The 2-1 Potsdam Royals travel to Braunschweig, Germany Saturday, May 25 to take on the 3-0 Braunschweig New Yorker Lions as the German Football League heads into its fourth full round of play.
The Lions won both games between the two teams last year, 45-14 and 41-13.
Braunschweig has won its three opening games beating the Cologne Crocodiles in a back-to-back series, 23-6 and 45-7, and last week took care of the only team that defeated them in the regular season last year, the Berlin Rebels. Braunschweig beat the Rebels 29-12.
The Lions offense has been effective with QB Brandon Connette throwing for just 408 yards in the two wins over Cologne and the victory over the Berlin Rebels last week. The backfield duo of Chris McClendon (178 yds) and David McCants (140 yds) along with Connette (152 yds) give the Lions the best rushing attack in the GFL. Wide receivers Nicolai Schumann (125 yds) and Christian Bollmann with 117 yards receiving lead the team.
Braunschweig has one of the best defenses in the GFL and has only allowed opponents an average of 207 yards of offense a game. Potsdam has been averaging 379. This will be a test for both.
The Royals dropped their opening game to the Hildesheim Invaders, losing 50-28, but rebounded two weeks ago in beating the Berlin Rebels 30-17. They then downed the Dusseldorf Panther 34-17 last week.
Potsdam quarterback Jacob Tucker continues to improve and in the three games, two of which he has started, he has thrown for 657 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Keevan Lucas has had 292 yards receiving in three games and is a dangerous target. Running back Gennadiy Adams has given the Royals a rushing attack and has carried the ball 46 times for 268 yards and 4 TDs. Another key addition has been LB Dustin Illetschko who anchors the front seven. He has already recorded 27 tackles in three games.
Watch the game live here. Potsdam Royals @Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, Sunday, May 26, 3p CEDT (9a EDT)
