LIVESTREAM Austria: Prague Black Panthers @ Swarco Raiders, May 28, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)
The winless Swarco Raiders (0-5) will be looking to snap their worst losing streak in many years when they host the 4-1 Prague Black Panthers, Saturday, May 28 as the Austrian Football League heads into the second half of the 2022 season.
The Raiders are coming off a 65-21 loss two weeks ago to the Mödling Rangers after losing 42-0 to the Danube Dragons the week before. These two lopsided losses were preceded by three close games that Swarco had chances to win. They opened the season dropping a tight 44-42 game to the Telfs Patriots and followed that up by going toe to toe with the Vienna Vikings but ultimately losing 70-63. In other words the offensive firepower is there. However, the Traun Steelsharks beat them 28-24 and that’s when the wheels came off.
For the Panthers, the opposite is almost true. They opened the season with a 48-14 drubbing of the Rangers, followed by a 17-7 win over the Salzburg Ducks, a 31-19 manhandling of the Graz Giants and a 38-7 whipping of the Steelsharks. Last week though, they could not get their offense in gear and were shut out by the Vikings 21-0.
Swarco quarterback Isaiah Weed has thrown for 1,106 yards and 13 touchdowns, good for sixth in the AFL with Simon Pilger his favorite target with 18 receptions for 211 yards and 13 touchdowns. Marco Rometshofer is the next leading receiver for the Raiders with 14 catches for 182 yards and one score. Weed is his team’s leading rusher with 391 yards rushing on 42 carries.
However, defensively, the Raiders sit last in the 10-team league both against the pass and the run.
For Prague, Javarian Smith has completed 79 of 135 passes for 1,041 yards and 10 touchdowns but he too is his team’s leading rusher with 40 carries for 345 yards and six touchdowns. Canadian Ben von Jagow has 26 receptions for 291 yards and four touchdowns to lead his team.
The Black Panthers have only allowed 169.6 yards passing yards per game, third best in the AFL which will make it tough for a Raiders team that only averages 77 yards rushing a game.
For the Raiders to be able to turn the season, they will have to start today, as desperation can sometimes be the best motivator.
Prague Black Panthers @ Swarco Raiders, May 28, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)
