The Allgäu Comets (4-1) will travel west to visit the undefeated Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (6-0) in this GFL South matchup.
The Comets have been playing great football as of late winning their last two games handily. However, today they’ll have a chance to test themselves against a talented Unicorns team that is one of Europe’s best squads.
The Comets defense is the strength of their team. This unit is allowing only 14 points a game while leading the league with five sacks per outing. The majority of these sacks are coming from defensive end Pidi Arentsen who currently sits atop the leader board with nine sacks to his name. Arentsen combines with German veteran Johannes Wagner, Jonell Pelie, and Jermaine Guynn to make a fierce defensive line. Behind that intimidating group, veteran linebacker Niall Padden leads the team with 33 tackles. The Comet’s talented front seven could cause problems for the Unicorns. If defensive backs Julius Tager and DJ Morgenstern can cover on the back end the Comets defensive could be in for another big day.
Allgäu Comets @ Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, August 14, 17:00 CET, 5 pm, 11 am ET)
Offensively British quarterback Sam Huxtable enters his third start of the season. The former University of Swansea passer has put up 274 yards and five touchdowns through two starts and two wins with the team. Huxtable has also shown his athleticism, adding another 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground during the same stretch. He’ll be handing off frequently to fellow Brit Glenn Toonga. Toonga has been on a tear this season putting up 674 rushing yards, good for second in the league. Former Unicorns running back Brandon Kohn will also be a leader in this offense again today. The versatile veteran leads the team in receiving and is a threat to run the ball out of the backfield. Expect the Comets to feed Toonga early and often in this matchup, as he’s been the main catalyst for this offense throughout the season. Serbian Nenad Stojic leads an experienced Allgäu offensive line looking for more success on the ground against a strong Unicorns front. However, if a talented Unicorn’s defense slows down Toonga, Huxtable will have to make some big throws against athletic Schwäbisch Hall secondary to get the win.
The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns secondary leads the league with 13 interceptions and four touchdowns in only six games this season. Cornerback Monteze Latimore currently tops the list with five interceptions. Latimore and veteran Cody Pastorino make this a tough unit for any offense to throw against. Veteran linebacker Nick Alfieri is the teams’ leading tackler brings strength and leadership to the middle linebacker position. Yet, today Alfieri has the tough task of tackling Glenn Toonga one of the league’s best running backs. At the line of scrimmage, pass rushers Adrian Fielder and Corey Chapman are hungry to add to their sack total as Unicorns‘ pass rush has now racked up 14 sacks on the season. The Unicorns will be without serval key contributors on defense as Simon Butsch (DL), Daniel Bartmann (DL), Junior Nkembi (CB), and Jan Klenk (S) will all be on the sideline with injuries today.
Former NFL tight end Moritz Böhringer has come alive in the last month for the Unicorns. The Minnesota Vikings draft pick started off the year very quiet catching one or maybe two passes a game. As of late, the former combine sensation has been on tear putting up 452 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. Böhringer’s improved production combines well with former CFL and XFL running back John Santiago. Santiago returns to the field after weeks of being on the injured list, in his first game back the former Seattle Dragon (XFL) ran for 80 yards on five carries. These two skill players along with young Austrian Yannick Mayr and veteran Tyler Rutenbeck give German quarterback Alex Haupert a long list of weapons to target today. Expect Haupert to throw quick passes and screen’s often as the Comets defensive line is likely the best unit the Unicorns have faced this season.
The Comets have proven that they are a talented team on pace for another post-season berth. Today they’ll face the title favorites filled with former champions eager for another ring. This matchup serves as an excellent test for the Comets as they look to see how far they’ve come since their 5-9 2019 campaign.
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns roster
Allgäu Comets roster
