Germany: Cologne Crocodiles open season with win over Kiel Baltic Hurricanes

AFI | American Football | 04/23/2018

Cologne RB Shayenn Edwards scored 2 TDs Photo: footballpix.de

The Cologne Crocodiles delighted a packed hometown stadium Saturday night as they opened the 2018 season with a crucial 32-14 win over the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in German Football League North action.

Cologne exploded for three third quarter touchdowns to break open a tight game and then cruise in the fourth quarter.

The Crocodiles rolled up 326 yards of offense to Kiel’s 165, holding the Hurricanes to just 57 yards rushing.

Running back Shayeen Edwards carried the ball 28 times for 108 yards rushing and two touchdowns while quarterback Bradley Strauss threw for 131 yards. His backup Jan Weinreich completed seven of 13 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Dominique Martin and Benjamin Mentges also scored touchdowns.

Cologne QB Jan Weinreich Photo: footballpix.de

Kiel quarterback Chad Turner had a long day throwing for 108 yards and a touchdown but he was sacked twice and hurried for much of the game. Running back Julian Ampaw rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown while receiver Benedikt Engelmann scored on a 13 yard touchdown reception.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter and Cologne added a field goal late in the half to take a 10-7 halftime lead.

On a strange play early in the third quarter, Martin picked up the ball after Cologne field goal attempt was blocked and took it into the end zone increasing the lead 16-7, but most importantly, giving his team momentum.

The Crocodiles scored on their next three possessions while Kiel managed just one touchdown.

With the lead 29-14 at the end of three quarters, Cologne maintained control of the game. The Crocodiles added a field goal on the first drive of the fourth quarter and then kept Kiel in check.

With the win, Cologne avenged the two losses they suffered at the hands of the Hurricanes in 2017.

In other GFL action, the Potsdam Royals announced their arrival to the league with a 56-0 trouncing of the Hildesheim Invaders, the Frankfurt Universe blanked the Munich Cowboys 17-0, the Kirchdorf Wildcats beat the Stuttgart Scorpions 15-7 and the Berlin Rebels continued their dominance of the Hamburg Huskies with a 24-0 win. The Huskies have not beaten the Rebels since 2015.