Spanish LNFA Week 8 Power Ranking: The final stretch
- David Pinto Maeso
- Mar 18
- 7 min read
With just 2 regular season weeks left, the Spanish first division of American football is coming to an end, and the playoff picture is being set.
Week 8 just finished, which means that there are already just two regular season weeks left in the 2025 LNFA. It has been one of the most interestings seasons in some time. One team already in the playoffs, another one very close, one great upset, two squads returning to the winning column after months and a couple of dominating performances have defined this weekend of American football in Spain. And with that, a new power ranking arises.
It's also important to note that after Zaragoza's victory, there is not a single team in the league without a W. Something not very usual that reflects the parity of the league this year.
These are the current conference rankings:
Eastern Conference:
Badalona Dracs (6-1)
Terrassa Reds (4-1-1)
Mallorca Voltors (2-4)
L'Hospitalet Pioners (2-5)
Barcelona Pagesos (1-1-4)
Western Conference:
Las Rozas Black Demons (7-0)
Osos de Rivas (4-3)
Camioneros de Coslada (3-3)
Zaragoza Hurricanes (1-5)
Gijón Mariners (1-5)
LNFA Week 8 Power Rankings:
1st place: Las Rozas Black Demons (=)
Two dominating performances against Zaragoza and Gijón after Week 6 keeps the reigning champion on top of the American football scene in Spain after 7 wins. They haven't lost since week 9 of last season on the 23rd of March 2024. That makes it 358 days without losing. There's not much to be said.
2nd place: Badalona Dracs (+1)
These are the Badalona Dracs that Spain is used to seeing. The 11 times national champions seem to have found their footing after a season of highs and lows, but still with 6 wins and 1 loss. Mathematically they are not yet 100% the #1 seed in the East. For that they need to beat the Reds next week, a game in which they are highly favoured.
They have solidified probably the best rushing game in the league with American RB KeShawn Williams (LNFA TD leader with 15 and depicted above) and the young Spanish prospect Eloi Soler. Both combined for 5 TDs in their dominant win against the Pagesos 34-0 this past week, a team whom they struggled with in the first leg of the competition. That, with the addition of the unexpected upset of the Hurricanes against the Osos makes them the second best team in the league.
3rd place: Osos de Rivas (-1)
Wow, nobody saw that coming. With their recent loss 23-6 against the former 0-5 Zaragoza Hurricanes, and a very close game against the Camioneros in Week 7, the Osos lose a spot in the ranking and they are not mathematically in the playoffs just yet. If they had won against Zaragoza they would be.
To be fair, this loss looks to be a result of the unexpected cutting of their American QB Norman Douglas Jr. Their newly QB signee Bryce Macina didn't play, probably because of his short time in Rivas. A lights-out Hurricanes defense, the heavy rain of Zaragoza and the short playing time this year for the Spanish young promise QB Adrián Menéndez is what made the Osos offense not perform at the level they have during the rest of the season. That, and the deep explosive and consistant plays of the Zaragoza offense is what tipped the score in favor of the locals.
4th place: Camioneros de Coslada (=)
The Camioneros had their bye this weekend, and with their 10-7 strong performance against the Osos in their home last week, they remain in the top bunch of teams in the league.
Their star RB Devon Butler still shines week in and week out. He is currently the second most prolific scorer of the competition with 10 TDs. Alongside him, key contributors are TE Thomaz Witford, QB Sergio Barbero, WR/K Iván García, DB Pablo Saló or DB/LB Toni Gómez among others.
5th place: Terrassa Reds (=)
Terrassa is the team of the moment in 2025 after winning the second division last year and recruiting big names such as QB Alex Pacheco, DB Jordi Brugnani and European football veteran ATH Alpha Jalloh, added to their recurrent stars like young ELF DL Mamadou Ka Thiobane. They are having a wonderful season so far with a 4-1-1 record after their awaited return to premier football in Spain.
