In the first game of a Sunday double header from Spain, the defending champion Badalona Dracs (3-1) will host the Zaragoza Hurricanes (2-2).
The Hurricanes enter this game on a two-game win streak and are still fighting for a playoff spot with only four games left. Meanwhile, the Dracs will be looking to bounce back from their 29-7 loss two weeks ago to the Las Rozas Black Demons. These two teams played back in December with the Dracs winning easily, 51-6. Look for Zaragoza to be much improved this time around.
Zaragoza Hurricanes @ Badalona Dracs, Feb. 28, 11:00 CET (05:00 ET)
The Badalona Dracs are looking to get back on track after losing in Madrid two weeks ago to the Black Demons 29-7. The loss ended their 44-game domestic win streak that head coach Oscar Calatayud and the Dracs had built up over the years. The Badalona offense will need to get rolling in order to get them back to championship form. Look for quarterback Cory Benedetto to improve his play this week as the Dracs are eager to return to championship form. Benedetto will need to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, including speedy Niko Lester and Austrian receiver Dario Dobrolevski, to get the chains moving. Defensively, Badalona will have to step to slow down Zaragoza playmaker Denzel Duchenne.
Benedetto and the Dracs are looking to improve and avenge their loss the next time they play the Black Demons.
“We are taking it one week at a time and focusing on improving everyday. We are very motivated to get a win this week and refocusing ourselves so we can prepare for our rematch with the Demons.”
The Hurricanes go into this game with a ton off momentum as they beat the Gijon Mariners 13-7 last week. The Zaragoza defense was swarming to the ball as lineman Carlos Romero and new addition linebacker Michael Hall made their presence felt. Hall joins the Hurricanes after a long career in Europe spanning eight years and four countries (Norway, Belarus, Poland, Germany). The European veteran has helped steady a Hurricanes defense with a ton of potential. Look for quarterback Dustin Hawke Willingham and his favorite target Denzel Duchenne to connect often as this offense looks to get in the endzone against a tough Dracs defense.
Hurricanes lineman Carlos Romero is eager to upset the defending champs:
“We are very motivated for this game, we have won 2 games in a row and we are very confident. We believe that it will be a very tough game since Dracs is a very well prepared team, but we have to get the courage and the claw that we have in these last 2 games, it will be a good game.”
This Sunday’s matchup features two teams that are in need of a win. The Dracs want to restore their confidence as they look defend their national title. For Zaragoza, an upset win could propel them into fourth place and a coveted playoff spot.
Watch the game live here on AFI.tv. Zaragoza Hurricanes @ Badalona Dracs, Feb. 28, 11:00 CET (05:00 ET)
Badalona Dracs Roster (Click to enlarge)
Zaragoza Hurricanes Roster (Click to enlarge)
