Week 2 Power Rankings for the D1 Élite
- Arnaud Dignocourt
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
After two weeks of high-intensity match-ups, it’s time to take a closer look at the shifting hierarchy of the league. Some teams have climbed the ladder with impressive performances, while others have stumbled, revealing weaknesses that could shape the rest of the season. From breakout stars to defensive stalwarts, these rankings highlight the teams that are asserting themselves, and those that will need to regroup, before the next round of games.
1. Black Panthers - Thonon-les-bains Flash - 2-0
This was the most anticipated game of the season, featuring two strong teams vying for the top spot. The Black Panthers came determined to dominate. By halftime, the game was evenly matched, with a well-rounded performance and a 14-point score. The second half shifted to a more defense-oriented battle. ATH Bafdile stood out on both sides, and the defense managed to pick the Flash twice. Their next matchup against the Meteors presents a prime opportunity to halt Fontenay’s strong start to the season in two weeks.
2. Iron Mask - Cannes 2-0
They gave the Blue Stars no opportunity to get into the game. Connor Miller delivered an excellent performance, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions, while consistently extending plays with his mobility and vision under pressure. His ability to keep drives alive proved to be a key factor throughout the game. Defensively, the unit led by Tyron Simon controlled the passing game for most of the contest, showing discipline and strong coverage, even though a late passing touchdown was conceded to the Blue Stars. The run defense was less consistent at times, allowing some gains on the ground, but it ultimately did not result in any points. Looking ahead, they will need to stay cautious and well-prepared for their matchup against the Argos on February 28.
3. Flash - La Courneuve
The offense struggled to find its rhythm. Labarrière, who was unstoppable last year with Cannes, dropped at least two passes and seemed to be having an off day, uncharacteristic given his near-perfect catching record last season. Keegan Cormack-Reemer also saw a slight dip in accuracy and threw an interception. The offensive line appeared unusually porous, making it difficult to sustain drives. Defensively, the first half was inconsistent, but the second half showed much better focus and execution. That said, I wouldn’t count the Flash out just yet, they still have time to adjust. Cormack-Reemer and Labarrière are likely to reconnect, and they’ll have a prime opportunity to do so against the Diables Rouges in two weeks.
4. Grizzlys - Perpignan 2-0
This was one of the most defensive games we’ve seen in the past two weeks. No points were scored until midway through the third quarter, and it wasn’t Perpignan who opened the scoring. The defense remained dominant, recording multiple sacks and demonstrating strong coverage throughout. The offense struggled early on. QB Badis Grami was sacked several times and threw multiple interceptions, including a particularly costly second pick. But he managed to turn the game around. After a long gain on a mid-field pass near his own end zone, he delivered a brilliant fade to WR Alexandre Agnimel, who executed a spectacular catch. Following a turnover on downs, the team fooled the defense with a trick play: a pass from a wide receiver to Agnimel. A few plays later, Grami threw a deep fade to another key target, WR Idriss Ramky, in the end zone, sealing the game with only 40 seconds remaining.
5. Meteores - Fontenay-sous-Bois 2-0
A solid win against a weakened Molosses squad, but a win is still a win. The rushing attack was simply unstoppable. RB Graham Ouro-Bodi was dominant, racking up 144 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, an absolute beast all game long. Defensively, the team was sharp when covering passing concepts, showing good discipline and awareness in coverage. However, they looked far less convincing against inside run schemes, often appearing out of position and struggling to fill gaps consistently. Unfortunately, based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s hard to see them standing up to the Black Panthers in two weeks. That said, football has a way of proving predictions wrong, and I’ll truly love seing they make me eat my words.
6. Blue Stars - Marseille 1-1
They fought hard throughout the game. QB Hadrien Lynda was under constant pressure and had to scramble frequently, but he still managed to deliver some excellent throws. His receivers backed him up with several spectacular catches. Defensively, the unit struggled to balance between stopping Yepmo’s runs and containing Miller’s passing attack. The result was a performance that wasn’t disastrous, but far from dominant. On the offensive line, number 71 had a difficult time in pass protection, though he showed more reliability when asked to block in the run game. They’ll have a chance to get things back on track in two weeks against the Grizzlys.
