The Berlin Adler and Berlin Rebels open their German Football League 2023 seasons with a classic crosstown rivalry game as the Rebels pay a visit to the Adler.
These two teams split the series in 2022 with the Adler winning the first game 43-35 and the Rebels getting their revenge in the second, beating their crosstown rivals 49-44. The Adler made the playoffs but were knocked out of the quarterfinals by the eventual champions, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns who beat them 35-21. The Rebels finished 6th with a 3-6-1 record.
Adler head coach Shuan Fatah will rely again on quarterback Zach Cavanaugh (USA, Curry College) who threw for 2,980 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2022. Cavanaugh will rely on wide receivers WR Tino Ndongo (Kuopio Steelers) and Nathaniel Prince (UK) while newly signed Patrick Oliveira (Brazil) will step in at running back.
Defensively, the Adler are led by new additions linebackers Jaymn Haddad (London Warriors) and Donavan Hayden (USA, Kuopio Steelers) along with veteran defensive linemen Malik Ngandeu and Jason Oluwa with defensive backs Darwin Suh and Keenan Black (Delaware State) patrolling in the secondary.
For the Rebels, head coach Douglas Fryer has signed new quarterback Connor Kaegi (Ottawa University NAIA) who will still have veteran Paul Morant Old Dominion (NCAA Division I FBS) to throw to along with newcomers Dario Dobrolevski (Austria) and Bryce Goggin (USA, Southern Oregon). Tyrese Johnson-Fisher (UK, Istanbul Rams) steps in a running back.
The Rebels have definitely made moves to improve their defense with the addition of Jag Bal (Canada, Raiders Tirol) as defensive coordinator. The team has signed defensive linemen Jonathan Avant (USA, Missouri State) and Aleksi Olavuo (Finland) along with defensive back Robby Kendall (USA, Berlin Thunder)
Expect to see a much improved Rebels squad facing an Adler team aiming higher than just the first round of the playoffs this year.