THE FIRST FFFA D1 POWER RANKING OF THE YEAR
- Arnaud Dignocourt
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
Did you miss it? We did too! Here is the first power ranking of the D1 Élite 2026’s season!
Do not mind your favorite team position this week, it's still kinda hard to figure out who’s really good and who isn't.
1. Flash - La Courneuve 1-0
They faced a solid Leopards squad, but the scoreboard still reflected the gap between the two teams. The Flash relied on a brand-new dual threat in Keegan McCormack-Reamer (former Mercenaries QB in ELF), who was accurate and consistent while leading the offense. Precise throws and a strong ability to extend plays were matched with an excellent football IQ. Some offensive plays didn’t gain yardage, also due to a few drops from receivers, including the outside receiver No. 1 (no disrespect, he played well, and both still need time to adapt to each other’s rhythm and play style). They’ll meet the Black Panthers next week. It’ll be the opportunity to see who could be the leader of the North.
2. Black Panthers - Thonon-les-bains 1-0
This matchup was the Game of the Week, with both teams having reached the semifinals last season. A brand-new quarterback, key pieces returning, everything was in place. Up 21–0 early in the third quarter, wide receiver Pierre-Yves Dayres and new quarterback Mateo Renteria connected consistently enough to carry the team. French MVP Adel Bafdile made his impact on special teams and delivered strong tackles on defense (note that he was barely used on offense compared to last season). However, late-game management proved to be an issue, as they conceded a significant number of points in the final quarter alone, highlighted by a Renteria interception in the red zone. Final mark: 28–20. However, those issues need to be addressed as their next opponent is the Flash and they won’t have this much space to operate.
3. Blue Stars - Marseille 1-0
Heavy rain, a muddy field, Marseille, this was raw football at its finest. Players were slipping and struggling to secure the ball, but in these conditions, the Blue Stars were better than the Argonautes. After a difficult season last year with an import quarterback who didn’t become the leader expected, they brought back the well-known Lynda as their field general. He delivered, capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes and managing the game from start to finish. They still looked vulnerable to the Argonautes’ offense, especially in the running game, but found a way not to concede points. They face Cannes next week.
4. Grizzlys - Perpignan 1-0
The team made several moves this offseason. On offense, they brought in last season’s Diables Rouges quarterback Badis Grami to lead the unit and added young pieces to the offensive line, including Adam Sahib (former Pôle France and Pôle Espoir player) and Nino De Wavrechin (also from Pôle Espoir). On the other side of the ball, they added Étienne Aram-Orieux from Quebec’s Drummondville school, with all of them starting the game. The offensive line often gave Grami enough time to throw and opened lanes in the running game, though it did collapse on a few downs. Defensively, the performance was less convincing. While they managed the run, they missed several opportunities to assert their dominance through the air, with defensive backs getting beaten multiple times, especially on deep concepts. They face Toulouse next week, which could be a more favorable matchup.
5. Meteores - Fontenay-sous-Bois 1-0
There was anticipation around this team after the arrival of Rémi Bertellin, well known for his key role in the Paris Musketeers’ offense. However, for personal reasons, he may miss the entire season. Despite that absence, the running game proved highly effective thanks to the offensive line’s work and the duo of running backs Graham Ouro Bodi and Stephanos Sela. Quarterback Matthias Josmar threw two interceptions and struggled with accuracy on deep passes, but remained reliable on short concepts and sold play-action fakes effectively. This team is among those that will not be in the Elite League next season. Expectations are therefore limited, yet a postseason qualification remains possible. They will face the Molosses next, who will be looking for redemption after this week’s loss.
6. Iron Mask - Cannes 1-0
Do not underestimate them like many did last season. A slow start? Yes. Areas to fix? Absolutely. But this is a well-coached team. Give quarterback Connor Miller, brought in this summer from the Schwäbisch Unicorns, and the entire offense time to settle in. Trust Arnaud Vidaller and his coaching staff, and things should come together in the long run. This wasn’t a flashy win, the opponent wasn’t particularly strong on offense nor poor on defense, but it got the job done. The upcoming matchup against the Blue Stars will be a real test. Win it, and the season truly launches. Lose, and matching last season’s standards will become far more challenging.
