Brazil’s CBFA Superliga Week 3 Features Down to the Wire Finishes
HP Parana and Timbo Rex bounce back in a major way; a down to the wire finishes in Florianapolis and Recife, and the “Catullo Mary” in São Paulo
Brazil’s new unified American football league, the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano (CBFA)’s Superliga, is full-steam ahead into their inaugural season. Let’s review last weekend’s action.
Parana HP 41, Foz da Iguaçu Black Sharks 0
Arena Top Line – Campo Largo, Parana
Paraná HP runningback, Jefferson Lourenço prepares to make a move on Foz da Iguaçu Black Sharks Head Coach and veteran LB, Helder Ludwig (#56) as Matheus Brasilino (#45) pursues. Photo credit: Fernando Shuartz
The Parana HP shook off a tough opening weekend loss to Conferencia Sul rival, Curitiba Crocodiles, with a 41-0 drubbing of the Foz da Iguaçu Black Sharks. The scoring, for the HP, came from all over the place, with the offense scoring 4 TDs, while defensive and special teams coordinator, Carlos Copi’s units added a touchdown and 2 field goals.
Quarterbacks Mateus Salim and José Vidal both connected with the same target, WR Pedro Molina, in the end zone for passing scores, while running backs Demerson Cambuhy and Jefferson Lourenço found the goaline on the ground. Kicker Lucas Copi added field goals of 27 and 44 yards for his older brother’s special teams unit.
‘’HP had good field position the whole game,’’ said Black Sharks nose tackle, Elio Jacob, ‘’their specialists repeatedly had us (backed up) against our own end zone,’’ he added, speaking of 3 punts that the HP’s Lucas Copi was able to pin inside the 5 yard line.
Pitching a shutout was a big statement for a defense who lost one of their top players, linebacker Eduardo Vianna, for the season in week 1. Linebacker Rodrigo Zandona Phillipsen had two sacks and a pick 6, while Gustavo Rios added 4 sacks of his own, and two tackles for a loss.
AFI’s take: There are very few cupcakes in the Superliga’s Conferencia Sul, so getting back to 1-1 is huge for the HP. They remain in the conversation for a conference title. This was the last game for defensive and special teams coordinator, Carlos Copi, before he heads to Belhaven University to volunteer under the tutelage of the legendary Hal Mumme. Keep an eye on how HP adjusts in his absence.
Santos Tsunami 23, Botafogo Challengers 0
CT Santa Íria – Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo
Two defensive scores highlighted this win for Santos. Play-making linebacker, Gabriel Almeida, scooped and scored on a fumble recovery and DB, Rafael Ferreira, returned his interception for a TD.
The Tsunami offense showed a different look under new QB, Wallace Silva, who ran for a TD. Alcimar Neto added a field goal.
‘’Our defense played outstanding and our offense played with a lot of heart,’ said star Tsunami safety, Matheus Furlaneto.
AFI’s take: A solid first win for Santos, especially with a new QB. They will need to acclimate to their new offense quickly to have success in Conferencia Leste.
