Germany: Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns win duel of titans, edge Frankfurt Universe

In a tight defensive battle, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Europe #1, remained undefeated after coming from behind to squeak by the Frankfurt Universe, Europe #5,  12-9 in Frankfurt this past weekend in the German Football League.

The Unicorns erased a 9-0 halftime deficit scoring 10 points in the third quarter and then getting a two-point safety from their defense in the fourth to secure the win.

The two top defenses in Germany waged a battle for field position that the Unicorns won. Barely.

The game had plenty of action and excitement despite the low score.

Unicorns quarterback Marco Ehrenfried completed just nine of 25 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Jannis Fiedler had one catch, the key one, a 37 yard touchdown pass from Ehrenfried while Aurieus Adegbesan  had three catches for 49 yards. Running back Danny Washington rushed for 88 yards on 11 carries. Tim Stadelmayr kicked the game-winning field goal while the defense accounted for the final two points of the game.

For Frankfurt, quarterback Andrew Ellfers threw for 191 yards and a touchdown but was picked off twice by the ball-hawking Unicorns secondary. Tim Thomas caught the touchdown pass while Max Siemssen kicked a field goal.

Unlike the first meeting between the two teams this year which ended in a 17-7 Schwabisch Hall  victory, the Unicorns fell behind in the first half with Frankfurt scoring first on an Ellfers to Thomas 14 yard touchdown pass on the first drive of the game.

That was as close as either team would get again until Frankfurt defensive back John Tidwell picked off an option pass from Christian Hafels returning it to the Unicorns 24 yard line. Siemssen kicked a field goal and the Universe went into the break leading 9-0.

The second half was a mirror image of the first half with Schwäbisch Hall scoring on the opening series. Ehrenfried connected with Fiedler from 37 yards out and suddenly Frankfurt held only a 9-7 lead.

The Universe responded with Ellfers driving them down to the Unicorns 24 yard line, but Siemssen missed a 41 yard field goal attempt. Special teams continued to play a huge role as a 37 yard Siemssen punt was returned to the Frankfurt 19 yard line. Ehrenfried moved the Unicorns into safe field goal range and Stadelmayr kicked a 37 yard field goal to put Schwabisch Hall out in front for the first time, 10-9.

The Unicorns again drove deep into Frankfurt territory early in the fourth quarter but Stadelmayr missed a 37 yard field goal. That was pretty much it for both offenses. With both punters booming punts it became a game of field position. Neither team could mount an effective offense and with 30 seconds left, Ellfers was trapped in his own end zone to give the Unicorns a 12-9 lead they would not relinquish.