The Prague Black Panthers made history this past weekend after defeating the Vienna Vikings 20-14 in Austrian Bowl XXXIXX, capturing their first ever Austrian Football League championship.
The Czech-based team has been playing in the AFL since 2010 but not only was this their first title, it was also their first trip to the championship game.
The game was a tale of two halves as the Black Panthers jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and but then had to battle until the very last play to earn the historic win.
Prague took charge early, with defensive back Jalen Dennis picking off Vikings quarterback Nico Hrouda twice on Vienna’s two first drives. The Black Panthers turned the second one into a touchdown as quarterback Drequan Harris found the end zone from seven yards out. Vienna looked like they had evened the score on the very next possession after Hrouda tossed a 28 yard touchdown pass to Fabian Eder but the play was nullified by a holding call and the Prague defense then forced a punt.
Harris scored again midway through the second period, finding a seam and racing 71 yards. He then scored the two-point conversion and the Black Panthers took a 14-0 lead with eight minutes to go in the half.
With the Vikings offense continuing to struggle, a bad punt handed Harris and the Black Panthers the ball at the Vienna 40 yard line. The Prague signal caller marched his team down to the Vienna one and on a first and goal, punched the ball in for his third touchdown. They missed the PAT leaving the score 20-0 going into the break. The Black Panthers did have a chance to extend the lead but kicker Martin Mandik missed a 23 yard field goal attempt.
After the break, the Vikings were able to stop the Black Panthers offense and Hrouda then led his team on a 14 play, 79 yard drive, handing off to running back Florian Wegan who capped it with a 17 yard touchdown run to narrow the lead to 20-7.
With the Prague offense still struggling, the Vikings took over on their own 17 yard line to open the fourth quarter. This time, Hrouda marched Vienna down to the Prague two yard line in 10 plays. Running back Kevin Wojta then found a seam and scored to close the gap to 20-14 with seven minutes left.
Harris was picked off on Prague’s next possession so with just under seven minutes left on the clock, the Vikings took over at their own 20. Hrouda orchestrated a 16 play, 79 yard drive, marching his team down to the Prague two yard line. With seconds left on the clock, Hrouda tried plunging the ball in himself on a second and goal but the Prague defense held as time ran out.
Jalen Dennis was chosen as the Austrian Bowl MVP after snagging three interceptions.