7. Molosses - Asnière-sur-Scène 0-1
Currently the first losing team on the standings, but they could climb much higher in the coming weeks. I’ll admit I was personally a bit worried, it was their first game without Brody Hahn, who retired during the offseason. Ah, nostalgia… They lost, yes, but against the reigning champions. And they weren’t blown out. They competed. Nearly nonexistent through the first three quarters, they showed composure and poise in the fourth while attempting a comeback. It fell short, but it was also the first game in France for Marquez McCray, coming over from the Milano Rhinos. Keeping things in perspective, this was a strong performance, and this team clearly has what it takes to win games.
8. Diables Rouges - Villepinte 0-1
They were somewhat unlucky in that loss. The game started well, but momentum shifted when newcomer quarterback Isaiah Green (known for his stint with the Istanbul Rams in the ELF) fumbled on a tackle, with the ball immediately recovered by the opposition. From there, they struggled to contain the rush, allowing the game to be tied. On the very next drive, Green misread a throw that resulted in a pick-six, giving the Meteores the lead. The remainder of the game was about searching for solutions, ultimately falling just short. Their next matchup against the Leopards will serve as an opportunity for redemption.
9. Centaures - Grenoble 0-1
After conceding 14 points in the first quarter, they started to turn things around. The offense struggled to move the ball, but the defense stepped up and kept them in the game. Centaures’ quarterback launched a 50-yard bomb on a fade, setting his receiver up for 30+ yards after the catch and a touchdown. A few drives later, a defender forced a turnover on a tackle, and the QB delivered another precise pass to quickly advance the ball. Receiver Abraham Juwan, who caught both passes, converted the second into a touchdown, cutting the lead to just three points. The defense remained composed and intercepted another pass in the end zone. On the following defensive drive, they fought hard but couldn’t hold, allowing the final touchdown of the game. Be ready Aix, Grenoble’s defense isn’t joking.
10. Ours - Toulouse 0-1
This squad is primarily defense-driven. They limited an ELF quarterback effectively while controlling the running game. Consistency, however, was lacking: some plays were excellent, others disastrous, and that inconsistency defined the game. On offense, they still need to build confidence. Things looked awkward on that side of the ball, but nothing is permanent. They could show a much stronger performance against the Grizzlys as the players continue to gel week by week.
11. Argonautes - Aix-en-Provence 0-1
The Argonautes will leave this game with regrets. Despite the loss, they managed to move the chains and sustain drives at times, showing that the game plan could work in stretches. However, they lacked consistency and, above all, failed to make a real impact in key moments. Kept in the game for a long time, the Aix-based side was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, settling for just three points while the defense did enough to keep them within reach. The blocked extra point returned for two points would prove to be their final highlight of the night. Overpowered and outpaced in the fourth quarter, they eventually broke under Marseille’s intensity. This defeat still reveals some encouraging foundations, but also a clear lack of efficiency and control over four quarters. The Argonautes now know what must improve to turn promising sequences into genuine offensive threats. Maybe against Centaures? We’ll see.
12. Leopards - Rouen 0-1
After a difficult 2025 season, the Rouen Leopards opened their 2026 campaign looking to show a more competitive side. Traveling to face the Flash de La Courneuve, however, represented an immediate and demanding test to measure their progress. The Leopards quickly found themselves under pressure. Overmatched in the opening minutes, they struggled to contain the Francilien offense and went into halftime down by two touchdowns. Despite a few encouraging sequences, Rouen lacked offensive solutions and repeatedly ran into a disciplined defense. In the second half, the Leopards attempted to respond but were unable to shift the momentum. It took a converted fourth down for Mahé Masselot to score their lone touchdown and save some pride. Too little, too late to truly challenge a Flash side that controlled the game from start to finish. Outmatched across all phases, the Leopards leave La Courneuve with a heavy loss but also valuable lessons. There is still significant work to be done, and the learning process continues as they look to become more competitive in the 2026 D1 season. They’ll play Diables Rouges to try to earn their first win.
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