The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MAVIN Saunders and his LG Oled Las Rozas Black Demons advanced to the final in the Spanish League of American football.

Saunders caught a 10-yard touchdown reception in his team’s 49-14 win over Mallorca Voltors in Saturday’s semifinal.

Black Demons quarterback Chris Merchant connected with Saunders for his fourth touchdown of the season and gave his team an early 14-0 lead in the route.

They will advance to face the Badalona Dracs after their 21-0 win over Osos Rivas in the other semifinal. Entering the playoffs the Black Demons came in as the No.1 overall seed and have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

The league championship finals will be hosted May 15.

After an approximately two-month hiatus, Las Rozas returned to the field earlier this season with an historic 29-7 win over the Dracs, the four-time LNFA Serie-A defending champions. It was the Dracs first loss in four years, which included 47 consecutive wins in Spanish competition. Saunders was the top target offensively in his debut with four catches for 56 yards.

The LNFA Serie A is the second-tier division of American football in Spain.

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. His season was also highlighted by a four reception, 70-yard, one-touchdown performance in his team’s 46-38 win over Osas Rivas in the second matchup. The 6’6”, 258-pound tight end attended the 2019 rookie minicamp tryout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.