The Badalona Dracs capped a perfect season in Spain defeating arch rivals the Valencia Firebats 41-14 at Sports City
Calatayud to win the Spanish championship, capturing the title for a record seventh time.
This was the 14th appearance in the title game for the Dracs and with the win they surpassed the L’Hospitalet Pioners on Spain’s championship title list.
Quarterback Sergio Gonzalo who was named game MVP, was spectacular tossing five touchdown passes to Robbie Jackson (three) and Drew Clausen who hauled in two of them.
Photos: Luis Velasco Hevia
Although the Dracs were heavy favorites entering the game having beaten Valencia soundly twice during the regular season, the Firebats did not make it easy early on. Valencia, playing without running back Hector Pertegaz, took an early 7-6 lead as quarterback Thomas Murphy connected with Javier Martínez García for a touchdown. He then found Josh Helmcamp for another score to take a 14-12 lead following a Drew Clausen rushing major.
Gonzalo gave Badalona a lead they would never relinquish late in the first half though finding his brother Xavi in the end zone to go ahead 20-14 at halftime.
Photo: Luis Velasco Hevia
Badalona broke the game wide open in the third as Clausen and Jackson were unstoppable. Clausen scored on a 25 touchdown reception and then Jackson took a pass 90 yards to extend the Dracs lead to 35-14.
Jackson added more insurance in the fourth as Valencia ran out of steam.
Head coach Oscar Calatayud has now won two championship titles in his 10 years leading Badalona.