Braunschweig New Yorker Lions overwhelm Munich Cowboys; head to 6th straight semifinal

The Braunschweig New Yorker Lions marched to a decisive 59-14 win over the Munich Cowboys in the German Football League quarterfinals to advance to their sixth consecutive semifinal.

The Lions have won four of the last five GFL titles and look poised to challenge again after losing a close game in last year’s final to the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns.

Braunschweig unleashed all of their firepower, especially in a devastating second and third quarter  display, when they scored seven unanswered touchdowns. Tied 7-7 with Munich entering the second quarter the Lions erased all hope for the Cowboys surging out to a 52-7 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Lions quarterback Jadrian Clark threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns with Jan Hilgenfeldt his leading receiver with eight receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Nate Morris had two catches for 62 yards and a touchdown and running back Chris McClendon hauled in two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 81 yards and another score. David McCants and Tobias Nick also scored rushing touchdowns while Darius Robinson returned one of his tow interceptions for a touchdown. Tobias Goebel kicked a field goal and all eight PATs.

For Munich, quarterback Trenton Miller was 17 of 35 for 201 yards and two touchdowns with Kai Silbermann catching six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown and James Okike hauling in five for 67 yards and another touchdown.

Ironically, Munich opened the scoring as quarterback Trenton Miller connected with Silbermann on a nine yard pass for a touchdown with three minutes left in the first period. Braunschweig responded two minutes later  as Hilgenfeldt caught a 10 yard touchdown pass from Clark to tie the score at 7-7 going into the second quarter.

Then the Lions offense kicked into a higher gear.

Hilgenfeldt and McCants both scored as Braunschweig took full control of the game. The defense did not allow Munich to get past their own 30 yard line while the offense imposed their will. The Lions would have scored a third touchdown but McClendon fumbled on the Munich two yard line.

Goebel kicked a 24 yard field goal to round out the first half scoring as the Lions led 24-7 going into the break.

Just over two minutes into the second half Braunschweig had increased the lead to 38-7 on touchdowns by Morris (45 yard reception) and Robinson (43 yard interception return).

With their offense unable to even get a first down, the Munich defense sagged and the Lions poured it on as McClendon scored twice more, first on a five yard run and then on a pass from Clark from five yards out.

By the time the dust settled, Braunschweig held a 52-7 lead going into the fourth.

The Lions opened the final period with a seven play drive, as Nick carried the ball six times capping the drive with a five yard touchdown.

Munich finally mounted a scoring drive, this time a seven play, 78 yard march with Miller finding Okike for a 16 yard touchdown pass, rounding out the scoring.

With the win, Braunschweig advances to the semifinals for the six straight time where they will face the Frankfurt Universe.