In the second game of a home-and away series, the Europe #7 Dresden Monarchs overcame a 10 point halftime deficit to defeat the Europe #17 Potsdam Royals 42-24 in front of 2,300 cheering fans atHeinz Steyer Stadium in Dresden.
After spotting the Royals a 10 point lead, Dresden erupted for three third quarter touchdowns to win going away. The Monarchs defense kept Potsdam off the scoreboard the entire second half.
Dresden quarterback Trenton Norvell completed 20 of 34 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Mitchel Paige caught seven passes for 157 yards and two of those touchdowns while Mike Schallo had four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown and Brice Coquin three for 54 yards and a touchdown. Running back Yazan Nasser rushed for 68 yards. The other scores came from defensive back Jamarii Milliken on a pick six and Paul Skambraks who returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
David Austin Gahafer threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns for Potsdam while running back Tyvis Smith was held to 52 yards rushing and one touchdown. Frederik Myrup Nielsen had seven receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown Max Zimmerman caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown while Patrick Felber kicked a field goal.
Dresden DB Jamarii Milliken en route to scoring on a pick six Photo: Dresden Monarchs
It was a tale of two games basically. The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter as Coquin scored for Dresden and Smith answered for the Royals.
The second quarter saw the lead change three times as Potsdam pulled out in front 24-14 with Myrup-Nielsen and Zimmerman both catching touchdowns passes and Felber kicking a field goal.
Paige scored his first touchdown for Dresden on a 49 yard pass from Norvell.
Then the Dresden defense took over in the second half, keeping the Royals pinned in their own end. In fact, the Potsdam offense could not get past their own 42 yard line and recorded only four first downs the entire second half. Gahafer was picked off on his second pass of the half and that was returned for a touchdown.
Paige scored again and Dresden’s special teams blocked a punt which was returned for another touchdown. By the time the third quarter ended, the Monarchs led 35-24.
Schallo scored on the first series of the fourth quarter to put the game away for Dresden.
With the win, Dresden improves to 2-0 while the Royals fall to 1-2.