The 2024-2025 season is half way done in Spain and the playoff picture is starting to assemble with just 4 weeks left and one of the most even Eastern Conference in recent history!
By David Pinto Maeso and Jesús Sánchez Sanvi
After 6 weeks of going back and forth between this year´s 10 LNFA teams, things are heating up. Especially in the East where the newcomers are trying to take over the #1 spot from a historical powerhouse. The upset of the season occurred in week 2, and four out of five teams seem to be in the middle of an all time battle for that #2 seed in the playoffs. There are only 4 regular season games left to see who will be on their way to the semifinals.
These are the current conference rankings in the East and West:
Eastern Conference:
Badalona Dracs (4-1)
Terrassa Reds (3-1-1)
L'Hospitalet Pioners (2-3)
Barcelona Pagesos (1-1-3)
Mallorca Voltors (1-3)
Western Conference:
Las Rozas Black Demons (5-0)
Osos de Rivas (3-2)
Camioneros de Coslada (3-2)
Gijón Mariners (1-4)
Zaragoza Hurricanes (0-5)
*Disclaimer: It is very hard to compare teams from different conferences as in Spain there is not a single inter-conference game in the regular season. So everything is based on personal opinions and analysis and we welcome anyone who wants to discuss this list and contribute with their opinion.
LNFA mid-season power ranking:
1st place: Las Rozas Black Demons
Reigning champions Las Rozas Black Demons have solidified their status as the team to beat. After last week’s showdown win against Osos de Rivas they have made their back-to-back title bid even stronger. They boast top-tier imports like their known star Canadian QB Theo Landers, along with a strong core of homegrown talent. Rising stars such as WRs Álvaro Molano, Jorge García Vargas, and Jorge García Valcárcel, as well as G David Culebras and Raiders Tirol signee DL Diego Paz, are just a few names that comes to mind.With a league-best +119 point differential, it’s clear that, at this stage of the season, the Black Demons are sitting atop the Spanish American football scene.
2nd place: Osos de Rivas
With their only losses coming against the Black Demons in two nail-biting defensive battles, the Rivas squad has once again cemented itself as a top contender, trailing only their northern Madrid rivals. Led by their new offensive commander, American QB Norman Douglas Jr. (former JSU Tiger), Osos boast one of the league 's most dangerous passing attacks. Key homegrown targets include WR/RB Edu Pérez, WR Iván Iordanov, WR Javier Ramos, and WR Pablo Olivares.
Something that truly defines the Osos is their fierce defense. They have allowed just 58 points in six weeks, the second-best in the league and only one point behind the Demons. Standout defenders like DB Andy Vera, ATH Rick Johns, and LB Sandro Moreira among others, have been instrumental in this dominance. In addition, they have the most prolific kicker in Spain right now with more than 600 points scored in his career in Álvaro Guitian.
3rd place: Badalona Dracs
Despite their 4-1 record, the secured #1 spot in the East, and a dominant roster, this is not the usual all-powerful Badalona Dracs that Spain has come to expect from the 11-time national champions. This is reflected in their historic Week 2 clash, where the Voltors defeated them for the first time ever.
Still, the Dracs remain at the top of the bunch, boasting one of the league’s most complete offenses, leading all teams with 165 points scored. Key players include; HG QB Pol Singleton, back from the U.S. (current passing TD leader with 14), American RB Keshawn Williams (#2 in TDs), TE Raúl Cernuda, ATH Eric Gracia, and DL Erik Figueroa. Additionally, young rising stars like WR David Martínez, WR Iu Alsina, and WR/RB Eloi Soler, who is turning heads nationwide despite still being a Jr, are making a significant impact.
4th place: Camioneros de Coslada
Coslada is a very interesting team. They arguably have one of the best import groups this season, featuring American RB Deyon Butler, who is a monster out of the backfield and currently the league’s TD leader with 9, and former New Mexico State TE Thomaz Witford. They also rely on one of the few homegrown QBs in the league, longtime Oso and national team veteran Sergio Barbero. He is supported by a young core of standout HG players like WR Iván García, DB Pablo Saló, and DB/LB Toni Gómez, all with national team experience. Veteran DL Daniel Medeiros serves as the heart of their defense.
Offensively, they’ve built a well-rounded and dangerous attack. Their rushing game is especially effective, while their passing offense has established itself as a consistent deep threat. Coslada is one of the most balanced teams in the league, a fact reflected in their perfectly even point differential: 122 scored against 122 allowed. This shows how competitive their games have been.
5th place: Terrassa Reds
Terrassa may be the newly promoted team from the second division, but they are making a statement this season. After 6 weeks, they hold a 3-1 record and a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Last week's tie against the Pagesos reinforced the parity in the Eastern Conference, and Terrassa is taking full advantage. In just a couple of weeks, they could shock everyone by upsetting the Dracs and claiming the #1 seed in the East.
They have built an eye-catching roster, starting at the top with one of Spain’s all-time great coaches, Xavi Gonzalo, who even has experience as a shadow coach in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. On the field, key contributors include HG QB Alex Pacheco, RB Charlie Take, European football veteran ATH Alpha Jalloh, seasoned DB Jordi Brugnani, and rising HG defensive star DL Mamadou Ka Thiobane. Coming seemingly out of nowhere, Terrassa is making a name for itself and proving they belong among the league’s best.
