ELF: Berlin Thunder down Cologne Centurions for Win #5

| American Football | 08/02/2022

The Berlin Thunder moved to 5-3 in the European League of Football this past Sunday with a 39-29 win over the Cologne Centurions, who fell to 3-5.

This game got off to a fast start, as each team scored a touchdown within the first five minutes (and both extra point attempts were no good). Berlin scored two more touchdowns in that
quarter, but could not convert an extra point or a two-point conversion. The Centurions also kicked a field goal, bringing the score to an odd total of 18-9. The second quarter was mostly
silent until the very end, when the teams traded touchdown passes in the last 1:10. All in all, the Thunder took a 25-15 lead into the break.

In the second half, after Berlin opened with a field goal, the Centurions responded with a touchdown run from new running back Joshua Mack, making the score 28-22. However, that
would be as close as they would get, as the Thunder put the game away with another touchdown and a field goal. A Cologne touchdown in the dying seconds brought the score to
39-29.

The Centurions tried out a new strategy at quarterback this week, using a dual quarterback system. After Alexander Frisch struggled in the first half, completing just 3 of 14 passes for 29
yards and a touchdown, they replaced him at the half with Quinten Pounds who has played receiver most of this year. Pounds completed 9 of 18 passes for 174 yards and a
touchdown, although he also threw an interception. Cologne’s offense was led by Mack, a new addition who ran the ball 24 times for 118 yards and a score.

Berlin’s attack was more balanced as quarterback Joe Germinerio had an efficient day, completing 12 of 22 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Robin Wilzeck
was his top target, catching five passes for 132 yards and a touchdown (while also rushing for a touchdown on a reverse play), while Bryan Zerbe added three catches for 74 yards and a score. Running back Jocques Crawford had a big day as well, carrying the ball 18 times for 98 yards and a touchdown.

The Thunder travel to Wroclaw in two weeks to take on the Panthers, while the Centurions look to rebound at home against the Barcelona Dragons.

A current student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carter played football in high school and has been a lifelong avid football fan.