Portugal: Cacais Crusaders hand Algarve Sharks 2nd loss, keep playoff hopes alive

The Cacais Crusaders took full advantage of an injury-ravaged Algarve Sharks squad Saturday to down the Sharks 42-6 at  Campo das Fontaínhas in Cascais., Portugal.

With the win, the Crusaders have now knocked off the two favorites to win the division, the Lisboa Devils and the Algarve Sharks. With a 4-4 record in the Portuguese League of American Football (LPFA) South division, the Crusaders are poised to make the playoffs.

Crusaders running back Alexandre Henriques scored two touchdowns while quarterback Manuel Farano threw a touchdown pass to João Barreiros and ran one in himself. Running back Wilson Rocha also scored and Crusaders safety Brazilian Patrick Mussi scored on a pick six. Rodolfo Cruz kicked five extra points and holder Alexandre Alvaro scored on a two-point conversion.

Algarve’s British quarterback Ashley Bailey threw a touchdown pass to compatriot Nick Slater to account for the Sharks’ lone score.

The Crusaders took charge early scoring three first quarter touchdowns and then two in the second to roar out to a 34-6 halftime lead. Bailey managed to connect with wide receiver Slater for a touchdown to avoid the shutout.

Cacais eased up in the second half with the only scoring coming from Mussi’s interception which he returned 60 yards for a touchdown.

The win keeps Cacais in third place in the South division with a 4-4 record and still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Despite the loss, the Sharks remain in second place in Portugal’s South division standings with a 5-2 record. They will face the first place Lisboa Devils (6-1) Feb. 17.

Source: Futebol Americano Brasil