Sunday, March 23, 2025
After a good night's rest, it was finally . . .
. . . GAME DAY once again!
1 Win - 5 Losses
Western Conference Tied for Fourth Place
at
1 Win - 5 Losses
Western Conference Tied for Fourth Place
Despite our records, this was an all important Serie A game for both teams as the loser would most likely be relegated to Serie B for the 2026 season.
The Mariners had beaten the Hurricanes, 13-7, in their earlier meeting in Gijón on February 1st.
After our team breakfast at the Eurostars Hotel, we boarded our bus for the 15 minute drive out to the Hurricanes home field in the rural suburbs of the capital city of the province of Aragon.
We made it to the stadium in plenty of
time to prepare for the 11:00 a.m. Kickoff
Looks like at least one of the Hurricanes
has played for Team Spain in the past
The field itself was a full 100 yards, a
rarity in EuroBall, and in great shape
On the other hand, the locker room
facilities were, shall we say, rustic
The weather would be a factor
The air temperature of 8°C equals 46°F.
Because of the blustery wind gusts, the "Feels Like" wind chill factor of 0°C equals 32°F, i.e., FREEZING.
Add to this an almost constant drizzle throughout the game and you had, what else, a BEAUTIFUL day for American football!
We had a great looking, new
ball bag at our disposal today
Our pre-game warm-up was a good
one and our spirits were now cold,
wet and HIGH!
For our 24 man roster of suited out players, it was now time to PLAY BALL!
FIRST QUARTER:
Zaragoza Ball: The Hurricanes connected on a 50 yard pass play on their first Offensive play of the game to set up an eventual two yard TD run. The PAT split the uprights, Hurricanes led 7-0.
This Hurricanes RB was hard to tackle
Gijón Ball: The Hurricanes kicked a pooch kick into the stiff wind that seemed to stall in mid-air and slightly curve back towards their advancing coverage unit. Our second level player muffed his attempt to catch the ball and Zaragoza recovered the ball.
Swarm!
As I said, he was hard to bring down
Zaragoza Ball: I was extremely proud of our Defense on this series that ended with a Fourth Down, -17 yard QB Sack to stifle the Hurricanes momentum.
The Fourth Down Sack sequence . . .
. . . started with relentless effort . . .
. . . a good high grab . . .
. . . and then hanging on . . .
. . . for dear life . . .
. . . until help arrived . . .
. . . the ball did come loose but
only after the QB was down
Gijón Ball: The Mariners moved the ball but eventually had to Punt it away.
A Hurricane LB about to make a play
Good Mariners blocking on this play
RB Casta is a WARRIOR!
Zaragoza Ball: The Hurricanes were on the march again as the First Quarter ended with the score Zaragoza 7 - Gijón 0.
The Hurricanes QB is a real dual threat
Athletic leapers can make a
tackler look foolish at time
SECOND QUARTER:
Hurricanes Ball: Their drive that started at the end of the First Quarter continued with their QB running amok. He scored on a one yard run, the PAT was true and Zaragoza led 14-0.
At this point, we made a mid-game adjustment thanks to a good idea by LB Coach Iván Canto. In an effort to stymie the Hurricanes QB's scrambling ability we made our import DB, Geoff Green, come down from his Safety spot and play at about seven yards depth to "spy" the QB and play him man-to-man.
With this look, we also switched from a 3-4 look to a 4-1 with five DBs in a Cover 1 Man Free look.
As far as stopping the QB's scrambling, it worked.
CB and FS combining on a tackle
Low Pad Wins
Mariners Ball: This drive was stopped on a Third and short situation when the shotgun snap sailed high over our QB's head leading to a 15 yard loss. Our Punt covered 25 yards into the face of the gale.
Gang Tackling is . . .
. . . a good thing, see?
Hurricanes Ball: A 40 yard pass completion, led to a one yard TD run followed by a successful 2-point PAT run. The Zaragoza lead had bulged to 22-0.
Running the Rock
Trench Warfare
The Mariners were still battling
Fearless, veteran WR Calde . . .
. . . with another hard earned reception
Mariners Ball: Thanks to a Pass Interference call on the Hurricanes and despite a game ending injury to Casta, our workhorse RB, the Gijón Eleven came up with a 20 yard TD pass from Spencer Moore to Geoff Green. The PAT was blocked but the score was now a bit closer at 22-6 in favor of Zaragoza.
TD MARINERS!
Hurricanes Ball: Despite not recovering our Onside Kickoff, our much maligned Mariners Defense displayed grit and great mental toughness in getting a huge turnover just before Halftime as DB Walter from Colombia came up with a dazzling interception.
Walter makes the Pick . . .
. . . and returns it . . .
. . . 20 yards!
Mariners Ball: A 40 yard pass completion to Geoff Green gave us a great opportunity to score again just before Halftime but two shots into the End Zone fell awry to end the Second Quarter.
HALFTIME SCORE
Zaragoza - 22
Gijón - 6
Third Quarter:
Gijón Ball: A holding call against the Mariners on the Kickoff Return gave us poor field position. A controversial fumble call deep in our end of the field on what would have given the Mariners a key First Down ended the Gijón drive.
Ruben Running after a Catch
Zaragoza Ball: This Hurricanes drive concluded with a two yard TD run and another well executed PAT kick, the Hurricanes lead was extended to 29-6.
