The Las Rozas Black Demons will be attempting to defend their Spanish title Saturday, May 4 when they face arch rivals, Osos Rivas in Spanish Bowl XXX at Estadio Vallehermoso in Madrid.
The Black Demons defeated Osos Rivas in the 2023 title game so there is no question that their crosstown rivals will be looking for revenge.
Las Rozas finished the regular season with a 7-1 record with the only loss coming at the hands of Osos, 28-21. Osos Rivas were defeated by the Black Demons 10-6 early in the season for their only loss. To reach the final, the Black Demons downed the previously undefeated Badalona Dracs 23-15 while Osos edged L’Hospitalet Pioners 35-33 in a thriller in the semifinals.
Osos Rivas head coach Ricardo Martin relies on quarterback Russell Tabor who missed the final stretch of the regular league due to injury, but returned with a bang in the semifinals, where he threw four touchdown passes and was decisive in defeating the Pioners. Osos also has an excellent corps of receivers, led by the American Gary Tyler, as well as David Girón, Edu Pérez and Mario Flores. Running back Ronald Tomasello has also been another key piece for the squad. Other standouts on offense include Mexican lineman Juan Antonio Escobar, and kicker Álvaro Guitián.
Las Rozas under head coach Jesús Fernández, will be led by another top-level quarterback in Canadian Theo Landers, who has shone again in his second season in Spain. His versatility is what causes major problems for rival defenses, especially when he leaves the pocket exploiting his speed and power. In the semis, his performance was decisive in the win over the Dracs. He and Russell Tabor have been, without a doubt, the two best quarterbacks in the league this season and their duel promises to be special. Along with Landers, receiver Jorge García-Valcárcel, who has had a fantastic season becoming the top target of the Canadian, has been another of the standouts on the Las Rozas team. Other outstanding players include running backs Daniel Romero and Dominic Coffman as well as versatile wide receiver Nolan Coperning, and offensive lineman Sebastian Bowen.
Defensively, these two teams are evenly matched. The Black Demons have surrendered an average of 10.8 points a game while Osos Rivas have given up 10.1.
This will be a title game for the ages.
Check out the AFI QB head to head.
Oso Rivas vs Las Rozas Black Demons
May 4, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT).