Also, like Coslada, they have only played one game since the last power ranking. It was a dominant win 27-9 against the Pioners. With that they are automatically in the playoffs. They even have the chance of being crowned the East champs if they surpass the Dracs next week and win the last regular season game of the year. And with the great upsets and close games of this season, one even against Badalona, everything is possible.
6th place: Mallorca Voltors (+2)
After arguably their biggest win ever in Week 2 against the Badalona Dracs, the Mallorca Voltors fell so badly losing to everyone else in the conference. Although 3 of their 4 losses came by only one score. That being said, after this last hard-fought 21-14 win against the Pioners they deserve to climb the rankings. Right now they are the number 3 team of one of the most tight Eastern divisions in recent history. They are for sure a resilient and young team that can end the season on a high note.
Additionally, it's important to highlight the performance of their American WR Gabe Quigley (depicted above) who has emerged himself as the key contributor of Mallorca´s offense and one of the best pass-catchers in the league this season.
7th place: Zaragoza Hurricanes (+3)
The biggest jump of this power ranking, and deservedly so; the Zaragoza Hurricanes. It is very true that they are having a forgettable season, but after this week's upset against a historic powerhouse like the Osos de Rivas has launched them to the 7th spot of the ranking.
A young squad with “dawg´s culture” as their motto. This past Sunday they have proved exactly that against a team that knows what it is to win the Spanish Championship. The stellar performances of their American import QB Carlos Douglas and his receivers were key, especially 17 year old WR Juan Baro, who also plays as a QB in the U17 Team Spain QB (national team). A connection that made a very early impact in the game with 2 TDs that left a score of 16-0 already in the 1st quarter. On the other side of the ball, the whole defense shined throughout the whole game. One of the biggest moments of the game was a pick in the endzone in the 4th quarter by young standout DB Alonso Muñoz (depicted above) when the Osos seemed to have good momentum,
This victory means so much for the Aragonese team because they are not in the last spot of the league and the West conference anymore. This is very dangerous for a possible relegation at the end of the season. If it is like last year, the two worst ranked teams of each conference will face each other to see who goes to the newly named LNFA 2.
8th place: L'Hospitalet Pioners (-2)
One thing that this young team needs is stability, especially with their import players and their scheme. They have a lot of potential and some key figures that are making huge steps this year and cementing themselves as true stars like their pair of RBs Walter Jublawi and Oriol Adriá, or their young DB Iker González.
After last two week's scores they are the 4th team in the East and drop to the 8th spot in the ranking. Although their recent loss against the Voltors is not exempt of controversy as, once again, the game ended abruptly without apparently no one from the Pioners´ staff knowing how much time was left. They were deep in Mallorca´s red zone at the time and that started a big discussion between the Voltors´ coaches and the refs. Very similar to how things ended in Week´s 2 showdown between Mallorca and Badalona, also in the Balearic Island. An anticlimactic end to a very entertaining match.
9th place: Barcelona Pagesos (-2)
The sudden loss for the team of former NFL DL Michael Sam due to personal reasons has made a huge impact in the Pagesos. Still they have made a huge step in the right direction as this is their second season ever in the top division. Right now they have a 1-1-4 record while last season they ended with a 0-8 and playing in the relegation game.
They are a young team with great guidance in Mexican HC Genaro Alfonsín and big standout names like ATH Luca Rusca or ELF experienced DL Rafael Fernandez. It seems that they are improving a lot along the way with remarkable performances on the field. They just need a couple of key pieces and signings to transform those close losses and become a true threat in the East.
10th place: Gijón Mariners (-1)
It has not been the desired season for the Asturian squad. In recent years they have become a team to be considered year in and year out. But, as of now, they are the last team in the West with a 1-5 record, behind Zaragoza due to point differential.
Their only W came against the Hurricanes in what was a very electric and close game. They will need that energy again next week in what will be a key clash between Gijón and Zaragoza which will decide who is safe to stay in the top division next year. The loser will automatically be in the relegation game (if there is one this season).
Comentarios