IFL Power Ranking - Week 9
- Pasquale Basile
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
1. Guelfi Firenze
Even in a remake of the last Italian Bowl, Guelfi managed to take control, winning 51-17 against Dolphins Ancona.
The tie lasted only one quarter, the first, which ended 14-14, before the Viola began to put the fifth quarter into effect, matching their winning streak this year.
A win against Lazio Marines next week could secure direct qualification to the semifinals, a step closer for the league's top favorite. However, the threat of too many matches in a short space of time, especially given the European campaign about to begin, could jeopardize their season.
In fact, Guelfi are in the midst of a three-game home series that will conclude with the CEFL match against the Belgrade Blue Dragons, to be played on May 16th at the Guelfi Sport Center.
2. Frogs Legnano
The Frogs secured a remarkable home victory over Giaguari Torino. Second place has been temporarily secured, and the Lombardy team is aiming for something bigger ahead of the final two games.
A triumph built primarily in the fourth quarter, with a decisive run coming from two touchdowns by Matteo Mozzanica and veteran Andrea Posté, and a defense that did its job well when Torino attempted a comeback.
Legnano finished the first of its three games well against playoff contenders. The Week 12 and 13 games against Firenze and Parma will be the most important of the season and will play a decisive role.
3. Panthers Parma
A mostly quiet weekend for the Panthers, who didn't play and were left to watch the results of their other games through binoculars.
The Frogs' victory over Torino forces the Ducali to win their next two games against Giaguari Torino and Warriors Bologna to significantly extend their lead in second place ahead of the direct clash against Legnano on the final day of the Regular Season.
4. Dolphins Ancona
The Dolphins Ancona's streak of three consecutive wins ended on the Guelfi Firenze field, with a loss, and a bad one, against the league leaders.
The tie lasted only one quarter before the game ended with just three points scored between the second and final quarters. A defeat that offers plenty of opportunities in a tense situation like the last two spots in the playoff standings.
However, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs are still high. The match against the Aquile Ferrara scheduled in two weeks will be a real showdown to determine the fifth seed for the playoffs.
5. Giaguari Torino
After a great start to the season, where they became the first team to qualify for the playoffs, they have suffered two consecutive defeats with close margins and, in both cases, bloody defeats.
If the loss against the Lazio Marines came after a 48-minute battle, this weekend's defeat at the Frogs Legnano stings even more, as it came against a direct rival for the standings.
Say goodbye to second place in the standings for the Giaguari, who will close out the regular season against the Panthers next week (they'll be the first to do so). The playoffs are on their minds, depending on their final standing and how they fill the remaining weekends of the regular season to maintain their form.
6. Lazio Marines
The Lazio Marines continue their strong run with a home win over the Rhinos Milano, bringing a breath of fresh air to their ranks.
It's the second consecutive victory for the team coached by Cooper Heisey, who clinch sixth place, tied with Aquile Ferrara, but still with the Week 3 head-to-head matchup against them.
Next week, against Guelfi Firenze, a team that will secure a direct semifinal berth if they win, it won't be easy, but a rout by the Aquile in Ancona the following week would open up important possibilities for the final two games.
In between, the Biancocelesti will also play two friendly matches against two American colleges as part of the 2026 Rome College Bowl Series. On May 17th, they'll face the Carroll Pioneers, while on May 31st, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents will travel to Rome's Centro Sportivo Dabliu Eur. Both teams are NCAA Division III teams, and the games will be livestreamed on the Rome team's YouTube channel.
7. Aquile Ferrara
Ferrara, like others this weekend, watched Week 9 unfold as interested spectators, only to be slightly disappointed by the Marines' home win over the Rhinos.
Coming off four straight losses, but with the direct matchup against the Roman team in their favor, Aquile must no longer be distracted, but the games against Dolphins Ancona and Rhinos Milano should not be taken lightly, especially the first.
8. Bologna Warriors
Renewed by their win against Rhinos Milano the previous week, the Warriors did not take the field this weekend, and they will not do so next weekend either.
We'll have to wait until Week 11, the away derby against the Panthers, to see the Bolognese side back on the field, perhaps with new ideas and a lot to prove to best honor the first year of a new era.
9. Rhinos Milano
The Rhinos Milano's poor run continues, losing their away game against Lazio Marines and officially bowing out of the playoffs.
Against a team of similar caliber, the game was a battle to the finish, with the Milanese team scoring both touchdowns in the second half. However, in the end, the home team prevailed, reviving their playoff hopes.
Rhinos missed the boat and bid farewell to a season from which much more was expected after last season's collapse. The games against Dolphins Ancona and Aquile Ferrara will serve to soften a tough pill to swallow.
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