Portuguesa Lusa Lions – 35
Goiania Rednecks – 6
Estadio Canindé – São Paulo, São Paulo
In a game that had Hal Mumme’s finger prints all over it, these two Air Raid squads squared off in a lopsided victory for the Lions. Portuguesa’s Paulo Henrique Martins spent 2016 Spring ball at Belhaven University, under the tutelage of Mumme, and the Rednecks continue to develop the system installed by Frenchman, Hugo Pointillart, another Air Raid disciple.
We started fast for the first time in the season, we knew well the Rednecks Air Raid Offense and we came prepared defensively. Our defense shut (it) down, for the most part, allowing few completions and very few yards on the running game,’’ said Martins of his squads defensive effort.
The lone Redneck touchdown came on a fumble and run by quarterback, Paulo Paiva. ‘’He made a great play,’’ said Martins.
Speedy safeties Lucas dos Santos and Matias Peinado led the effort in the Lion secondary and linebacker, Henrique Barbosa, earned Player of the Week honors from his team.
Perhaps the biggest story, though, was the return of star LB/DE, Lincoln Silva. Initially a linebacker, Silva has the size and speed to line up as a rush or anchor end in the Lions 4-2-5 scheme, and can even move down to a 3 technique to create mismatches with his speed. The emergence of Barbosa this season allowed Silva to create speed mismatches on the line of scrimmage all day, and Silva finished the day with two sacks.
Above: Lions quarterback, Catullo Goes, looks between two Redneck pass-rushers for one of his favorite targets, Vinicius Seya. Goes connected with Seya on one of his three touchdown passes on the day. Photo credit: Juliana Longano/StudioRGB
Offensively, Johnny Santos continued doing what he does best – getting in the end zone- with two rushing touchdowns. Catullo Goes his hitting Leandro Fratini, Vinicius Seya and Laercio Lima Junior with touchdown strikes.
‘’We executed our offensive game plan well, starting fast and finishing drives in the redzone, which our bigger issue the in the last couple of games,’’ said Goes.
AFI’s take: A good measuring stick game for both teams as they move into the playoffs. Silva returning to the Portuguesa D-line gives them a big time pass rusher and much needed depth.