The Copenhagen Towers rewrote history in defeating the Triangle Razorbacks 23-22 and winning Mermaid Bowl XXX, capturing an unprecedented eighth Danish title in the process.
The game was not supposed to be close. It was supposed to be a coronation. Instead, the Towers had to scrap and battle their way to victory, staging a late rally for the win.
Running back Dayton Winn was the game MVP after scoring all three Towers touchdowns and proving that no matter how much you prepare for him, he will still confound you.
Dayton Winn scored 3 TDs and was name Mermaid Bowl XXX MVP Photo: Michael Quist
Copenhagen had throttled the Razorbacks 49-14 a month ago and this game was supposed to be no different.
That is how it started too as the Towers jumped out to a 16-0 lead. on touchdowns by Winn. He broke for an 80 yard scamper to open the scoring.
Then the defense forced Triangle quarterback Ken Suhl to throw the ball away while trapped in his own end zone, an automatic safety. Winn added another signature touchdown and Copenhagen looked like the unbeaten Danish defending champions they had been all season.
Copenhagen QB Randy Schroeder capped a remarkable season with a Danish title Photo: Michael Quist
That’s when the Razorbacks changed the script.
In the second quarter, first Suhl marched his team down to the Towers one yard line and then snuck in himself to narrow the gap to 16-7. Then, the Triangle defense stepped up, picking off Towers quarterback Randy Schroeder. Suhl took advantage, connecting with Oliver Holmlund on a 46 yard touchdown and the lead was suddenly down to two points, 16-14 with two quarters of football still remaining.
The Razorbacks seizedthe momentum in the third quarter and while not scoring, kept the powerful Copenhagen offense at bay.
Early in the fourth, Razorabacks veteran running back and hero of the semifinal win over the Aarhus Tigers, Geoffery Lewis found a gap and raced 29 yards for a touchdown, and for good measure added the two point conversion.
Now the Razorbacks were in the driver’s seat, leading 22-16 midway through the fourth quarter.
That however is when the Towers re-gained control.
Triangle’s Jairus Moll escaping tackle from Copenhagen Towers 31 Sebastian Ledgaard
Schroeder engineered a brilliant drive, handing the ball to Winn who scored his third touchdown of the day to tie the game at 22-22. Then Aske Troen kicked the extra point to give Copenhagen a 23-22 lead.
Towers defensive back Simon Maak ended all hope for the Razorbacks getting an interception with 46 seconds remaining.
With the win, Copenhagen became historic as the first team to win the Danish title eight times, breaking the deadlock with the Razorbacks who have seven championships. The Towers finished the year with a 15-1 overall record, unbeaten in Denmark and in Northern European Football League play. Their only loss came at the hands of Austria’s Swarco Raiders in the European championship final.
Source: Jens Rørbye, Copenhagen Towers.
Photos: Michael Quist.