Coaching for Pizza: Gijón Mariners vs. Osos Rivas in Madrid

Saturday, February 15, 2025

After two weeks of poorly attended practices, we set of for the nation's capital, Madrid, for our Mariners' (1-2) tough game against the powerful Osos Rivas (2-1) who have played in the Serie A National Championship Game in each of the last three seasons.

Truth be told, I did not have a

good feeling about this game

I am a firm believer in the old coaching adage, "You play like you practice."

I had no issue with the work ethic and passion of the players that are actually at any of our practices, it just that so few of the them, mainly the Offensive Linemen, did attend that we were only able to scrimmage once in our four practices before the Osos game.

It would show in today's game.

This particular game day would be a long one that started with a 5:00 a.m. wake-up alarm for me as our bus was leaving Gijón at 6:40 a.m.

Our chariot awaited us

Including a 35 minute rest stop along the way, we arrived at a familiar stadium in the Madrid suburb of Rivas five hours and 40 minutes after leaving Gijón.

I say "familiar stadium" because I helped coach the Osos in the Fall of 2016 for two months during their pre-season in the dual capacity of coaching the Osos coaches at all levels and teaching Offensive Line fundamentals throughout their program as well.

The Osos are where I first coached with one of the best people that I have met in EuroBall, then Osos Head Coach Jesús Sánchez.

Mariners basking in the Sun while

getting a bit more nutrition outside

the stadium in Rivas

The old field still has a rock hard

artificial turf surface that is NOT

fun to play on for either team

I must say that I felt really good when one of our old Osos linemen came up to me two hours before kickoff and said "Welcome home, Coach."

That's when the Osos Lovefest began . . .

Current Osos Head Coach

Ricardo Martín

I've grown to enjoy Ricky's company working with him in that long ago Osos project and then again with the Europe Warriors teams when we played in Mexico.

One of the good guys in EuroBall for sure.

Osos Offensive Coordinator

Mario Flores

Mario was an Osos player back in 2016 and was a Europe Warrior wide receiver as well when we played against the University of Chihuahua in 2018.

With our Offensive Tackle Moha

On Friday it was announced that he was selected to be part of the Tunisian National Team set to play in an international tournament later this year.

Representing one's country in American football is a great honor.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Warm-ups were probably the

highlight of our Mariners day

FIRST QUARTER

Osos Ball: A 40 yard pass completion on the first play of the game spearheaded a three play scoring drive that was capped by a seven yard TD pass. The Extra Point was good and it was 7-0 Osos.

Mariners Ball: Three and Out, Punt

Osos Ball: A good Rivas punt return gave the Osos a short field, starting the drive at our 15 yard line. It was another three play drive that culminated with an eight yard TD pass. The PAT was again perfect, giving the Osos a 14-0 lead.

Things got worse for us as on the ensuing Kickoff Return, our American Defensive Back, James Douglas, had a wicked collision with an Osos player that knocked both of them out for the remainder of the game.

Mariners Ball: Our only good drive of the day gobbled up 47 yards before ending with an interception in the end zone.

Osos Ball: After a dead ball penalty, the Osos wasted no time in turning a simple Swing pass into a 65 yard TD play on their first snap. Five of our Mariners had a chance to stop the receiver along the way, but not the speed. The PAT split the uprights again and it was 21-0 Osos.

Being down three scores after only seven Rivas Offensive plays was not a good thing.

SECOND QUARTER

Gijón Ball: Our third play resulted in an interception.

Rivas Ball: A Three and Out, Punt thanks in large part to a -11 yard QB Sack by the joint forces of DE Matteo and NT Taye.

Gijón Ball: After five plays, we punted.

Rivas Ball: After five plays, the Osos had to punt with a -15 yard QB Sack by DE Sebas being the Mariners key play of the drive.

Gijón Ball: The Mariners ran off two plays as the First Half came to a close with the Osos leading 21-0.

THIRD QUARTER

Mariners Ball: Three and Out, Punt

Osos Ball: A seven play drive that ended with a 20 yard TD pass play that was well covered but the Osos WR out leapt our much shorter DB for the ball. The PAT was good, Osos extended their lead to 28-0.

Mariners Ball: Three and Out, Punt

Osos Ball: One play, one TD, on another well covered pass that covered 58 yards this time. The PAT was true and as the Third Quarter ended it was Rivas ahead 35-0.

As a result, the Fourth Quarter would be played under the Mercy Rule, i.e., a running clock.

FOURTH QUARTER

Gijón Ball: Four Offensive plays resulted in a drive ending punt.

Rivas Ball: A nine play drive with lots of back up players in the game for both teams ended with a successful 42 yard Field Goal by the Osos on the last play of the game.

The Osos are now 3-1 while

our beloved Mariners drop to 1-3

It was a long day to be sure but there were still things to build upon for our young team.

By young, I mean that on our Defense we are playing with five starters who are 20 years old or younger in the LB and DB corps.

They are the ones who come to practice religiously and are improving greatly via the Baptism of Fire method in these Senior games.

It should be mentioned that three of these youngsters practice with our Junior Flag football team for 90 minutes every night before donning the pads for the two hour Senior workout.

After the game, the Osos Lovefest started op once again.

With Daniel Vilches

When I coached the Osos in 2016, Daniel and his lovely wife, Vanessa, graciously hosted me in their home for about a week before my apartment was ready.

With Sandro

In 2016, Sandro coached the Junior Team and was also the Senior Team's powerful running back.

Sandro made the trip to Mexico City in 2017 to play for our Europe Warriors team against the UNAM Pumas.

Nowadays, he is a Pass Rushing Whiz at Defensive End for the Osos.

After finally leaving the stadium, we stopped at a Rivas shopping mall for dinner. About ten of us sat down to eat at Goiko Burgers where I thoroughly enjoyed their Kevin Bacon burger, fries and a Coke Zero.

We were all back aboard the team bus and on the road to Gijón at 7:20 p.m.

After our long day, I was safely back in the apartment at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.