In the game of the week in Germany, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions will play host to the surging Kiel Baltic Hurricanes Saturday at Eintracht Stadion in Braunschweig.
Although they have won two easy games in the past two weeks to the bottom dwelling Dusseldorf Panther and Berlin Adler, the Lions are still smarting from an earlier loss to the Berlin Rebels and a draw with the Hurricanes. So this game is crucial to the defending German and EuroBowl champions.
Since losing to the Dresden Monarchs on May 28, Kiel has gone undefeated including the tie against the Lions and a 21-16 defeat of the previously unbeaten Berlin Rebels.
In that game, defenses rules as Braunschweig quarterback Grant Enders completed just 15 of 30 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown while Kiel’s Logan Schrader was held to 158 yards.
Lions receiver Evan Landi and Kiel’s Xavier Mitchell can be difference makers. Photo credits: New Yorker Lions, Ole Sindt
In fact, the Lions have allowed an average of only 11 points a game so far this year in Germany and they are scoring at a rate of just over 38 points per contest. Kiel will have to play the same tough defense they did in that first encounter in June and as they did in downing the Berlin Rebels last week. The Hurricanes have given up an average of 26 points a game on the season, but in their last three games that average has dipped to 11.
The receiving corps for both teams is deadly. Evan Landi leads all Lions receivers with 36 catches for 461 yards and five touchdowns while Kiel’s Xavier Mitchell has caught 41 passes for 532 yards and five majors.
The duel threat of running backs Chris Smith and David McCants for Braunschweig makes it tough for teams to prepare. Smith has gained 627 yards on the ground while McCants has rushed for 484 yards. They have combined for 16 touchdowns between them accounting for 40% of the Lions touchdowns. Kiel running back Chris McClendon has gained 646 yards in seven games while scoring seven touchdowns, good for fourth in Germany.
This is definitely a game to look forward to.