LB Bryan in Hot Pursuit
Gijón Ball: A Three and Out, Punt situation that was made worse by a long snap over the Punter's head. Our Punter made a great play to go back, recover the errant football and get off a Punt that netted 15 yards which though not good was amazing under the circumstances.
How would the Mariners Defense respond?
Zaragoza Ball: The Mariners Defense against stepped up and ended the Hurricanes drive with a Fourth Down stop at our own ten yard line.
Gijón Ball: A tipped pass was intercepted by the Hurricanes and returned deep into our Red Zone to the ten yard line.
Zaragoza Ball: Our suddenly resilient Defense held Zaragoza to a missed Field Goal attempt. AWESOME!
The Third Quarter ended with Zaragoza still comfortably in the lead, 29-6.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Mariners Ball: On our first play of the drive, back up RB David popped a 42 yard run off of Right Tackle but the drive eventually ended with a Punt.
Action in the Pit with the
Mariners on Defense
Hurricanes Ball: The Mariners overcame a Pass Interference call on this drive by once again, for the third consecutive drive, stopping the Hurricanes, this time with a Fourth Down stop.
This was probably the best three consecutive drives of Defense we've had all season. Encouraging.
Mariners Ball: This drive ended with a turnover on downs.
Catch-As-Catch-Can!
Hurricanes Ball: The Mariners Defensive "Era of Good Feelings" ended quickly with a Zaragoza one play TD drive thanks to our old nemesis, the deep ball. In this particular case, a 55 yard pass. The Hurricanes added a two-point PAT run to up their lead to 37-6.
RB David on his 42 yard scamper
Mariners Ball: A fumble at our own twenty yard line spelled doom.
Hurricanes Ball: On their first play, the Hurricanes ran off Right Tackle for a 20 yard TD.
I was proud to see DB's Iván Bravo and Iván Avila combine to snuff out the Hurricanes two-point PAT completed Swing pass before the receiver could cross the Goal Line.
With the score now 43-6 in Zaragoza's favor, for the fourth consecutive game, the 35 point, running clock Mercy Rule was in effect to ease our pain.
Humiliating.
One-on-One in the Open Field
Mariners Ball: With the game in the waning seconds, WR Ruben caught two consecutive passes the covered eight and 45 yards as the game ended.
The score board does not lie
The Hurricanes improve to 2-5 on the season and the Mariners fall to 1-6.
The plain truth is that we are not a competitive Serie A team at this time, relegation and regrouping it must be in 2026.
WR/DE Ruben at Burger King
after the game with a crown
Ruben got our Ukranian OL
Mykhailo to don a tiara too
Amidst the loss, a much needed ray of mirth before the seven hour drive back to Gijón.
Lots of forest land on our drive . . .
. . . with several small villages
along the way . . .
. . . and a huge rock quarry too
Corbatas de Unquera are THE pastry
treat of the Province of Cantabria
We bought a box to bring home at our mid-point rest stop in Cantabria at WR Calde's suggestion. A GREAT call.
In today's two other Serie A games, both in the Eastern Conference . . .
Mallorca (3-4) edges Barcelona (1-5-1)
This game between Terrassa (4-1-1)
and Badalona (6-1) was postponed
due to a violent thunder storm
Now for a recap of all of the Serie A Week 9 action.
LNFA Serie A
Western Conference Week 9 Results
Zaragoza (2-5) 43 - Gijón (1-6) 6
Las Rozas (8-0) 54 - Coslada (3-4) 7
BYE: Rivas (4-3)
Western Conference Standings
1. Las Rozas Black Demons 8-0
2. Osos Rivas 4-3
3. Coslada Camioneros 3-4
4. Zaragoza Hurricanes 2-5
5. Gijón Mariners 1-6
Western Conference Week 10 Schedule
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Zaragoza (2-5) at Coslada (3-4) 3:00 p.m.
Rivas (4-3) at Gijón (1-6) 4:00 p.m.
BYE: Las Rozas (8-0)
LNFA Serie A
Eastern Conference Week 9 Results
Mallorca (3-4) 13 - Barcelona (1-5-1) 8
Badalona (6-1) at Terrassa (4-1-1) - Suspended
BYE: L'Hospitalet (2-5)
Eastern Conference Standings
1. Badalona Dracs 6-1
2. Terrassa Reds 4-1-1
3. Mallorca Voltors 3-4
4. L'Hospitalet 2-5
5. Barcelona Pagesos 1-5-1
Eastern Conference Week 10 Schedule
Sunday, March 30, 2025
L'Hospitalet (2-5) at Barcelona (1-5-1) Noon
Mallorca (3-4) at Terrassa (4-1-1) Noon
BYE: Badalona (6-1)
This coming weekend was scheduled to be the final week of the Serie A regular season but now the suspended Badalona at Terrassa game will have to be played sometime before the start of the upcoming playoffs.
Thoughts from the net . . .
A good social lesson that I must
impart to the grandchildren
If a donut won't help,
DUMP HER!
Laurie in the Second Grade
As coaches, we'll need to make this last week of practices as positive and meaningful as possible in order to get the best possible effort out of our team against the Osos on Saturday in our season finale.
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