Mayas Win First Liga de Futbol Americano Championship Game In Mexico

The Mayas were crowned the first champions of the brand new professional Liga de Futbol Americano in Mexico Sunday as they downed the Raptors 29-13 at the Jesus “Palillo” Martinez Stadium in Mexico City in front of a packed, wildly cheering crowd.

Mayas receiver Josue Martinez was named game MVP after catching two touchdown passes from quarterback Marco Garcia.

The Mayas had dropped two of their last three games entering the contest while the Raptors were winners of four straight including a win against the Mayas. On this day though, the Mayas took charge early and never let up.

Head coach Ernesto Alfaro had prepared his team well, keeping the Raptors from finding any offensive rhythm forcing them to use a three-quarterback rotation throughout the game.

The Mayas defense came out clicking on the first series, forcing the Raptors to punt. Then quarterback Marco Garcia guided the Mayas on a 50-yard drive only to be stopped on the one-yard line.

The Mayas defense rose up again, forcing a bad throw deep in Raptors territory which linebacker Lenin Ortiz intercepted. Running back Omar Cojolum bulled his way into the end zone two plays later to give the Mayas a 7-0 lead.

In their next series, the Mayas again put points on the board with a field goal by Mauricio Morales and going 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Mayas extended the lead in the second quarter on a 5-yard pass to Josue Martinez Garcia, two minutes before the end of the first half.

But the “Jurassic” Raptors” managed to score on the last play of the second quarter as quarterback Victor Martinez connected on a short pass with Enrique Barraza closing the gap to 17-6.

In the second half, the Mayas began pulling away as Cojolum found a crease and scampered 71 yards for his second touchdown of the day giving the Mayas a 23-6 lead.

Then the Mayas forced another turnover on a fumble and Martinez scored his second touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Garcia giving them a 29-6 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Raptors defense finally forced a fumble late in the game and linebacker Sergio Flores managed to return it for a touchdown closing the gap to 29-13. However, the Mayas forced a third fumble to seal the win and hand them the first championship title in league history.