Calanda Broncos double up on Badalona Dracs 48-24 in CEFL Quarterfinals

Behind three first-half touchdowns from wide receiver Tommy Smith, the Calanda Broncos powered past Spain’s Badalona Dracs in a decisive 48-24 victory in the Central European Football League quarterfinals. The Broncos put on a show for the 1,167 fans at Obere Au Stadium in Chur, Switzerland, solidifying their place in the semifinals.

Broncos Start Strong

The game kicked off with a surprising twist as the Dracs took an early lead with a 3-0 score after a methodical drive. However, the Broncos quickly responded, with running back Noah Bachofen scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run to put Calanda ahead 7-3. This shift in momentum ignited the home team, and they unleashed a barrage of offensive plays.

After recovering an onside kick, the Broncos struck again. Quarterback Robin Sennrich connected with Smith, who sprinted into the end zone to extend the lead to 14-3. The Dracs struggled to regain their footing, and when safety Sebastian Katz intercepted a pass on the very next play, the Broncos capitalized once more. Sennrich marched his team down the field, and Smith scored again from just a yard out, pushing the score to 21-3 by the end of the first quarter.

Calanda’s offensive fireworks

The second quarter saw the Broncos continue their offensive onslaught. With the Dracs visibly shaken, especially after losing their star running back Jashaun Foster to injury, Calanda executed a trick play that caught the defense off guard. Smith found the end zone once more, increasing the lead to 28-3.

The Broncos weren’t done yet. After a crucial stop on fourth down, Sennrich called his own number, scoring from 15 yards out to extend the lead to 35-3. The Dracs finally managed to find the end zone with a touchdown pass, but the Broncos quickly countered with another touchdown from Bachofen who powered his way into the end zone, followed by another from Amel Adjovi, bringing the halftime score to a staggering 48-10.

Second half game management

The second half saw the Broncos shift gears, opting to manage the game and give their bench players some valuable playing time. Ismael Schmid even took a turn at quarterback, showcasing the team’s depth. The Dracs managed to score twice in the second half, but the outcome was never in doubt as the Broncos maintained control throughout.

With this impressive victory, the Calanda Broncos advance to the semifinals of the CEFL, where they will face the defending champion Thonon Black Panthers.

The semifinal matchup is set for June 6 at the Obere Au Stadium, and the Broncos are determined to continue their pursuit of the championship.

Source: GR Heute