Austria: Prague Black Panthers rally late to stun Salzburg Ducks
The Prague Black Panthers (2-2) showcased their championship grit with a dramatic 22-21 comeback victory over the Salzburg Ducks (0-4) in the Austrian Football League, securing a thrilling road win at Salzburg Stadium this past weekend.
Panthers weather early storm
The Salzburg Ducks struck first with QB Ian Gehrke’s methodical opening drive, capped by RB Rahsaan Lewis’s 2-yard TD. The Prague Black Panthers responded in the second quarter as RB Jakub Wolesky punched in a 4-yard score, tying the game 7-7. The Ducks reclaimed momentum before halftime with a 67-yard bomb from Gehrke to WR Christian Honig, but the Panthers’ defense tightened, holding the Ducks to 14 first-half points.
Defensive adjustments spark comeback
Trailing 14-7, the Panthers’ defense dominated the third quarter, forcing two punts and a turnover. K Martin Mandik narrowed the gap to 14-10 with a 39-yard field goal. After the Ducks extended their lead to 21-10 early in the fourth on Gehrke’s 22-yard strike to WR David Kanyinda, the Panthers’ ground game roared to life. Wolesky bulldozed for his second TD (21-17), setting the stage for backup QB Norman Douglas’s heroics.
Clutch finish seals victory
With 1:52 remaining, Douglas orchestrated a 78-yard drive, connecting with Wolesky on a 9-yard fade for the go-ahead TD with 21 seconds left. Opting for a bold 2-point conversion, Douglas found TE Lukáš Novák in traffic to clinch the 22-21 win. Wolesky (3 TDs, 134 scrimmage yards) cemented his MVP-caliber performance, while the Panthers’ RB duo Pavel Prokop and Jakub Madej wore down the Ducks’ defense with 187 combined rush yards.
Championship resilience
“This team never quits,” said Prague Black Panthers HC Petr Čech. “Jakub [Wolesky] and Norman [Douglas] stepped up when it mattered. That’s what champions do.” Salzburg Ducks HC Joe Ashfield acknowledged the Panthers’ poise: “They made the plays we didn’t. Credit to them.”
The Prague Black Panthers’ gritty rally revives their title defense hopes, while the Salzburg Ducks’ search for a breakthrough continues. Prague’s late-game execution — a hallmark of their dynasty — proved decisive in a classic AFL showdown.
