Portugal: Cascais Crusaders stay unbeaten with decisive win over Lisboa Navigators

The undefeated Cascais Crusaders (2-0) handed the Lisboa Navigators (0-2) their second straight loss this past weekend, soundly beating the Navigators 33-9 at José Ramos Stadium, in Laranjeiras, Lisbon in Portuguese League of American Football action.

Crusaders quarterback Matias Manuel tossed two touchdown passes to Durate Cruz and Vinicios Moreira and scored a two-point conversion while running back Wilson Rocha rushed for two touchdowns to pace the Crusaders. Wide receiver Franciso Lory caught a touchdown pass from backup quarterback, Brazilian Tarso Oliveira and Diogo Ruivo kicked a PAT to account for the rest of the scoring for Cascais.

For Lisboa, Diogo Mota threw a touchdown pass to Bruce Furtado while João Caldas kicked a field goal.

Cascais took control of the game early in the first quarter with Manuel connecting with Cruz from 10 yards out and Ruivo added the extra point to give the Crusaders a 7-0 lead. Rocha upped the lead to 13-0, getting outside and racing 20 yards for a score.

The Navigators finally got on the scoreboard when Caldas split the uprights for a field goal in the second quarter.

The Crusaders continued to dominate the game after the break with Moreira hauling in a screen pass from Manuel and taking it 40 yards to extend the lead to 19-3. Manuel scored on the two-point conversion try and Cascais led 21-3  late in the third quarter.

The Navigators finally found the end zone with Mota hitting Furtado for a 25-yard strike to close the gap to 21-9..

Oliveira responded after replacing Manuel at quarterback for Cascais finding Lory for a 25-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 27-9 early in the fourth quarter. With Cascais keeping the ball on the ground the rest of the way, Rocha added an insurance touchdown making the final score 33-9

The Crusaders will take on the unbeaten Lisboa Devils on March 1 while Lisboa will play host to the Porto Mutts on March 8

Source: futebolamericanobrasi.com