The defending champion Badalona Dracs (3-1) will face the L’Hospitalet Pioners (1-3) Sunday, March 6 at home in Barcelona as the fifth round of play finishes up in Spain’s National League of American Football.
The Dracs are coming off a 35-13 win over the Mallorca Voltors that was far tougher than the score indicates. Badalona broke open a well fought ball game with two third quarter touchdowns, one on a midfield fumble recovery, to secure the win. Badalona had two easy wins to open the season beating the Pioners 48-3 on opening day, following that up with a 49-7 whipping of the Zaragoza Hurricanes. But they ran into a buzz saw when they played the Barbera Rookies who surprised them 35-20.
The Pioners followed up that opening-day loss with a big win over the Hurricanes, beating them 56-48. But then they fell 63-21 to Barbera before losing 28-3 to the Voltors.
Badalona’s new quarterback for 2022, Glen Cuiellette, has proven that he has definitely been a wise addition by head coach Oscar Calatayud. The Mandeville, Louisiana native from Texas Southern, whose favorite target is Hunter Belzo, will no doubt gove the L’Hospitalet secondary fits today. Spanish tight end Raul Cernuda will also be a key target today. Running back Rafael Hidalgo gives Badalona a ground game that will keep the Pioners defense honest.
For the Pioners, quarterback Murdock Rutledge will be looking for a better day after throwing two pick sixes in the latest outing, the 28-3 loss to Mallorca. His favorite target, Jaume Llinàs, is the second leading scoring receiver in the league while Jordi Torrededía, is among the top 20. In other words, this offense could surprise.
However, the Pioners defense has surrendered 187 points in four games and to have any chance at all in today’s game, they have to find a way to slow down the explosive Badalona offense.
Watch the game live. L’Hospitalet Pioners @ Badalona Dracs, March 6, 13:30 CET (1:30 pm, 07:30 am ET)
