The Cologne Crocodiles open their German Football League North season, May 22 by welcoming the newly promoted Düsseldorf Panther to Sportpark Höhenberg Köln.
The Crocodiles are coming off a season that saw them reach the quarterfinals of the GFL after winning the last two games of the regular season only to be eliminated by the Saarland Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. The Panther, meanwhile, finished second in the GFL2 North and were promoted to the top league.
Cologne has re-signed Canadian quarterback Christian Strong (Seton Hill NCAA DII) who led them to a 6-4 record with the second highest scoring offense in the GFL North. Strong also led the GFL in passing yards per game averaging 315.5. Helping him on offense will be newly-signed running back/wideout Jarvis McClam (USA, Seton Hill NCAA DII) who played at the same school as Strong.
Defensively, Crocodiles head coach David Odenthal has bolstered the front seven with the signing of defensive lineman Jonell Pelie (Allgäu Comets) while the secondary has received a key reinforcement in another Seton Hill alumnus, defensive back Fardan Allen (Seton Hill NCAA DII).
For Düsseldorf, head coach Winston Rond has brought in University of Arizona quarterback Kevin Doyle along with wide receiver Joey Walden (Ole Miss, NCAA DI). New offensive coordinator Emmanuel Lewis, with an extensive background in the GFL will definitely make a difference.
The veteran coach has focused on defense in much of his recruiting signing defensive backs Nigel Lawrence (South Alabama NCAA DI), Avery Anderson- Baer (Nebraska NCAA DI) and Marcin Olech (UK, UWE).
This may be a tough opening game for the Panther. Cologne’s Sportpark Höhenberg is not a friendly venue for visiting teams. Since arriving in the GFL in 2017, the Crocodiles have only lost one home opener.
