Germany: Potsdam Royals crush the Cologne Crocodiles for first German Bowl appearance

Last Saturday, the German Football League had one of its two opponents set for German Bowl XLIII, as the Potsdam Royals blew out the Cologne Crocodiles by a score of 49-21.

With the German Bowl berth, the Royals make their first appearance in club history in the GFL’s title game.

In the first half, Royals quarterback Chris Helbig would get the first points for his team by throwing to wide receiver Brandon Polk to get an early 6-0 lead. After failing to get the two-point conversion, Potsdam’s defense rose up, keeping Cologne out of the end zone, and shutting them down the entire half.

Unfortunately for the Royals, Helbig, suffered an injury and would have to leave the game, so backup Robbie Patterson took over the offense. He handed the ball off to running back Heiko Bals who scored from two yards out to build the lead to 13-0. Patterson proved to be more than capable immediately, throwing a touchdown pass to Polk and even adding a score of his own, giving his team a 28-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Crocodiles avoided a potential shutout as quarterback Christian Strong ran in the end zone to make it 28-7. But the Royals responded as running back Karri Pajarinen put Potsdam’s lead up by 28 points once again. This would be the case for the rest of the game as both teams would make an offensive stand and the other would respond.

While down 42-13, Strong was picked off by defensive back Divine Buckhram, ending all comeback hopes for Cologne and sealing the game for the Royals.

Patterson was effective completing 13 of 16 passes for 164 yards and a score but finished as the game’s leading rusher with 19 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Helbig was perfect completing six of six passes for 48 yards and a score before getting hurt. Parjarinen  rushed for 107 yards and a score while Polk was the top receiver with seven catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

For Cologne, Strong finished with 369 yards passing and two touchdowns with Aaron Jackson his main target with eight catches for 121 yards and a score while Jarvis McClam had six receptions for 105 yards and another score.

In the German Bowl, the Royals will be having a rematch of last year’s semifinals as they will face perennial powerhouse, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. They are appearing in their eighth straight German Bowl and like the Royals, have an undefeated season they want to preserve.

It remains to be seen whether the injury to Helbig is serious enough to keep him out of the title game. Fortunately, he will have two weeks to heal up as the German Bowl is set for October 8th.