The Berlin Rebels handed the ball to Lawrence McCoy, all game long, and handed the previously undefeated Braunschweig New Yorker Lions their first loss of 2016 beating them 30-24 in Berlin.
The win for the Rebels is the first against Braunschweig since 2013. They lost both games in 2015 by wide margins. However, the way the undefeated Rebels has been playing this season, this victory should not come as a total surprise.
McCoy was a one-man wrecking crew. Particularly in the red zone, as he piled up 137 yards rushing and scored three of Berlin’s four touchdowns. Quarterback Terell Robinson was under pressure all game and was sacked four times. Robinson completing 10 of 21 passes for 131 yards and gained 27 yards in the win. The Rebels’ Jamaal White added a back-breaking 94 yard punt return touchdown for Berlin.
Jamaal White with interception – Jason Harris punt return TD Photos: Christian Gosslar
Playing without starting quarterback Grant Enders and his backup Evan Landi, both of whom were hurt, the Lions turned to wide receiver Christian Bollmann who also handled the punting duties. The 6’5″ Bollmann, who had a tryout with the Detroit Lions in 2012, threw for 200 yards on 23 of 37 passing. He tossed two touchdown passes and seemed more comfortable at the position as the game wore on.
Berlin broke open a 7-7 halftime tie with a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter. Among these were Harris’s punt return touchdown, and a field goal early in the third before Braunschweig could respond.
Bollmann managed to get the Lions offense into gear with a touchdown and a field goal to close the gap to 24-17.
Christian Bollmann Photo: Christian Gosslar
Late in the fourth, Rebels defensive back Jamaal White picked off Bollmann and returned the pass 44 yards to the Lions 28. Two plays later McCoy scored from nine yards out to give Berlin a 30-17. Two minutes left in the game.
Nevertheless, Bollmann marched Braunschweig on a nine play, 63 yard drive. He connected with Jan Hilgenfeldt to close the gap to 30-24. But with just over 40 seconds on the clock, the Lions could not recover the onside kickoff. The Rebels sent their fans home happy with an upset victory.
The win vaults Berlin into the top spot in the GFL North. Now with a 6-0-1 record they lead Kiel and drop Braunschweig (5-1) to third.
Photo credit: Christian Gosslar