6th place: L'Hospitalet Pioners
L’Hospitalet Pioners are experiencing a season of contrasts in the Eastern Conference, currently holding a 2-3 negative record that reflects both their potential and their struggles. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, a lack of consistency and critical mistakes have prevented them from achieving a stronger standing. Additionally, the constant changes to their roster, particularly regarding their import players, have undoubtedly taken a toll on the team’s cohesion and performance.
After a rocky start to the season, Pioners made a pivotal change at the quarterback position, transitioning from their American import Daniel Viger to Mexican QB Edgar Ulloa, which ultimately led the team to its first victory. However, neither Ulloa nor Viger remained with the team, leaving questions about stability in the most crucial position on the field. The true standout of the Pioners’ offense has been RB Walter Jublawi, whose explosive plays and ability to break tackles have been a bright spot in the unit. Defensively, DB Iker González has emerged as a key figure, making crucial plays and providing leadership in the secondary.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Pioners find themselves at a crossroads. Despite their challenges, they remain in the playoff hunt, with upcoming games offering opportunities to secure wins and potentially clinch a postseason berth. The team’s ability to rally and finish strong will depend on their capacity to minimize errors, maximize the talent of their talented young players, and finding stability in their offensive scheme.
7th place: Barcelona Pagesos
Last year's rookie team in the division is making a step up this season. They are surprising people with great performances when there was not a whole lot of expectations, especially against the Dracs in Week 3 where they were leading up until the 4th quarter before finishing 23-32. The standout name on the roster is former NFL DL Michael Sam, who has been a force in every game. Alongside him, Mexican QB Andrés Puentes and ATH Luca Rusca are key contributors to the Pagesos.
To keep their playoff hopes alive with their 1-1-3 record, they need to improve their -33 point differential, secure wins against Mallorca and L’Hospitalet, and put up another strong fight against Badalona. After last week’s 3-3 tie with Terrassa, they are very much in the race for the #2 seed. It's important to keep in mind that most of their losses have come in one-score games.
8th place: Mallorca Voltors
What’s going on in Mallorca? They opened the season with a historic first-ever win against the powerhouse Badalona Dracs, only to then lose to every other team in the division, though all in very close contests within one score. It’s hard to pinpoint the issue, but logistics could be a factor. Traveling off the island for every road game presents challenges, and they often seem like a different team at home than away. It’s certainly not a lack of talent. With standouts like LB Faavae Faavae, WR Gabe Quigley, QB Diego Lliteras, DL Jetta Njie, WR Matías Rojas, and LB Johnny Prieto, the pieces are there. Yet, something hasn’t clicked since that opening victory.
Despite the struggles, their playoff hopes are still alive which, again, shows the tremendous parity of this conference where in the middle of the season the last team still has a very good chance. With only a -12 point differential and a win over the conference’s top team, they have a shot, but they’ll need to win at least three of their next four games. The challenge? Those four games come in four consecutive weeks, making their final stretch even tougher. Something has to change if they want to turn things around.
9th place: Gijón Mariners
Gijón Mariners are navigating a challenging season in the Western Conference, currently holding a 1-4 record. Despite the adverse results, the Asturian squad has shown flashes of quality and a fighting spirit that has kept them competitive in several matchups. Import QB Spencer Moore has been a standout figure, showcasing his ability to deliver deep passes and lead the offense. However, his performances have been a mix of brilliance and inconsistency, leaving some doubts about his overall impact. Alongside him, veteran RB Javier Castañón has provided explosiveness and reliability in the ground game proving his sustained quality in yet another year. WR Rubén Quintana has emerged as a reliable target for Moore’s throws, consistently making plays when it matters most.
Defensively, the Mariners are a young unit, but their inconsistency has been a recurring issue. While the defense has shown flashes of potential, their inability to maintain a high level of play throughout all four quarters has been a significant hurdle.
With a 1-4 record, the Mariners face a tough stretch to close out the season. Their focus will be on demonstrating improvement and leveraging the talent of their key players. Although their playoff hopes are all but extinguished, the team has an opportunity to finish the season with dignity and lay the groundwork for a more promising future.
10th place: Zaragoza Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are in the midst of a disappointing season. After relocating from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, the Zaragoza-based team has struggled, failing to secure a win in the first round and currently occupying last place in the league standings. The conference relocation may be a key factor in the team’s struggles this season, as they retained most of a roster that had performed at a higher level in previous years.
American import Carlos Rogers arrived late in the season but has shown steady improvement each week, gradually adapting to a roster that includes ELF-caliber players like wide receiver Aaron David. Running back Jesús Sánchez is also delivering his best football this season, solidifying his reputation as one of the top ball carriers in the country. On the defensive side of the ball, however, the Hurricanes have struggled, despite boasting a group of veterans, including imports such as DE Prince Baffoh (Canada) and DB Patrick Stebbings (USA), as well as well-known local players with international experience like Alonso Muñoz and Nicolás Pérez.
Looking ahead, the Hurricanes face critical matchups against the Black Demons and Osos in consecutive weeks as they prepare for their final stretch, which includes a home game against the Gijón Mariners in Zaragoza. Securing a win in that matchup is crucial before they travel to Coslada to close out the season.
Comments