In a tight game with too many yellow penalty flags flying around the field, the Porto Alegre Pumpkins defeated São José Bulls by 20-7, in Classic of Porto Alegre, in the semifinals of the Gaúcho Championship.
The Pumpkins side kept their undefeated streak against their ‘red’ rivals. The match took place on Saturday at Sports Complex of PUCRS, in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.
#16 Hurley scoring the TD for Bulls
In a first quarter, taught nerves pushed both teams to commit many mistkaes. However, at the end of the second quarter, a special team error by Pumpkins on a punt opened the door for the Bulls, who managed to open the scoring with punt returner and wide receiver #16 Douglas Hurley.
Hurley raced past the entire Pumpkins team, and crossed the field on a beautiful run for the touchdown. Kicker #86 Lucas Biazus converted the extra point. 7-0 for the Bulls at the half.
Pumpkins take control
#87 Boni scores his second touchdown. Photos Marcelo Wieczorek/Fast Food Cultural
After the halftime, head coach William McArthur caught the attention of his offense. The answer came in the first drive of the Pumpkins. Quarterback #3 Antonio Freire connected the wide receiver #87 Pedro Boni for touchdown. The kicker #89 Luã Fontoura missed the PAT.
The Pumpkins continued to take control of the match, and again, the partnership Freire-Boni scored another TD. This time, the extra point was converted by Fontoura.
In the 4th quarter, linebacker #58 Silvio Stieven intercepted a pass from #18 Lucas Kuntz and raced for the pick six to seal the victory for Pumpkins.
Boni scoring his second TD
TOUCHDOWN PUMPKINS!!!! 12-7!! pic.twitter.com/LPKWlotmPP
— Igor Carrasco (@igor_carrasco) 18 abril 2015
Gaúcho Bowl VII
With this result, the Pumpkins will now face Juventude FA in the final.
The team of Caxias do Sul defeated Santa Cruz Chacais by 24-17 in the other semifinal leg.
The Gaúcho Bowl between the Porto Alegre Pumpkins and Juventude FA is scheduled for May 10th and with home field to be determined by Federcao Gaucha de Futebol Americano (FGFA).