Kiel Baltic Hurricanes Overwhelm Hamburg Huskies in European Football League Play

The Kiel Baltic Hurricanes broke open a tight football game scoring four fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat the Hamburg Huskies 61-33 in European Football League Group A action.

Kiel quarterback Logan Schrader threw six touchdown passes and ran one in himself in a game which was close until 12 minutes remained.

Wide receiver Xavier Mitchell caught three touchdown passes while Lennart Stolina added two and Benedikt Englmann caught another in the win. Defensive back Thiadric Hansen had an exceptional game as he kicked two field goals, five PATs and snagged two interceptions, one for a touchdown.

Huskies running back Jens Koppe was outstanding for the losers scoring three touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Perry threw two touchdown passes.

The Huskies opened the scoring as running back Koppe broke for a 65 yard touchdown run early in the first quarter. But Kiel responded with Schrader taking one in on his own to give the Hurricanes the lead 7-6. Schrader connected with Xavier Mitchell early in the second quarter on a 44 yard touchdown for Mitchell’s first score of the day. Then Schrader hit Englmann to extend Kiel’s lead to 20-6.

Hamburg quarterback Jordan Perry responded finding Marvin Amankwah from 17 yards out to close the gap to 20-13. But Kiel’s Hansen nailed a 25 yard field goal and the Hurricanes went into the break up 23-13.

The second half opened with Hamburg’s defense forcing a punt and then Perry threw a 65 yard touchdown pass to Kwame Ofori narrowing Kiel’s lead to 23-20. The Huskies defense continued to play tough but on Hamburg’s next possession a Perry pass landed in the hands of Hansen. Schrader capitalized throwing a 13 yard strike to Mitchell in the end zone, widening the lead to 30-20.

However, Koppe found a seam and took off for another 65 yard touchdown run and the score was suddenly 30-27 late in the third. Another Hansen field goal made the score 33-27 entering the final quarter.

The Hurricane’s offense kicked into a higher gear as Schrader found Stolina for his first touchdown of the game and after a two-point conversion, the score had jumped to 41-27 Canes. Another Huskies turnover gave Kiel the ball deep in Hamburg territory and Mitchell scored his third and the rout was on. With a 48-27 Kiel lead, Hansen picked up his second interception of the game and took it all the way for a 55-27 Kiel lead. Although Koppe scored his third touchdown to make it 55-33, Stolina found the end zone again sealing a 61-33 Kiel win.

The 28 point differential is important for Kiel. Hamburg heads to Amsterdam in two weeks for the final game in group play and if the Huskies win then the difference in points scored and allowed between the three teams determines the winner. If Amsterdam wins then the Crusaders qualify for the EFL final.

Photo credits: Michael Zelter, Kiel Baltic Hurricanes