Mexico: Newly arrived Puebla Artilleros stun defending champion Mexicas
The defending champion Mexicas from Mexico City, arrived in Puebla, Mexico Sunday as heavy favorites to defeat the newly-formed Puebla Artilleros in the opening round of the Liga de Futbol Americano Professional (LFA)
The Artilleros then proceeded to stun the current title holders, soundly beating them 29-12.
Quarterback Andres Chio threw two touchdown passes, one to Sebastian Olvera and another to Luis Miguel Ramirez while the defense scored two touchdowns. Joaquín Guerra Durán and defensive tackle Guillermo Calderón Leal both picked off Mexicas quarterback Francisco Quintana Rios passes and returned them for major scores. Gabriel Amavizca Ortíz added a field goal and two PATs.
For the Mexicas, who underwent a major player overhaul in the offseason, Rios threw a touchdown pass to Guillermo Villalobos while running back Terrill Gourdine added a rushing touchdown.
The Mexicas took the lead early though with Gourdine’s touchdown.
Puebla responded when Ortiz kicked a field goal, still in the first quarter to make the score 6-3 in favor of the visitors.
But Durán picked off an errant Rios pass and rumbled into the end zone to give the Artilleros a 9-6 halftime lead.
Neither team could move the ball in the third quarter but in the fourth the Artilleros offense cam alive as Chio found Olvera in the end zone from 30 yards out to increase the newcomer’s lead to 16-6.
With the Artilleros defense playing lights out football, Leal padded the Puebla lead with another interception and midway through the fourth quarter, the Artilleros were in full control with a 22-6 lead.
Chio marched his team into the red zone again, connecting with Ramirez to give the Artilleros an insurmountable 29-6 lead late in the final period.
Rios redeemed himself somewhat with a late touchdown pass to Villalobos.
Source: LFA, Cinthya García Guerrero
Watch the highlights here.
In other action, the Fundidors doubled up on the Dinos 26-13, the Raptors had no trouble with the other new team, the Osos, whipping them 48-12 and the Condors downed the Mayas 21-13.
