This the final weekend of play in the 19 team Mexican ONEFA League – the Mexican mostly public college league – will be crucial for a number of teams. The top two teams from the Green and White divisions move on to the playoffs and then will host the top four teams from the remaining eight who qualify for the quarterfinals.
Green Division
The undefeated UANL Autenticos Tigres have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs and now are aiming for an undefeated season. They will face the UVM Linces (Bobcats) who have also qualified for the playoffs but would like to move up to second. To do this they have to win this game while the UNAM Pumas have to lose to the Águilas Blancas (White Eagles). The Tigers may rest some key players although the chance of finishing without a loss is pretty tempting.
White Division
The UAdeC Lobos have already clinched first place and a playoff berth. Behind them the UAEM Potros Salvajes (Wild Ponies) and the Univ. anahuac Cancún Leones are tied for second. The Potros Salvajes face the 2-5 UT Frailes (Friars) while in the other key matchup, Cancún plays the 3-4 Acatlán Pumas. The Potros Salvajes beat Cancún earlier in the season and in the event of both teams winning would take second.
Final Playoff Berths
As to the remaining four spots, they will be allocated based on best record. So the only teams who have already been eliminated from post season play so far are the 0-7 CGP Centinelas (Sentienels) and the 2-4 IPN Águilas Blancas (White Eagles). From the Green Division, the Burros Blancos and U.A.-Chihuahua Águilas could move on depending on the outcome of their game this weekend. From the White division, both Cancún and the Acatlán Pumas would likely move on to the quarterfinals.
So the key matchups this weekend are as follows:
UANL Autenticos Tigres v. UVM Linces
The Tigers will look to win to earn an undefeated season while the Linces need this win to ensure themselves of a first round playoff spot on their home field.
UT Frailes v. UAEM Potros Salvajes
The Potros Salvajes need to win this game to clinch home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs while the Frailes Friars enter the game as the spoilers with nothing to lose.
UAdeC Lobos v CGP Centinelas
The Lobos have already won the White Division and may well rest key starters in the game while the Centinelas would like to finally get a win after going winless in seven games.
IPN Burros Blancos v UACH Águilas
The Burros Blancos (White Burros) and Águilas (Eagles) are both battling for a playoff spot and the winner of this one has a chance to move on to the quarterfinals. However the 3-3 Burros have only scored a total of 82 points in six games and it looks as if the Águilas will move one from this game.
The ONEFA League in Mexico attracts the biggest crowds and the championship game is expected to draw upwards of 50,000 fans.
Photos: Football Grafico, Jose Luis Gomez Flores
Many thanks to Rachid Sabag Serrato for all his hard work.