CBFA Superliga Playoffs: Conferencia Sudeste – #1 Flamengo v. #4 Botafogo Reptiles

#1 Flamengo

v.

#4 Botafogo Reptiles

Saturday, October 22, 2p local time
Estadio São Cristovao – Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

Between being one of ‘early-football Brazil’ pioneers playing games on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, on the grass all over Brazil, and now in the midst of an illustrious coaching career, Flamengo Head Coach, Otavio Roichman has been a part of just about as many victories as anyone in Brazil.

On Saturday, Roichman and his #1 seed Flamengo team begin a march toward more victories and a national championship as they square off against Roichman’s former quarterback, Ramon Martire, and the Botafogo Reptiles, in the latest round of this cross town rivalry.

Flamengo has blue-chippers at every position, led by imports KC Frost and Yolandus Pratt, who regularly line up at quarterback and running back, respectively, but can also be ferocious playmakers on defense.

The Flamengo offensive line is led by veterans Anselmo Brauer and Rafael Menezes, as well as center, Marcos Martiny. Behind that line runs a three-headed monster of a back field, with Pratt, Rafael ‘’Double F’’ Garcia and Felipe Florencio all having had monster seasons. Frost is also a threat to run the ball all the way to the end zone every time it’s in his hands.

In the passing game, Frost can chuck the rock to one of the most reliable tight ends ever to suit up in Brazil, Felipe Castro. Additionally, pleasant surprise for Flamengo this season has been the emergence of receiver Patrick Tavares, whose breakout season has made him one of Frost’s favorite targets to hit with his touchdown passes.

Defensively, Flamengo is book-ended by the long, rangy and athletic Denis Barros, and Edilson ‘’Jow’’ Asevedo, whose motor runs as high and fast as anyone in the country. Ageless wonder, Ival Maziero is a mainstay at linebacker and a key communicator for his team. The Flamengo DBs are headed-up by Luiz Honkis, who has done a masterful job in coverage this season, as well as Gabriel Justin.

Flamengo is almost sure to put points on the board against anyone, but it will need Honkis and Justin to come up big, because Coach Duda Duarte is going to have his quarterback, Martire, throw the ball. A lot. Rightfully so, as Martire is one of the best pure passers in the country, and the Reptiles boast dynamic pass catchers like Loan Felisardo, Pablo Lyra and Paulo Abrantes. In the teams’ previous matchup this season, Honkis had two interceptions and only allowed one completed pass.

It will be on Ronaldo Pimentel and his fellow Reptile linemen to keep Martire upright in the passing game. The fewer times Azevedo and Barros wrap up the Botafogo signal-caller, the more chances he will have to throw them to an upset victory.

When he’s not throwing the ball, Martire will rely on the tough-running Aluan Souza to pick up yards against a Flamengo front line that will undoubtedly be licking its chops for some pass rushing opportunities.

Defensive lineman, Rotterdam Siquera, linebacker Marcos Klein and ball-hawking safety, Bernardon Wolf, will have their hands full with an explosive Flamengo attack that saw Frost throw for three scores (2 to Tavares and 1 to Castro) and Felipe Florencio run for two more, but Duarte has a positive outlook on the game.

“A playoff-game is the perfect time to see who can handle the pressure on the field. We need to use this energy for increase our qualities. We’ve got to put our heads and hearts into this game,’’ he said.

AFI asked some of Brazil’s top American football bloggers to pick the first round. See their thoughts on this game below:

Ygor Martins – Head Coach Brasil
” Flamengo – A no-brainer here. Flamengo has dangerous offense and a very sound defense this year. Too much for Reptiles.”

Bruno Gentil – Salão Oval
” Flamengo – KC Frost and Pratt have fully jelled with their cast. Florencio is dominating the run game and Jow has become the sheriff of red and black defense. In the last 5 games, the defense of Flamengo has only given up 10 points and I do not believe that will be any different in this match.”

Haim Ferreira – Blog Touchdown
” Flamengo – Flamengo’s attack is a real scoring machine. With the best offensive line in Brazil, they should not have problems in executing a good run game against a fragile Reptile defense.”

Victor Romulado Francisco – Salão Oval
” Flamengo – Favorites to go all the way to the final, they won’t be at risk here vs Reptiles. Their dangerous path begins in the next round.”

Henrique Riffel – Futebol Americano Brasil

” Flamengo – Owner of the best offense in the league, scoring 291 points, this unit, led by Americans Casey Frost (quarterback) and Yolandus Pratt (running back) and carry the hopes of the red and black to win their first national title. Besides scoring all of those points, Otavio Roichman’s defense allowed  only 38 points this season, the third fewest in the country.”

Geraldo Takanage – Overtime do F.A.

”Flamengo – Flamengo is playing very well and should win with ease over the Reptiles. The duo of KC Frost and Pratt will be too much of a difference-maker.”