Ecuador: Lobos De Quito threepeat as Ecuador American Football League champions

The Lobos De Quito, are now three-time champions of the Ecuador American Football League, FFAE after downing the Caimanes de Guayaquil in Guayaquil 29-6 in a hard hitting battle.

Not only did the Lobos win their third straight title but they improved their record to 23-1 since the FFAE’s birth.

With an international audience following the game on livestream, the Lobos seemed to be paralyzed by the occasion. The heavy favorites were surprised early as the Caimanes marched the ball 70 yards down the field and running back Francisco Torres finished the drive with a touchdown.

That was the first touchdown any team has scored on the Lobos defense run by defensive coordinator Miguelangel Cunalata all year.

And that was the last of the scoring for the Caimanes.

Following the Caimanes touchdown, the Lobos defense stepped up forcing key turnovers. The first turnover was in the second quarter as a forced fumble by safety, Gazzu Hidalgo Villareal on a quarterback blitz was recovered by defensive tackle Alberto Trujillo.

The second turnover was in the third quarter as a forced fumble by MLB Johan Hernandez was recovered by DE Jorge Tayupanta. The last turnover came when the Lobos needed it more than ever.  Defensive end Ramiro Arevalo sniffed out a screen and intercepted the ball returning it 70 yards putting the Lobos in excellent field position to close out the game.

Meanwhile, Lobos running back and game MVP Wladimir Pilozo took over, rushing for 150 yards and one touchdown.

Pilozo scored the opening touchdown for the Lobos and Alejo Villa added the two-point conversion to give De Quito an 8-6 lead which they carried into the break.

Wide receiver Johan Bonilla extended the lead to with a touchdown reception and Jesus Ochoa kicked the extra point to make it 15-6.

Then Villa scored off a reverse and Bonilla scored on a two-point conversion and the Lobos held a 23-6 entering the fourth quarter.

Tight end Jose “ChooChoo Train” Ochoa rounded off the scoring off a shuffle pass, turned fumble at the 50-yard line, turned auto-fumble recovery and touchdown to finalize the scoring.

 

 

Photos: Gabriel Cadenas

 

Owen Krebs-Grimsich was born in Oakland, California and grew up in Berkeley, California. He is a Math Teacher at Academia Cotopaxi in Quito, Ecuador and the Head Football Coach of the Lobos De Quito.