7. Molosses - Asnière-sur-Scène 0-2
A difficult way to open the season for last year’s semi-finalists. From the opening snaps, they struggled to find consistency and tempo on offense. In an attempt to regain rhythm, the coaching staff made a change at quarterback, hoping to spark momentum and steady the unit. While the move showed intent, it didn’t fully resolve the underlying issues. The team appeared weakened in key areas, and it showed on both sides of the ball. Execution was inconsistent, drives stalled too quickly, and they lacked the sharpness needed to control the pace of the game. Too often, promising situations ended without points, as they struggled to convert on crucial downs and consistently move the chains. Running back Jerrey Key was one of the bright spots, putting together a respectable performance and fighting for extra yards when opportunities arose. A few defensive pieces also stepped up, showing resilience and flashes of intensity that kept the team within reach. However, isolated efforts weren’t enough to shift the overall dynamic. There’s no doubt the foundation is there, this is still a roster with talent and experience, but cohesion and rhythm will need to improve quickly. With two weeks to regroup, adjust, and refine their identity, the focus now turns to their upcoming home matchup against the Leopards, a team riding recent success and growing confidence.
8. Leopards - Rouen 1-1
Yes, Villepinte looked fragile at times. But the Leopards? They showed flashes of real class. After connecting on a deep bomb that flipped the field, quarterback Noah Carreau lined up for the next snap. He initially rolled to the right, scanning downfield, but pressure collapsed quickly. Instead of forcing a throw, he reversed course, sprinted back across to the left, turned the corner, and took it himself all the way to the end zone. Bang, bang. A pure playmaker’s sequence. Defensively, the Leopards weren’t bad. They showed structure, discipline, and some solid individual efforts. Still, there’s work to be done. Conceding a touchdown with less than 30 seconds before halftime is the kind of lapse that can change games, especially against stronger opponents. In the end, they escaped with a one-point win against a team widely considered one of the league’s weakest on paper. A win is a win, but if they want to build real momentum, the standard has to rise. The potential is there. Now it’s about consistency and control against the Molosses in two weeks.
9. Ours - Toulouse 0-2
They were so close to pulling it off. While leading 7–0, the defense did more than hold its ground, it controlled the Grizzlys’ offense all the way until the final three seconds of the third quarter. Disciplined, physical, and focused, they executed their game plan nearly to perfection for three quarters. But on the other side of the ball, the offense remained stuck. Drives lacked fluidity, adjustments came slowly, and opportunities slipped away. When the momentum began to shift, the margin for error disappeared. Still, the defensive unit never lost concentration. Agnimel, Gramis, and Consor eventually found their way into the end zone, capitalizing when it mattered most. Those moments showed what this team is capable of when execution meets belief. There’s potential here, real potential. This roster could become many things depending on how it responds. The question now is whether they’ll make the right adjustments and turn promise into progression. Against the Centaures, there should be more opportunities to express their game. More space. More chances. Now it’s about taking them… We’ll see.
10. Centaures - Grenobles 0-1-1
A draw… against the Argonautes? Well, that was something. It was a strange game to watch. Plays were made, yes. There were flashes on both sides of the ball. But nothing ever felt truly dominant, and nothing completely collapsed either. It lived in that uncomfortable middle ground: not sharp enough to impress, not poor enough to criticize heavily. Just… in between. At times, they moved the ball with purpose. At others, execution stalled at key moments. Defensively, they held their structure, but without really imposing themselves. It was the kind of performance that leaves more questions than answers. I’m especially intrigued by Tanner Marsh, now leading Centaures de Grenoble. The former Montreal Alouettes quarterback brings experience and pedigree, and you can sense there’s more potential to unlock offensively. But with the team not returning to the Elite League next season, it’s hard to define their trajectory. What are we supposed to expect? Right now, it remains unclear.
11. Argonautes - Aix-en-Provence 0-1-1
The overall level? Still hard to evaluate. They’re staying in the Elite League next year, which makes these performances even more important. You can see the intention, you can see the effort, but the consistency across four quarters isn’t fully there yet. It’s not about isolated plays anymore, it’s about controlling games. And in two weeks, the Iron Mask won’t give them time to figure it out. They won’t let them breathe. The tempo will be higher, he margin for error smaller, the punishment immediate. If adjustments aren’t made quickly, it could be a long afternoon in sight.
12. Diables Rouges - Villepinte 0-2
Not much to add here, except that they face the Flash in two weeks. If they manage to limit the damage and stay disciplined, this could be the kind of matchup that reveals their character. It’s not always about winning these games; sometimes it’s about how long you stand, how hard you compete, and how much you refuse to bend. If they don’t lose too much early and keep their structure intact, they might just show how brave they really are.
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