The Dresden Monarchs will host the Allgäu Comets in this highly anticipated first-round playoff matchup. The game pits two very differently built teams against each other as finesse meets power on the field today. The run-first and defensive-minded Comets will test their smash-mouth style of play out against an explosive air raid Monarchs team looking to score quickly and create turnovers on defense.
The undeniable strength of this Comets team is their defensive front. Allgäu’s defensive line dominated opponents on the way to the season sack title. The Comets led the GFL with a stranger 35 sacks in only nine games. Former Purdue Boilermaker (NCAA D1) Jermaine Guynn meshes well with British pass rusher Jonell Pelie and German talents Johannes Wagner and Peter Arentsen. The veteran defensive end Arentsen stands out from the group, as his long arms and plethora of moves helped him rack up a team-leading 11 sacks this season. If the Comets pass rush can get home today and disrupt a pass-happy Monarchs offense, they could be celebrating all the way back to Bavaria. However, linebacker Niall Padden, Julius Tager, and the Comets secondary will have to step up and go toe to toe against a skilled group of Monarchs receivers.
Allgäu Comets @ Dresden Monarchs, September 18, 15 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)
Offensively the Comets can run the ball as well as any team in Germany. Former Dresden Monarch Glenn Toonga leads the way for Allgäu, rushing for 1,099 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Toonga, along with fellow Brit Canice Gonzague and great offensive line play, helped the Comets run for over 160 yards a game this season. Expect Toonga to run angry as he has something to prove against his former team.
However, Allgäu’s passing game remains a question for this week as the Bavarian team has played two different quarterbacks in the second half of this season. Young British quarterback Sam Huxtable struggled in their last game throwing for a mere 37 yards. Huxtable was thrown into action as starter Jake Schimenz was sidelined with a back injury. Both quarterbacks have the ability to scramble and create plays with their feet. Expect whoever is playing quarterback to target veteran Brandon Kohn (San Diego State NCAA D1) and receiver Marcel Shade in space.
The Monarchs recently beefed up their 12th ranked run defense bringing back the GFL’s 2018 and 2019 leading tackler AJ Wentland. Wentland had eight tackles in his return to Dresden last week after spending the summer with Swarco Raiders in Austria. Anticipate Wentland and former Oregon University (NCAA D1) linebacker Ape Kaulana to rotate giving this Monarchs defense athleticism, awareness, and fresh legs from the middle linebacker position.
Dresden is also expecting to get back injured defensive lineman Yoann Miangue. Miangue is a 6’6 former Taekwondo champion turned NFL IPP prospect. The young Frenchman’s raw athletic potential gives him the ability to change the game in a moment’s instance. In the secondary, Swiss national team safety Tim Hagmann and former Texas A&M Aggie (NCAA D1) Charles Oliver will be eager to create turnovers off of any errant passes.
Offensively, the Monarchs have been on fire all season. The air raid attack has helped them put up a league-leading 341 passing yards a game en route to scoring over 40 points a contest. Commanding the offense is first-year Monarchs quarterback KJ Carta-Samuels. The Colorado State (NCAA D1) product led the GFL with 3,340 yards and 46 touchdowns. One of the keys to Carta-Samuel’s success has been spreading the ball around to a host of talented receivers. Former Michigan State Spartan (NCAA D1) Darrell Stewart Jr. and German talent Robin Wilzek both racked up over 900 yards and double-digit touchdowns this season. Czech talent Radim Kalous and Worcester University (NCAA D3) product Anthony Brooks also give their All-Star signal-caller great route running out of spread formations.
Despite the success of the offense, coach Ulrich Däuber has recently brought in running back Devwah Whaley. The former Arkansas Razorback (NCAA D1) joined the Monarchs for the final two games of the regular season rushing for 176 yards, averaging over seven yards a carry. Whaley could run wild this postseason, as defenses will be spread out looking to slow down a potent passing attack.
Viewers can expect H.-Steyer-Stadium to be rocking as Dresden is known for having some of the wildest fans in Germany. However, if the Comets defense can get the quarterback and slow down the Monarchs high flying air attack. The Comets faithful might be the ones cheering.
Watch the game here. Allgäu Comets @ Dresden Monarchs, September 18, 15 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)
Dresden Monarchs roster
Allgäu Comets roster
