The second of the two semifinal games in Mexico’s Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA) this weekend, features a duel of 4-2 clubs with championship aspirations.
The Raptors after crushing the Reyes last week at home feel that they have a real opportunity to make it to the Tazón México for an unprecedented fourth time as a franchise. The Fundidores meanwhile are a win away from going to their first ever championship final.
Like the rest of the scheduled games in the LFA this year, everyone played against everyone one time and for the Fundidores and Raptors it was no exception. When the two teams faced each other in Week 4, they put on a show, and it was one of the best games of the season. The result of that game had the Fundidores winning 23-20 and cementing themselves as one of the top teams in the league. They would go on to earn the number two spot in the playoffs. The Raptors, meanwhile, battled back from that loss, winning their last three games to finish the season with the league’s highest scoring offense.
The Fundidores have a roster that can go toe to toe with anyone. Quarterback Shelton Eppler has been discussed as an MVP candidate as he finished the season leading in passing yards (1,677) and touchdowns (15). Also, teammate wide receiver Torin Justice has really turned up the jets recently, becoming the league leader in touchdown receptions (7) by the end of the season.
The Raptors have experience and that was demonstrated in their game against the Reyes last week. Jalisco did not have a chance. The momentum that the Raptors had in the second half of the season has carried over to the playoffs and it should not go unnoticed.
This is especially important considering that in the last game of the regular season, the Fundidores lost by double figures to the Reyes. While neither team had anything to play for at that time, it should make the Fundidores aware that they had two weeks to prepare for the Raptors. They simply can’t get got off guard. The Fundidores knew how to beat them before, and now they have to try and continue to avoid the pressure from the Raptors pass rush and limit their high powered offense once again.