2022 LFA season

2022 LFA season
Duration4 March – 24 April
Tazón México V
Date21 May
VenueEstadio Caliente, Tijuana
ChampionsFundidores
LFA seasons seasons
← 2021
2023 →

The 2022 LFA season was the seventh season of operation (sixth season of play) of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA), the top American football league in Mexico. The regular season began on 4 March and concluded on 24 April, with the playoffs beginning on April 30 and ending with the Tazón México V, on 21 May.[1] The league returned after a two-season hiatus.

Fundidores won their first LFA championship after defeating Gallos Negros 18–14 in the Tazón México V, played in Tijuana.[2]

Preseason events

Expansion

Two new teams joined the league for the 2022 season: Galgos de Tijuana, based in Tijuana, and Reyes de Jalisco, based in Zapopan, Jalisco.[3][4] The league also lost one team, Osos de Toluca, that folded in January 2021.[5] With these changes, the 2022 season will be contested by seven teams and, unlike the previous seasons, the league will not be divided into two divisions. As a result, the league decided to expand the playoff field from four teams to six teams. The top two teams will have a bye in the quarterfinals and will host home field in the semifinals.

Condors originally relocated to Querétaro City, and changed its name to Condors de Querétaro, after their acquisition to the ownership group that owned Querétaro F.C. On 3 February 2022, the team officially were rebranded as Gallos Negros de Querétaro. Following the rebrand, the league considers Gallos Negros as a new franchise that began competing in the 2022 season.[6][7]

Stadium changes

Draft

2022 LFA Draft
Rnd. Pick No. LFA Team Player Pos. School Notes
1 1 Reyes Salvador Cabrera DB FES Acatlán
1 2 Fundidores Emilio Pérez OL FES Acatlán From Galgos
1 3 Raptors Jean Renaud DB FES Acatlán
1 4 Reyes Alberto García OL FES Acatlán From Fundidores
1 5 Fundidores Saúl Sauceda OL UANL From Dinos
1 6 Mexicas Adrián Cuadra DB UNAM From Gallos Negros
1 7 Mexicas Luis Ceniceros DL Anáhuac Norte
2 8 Reyes Rodrigo Jurado OL UVM
2 9 Gallos Negros Gerson Sánchez OL IPN From Galgos
2 10 Raptors Alfredo Gachuz K ITESM CEM
2 11 Fundidores Joan Lara DL UANL
2 12 Gallos Negros Maximiliano Hernández WR ITESM Toluca From Dinos
2 13 Gallos Negros Luis Enríquez OL IPN
2 14 Reyes César Baeza LB IPN From Mexicas
3 15 Reyes Jorge Licea DL UNAM
3 16 Galgos Isaac Pulido LB UABC
3 17 Raptors Luis Villegas WR ITESM Toluca
3 18 Gallos Negros Anthony Baldovinos DL IPN From Fundidores
3 19 Dinos Marco González LB UANL
3 20 Gallos Negros Joan Pérez Durán DB/LB ITESM Toluca
3 21 Mexicas Oliver González OL Anáhuac Norte
4 22 Reyes Carlos Farías QB ITESM Guadalajara
4 23 Gallos Negros Marco Cisneros RB UNAM From Galgos
4 24 Raptors Ulises Colín RB IPN
4 25 Fundidores Daniel Peña WR UANL
4 26 Dinos Enrique López OL UAC
4 27 Gallos Negros José Ruiz WR UNAM
4 28 Mexicas Chrisstopher González DB ITESM Puebla
5 29 Reyes Óscar Villagrán WR UNAM
5 30 Galgos René López DB UACH
5 31 Raptors Francisco Ornelas RB FES Acatlán
5 32 Fundidores Juan Garza LB ITESM Puebla
5 33 Dinos Alan Centeno OL ITESM Monterrey
5 34 Gallos Negros Alberto Rodríguez TE UVM
5 35 Mexicas Alejandro Márquez QB Anáhuac Norte

Teams

Team City Stadium Capacity Head coach
Dinos Saltillo, Coahuila Estadio Francisco I. Madero 16,000 Mexico Javier Adame
Fundidores Monterrey, Nuevo León Estadio Banorte 10,057 Mexico Carlos Strevel
Galgos Tijuana, Baja California Estadio Caliente 27,333 Mexico Guillermo Ruiz Burguete
Gallos Negros Querétaro City, Querétaro Estadio Olímpico de Querétaro 4,600 Mexico Félix Buendía
Mexicas Iztacalco, Mexico City Estadio Jesús Martínez "Palillo" 6,000 Mexico Héctor Toxqui
Raptors Naucalpan, State of Mexico FES Acatlán 2,000 Mexico Guillermo Gutiérrez
Reyes Zapopan, Jalisco Estadio Tres de Marzo 18,779 Mexico Ernesto Alfaro

