Paris Lights Claim Historic First Win Over Firenze Red Lions
Evan Hillock leads comeback as Lights score 30 unanswered points to open franchise history with a win.
Final Score: Firenze Red Lions at Paris Lights – 8:30
A Rocky Start for Both Sides
Neither team looked particularly sharp out of the gate. High snaps in the special teams caused problems on both sides, and the game had a scrappy feel early on. It was Firenze who drew first blood, with quarterback Matthew McKay punching it in on the ground to give the Red Lions an early lead.
Injury Changes Everything
Just as Firenze looked to be settling in, the game came to a halt. Young Hungarian defensive back Szabolcs Szöllösi suffered what appeared to be a serious injury, pausing play for an extended period. When the game resumed, it was a different contest entirely. The Paris Lights took full control, putting up 30 unanswered points and never looking back.
Hillock and Wallace Take Over
As the Lights‘ offense found its rhythm, Canadian quarterback Evan Hillock was the driving force. He completed 18 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to American wide receiver Tristen Wallace, who topped 100 receiving yards and found the end zone twice. On the other side of the ball, Paris‘ defense made life increasingly difficult for McKay, shutting down the Red Lions‘ run game and generating consistent pressure.
What’s Next
Firenze heads into Week 3 with plenty to work on before hosting the Berlin Thunder. The Paris Lights, meanwhile, stay home for another big matchup, this time against the Panthers Wroclaw.
