Dragons Make WLAF Playoffs

The first World League of American Football playoffs set when Barcelona’s Scott Erney threw two touchdown passes to Demetrius Davis to upset the previously undefeated London Monarchs, 20-17, Monday before 50,835 at Wembley Stadium.

The Dragons (8-2) beat out Frankfurt for the wild-card berth and will play at Birmingham, Ala., Saturday. The Monarchs (9-1) already clinched the European Division title and will play at New York-New Jersey next Sunday because Wembley, where London averaged 40,481 during the season, previously booked a soccer match.

Adrian Jones blocked a punt by Greg Horne to set up a 22-yard field goal by Barcelona’s Massimi Manca with 4:01 left in the first quarter. On the next series, Horne shanked a punt for nine yards. Three plays later, Erney hit Davis on a 28-yard touchdown pass play.

The Dragons made it 17-3 with 2:54 left in the third quarter when Erney connected with Davis for a 36-yard touchdown play. Manca’s 20-yard field goal made it 20-10, and Barcelona held on.

In another game, Kerwin Bell hit Byron Williams on a 22-yard touchdown pass play 1:34 into overtime to give the Orlando Thunder (5-5) a 33-27 victory over the Montreal Machine (4-6) at Montreal.