LIVESTREAM Germany: Cologne Crocodiles @ Dresden Monarchs, June 18, 14:30 CET (2:30 pm, 08:00 am ET)

| American Football | 06/18/2022

The defending GFL champions, the Dresden Monarchs (1-2), already find themselves at a critical stage of the season when they take on the 2-1 Cologne Crocodiles Saturday, June 18 as the German Football League enters its fifth weekend of play.

The Monarchs were surprised by the Berlin Adler last week 48-42 for their second loss in three games. They opened the season losing 24-21 to the Potsdam Royals and then edged the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 15-6. Meanwhile, Cologne looked impressive last week in thumping the Hurricanes 49-0 after losing to the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions 27-14 following an opening round 48-21 win over the Dusseldorf Panther.

Dresden’s new quarterback, Justin Agner (Stetson University, NCAA Div. 1), who replaced Austyn Carta-Samuels due to injury, tossed five touchdown passes in his debut against the Adler last week while rushing for 53 yards and scoring another on the ground. In other words, he did an excellent job despite the loss. He has Anthony Brooks (UK, Frankfurt Galaxy) to throw to. Brooks has 19 catches for 161 yards so far this year to lead the team, but he has yet to find the end zone.  Running back Yazan Nasser has rushed for 249 yards and two touchdowns while David Baum has carried the ball 28 times for 197 yards, averaging 7.1 yards a carry. They will need Agner’s versatility today against the number one defense against the run.

For Cologne, quarterback Christian Strong has been excellent averaging 296.7 yards passing a game, third in the GFL. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes, tying him for first, and has the highest completion percentage in Germany. Receivers Jarvis McClam (335 yds/6 TDs) and Aaron Jackson (73 yds/4 TDs) are his favorite targets and with running back Sergej Kendus rushing for 228 yards, averaging 5.7 yards a carry, the Cologne offense will put pressure on the beleaguered Dresden defense.

Playing at home and with their backs against the wall, the Monarchs will no doubt be able to dig down and find a way to turn the season around. They will be in tough though with Cologne playing solid football right now.

Cologne Crocodiles @ Dresden Monarchs, June 18, 14:30 CET (2:30 pm, 08:00 am ET)

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