Timbó Rex Top Vasco da Gama Patriotas, Captures Brazil’s Torneio Touchdown Title

The Timbó Rex capped an incredible season defeating the Vasco da Gama Patriotas 28-9 at Hercílio Luz stadium in Itajaí, Brazil in the Torneio Touchdown (TTD) championship final.

Timbó Rex captured the title without losing a single game in 2015.

The Rex racked up 15 consecutive victories (including the Santa Catarina State Championship) en route to an undefeated season to win their first ever title, joining a select group of  teams to have won the Torneio Touchdown championship including the Rio de Janeiro Imperadores, Vila Velha Tritões, Corinthians Steamrollers, Jaragua Breakers and Vasco da Gama Patriotas.

Led by quarterback Drew Hill, who threw three touchdown passes, the T-Rex wasted no time, taking charge early in the game. On the first drive, Hill found receiver Marcos Spiess (#13) from 14 yards out for the game’s first touchdown. They missed the PAT but the relentless Timbó attack took them into the red zone on their next offensive series and although they came away empty handed, the tone was set.

Patriotas kicker Ryan Homem (#15) managed to close the gap early in the second quarter kicking a 22 yard field goal but the T Rex responded. The Hill-Spiess connection gave Timbó their second touchdown of the half as Hill, under pressure and scrambling, threw a nine yard pass to Spiess in the end zone and running back Clair José (#23) scored the two point conversion to give the T-Rex a 14-3 halftime lead.

After the break back, Clair José found a seam in the Patriotas front seven, slipped through C gap and raced 21 yards to extend the T Rex lead to 20-3.

The Patriotas were not done yet though as quarterback Lucas Shaw (#11) threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Rudá (#13) and Vasco moved to within 11 points, 20-9.

However, Hill threw his third touchdown pass of the day in the fourth quarter, this time to receiver Ivan Tonolli (#1) and wide receiver Talyson Bisneto (#83) scored the two-point conversion to give Timbó a 28-9 victory and their first TTD championship title.

Running back Clair José was voted MVP of the final.

Check out the Timbó Rex road to the championship.

Drew Hill was understandably happy with the undefeated season:

“I feel fulfilled. I felt, from the beginning, that we had a team capable of winning every game we played, so to finish the season undefeated was not a surprise. However, to have the capability and to realize it are separate matters entirely. Therefore, I am content that we were able to accomplish our goals, which were difficult regardless of our ability. More so, I am proud of the manner in which we achieved our goals, with dedication, sacrifce, hard work, desire, and respect. I know this was a special epoch within my life and I feel honored to have shared it with the entire T-Rex family.”

Hill’s future with the Rex is in doubt as he ponders other offers from around the globe. In addition,  defender Andrew Bernadini and American import Jacob Zilbar will be leaving the club. Zilbar and Bernadini have signed with the Ancona Dolphins in Italy for the 2016 season. Patriotas defensive back Filipe Sodré announced his retirement after a 13 year career in Brazil.

Watch the entire championship game here!

Feature photo by Tony Soto: Timbó Rex and team president Igor Rick celebrate.

Source: Link to original article.