The Berlin Rebels had already clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the German Football League before beating the second place Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 35-21 Saturday at Wilmersdorfer stadium in Berlin.
They had earned the berth the day before when the Cologne Crocodiles lost Saturday to the Dresden Monarchs. But they defeated Kiel for good measure and momentum going into the playoffs. Berlin will fnow ace the unbeaten Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, winners of the GFL South division, on September 16. Kiel will host the Marburg Mercenaries who finished third in the GFL South.
With Terrell Robinson at quarterback in place of the injured James Harris, Berlin broke open a 14-14 halftime tie, scoring two straight touchdowns in the third quarter and adding another late in the game for the win.
Photo: Kiel Baltic Hurricanes
Rebels wide receiver Alex Tounkara from Belgium caught three touchdown passes while running back Lawrence McCoy and defensive lineman Tuna Hiller added one each. Phillip Andersen kicked all five extra points.
Running back Chris McClendon led the way for the Hurricanes cracking the 2,000 yard rushing mark for the year (only the 2nd player to do so since 2007) and scoring two touchdowns while Xavier Mitchell scored the third. Tim Albrecht kicked three PATs for Kiel.
The Hurricanes have one regular season game remaining against the Hamburg Huskies.