Portugal: Portuscale Dragons nip Mutts to win battle of Porto

In a battle of unbeatens in the Portuguese League of American Football’s North division, the Portuscale Dragons came from behind to defeat crosstown rivals the Porto Mutts 12-7 at Campo do Viso field in Porto, Portugal.

The Dragons struck first early in the first quarter, marching into the red zone with quarterback Awal Umaru connecting with wide receiver Miguel Vasconcelos from 19 yards out for a touchdown. However, they missed the extra point giving them a 6-0 lead. The Mutts wasted no time, answering on the very next possession as quarterback Brian Lopes found Ricardo Alves for a 21-yard touchdown with Helio Reis kicking the extra point to give the Mutts a 7-6 lead.

Portuscale again reached the red zone in the second quarter but the Mutts defense held forcing a turnover on downs. What looked like another Lopes to Alves touchdown was negated by a penalty in the end zone while Dragons kicker Paul Fericean, who was not having a good day, missed a 42 yard field goal attempt, leaving the score 7-6 at halftime.

Umaru opened the second half by getting picked off by the Lopes in the Mutts secondary and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter before either team could gain any momentum. Both defenses held strong but the Dragons special teams forced a bad punt by the Mutts giving Portuscale excellent field position. Umaru wasted no time hitting Bruno Pintão for a 29 yard touchdown strike giving the Dragons a 12-7 lead.

The Mutts defense forced another turnover on downs but Lopes was intercepted giving the Dragons the win.

The Portuscale Dragons remain the only undefeated team in the North division with a 7-0 record. Porto is still in second at 4-1.

Source: Futbolamericanobrasil.com