LIVESTREAM: Germany – Hildesheim Invaders @Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, Sat. Aug. 10, 4p CEDT (10a EDT)

The 2-6-1 Kiel Baltic Hurricanes will be desperately trying to stay out of the GFL North cellar Saturday, August 10 when they host the 8-1, Hildesheim Invaders, Europe #4, at Kilia Stadion in German Football League action.

These two teams met two weeks ago with Hildesheim getting a 27-7 win over the Hurricanes.

Kiel cannot find the win column, at least not very often as they try to get through losing season. Last week they dropped a 49-21 decision to the division-leading Braunschweig New Yorker Lions.

The Hurricanes have had a tough year although they got by the Dusseldorf Panther 20-10 just before the break. Before tying the Potsdam Royals 28-28 they were tripped up by the Cologne Crocodiles 13-12 despite holding the lead the entire game, giving up the tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. They had dropped a 33-14 decision to the Berlin Rebels before losing 48-28 to the Crocodiles. Kiel lost their first game of the season to the Dresden Monarchs 42-14 and then downed the Dusseldorf Panther 37-17 in the other game.

Hurricanes QB Jake Purichia has thrown for 1,773 yards and 14 touchdowns but tossed eight interceptions in nine games. Last week, wide receiver Kwame Ofori had five catches for 138 yards and 2 TDs  to bring his season total to 359 yards in five games while Mark Castle had 105 yards receiving giving him 323 yards for the year. Kiel’s running game has struggled without Julian Ampaw. Last week, Fritjof Richter started and rushed for 41 yards but as a team the Hurricanes only had 26 yards rushing.To have chance, they need to take pressure off of Purichia with their running game.

The Invaders got by the Berlin Rebels 36-30 last week and the week before downed the Hurricanes 27-7. Hildesheim came out of the gate fast with six straight wins before being tripped up by the New Yorker Lions 35-28.

The Invaders wins over Berlin and Kiel were solid after the four week break. They were coming off a disappointing 35-28 loss, their first, to the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions. They had entered that game after their sixth consecutive win,, a 31-27 come-from-behind victory over the Monarchs.  They had preceded that with a 46-10 drubbing of the Dusseldorf Panther. In fact, Hildesheim is by far  the most improved team in the league and won their four previous games by one-sided scores beating the Potsdam Royals 50-28, taking care of the Panther 49-17, downing the Cologne Crocodiles 31-14 and then defeating the Berlin Rebels 56-41.

Invaders quarterback Casey Therriault, in his first season back in the GFL in two years is in prime form throwing for 2,625 yards and a league-best 32 touchdowns while rushing for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Sean Richard is the team’s leading rusher with 409 yards but was used mainly as a wide receiver last week against Berlin catching six passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. PHillip Gamble started at RB and picked up 116 yards rushing and one touchdown. Wide receivers Nathaniel Morris (925 yds, 9 TDs) s  Jaleel Awini (665 yds, 7 TDs),and Anthony Dablé-Wolf (653 yds, 13 TDs) still make up the most explosive set of receivers in the GFL.

The way Hildesheim has been playing, it will be tough for the Hurricanes this afternoon. Still, they will be playing at home and if their defense can keep them in the game, they have the offensive weapons to surprise.

Watch the game live here. Hildesheim Invaders @Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, Sat. Aug. 10, 4p CEDT (10a EDT)