The Spanish League of American Football, LNFA, kicks back into action this week as the Zaragoza Hurricanes (1-2) will play host to the 0-2 Gijon Mariners.
The Mariners head into this week without a win on their schedule so they’ll be looking to pull off the upset. They lost to Osos Rivas 27-14 to open the season and then dropped a 10-0 decision to the Fuengirola Potros. On the other side of the ball, the Hurricanes are now 1-2 after beating the Murcia Cobras 17-14 two weeks ago. They had lost two in a row to open the season, losing 51-6 to the Badalona Dracs and 37-14 to the Mallorca Voltors.
The Mariners will be relying on Spanish quarterback Marcos Martinez for some offensive production against a stiff Zaragoza defense. Two weeks ago, Gijon were shut out against a tough Potros squad. Look for quarterback Martinez and running backs Javier Castanon and Miguel Quince to be playing aggressive as they will be dying to finally return to the endzone.
Quince and the Mariners have made some adjustments and feel ready to get a win:
“We are working very hard on small details that can make the difference so I hope it will pay back this weekend.”
Gijon Mariners @ Zaragoza Hurricanes, Feb. 13, 18:00 CET (12 noon ET)
The Mariners defense played excellent football in the loss to Fuengirola two weeks ago forcing fumbles and holding the Potros to only 10 points. But in order to beat the Hurricanes they’ll have to contain their playmaker Denzel Duchenne. Mariners linebacker and receiver Nacho Valdes on the matchup with Zaragoza:
“It’s going to be a very hard game, we need to step it up in the offensive end, we’ve working in red zone plays these past two weeks and I think we are ready to put points on the board and be able to play at the same level as our defense. Expect to see a new Mariners team this game.”
The Hurricanes offense was explosive at times in their win against the Murcia Cobras. Quarterback Dustin Hawke Willingham was able to engineer two touchdowns drives in large part due to finding dynamic playmaker Duchenne. Duchenne was all over the field two weeks ago converting key third downs and burning the defense as a receiver, running back, and kick returner. The Virginia Union product (NCAA D2) has a rare combination of speed and toughness that at times separates him from other players on the field so expect him to be making some big plays against the Mariners.
Hurricanes two-way lineman Carlos Romero is feeling good about the matchup:
“This weekend’s game is looking great for us cause we are more than ready to play practice looked great this week but they are a very physical team. Its going to take a lot of physical game and be strong on the field and mentally.”
This is an important game for the Mariners, as they are desperate for a confidence-boosting win in the early part of this season. For the Hurricanes, they want to keep the momentum going after their big win in Murcia two weeks ago. Look for Hurricanes quarterback Willingham to mesh well with Duchenne and the rest of his weapons as the season wears on.