The Allgäu Comets open their 2018 season facing Germany’s defending champions and Europe #1, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns at home in Illerstadion in Kempten.
The Comets have undergone a major facelift with the departure of longtime head coach Brian Caler (Frankfurt Universe) and the signing of Stan Bedwell as their new head coach.
Allgäu is coming off a disappointing 2017 season which saw them miss the playoffs in Germany with a 6-8 record two years after reaching the German semifinals. The Unicorns, on the other hand, won their first German title since 2011 in dramatic fashion and have opened the new season impressively, whipping the Munich Cowboys 48-7.
Last year, the Unicorns won both games between these two, beating Allgäu 56-20 and 41-7.
Bedwell, who coached the Hämeenlinna Huskies in Finland to the Finnish semifinals in 2017 is a veteran of playing and coaching in Europe with a reputation for aerial assaults. And that is the plan for the Comets. New quarterback Justin Sottilare, who played against Bedwell’s team in Finland leads an offense which will definitely be throwing the ball, pretty much on every down.
With receivers Jordan Paul (6’3″), Spencer Cutlan (Finnish scoring leader last two years), Martin Emos (6’3″) and Feli Manoka (6’4″) Sottilare has a potent receiving corps. Add Swedish speedster Jonatan Gihl and the Unicorns secondary will be put to the test.
On defense, linebacker Niall Padden, one of the top tacklers in Germany, has returned and safety Danny Wynne has joined the team after an outstanding season in Sweden with Swedish finalists, the Orebro Black Knights.
Schwäbisch Hall looks just as formidable as they were in 2017 when they went undefeated en route to the German title. Quarterback Marco Ehrenfried was superb last week against Munich. The German passing leader in 2017 threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns and scored another one himself. Tyler Rutenbeck, the third leading receiver in the GFL in 2017, caught five passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jerome Manyema rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns while Maurice Schüle added 58 yards rushing and a touchdown. In other words, the Unicorns have plenty of weapons plus a stingy defense.
LIVESTREAM: Germany – #1 Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns @ Allgäu Comets – May 6 (3p CEST, 9a EST)
