Coaching for Pizza: Game Day at Las Mestas vs. the Zaragoza Hurricanes

Saturday, February 1, 2025

After a good week of practice, it was finally . . .

GAME DAY in Gijón!

In what turned out to be a positive omen, DE/WR Ruben Quintana was our poster boy today.

He would go no to play a tremendous game today.

Four Serie A games were on the docket

Two games were Western Conference affairs and two more were Eastern Conference contests.

The byes this weekend belonged to the Osos Rivas (2-1) in the West and the L'Hospitalet Pioners (1-2) in the East.

As for our game . . .

Zaragoza Hurricanes

Tied for Fourth Place in Western Conference

2025 Results

0 Wins - 2 Losses

6 Las Rozas Black Demons - 49

10 Osos Rivas - 42

Gijón Mariners

Tied for Fourth Place in Western Conference

2025 Results

0 Wins - 2 Losses

17 Coslada Camioneros - 33

27 Las Rozas Black Demons - 49

With our pristine Las Mestas Stadium

just across the river, this tightwad family

might just watch the game from afar

The three of them are by the nearest bus stop to the stadium but the bridge fording it was closed due to some construction.

I would have to walk a far piece to enter the stadium from the far, far end of the complex where the next bridge could be found.

I walked along this street and

felt much the wiser for it

The field looked great despite some

overnight rain

Though the skies would look threatening at times, no rain fell during the game itself.

A sign in the Snack Bar announcing

the Mariners Super Bowl viewing party

starting at 10:00 p.m. on February 9th

The Super Bowl is set to kickoff at 12:30 a.m., Central European Time on Monday, February 10th.

Our stands on the home side have a

capacity for 1,700 rabid football fans

The ample stands on the visitors side are not opened for our contests as the home side can handle the crowds.

Here is my game recap, hopefully Felipe, the Mariners Ace photographer, will post up his game photos in the next day or two.

It must be noted that while we were confidant going into the game due to our preparation, our focus was thrown completely out of whack due to a pre-game near donnybrook between the two head coaches and our teams.

A case of "Hot Blooded Latins," I was told but it definitely threw off a lot of our mental rhythm, especially on Offense.

First Quarter:

Zaragoza Ball: Great Mariners Kickoff team coverage to start the game led to a solid Defensive series for the Gijón eleven forcing a Hurricanes Punt. The Mariners muffed the Punt and Zaragoza recovered it at the three yard line.

Zaragoza Ball: The Hurricanes scored on their first play, hitting a three yard Swing pass for the game's first TD, the PAT was good. The score was Zaragoza 7 - Gijón 0.

Gijón Ball: The Mariners responded with a good Kickoff Return that led to a splendid ten play scoring drive that ended with a four yard run to pay dirt by QB Spencer Moore, the PAT sailed wide right. Zaragoza still led 7-6.

Zaragoza Ball: The Hurricanes were driving as the First Quarter ended with Zaragoza holding on to a slim 7-6 lead.

Second Quarter:

Hurricanes Ball: Their drive ended with a turnover on downs, our Defense was playing well.

Mariners Ball: Gijon threw an interception.

Hurricanes Ball: The Gijón Defense put out the fire after the turnover, forcing their first Three & Out, Punt of the day.

Mariners Ball: This drive picked up a lone First Down before Gijón punted the ball.

Hurricanes Ball: Zaragoza picked up a First Down but the Gijón Defense were unfazed and forced a Punt.

Mariners Ball: A 15 yard penalty put the kibosh on a promising drive and the ball was turned over on downs.

Hurricanes Ball: With only time for one play, the Mariners Defense went into their Hail Mary defense and came up with a QB Sack to end the Second Quarter.

Halftime Score

Zaragoza Hurricanes - 7

Gijón Mariners - 6

Third Quarter:

Gijón Ball: A fine catch by Calde kept this drive alive but after seven plays, the Mariners punted.

Zaragoza Ball: The Mariners Defense was EN FUEGO, Three and Out, Punt #2!

Gijón Ball: An interception ended this drive.

Zaragoza Ball: The Hurricanes attempted to matriculate the ball down the field as the Third Quarter came to an end with the Hurricanes still holding on to a slim 7-6 lead.

Fourth Quarter:

Hurricanes Ball: Their drive continued but ended with a Punt.

Mariners Ball: Another penalty, another Punt.

Hurricanes Ball: Zaragoza picked up some yardage on this possession before turning the ball over on downs.

Mariners Ball: Time was getting short, it was "Do or Die" time. Gijón opted for "DO!" A nine play drive ended when a simple Hitch Route turned from being a five yard catch into a 33 yard TD play for the home team. The Spencer Moore to Ruben Quintana connection was alive and kicking. Speaking of which, our PAT kick by Calde split the uprights and the Mariners led for the first time in the game, 13-7.

Hurricanes Ball: With less than two minutes left in the game, the Zaragoza squad put on a frenetic drive trying to win the game. Truth be told, penalties did as much to thwart them as the Mariners Defense. A Fourth Down QB Sack by DE Ruben Quintana sealed the game. Or so I thought.

Mariners Ball: This was the situation, 38 seconds left in the game, Zaragoza had all three of their timeouts and Gijón was looking at a First and Goal at the five yard line. Run the ball and game over, right? Nope. On First Down, a holding call plus a dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Mariners made it First and Goal at the 30 yard line. Gijón continued to run the ball to eat up as much time as possible and force Zaragoza to use all of their timeouts on Defense. Gijón turned the ball over on downs at the Zaragoza 31 yard line.

Hurricanes Ball: With no timeouts and only 14 seconds left in the game, the Hurricanes completed two long passes as time expired but they were short of the End Zone.

Final Score

Gijón Mariners (1-2) - 13

Zaragoza Hurricanes (0-3) - 7

I was so proud of our gritty defense's effort again today.

The Stat-of-the-Day for me was our not allowing the Hurricanes to convert on any of their ELEVEN Third and Fourth Down opportunities!

It was a crazy, hard fought win to be sure, we'll take it!