That’s because Chris Merchant, reigning Hec Crighton trophy winner and favorite native son, has a chance to quarterback his team to a championship victory, adding another accolade to his already impressive trophy case.
It just so happens that championship will be in Spain.
Merchant will be at the helm for the Las Rozas Black Demons as they take on the four-time defending champion Badalona Dracs in the 27th annual Spanish Bowl. Both teams sit at 8-1 on the season with their only losses coming at the hands of their title game opponent.
Merchant’s debut for the Black Demons in February snapped a 47-game win streak for the Dracs in national competition. Badalona returned the favor in the regular season finale last month, notching a victory while Las Rozas rested Merchant for the playoffs. Both teams cruised to easy semi-final victories two weeks ago.
Chris Merchant won the Hec Crighton trophy playing for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs Photo: University of Western Ontario Athletics
Merchant helped the Mustangs capture the Vanier Cup the following season, ending Western’s 23-year championship drought. The Calgary native was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after recording 276 passing yards, 89 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Laval.
Western returned to the Vanier Cup under Merchant’s leadership in 2018, but lost to the Rouge et Or by a score of 34-20. The quarterback set new career-highs in passing yardage (3,279) and touchdowns (23) that season.
The star Canadian pivot has dominated in Spanish competition all year but will have his work cut out for him against an athletic Dracs defence. Fans from Canada can view the game live and free of charge on AFI.tv starting at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST. The game will also be made available on-demand after the fact.
Win or lose, Chris Merchant’s European adventure will continue as he has signed with the Stockholm Mean Machines of the Swedish Superserien for their upcoming season.
