Brazil’s CBFA Superliga Week 3 Features Down to the Wire Finishes

Recife Pirates 22, UFERSA Petroleiros 18

Estadio Dos Aflitos – Recife, Pernambuco

A healthy Andrew Griffin led his team to the end zone on the final drive of the game this weekend in Recife. The Pirate QB had been sick in the Pirates season opening loss to the Recife Mariners.

‘’Andrew being healthy made a big difference,’’ said Pirate Team President and Offensive Coordinator, Rodrgio Azevedo, ‘’we started out with a great tempo,’’ he said.

Griffin connected with Tulius Mota for 2 touchdown passes, while running back Sanches Holder added a rushing score on a speed option.
The defense, which Azevedo described as ‘’focused’’, was led by great play from DB Erivelton Pessoa.

After getting back to .500 (at 1-1), the Pirates will look to improve.

‘’We need to continue work on our running game and blocking,’’ said Azevedo.

John Smith had a unique trifecta of touchdowns for the Petroleiros, scoring one each by rushing, passing and receiving.

AFI’s take: These two squads might not be on the level of the Mariner’s or Espectros yet, but they are definitely taking steps in the right direction. This could be the year that propels them into Conferencia Nordeste title conversations in years to come.

Tubaroes do Cerrado 28, Sorocaba Vipers 9

Centro Esportivo JD. Simus – Sorocaba, São Paulo

The team from Brasilia ground, pounded and rumbled their way to a decisive victory with a nod to the old school. Running the ball on an estimated 90% of their snaps, the Tubaroes do Cerrado (TdC) utilized a flexbone formation offensively. TdC runningbacks Bruno Cavalcante and Bruno Marques, and QB Guilherme Rasi all scored rushing touchdowns.

As good as the offense looked for the squad from the nation’s capital, it was the TdC defense that set the tone in this game.

‘’We know they are a team that likes to run the football, and we came in prepared for that,’’ said TdC DB, Rafael Nakamura. After back-to-back 3 and out’s to start the game, Sorocaba spread out their formation. ‘’I don’t think they were very comfortable spreading out and throwing the ball,’’ said Nakamura.

The TdC defensive line, led by Augusto Oliveira and Felipe Marques, spent the day in the Viper backfield, harassing ball carriers and sacking QB Jonathan Leandro multiple times. That pressure led to two TdC interceptions, one by Pedro Yoshida, and another by Andre Luiz, which was returned for a touchdown. DB Lucca Michels was also all over the field for the TdC.

For Sorocaba, Leandro had one touchdown pass to talented WR, Adriano Bueno.

AFI’s take: After winning the Liga Nacional title in 2015, this was Sorocaba’s first experience in the Super Liga. Look for them to make adjustments and look a lot more solid before seasons end.

Timbo T-Rex 41, Juventude 0

Complexo Esportivo – Timbo, Santa Catarina

Timbo looked like a defending national champion on Saturday, in front a loud, packed house at Timbo’s Complexo Esportivo. Timbo QB Luis Bassani shook off a rough opening week to run for 2 TDs and throw another one to Ivan Tonolli. Speedster Clair Jose ran for a pair of scores, and linebacker Luis Polastri took an interception to the house.

For Timbo head coach, Amadeo Salvador, the key to the win was protecting Bassani.

‘’Without a lot of pressure, Bassani was able to demonstrate a lot more confidence. He hit 80% of his targets.’’

Salvador was also proud of how his front 7, led by a linebacking corp that, with Polastir, Dariel Suares and Laercio Anceleto, might have the best trio in the country, handled the Juventude run game.

‘’We think they (Juventude) have one of the best running games in the South (and they) didn’t have any significant runs.’’ he said.

Thiago Laux also added an interception for the T-Rex.

‘’They just played way better than us,’’ said Juventude head coach, Wesley Mota. ‘’Our offense couldn’t execute our game plan and our defense was on the field a lot,’’ he said.

Highlight: Timbo QB, Luis Bassani, connects with Ivan Tonolli for a TD. Video Credit: Salao Oval and Victor Romulado:

Na metade do 3o quarto, mais um TD do REX com um lindo passe de Bassani para o WR Ivan. XP convertido!
21×00 pic.twitter.com/KYx1YuZYbU

— Salão Oval (@SalaoOval) July 23, 2016

Highlight: Timbo RB, Carlos Black, takes a speed option pitch and heads off to the races. Video Credit: Salao Oval and Victor Romulado:

Menos de 2 minutos para o final do 2o quarto e o REX está na responde novamente com essa linda corrida do RB Black. pic.twitter.com/ad2K3JLN7u

— Salão Oval (@SalaoOval) July 23, 2016

Highlight: Timbo RB, Clair Jose, hits the hole hard and plunges into the endzone:

Em sua primeira campanha o REX marca um TD com o RB Clair, XP convertido 07×00. pic.twitter.com/VBrdlTyFkK

— Salão Oval (@SalaoOval) July 23, 2016

AFI’s take: Quarterback Drew Hill, who led Timbo to the 2015 TTD title, was just announced as returning. The Timbo offense just went from “good” to “scary-good.”

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