines, who will debut in Week 2 with an away game against the Parma Panthers, haven't announced any major changes beyond the new imports and draft picks. Not much is expected from them at first glance, but we're prepared to be proven wrong.
A late start for Dolphins Ancona and Frogs Legnano, two of the teams that performed very well last year and are eager to confirm the positive words spoken about them in 2025.
The Frogs, who have made significant changes, especially on the sideline and at midfield, are expected to perform above expectations. Even though their home opener will be against the Bologna Warriors, an easy game on paper, all eyes will be on the Nero-argento.
Cody Kent will rely on two imports, Luke Caliendo and Josh Taylor, up front, while the defense will be Italian, with the returns of Kevin Khay and Simone Perego from the Varese Skorpions dominating the table.
After swallowing the disappointment of losing the Italian Bowl to Toledo, the Ancona Dolphins are once again facing a season where they must aim high.
There have been numerous roster changes, including some big names in Italian football and some undiscovered imports, most notably the last-minute signing of Henry Blackburn.
Will these Dolphins have what it takes to return to the Italian Bowl? The first step will be the road game against Giaguari Torino, a team that will be playing their third straight game of the season and may be feeling a bit tired.
Italian Football League 2026 - Week 1 Results
Rhinos Milano vs Panthers Parma 58-56 (4OT)
Warriors Bologna vs Aquile Ferrara 2-22
Giaguari Torino vs Guelfi Firenze 21-46
Standings after Week 1
Guelfi Firenze (1-0/+25)
Aquile Ferrara (1-0/+20)
Panthers Parma (1-0/+2)
Dolphins Ancona (0-0)
Frogs Legnano (0-0)
Lazio Marines (0-0)
Rhinos Milano (0-1/-2)
Warriors Bologna (0-1/-20)
Giaguari Torino (0-1/-25)
Italian Football League 2026 - Week 2
Warriors Bologna - Giaguari Torino (March 7th, 18:00/KPro Stadium, Bologna)
Panthers Parma - Lazio Marines (March 8th, 14:30/Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium, Parma)
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