The closing second-round game of the CEFL Championship was the one in Thonon-les-Bains. The Black Panthers have received Manchester Titans to decide the last semifinalist. From the opening whistle the French team played with the confidence of a defending champion. Two first-quarter touchdowns set an early tone that ringed truer by halftime. As the game went on, their domination only deepened and the visitors never had an answer.

The home team opened with terrestrial work by running back Lucas Davoine. Mateo Renteria’s primary target came to be Pierre-Yves Dayres and Justin Marcus was on the receiving end of a pass that lit up the scoreboard, 7-0.

Mancs tried to respond through the air but Ryan Jacquin stepped into the route and recorded a timely pick-6 to up the score, 14-0.

The visitors’ punt was followed by the Black Panthers’ center’s overhead snap and a big loss of yards. Renteria went to Steve Monteiro and then stretched his legs for the first down. Davoine captured more terrain, before Renteria hit the road again for a 22 yard touchdown, 21-0.

One more Titans’ drive ended in a turnover. Their signal caller Josh Mills hit Matt Wilson in stride for a large chunk of yardage. Just as it seemed he would get very close to the goal, the defense forced a fumble on him and recovered the ball.

When their offensive peers went to the field, Mehdy Radeau took over the running back role. He was the leading man down after down, catching passes and rushing. His simultaneous exhibition ended with a catch, courtesy of Renteria, 27-0.

The following offensive series by the visiting team ended in a turnover of downs. Renteria capitalized, seconds before the HT whistle, by zipping to Amin Ibrahim for 34-0.

In the third period, Fodé Drame corralled a long-distance pass before he got tackled at the 1-yard line. Renteria punched in to increase the lead to 41-0.

Yet another Titans’ drive closed with the points against them. Adel Bafdile pounced on Mills’ spiral and went all the way to the house, 48-0.

At last, the visitors managed to take the goose egg of the scoreboard. Abdulhafeez Bisiriyu rushed for a first down and Mills first located Sam Wilson and then Matt Wilson for their teams’ late entry, 48-6.

The Black Panthers proceeded with their workhorse tailback’s runs. Radeau ground out tough yards and Renteria employed Drame on a go route for another score, 55-6.

Defensive back Jacquin was the unintended receiver of another Mills’ delivery. The Titans responded in kind with their own turnover when they forced and recovered a fumble on Hugo Lebrun.

Their offense wasn’t effective, but their punt ended near the goal line. When Lyam Chaulet-Ribbo stepped in behind the center for the home team, he muffed a snap and fell on the ball chased by the defenders, surrendering a safety, 55-8.

Discombobulating the Titans leads the Black Panthers to the CEFL Championship semifinals scheduled for 6 June. They will host Guelfi Firenze and the kickoff is at 19:00.