The Berlin Rebels (4-1), Europe #13, will host the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (2-4-1) at Mommsen Stadion in Berlin, June 9 as the German Football League winds up the first third of the season.
Both teams are coming off convincing wins. Berlin surprised the previously unbeaten Dresden Monarchs last week defeating them handily 30-7 behind a three touchdown performance by quarterback Terrell Robinson and another touchdown from running back Sean Richard. Kiel, meanwhile, exploded for 36 first half points en route to a 48-13 trouncing of the Hamburg Huskies.
The two teams faced each other twice in 2017 with each winning one game. Kiel took the first game in Kiel, 30-28 while the Rebels got their revenge late in the season in Berlin, winning 35-21.
While the Berlin Rebel offense has not been explosive this season averaging 24.4 points per game, their defense is ranked fourth giving up just 12.2 points a game. The Hurricanes have struggled on offense scoring an average of just under 20 points a game while allowing 28.
Nevertheless, the arrival in Kiel of new quarterback Lenorris Footman has added spark to the offense. He has accounted for 650 yards (passing/rushing) while scoring five touchdowns and throwing for another three in three games. Running back Julian Ampaw is the 4th leading rusher in Germany with 372 yards while Khris Francis has rushed for 308 yards and three touchdowns.
Hurricanes LB Thiadric Hansen is the 2nd leading tackler in the league with 51 tackles.
Berlin quarterback Terrell Robinson is playing his third season with the Rebels and helped them to the playoffs two years in a row. So far this year, he has thrown for 704 yards and three touchdowns but not a single interception. He has also rushed for 273 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Sean Richard is the third leading rusher in the GFL with 424 yards and six touchdowns.
Rebels defensive back Jamaal White leads a tough secondary that has only allowed 163 yards a game in the air while the front seven has held opponents to 96 yards of rushing per game.
The Hurricanes, having played seven games already, need a win badly to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot in the GFL North. The last time Kiel defeated the Rebels in Berlin was in 2015 when they won 27-17.