Regular season

Standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, PF = Points For, PA = Points against

Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional
Pos Team GP W L PF PA Stk Qualification
1 Dinos 6 5 1 133 75 L1 Advance to playoffs
2 Fundidores 6 4 2 132 111 L1
3 Mexicas 6 4 2 122 90 W3
4 Raptors 6 4 2 137 89 W3
5 Reyes 6 3 3 92 129 W2
6 Gallos Negros 6 1 5 95 109 L5
7 Galgos 6 0 6 46 155 L6

Source: LFA

Schedule

Week 1
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Gallos Negros 33–9 Galgos Estadio Caliente March 4 19:00 Claro Sports
Dinos 10–7 Mexicas Estadio Jesús Martínez "Palillo" March 5 15:00 Claro Sports
Raptors 13–10 Reyes Estadio Tres de Marzo March 5 18:00 Claro Sports
Week 2
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Fundidores 17–24 (OT) Dinos Estadio Francisco I. Madero March 12 19:00 Claro Sports
Mexicas 10–8 Raptors Estadio FES Acatlán March 13 15:00 Claro Sports
Reyes 19–12 Gallos Negros Estadio Olímpico de Querétaro April 16[A] 20:00 Claro Sports
Week 3
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Mexicas 13–27 Fundidores Estadio Banorte March 18 20:00 Claro Sports
Gallos Negros 10–24 Dinos Estadio Francisco I. Madero March 19 19:00 Claro Sports
Galgos 0–10 Reyes Estadio Tres de Marzo March 19 19:00 Claro Sports
Week 4
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Raptors 20–23 Fundidores Estadio Banorte March 25 20:00 Claro Sports
Reyes 12–46 Mexicas Estadio MCA Jaime Labastida[B] March 26 15:00 Claro Sports
Dinos 14–6 Galgos Estadio Caliente March 26 19:00 Claro Sports
Week 5
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Reyes 6–34 Dinos Estadio Francisco I. Madero April 2 19:00 Claro Sports
Galgos 0–40 Raptors Estadio FES Acatlán April 3 12:00 Claro Sports
Fundidores 13–10 Gallos Negros Estadio Olímpico de Querétaro April 3 15:00
Week 6
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Galgos 9–28 Fundidores Estadio Banorte April 8 20:00 Claro Sports
Gallos Negros 11–16 Mexicas Estadio Jesús Martínez "Palillo" April 9 15:00 Claro Sports
Dinos 27–28 Raptors Estadio FES Acatlán April 10 12:00 Claro Sports
Week 7
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Mexicas 30–22 Galgos Estadio Caliente April 22 19:00 Claro Sports
Raptors 28–19 Gallos Negros Estadio Olímpico de Querétaro April 23 20:00 Claro Sports
Fundidores 24–35 Reyes Estadio Tres de Marzo April 24 12:00 Marca Claro

Results

Home \ Away DIN FUN GAL GAN MEX RAP REY
Dinos 24–17 24–10 34–6
Fundidores 28–9 27–13 23–20
Galgos 8–14 9–33 22–30
Gallos Negros 10–13 19–28 12–19
Mexicas 7–10 16–11 46–12
Raptors 28–27 40–0 8–10
Reyes 35–24 10–0 10–13
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: LFA
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Regular-season statistical leaders

Individual[12]
Scoring leader Torin Justice Fundidores 42
Rubén Zendejas Mexicas
Most Field Goals Made Enrique Yenny Dinos 29
Rushing yards Jordon Shippy Reyes 457
Passing yards Shelton Eppler Fundidores 1,677
Passing touchdowns 15
Interceptions Thrown Bruno Márquez Raptors 8
Pass receptions Rodnell Cruell Reyes 34
Pass receiving yards 504
Combined yards Tavarious Battiste Fundidores 715
Combined tackles Anthony Patrick Reyes 50
Interceptions Enrique Altamirano Galgos 5
Sacks Luis Ceniceros Mexicas 7
Demetrius Harris Reyes

Playoffs

Playoff bracket

Wild Card Semifinals Tazón México V
2 Fundidores 30
4 Raptors 26 4 Raptors 27
5 Reyes 6 2 Fundidores 18
6 Gallos Negros 14
1 Dinos 20
3 Mexicas 7 6 Gallos Negros 27
6 Gallos Negros 14

