The Berlin Adler (1-0) and Potsdam Royals (1-0) will clash in a German Football League second round matchup of two unbeaten teams Saturday, May 28 at Poststadion in Berlin.
The Adler, in their return to the GFL for the first time since 2017, came from behind last week in the fourth quarter in a see saw battle to defeat the Berlin Rebels 43-35. Meanwhile, Potsdam downed the defending GFL champions, the Dresden Monarchs 24-21 at home in Potsdam.
For the Adler, quarterback Zachary Cavanaugh was excellent throwing for 450 yards and four touchdowns with veteran receiver Max Zimmerman hauling in nine passes for 275 yards and three of those touchdowns. Patrick Donahue had five catches for 60 yards. In fact, the Adler offense racked up 575 yards including 23 first downs compared to the Rebels 10.
Defensively, Berlin held the Rebels to just 76 yards rushing.
The Potsdam Royals kicked a fourth quarter field goal last week against the Monarchs and then kept Dresden at bay to hold on for a close victory to open the season. New quarterback Chris Helbig threw for 284 yards and a touchdown with receivers Jared Wolfe (7/95/1 td) and Brandon Polk (6/103 yards) as his leading receivers. However, the star of the Potsdam offense on that day was Finnish running back Karri Pajarinen who carried the ball 30 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Canadian defensive back Cody Cranston had a key interception in the fourth quarter that led to the winning field goal.
The advantage in this game may well go to the home team, the Adler. Berlin head coach Shuan Fatah will definitely have his team ready on his return to his hometown as a coach for the first time in 12 years.
