LIVESTREAM Spain: Gijon Mariners @ Osos Rivas, Jan. 27, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)

AFI | American Football | 01/27/2024

Madrid’s Osos Rivas (1-0) will play host to the Gijon Mariners (1-1), Saturday, January 27 as Spain’s LNFA West conference heads into its third weekend of action.

Osos Rivas, who reached the Spanish title game in 2023, handled the Mariners relatively easily last season beating them 16-3 and 39-0. They are coming off a 34-6 victory over the Alcobendas Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Gijon defeated the Cavaliers 27-21 after dropping their opening game to the Coslada Camioneros 34-20.

For an Osos Rivas team with championship aspirations, head coach Ricardo Martin has his team humming already. Quarterback Russell Tabor (University of North Carolina) threw four touchdown passes in the opening game win over the Cavaliers with wide receiver Jorge Martín catching two and Ángel Martín one. Running back Ronald Tomasello also contributed a touchdown. The Osos defense is led by all ELF pass rusher Alejandro Fernandez and Mexican defensive lineman Johnny Escobar.

The Mariners under head coach Daniel Castanon and new quarterback William Alexander (Clarion University, NCAA Div. II) have shown signs that a playoff berth is in their sights this season. Alexander has thrown for 417 yards in the two games. Defensively they have added linebacker Jordan Zilbar and defensive back Patrick Stebbing who had a pick last week. They also brought back back athlete Ruben Quintana.