The Potsdam Royals (5-6) will be in a battle for their playoff lives Saturday, August 18, when they welcome the 7-3 Berlin Rebels to Luftshiffenhafen Sportpark in Potsdam, Germany in German Football League late season action.
The Royals have lost three of their last four games including two before the break. They downed the winless Hamburg Huskies last week but lost two games to the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions 41-13 and 45-14 with a 14-0 loss to the lowly Hildesheim Invaders sandwiched in between. In fact, Potsdam has beaten only one +.500 team so far, and that was the Rebels back in mid May, 31-20.
In that game, quarterback Austin Gahafer threw five touchdowns passes including three to Danish WR Frederik Myrup Nielsen
Nevertheless, the Royals have enjoyed a decent season in their first year in the GFL and have added a European Football League crown. Potsdam defeated Italy’s Milano Seamen in the European Football League final in a thriller, 43-42..
Potsdam is sixth highest scoring offense in Germany averaging 29.9 points and 354.2 yards per game.
Royals quarterback Austin Gahafer is the 6th leading passer with 2,329 yards and 30 TDs after 11 games and Myrup Nielsen his top receiver, has returned to the lineup after missing three games. Despite missing those games, he is still the 5th leading receiver in Germany with 838 yards, averaging 105 yards per game. Potsdam running back Tyvis Smith gives the Royals a major threat on the ground and is the top rusher in Germany with 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Rebels are one of the top defensive teams in the German Football League, sitting fourth giving up 17.2 points and 311 yards a game.
Holland’s Sean Richard leads the Rebels in rushing and he is fourth in the league with 670 yards and eight touchdowns. He has struggled in the last two games though gaining a total of just 26 yards. Fellow Dutchman, Chris Smith also in the backfield has 342 yards in eight games while quarterback Terrell Robinson has 433 yards rushing. Robinson has thrown for 1,813 yards so far, which is good for ninth overall in passing yardage. Richard is also the leading receiver for Berlin with 429 yards receiving.
