The Paris Musketeers outlasted the Munich Ravens in a 40-37 shootout In the first ever playoff game for both teams.
With the win, Paris advanced to the European League of Football semifinals.
Paris got the ball first and moved down the field before reaching the end zone on a touchdown pass from Zach Edwards to Austin Mitchell. But Munich responded, as Chad Jeffries found Sixten Dragan for a 12 yard touchdown pass to even the score. In the second quarter, the Musketeers found the end zone again on a rushing touchdown from Edwards. As the game approached halftime, Munich drove downfield and punched it into the end zone, as the defensive lineman Etuale Lui barged in from a yard out. But on the ensuing kickoff, Mitchell stunned the Ravens by taking it to the house, reclaiming the lead for Paris just before halftime.
Paris QB Zach Edwards battling for yardage Photo: Maxime Le Pihif
On the first play of the second half, Tomiwa Oyewo of the Ravens dashed for a 74 yard touchdown and retook the lead for Munich. Paris’s offense wasn’t discouraged, as they moved downfield in response and found the end zone on a touchdown from running back Chris Voumbo. The two point conversion gave them a 27-20 lead. But Munich responded with their own kickoff return touchdown courtesy of Jon Cole, tying the score at 27. Munich later took the lead with a field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Voumbo found the end zone again from 35 yards out to reclaim the lead for the home team. However, the Ravens offense responded to snatch back the lead, as Jeffries found Malik Stanley in the end zone. The Musketeers drove down the field in the waning minutes of the game, and Voumbo got his third rushing touchdown of the game with 42 seconds remaining to put Paris up 40-37. The Musketeers defense held on to clinch the victory for Paris.
This high-scoring, back-and-forth battle was one of the best games of the season, and a perfect way to kick off the playoffs. Munich outgained Paris 421-272 in total yards and 206-89 in passing yards, but the home team still found a way to eke out the victory. The Musketeers will travel to Vienna next week to face the undefeated Vikings in the semifinals, while Munich’s season has come to an end.