Allgäu Comets Secure 2nd Seed in Germany With Thrilling 45-41 Win Over Stuttgart

There is no question that Germany’s Allgäu Comets are on a mission and Sunday’s come-from-behind 45-41 thrilling victory at home in Kempten, Germany against the Stuttgart Scorpions was proof of how far they have come.

Down  38-24 in the second half, head coach Brian Caler’s crew outscored Stuttgart 21-3 in the fourth quarter, scoring the final touchdown with only seconds to play, to come away with the victory which secures the number two seed for the Comets in the GFL South division.

In front of packed stands, Allgäu and Stuttgart put on a show for the ages in easily the most entertaining game in Germany this year as Comets quarterback Cendric Townsend threw for 418 yards and four touchdowns and ran for two more scores in leading the Comets to the win.

Stuttgart quarterback Dylan Potts had an outstanding game himself in a losing cause rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns and throwing for 168 yards and three more touchdowns.

Allgäu receivers Christian Hafels (202 yards, one touchdown) and Matthew Green (159 yards and two touchdowns) ran amuck in the Scorpions secondary combining for 361 yards and three touchdowns between them.

The Scorpions jumped out to an early first quarter 14-0 lead though before Townsend found Green for an 80 yard touchdown to close the gap to 14-7

Potts scampered for 66 yards on the next drive for Stuttgart and finally threw to receiver Mar’quone Edmonds to extend Stuttgart’s lead to 21-7.

But Allgäu roared back as Townsend ran one in from the one yard line and then threw for another while the other Hafels – Stefan – added a field goal to take the lead 24-21 just before the half. The Scorpions responded with a 38 yard field goal by Julien Tipton and the half ended 24-24 to set the stage for the second half fireworks.

Stuttgart came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter as Potts hit Edmonds for another score this time from 10 yards out and then carried on in himself giving the Scorpions a 38-24 lead entering the final quarter.

But Allgäu proved that no lead was safe in this contest as Townsend hit Hafels for a 77 yard touchdown after Colin Barrier had picked off a Dylan Potts pass at the Comets 20 yard line. Following a Stuttgart field goal, Townsend guided the Comets on a 10 play 65 yard drive finishing it with a five yard touchdown pass to Green to close the gap to 41-38 with plenty of time left on the clock.

Allgäu tried an onside kickoff and appeared to have recovered it as Cody Smith came up with the ball but were penalized for interfering with the kick returner giving Stuttgart the ball on Allgäu’s 42 yard line. This time, the Comets defense stuffed the elusive Potts, who had been running rampant in the Allgäu defense all day, and the Comets got the ball back on their own 34 yard line with not much time left on the clock.

A Scorpion facemask penalty put the ball at midfield and Townsend then  found Green again this time for 38 yards down to the eight yard line. Two plays later Townsend waltzed in from a yard out with eight seconds left on the clock. Potts hail mary attempt on the final play of the game fell short, earning Allgäu its second pivotal win of the year (the first was against Schwäbisch Hall) and giving themselves a huge leg up heading into the playoffs.