All eyes are on the Feungirola Potros (1-3) as they host Madrid’s Osos Rivas (3-1) in the only game on AFI.TV this Sunday as the Spanish League of American Football (LNFA) winds up its seventh round of play.
The Osos Rivas are currently sitting at second place in the LNFA West. With only four games left in their season securing a home playoff game would be a huge advantage for this Osos Rivas team looking to make a championship run.
The offense of the Osos Rivas had been one of the country’s best to date averaging 39 points a game. The prolific passing game starts with quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie and a mix of talented receivers while the run game features the lethal combo of running backs Mike Gentili and Adrian Jimenez. This offense is one of the most exciting units to watch in the LNFA. Look for the offense to play well and put up points against a Potros defense that has allowed 40 and 42 points the last two appearances.
Dellechiaie feels that he has built good chemistry with his Spanish receivers:
“It starts with the hard working receiver group we have. They show up to every single practice ready to work. On top of that it’s the game planning our coaches do to prepare us each week. We know what we are capable of over here and we plan on keep getting better every week”
Osos Rivas @ Fuengirola Potros, March 14, 12:00 CET (06:00 ET)
Dellechiaie will have a new receiver at his disposal with the addition of speedy wideout Mario Flores who has returned to Madrid after playing in The Spring League in the United States this past fall. Flores has been a dangerous receiver in both Spain and the German football League, most recently in 2019 he put up 328 yards and one touchdown with the Hildesheim Invaders.
Flores is feeling pretty good to be back playing for his hometown club:
“Always feels awesome to play with Osos, we’ve got unfinished business and we have the team to make it happen.”
Defensively, Mexican lineman the Johnny Escobar has been a force, wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. The defensive unit has been bolstered by the return from the Finnish league of Spanish defensive lineman Arthur Pinheiro who last played for the Osos Rivas in 2017. At 6’3″, 285 pounds, he brings size and experience to the Osos defensive front. Last summer, Pinheiro was a key part of the Kuopio Steelers national championship recording 12 tackles and a sack in five games. Look for him to combine well with Escobar making for a fierce defensive front.
The Potros are led by Finnish quarterback Henri Väänänen. The Helsinki-born signal caller has made some big plays for the Potros this season and is a dangerous threat in the running game. Look for the Potros offense to use a combination of power running back José Luis López and Henri Väänänen in the running game to create some offense this week.
“We are looking to play more consistent on offense. If we can find our rhythm, and keep drives alive, I believe we can score some points and hopefully come out on top.”
Defensively, the Potros are looking to bounce back after getting torched by the Las Rozas Black Demons playmakers two weeks ago. Watch for safety Noah Richards and linebacker Eduardo Simon to step up and hold this young defensive unit together.
The Potros have a great chance to pull off the upset with all of Spain watching this Sunday. Sunday’s matchup is a good chance to see how Osos Rivas’s roster moves could pay off come playoff time as they look to stay on track as their plans include a trip to the Spanish championship later this year.
Watch the game live here. Osos Rivas @ Fuengirola Potros, March 14, 12:00 CET (06:00 ET)
Fuengirola Potros roster (Click image to enlarge)
Osos Rivas roster (Click image to enlarge)
