PREVIEW: Spain’s LNFA Starts Week 5
The Spanish American football season approaching the midway point
After four games of the 10 game Spanish season last year’s runners up, the Valencia Firebats have a solid grip on first place with an unblemished 4-0 record. They are closely followed by the 2014 champions the Badalona Dracs who they beat 28-25 at home in Valencia. In third place is the surprising Valencia Giants at 2-2, tied with Osos Rivas from Madrid also at 2-2. L’hospitalet Pioners have a 1-3 record and newcomers the Mallorca Voltors bring up the rear at 0-4.
Badalona Dracs v. Osos Rivas – March 14
This week the Badalona Dracs take on Osos Rivas at Estadio del Cerro Telegraph Rivas in Madrid in a battle between the two teams who have a chance to catch the league leading Firebats. A win by the Dracs would keep them in touch with Valencia while Osos Rivas needs a victory to keep pace.
Osos Rivas quarterback Blair Black (Concordia College/US Navy) is enjoying a very good season and the team has quality receivers in Marco Chomón and Álvaro Guitián, who are also playing at a high level. Moreover, in recent weeks American safety Ernest Hall Jr. (Oregon) has joined the squad shoring up the defense.
For the Dracs this is a key matchup as a loss would drop them behind the Rivas into third. Badalona running back Curtis Cannon has been on fire though and will be a constant threat to the Madrid defense. The Western Michigan product has scored an amazing 13 touchdowns in four games so far this year. In 2014 he was the key behind both Dracs’ victories over Osos Rivas.
Watch the game live here:
Valencia Giants v. Mallorca Voltors – March 15
The Valencia Giants play host to the Mallorca Voltors. Although the Giants are 2-2 they are having an excellent season as one of those losses was to defending champion Badalona by the slimmest of margins. Santiago Torres has his team playing well and they do not want to lose any ground by losing to the bottom dwelling Voltors. Giants’ Mexican quarterback Ricardo Quintana is having a good year so far. The Voltors are suffering from key injuries and dropped a 59-0 loss to the Dracs in their last game and are hurting. But they are playing for survival which makes any team dangerous.
Valencia Firebats v. L’Hospitalet Pioners – March 15
The fifth place L’Hospitalet Pioners will travel to Valencia to face the formidable Firebats. This is an unusual spot for the Pioners to be in and they are desperate to climb back into playoff contention. However, with Firebat quarterback Chris Debowski playing outstanding football and the Valencia offense averaging 43.8 points a game, the Pioner defense will be under constant pressure. Ramon Figueroa’s squad desperately needs a win though and desperation can trigger great play. Also, L’hospitalet face the WNE Golden Bears (NCAA Div. III) next weekend and need to build some confidence going into that game.