Results

Wild Card
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Gallos Negros 14–7 Mexicas Estadio Jesús Martínez "Palillo" April 30 12:00 Claro Sports
Reyes 6–26 Raptors Estadio FES Acatlán May 1 16:00 Claro Sports
Semifinals
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Gallos Negros 27–20 Dinos Estadio Francisco I. Madero May 7 19:00 Claro Sports
Raptors 27–30 Fundidores Estadio Banorte May 8 18:00 Claro Sports
Tazón México V
Away Score Home Venue Date Time TV
Gallos Negros 14–18 Fundidores Estadio Caliente[13] May 21 19:00 Claro Sports

Tazón México V

Tazón México V
Gallos Negros vs Fundidores
(1-5) (4-2)
14 18
Head Coach: Head Coach:
Felix Buendia Carlos Strevel
Teams 1C 2C 3C 4C
Gallos Negros 0 7 0 7
Fundidores 6 3 0 9
Date: 21, May 2022
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Stadium: Estadio Caliente
Attendance: 14,000
MVP: Martín Maldonado, DL
Referee: Mario Matos
TV: LFA
Half time show: Nortec:Bostich+Fussible, Pato Machete
← IV • Tazón México • VI →

The Tazón México V was held on 21 May 2022 at the Estadio Caliente in Tijuana. It was the first time the Tazón México was held outside of Mexico City. Fundidores became LFA champions after beating Gallos Negros by a score of 14–18.

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP GAN FUN
1 5:31 1 11 0:06 FUN Marcelo González 11-yard touchdown run, Ricardo Aguilar kick no good 0 6
2 1:21 — — — GAN Fumble recovery returned 75 yards for touchdown by Jason Linwood Smith, Alberto González kick good 7 6
2 0:00 3 11 0:13 FUN 45-yard field goal by Aguilar 7 9
4 10:20 14 11 8:51 GAN Marco García 7-yard touchdown run, González kick good 14 9
4 3:43 15 64 6:27 FUN Brandon Calzoncit 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point no good 14 15
4 0:38 4 5 0:24 FUN 38-yard field goal by Aguilar 14 18
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 18

Awards

On 22 February 2023, the league announced the winners of the 2022 season awards.[14]

Award Winner (Position) Team
Most Valuable Player Shelton Eppler QB Fundidores
Offensive Player of the Year Tavarious Battiste WR Fundidores
Defensive Player of the Year Demetrius Harris DL Reyes
Offensive Rookie of the Year Rubén Zendejas RB Mexicas
Defensive Rookie of the Year Luis Ceniceros DL Mexicas
Coach of the Year Carlos Strevel Head Coach Fundidores
Play of the Year Shelton Eppler, Tavarious Battiste Walk off touchdown on the final play of the Raptors @ Fundidores semifinal Fundidores

Notes

  1. ^ The match between Reyes and Gallos Negros originally scheduled for 13 March was postponed due to the Querétaro–Atlas riot.[10]
  2. ^ The match between Reyes and Mexicas originally scheduled to be played at Estadio Jesús Martínez "Palillo" changed venues due to poor field conditions after Vive Latino 2022.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Calendario 2022". LFA.mx. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  2. ^ "¡Nuevos monarcas! Fundidores derrota a Gallos y se proclama campeón de la LFA". Mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 22 May 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Presentan a Reyes de Jalisco, nuevo equipo de la LFA bajo el mando del coach Ernesto Alfaro". Máximo Avance (in Spanish). 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  4. ^ Muñoz, Heriberto (17 November 2021). "Galgos, la pieza que faltaba en el futbol americano de Baja California". El Imparcial (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  5. ^ Fernández, Domingo (14 November 2021). "Osos Toluca se despide de la liga LFA". El Sol de Toluca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  6. ^ "La nueva historia de Gallos Negros en Querétaro". LFA.mx. 14 February 2022.
  7. ^ González, Francisco (7 December 2021). "Llegan los Condors a Querétaro". Diario de Querétaro (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  8. ^ Arguijo, Aarón (21 January 2022). "Dinos de Saltillo presenta su temporada 2022". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Estadio FES Acatlán, la casa oficial de Raptors". LFA.mx (in Spanish). 2 March 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Luego de violencia en el Estadio Corregidora, Gallos Negros posponen su juego debut en contra de Reyes de Jalisco". A3 Noticias. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Comunicado Oficial". Facebook (Press release). 22 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Estadísticas 2022". LFA.mx. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Tijuana será sede de Tazón México V". El Sol de Tijuana (in Spanish). 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Ganadores de la segunda Gala LFA". LFA.mx (in Spanish). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.