The Hamburg Huskies notched their biggest win in two years in beating the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 22-21 to finish the 2017 German Football League on a four game win streak following a 0-10 start. The Hurricanes are ranked #4 in Europe in the latest AFI poll.
Trailing 21-9 in the third quarter, Hamburg rebounded with two touchdowns to secure the win and give the young Huskies squad a huge victory.
The Hurricanes had beaten the Huskies 56-0 earlier in the season. Although Kiel sat a few starters such as Chris McClendon, Xazier Murry and Aaron Boadu, they did not come to lose.
Quarterback John Uribe threw three touchdown passes for Hamburg to Benjamin Hamelmann, Moritz Maack and Nassim Amroun while Hamelmann kicked a 29 yard field goal and added a PAT.
Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Mitchell hauled in two touchdown passes from quarterback Jared Stegman while running back Miguel Boock scored on a two yard run.
Hamburg interim head coach and defensive coordinator Anthony Rouzier:
“Although Kiel played with a lot of backups and tried a lot, I am still immensely proud of the team. We have always believed in ourselves. This victory is a great end to a really tough season and I am immensely proud to be part of this team.”
After taking a 9-0 lead in the second quarter on Hamelmann’s touchdown and field goal, the Huskies watched as Kiel scored three straight touchdowns by Mitchell (2) and Boock to take a 21-9 lead. But proving that their three game winning streak was no fluke Hamburg responded with Maack and Amroun catching scoring passes from Uribe while the defense kept Kiel in check the rest of the way.
With the win, Hamburg secured sixth spot in the German Football League North division and qualify for play in the GFL in 2018. Kiel will face the Marburg Mercenaries this Saturday in the German Football League quarterfinals.
Feature photo: Zelter Media/Michael Zelter