Spain: Badalona Dracs overcome QB setback, edge Osos Rivas to open season

The Badalona Dracs found out hours before game time that their new starting quarterback would not be arriving.

No problem. Veteran Sergi Gonzalo, although injured, stepped into the breach again, and guided the defending Spanish champions to a 10-7 win over the visiting Osos Rivas from Madrid.

Dracs head coach Oscar Calatayud got word at the last minute that Rafael Hildago, a Dominican living in the U.S., who played at the University of New Mexico and was heading to Barcelona to play for the Dracs, was unable to get travel. So Calatayud put plan B into action, Gonzalo as quarterback.

Good move. Despite being slightly injured, the wily veteran threw for 178 yards, engineering a touchdown drive, finished it with a scoring pass to wide receiver Marquese Surrell while Jordi Brugnami kicked a field goal. And with the defense playing stellar football, keeping Osos quarterback Kevin Burke in check, Badalona came away with a valuable win.

Burke threw a late touchdown pass to Mario Flores to account for Osos Rivas lone touchdown.

Calatayud:

“In the game, we began to make mistakes and we started to have doubts. We have a lot of new players this year who have to synchronize with the veterans. We need more training and discipline. But I am happy with the win. “

In other action in Spain, Las Rozas Back Demons wide receiver Evan Altizer had 279 yards receiving and caught all three touchdown passes from quarterback Trenton Jones, (who threw for 344 yards) to lead the Black Demons to a 21-7 win over the Murcia Cobras. Also, the Fuengirola Potros upset 2019 semifinalists the Coslada Camieneros 16-6 while the L’Hospitalet Pioners needed a touchdown and a safety with less than four minutes left to defeat the Gijon Mariners 29-21.