Germany: Potsdam Royals shock GFL with lopsided win over Hildesheim Invaders

The Potsdam Royals announced their official entrance to the German Football League Sunday with a resounding 56-0 win over the Hildesheim Invaders in Hildesheim.

The newly-promoted Royals opened up a 35-0 halftime lead and continued to pour it on in the second half as Hildesheim had no answers.

Running back Tyvis Smith rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries while quarterback David Austin Gahafer threw for 199 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Max Zimmermann had three catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns and returned a punt for another touchdown while fellow receiver Paul Zimmermann caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown and Frederik Myrup Nielsen caught four for 44 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver David Saul caught one touchdown pass and rushed for another.

Hildesheim’s Shazzon Murphy struggled at quarterbackagainst the relentless pressure of the Royal’s front seven competing just 13 of 31 passes for 103 yards. As a team, the Invaders had -9 yards rushing.

After sputtering on their opening possession, Potsdam’s offense got a kick start from Maz Zimmermann after he returned the first Hildesheim punt of the day 71 yards for a touchdown. After that, the floodgates opened up. With the Invaders unable to get out of their own end of the field, Potsdam scored on four out of five of their first half possessions.

Smith, Max Zimmermann (2) and Saul all scored touchdowns as Potsdam roared to a 35-0 lead.

Paul Zimmermann and Myrup Nielsen caught touchdown passes from Gahafer in the third quarter while Saul wrapped up the scoring with a one yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

With the lopsided win, the Royals have caught the attention of the German Football League. Potsdam handed Belgium’s Brussels Tigers a 72-0 pasting a week ago in European Football League action. Next up will be a true test as the Royals will play host to the Dresden Monarchs in their home opener.

Photos: Gerhard Pohl