The Mallorca Voltors will be playing host to the Zaragoza Hurricanes Sunday, January 17 on the island of Mallorca in the only game in the Spanish League of American Football this weekend.
The Voltors will be playing their first home game against a Zaragoza Hurricanes team looking to bounce back after a blowout loss in week one.
The Voltors enter week two of the season with a good deal of confidence after handily beating the Murcia Cobras 33-7 back on December 12th. The Voltors offense will be led by the dynamic quarterback-receiver duo of Tanner Young (QB) and Jaylon Hibbs. Young and Hibs played together at Centre College (NCAA Division 3) and were both all conference players there before heading abroad. Against Murcia, the duo hooked up for 94 yards and touchdown. Defensively, Mallorca will be led by British linebacker Kadel King and American defensive back Josh Aleaze. King was a big factor in week one, flying around sideline to sideline giving Murcia’s offense no easy yards.
Tanner Young comments on the matchup with the Zaragoza Hurricanes:
“ We are excited to get back on the field after the long holiday break. We know that Zaragoza is a great team and for us it is all about executing what we have practiced. Making sure we nail our details offensively and defensively. We’re looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get after it on Sunday!”
The Hurricanes will be looking to bounce back after losing to the defending champion Badalona Dracs 51-6 the first game of the season. The Zaragoza squad will be heading into this game with a new quarterback Dustin Willingham. Willingham is a savvy veteran quarterback with lots of experience in Norway, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and most recently in 2020 with Poland’s Bydgoszcz Archers. Willingham, the former Southwest Baptist University Bearcat (NCAA D2) will be protected by great core of Spanish lineman including Ruben Ochoa and Carlos Romero who are both versatile players and members of the Spanish national team. Look for the Hurricanes and their new quarterback to utilize speedy Virginia Union (NCAA Division 2) product Denzel Duchenne to make some plays out of the backfield. Duchenne left their game against Badalona with an injury, hopefully he will be back this week.
Willingham is looking forward to the matchup with Mallorca and his former teammate in Poland, Kadel King:
“I just got here to Zaragoza so I hope to have our offense competing throughout the game and hopefully have an opportunity to win the game on the last possession. Their defense looks good, King flies around the field and make a lot of plays. He’s a great player.”
The Hurricanes will have a chance this weekend to show the rest of Spain that they are no pushover this season. With the addition of Willingham they’ve shown a strong commitment to winning this year. On the other sideline the Voltors want to keep up their winning ways and show their doubters that they are real contenders for the Spanish championship.
Watch the game live below.
Zaragoza Hurricanes @ Mallorca Voltors, Jan. 17, 12:00 CET (06:00 EST)
