The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MAVIN Saunders returned to the gridiron and was a pivotal force behind his club’s playoff berth in Spain’s LNFA Serie A, the second-tier division of American football in the country.

Saunders finished with four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown for his LG Oled Black Demons in their 46-38 win over Osos Rivas Bears in Las Rozas, Spain.

With the win, the Black Demons clinched the division, No.1 overall seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. On the opening drive, Saunders caught a 38-yard touchdown from quarterback Chris Merchant. The Black Demons fell behind 22-7 before they rallied in the second half to remain undefeated.

They improved to 7-0, leading the league and the Western Conference standings.

Saunders has been limited due to injury this season, but made an immediate impact in his debut with the club. He caught a 27-yard touchdown in the Black Demons’ 35-28 win over the Osas Rivas in the first meeting between the clubs this season.

Saunders joined the roster as one of several key international transfers this season.

“Undoubtedly, a player who will help the passing attack and will raise the level of training for the next matches,” the team said in a press release at the time of Saunders’ signing.

The 6’6”, 258-pound tight end attended the 2019 rookie minicamp tryout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.

Saunders participated in the College Gridiron Showcase Symposium and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.

Following his sessions at both events, he interviewed with the Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers.

Saunders spent his first four seasons at Florida State before graduating and transferring to the Kansas Jayhawks to conclude his collegiate career.

Over the course of his career he finished with 20 receptions for 266 yards and one touchdown.