After the first four weeks of play in Spain’s top division the Badalona Dracs have emerged as the team to beat entering this weekend’s action with a 4-0 record. Badalona will face arch rivals the Valencia Firebats who opened the season poorly but have won their last two games to give them a 2-2 record. The 3-1 Reus Imperials, newcomers in 2016 face the 2017 newcomers the 2-2 Murcia Cobras in an interesting matchup. Finally the winless Barbera Rookies (0-4) will take on the 1-3 Valencia Giants.
Saturday February 25
Badalona Dracs (4-0) – Valencia Firebats (2-2)
The Dracs and Firebats have battled for supremacy in Spain for the past four years. The last time these two met was in the championship final in 2016 when the Dracs overwhelmed Valencia 41-14. Although the Firebats have stumbled out of the gate this season losing their first two games to the Reus Imperials and the Giants, they seem to have found their footing reeling off two straight wins.
Badalona will be tough for the Firebats though. The Dracs offense continues to surge with quarterback Sergi Gonzalo (20 touchdown passes) leading an attack averaging almost 37 points per game while giving up only eight per game. Receiver Hunter Lee is among the scoring leaders in Spain with 66 points scored. Firebats quarterback Fernando Altarriba is finding his rhythm and running back Ben Sasu is among the league leaders in rushing. Altarriba will rely on receiver Alejandro Silvestre who had two touchdowns against the Cobras.
Watch live. Kick off Sat. Feb 25 5 pm (11 am EST)
Reus Imperials (3-1) – Murcia Cobras (2-2)
In a key clash between the 2016 and 2017 newcomers to the top league in Spain, the much improved Imperials have an edge. Although Reus was soundly thrashed in the opening game of the season by Badalona, they have kicked into higher gear since then. Quarterback Brady Huber has thrown 16 touchdown passes while Nate Stephens leads the league in scoring with 72 points. The Cobras opened the season with two straight wins but dropped their next two to the Firebats and Dracs. But in both contests, they were in the game until late.
Sunday February 26
Barbera Rookies (0-4) – Valencia Giants (1-3)
The Barbera Rookies play host to the Giants looking for their first win of the year while the Giants need to win to climb back into playoff contention.
The Giants surprised the Firebats earlier in the season beating them 41-16 but since then have suffered two straight losses. Giants quarterback TJ Tutone has thrown nine touchdown passes and is beginning to find his game with receivers Álvaro Cosín and TJ Murphy. But the defense has given up an average of 31.3 points per game.
Meanwhile the Rookies have had to improvise at quarterback with starter Sebastian Frausto still hurt and receiver Cory Soto filling in, Barbera is running a makeshift offense. But if there was ever a chance to win a game, this is the time.