By Brad Duff
The Berlin Rebels (2-0) will travel to face the Dresden Monarchs (1-0) in the third week of German Football League action on Sunday June 4th.
The Rebels are on a hot streak, coming off two consecutive wins to open up the season; the first of which coming against crosstown rivals Berlin Adler, and the most recent being a 46-12 blowout over the winless Marburg Mercenaries.
Both games saw solid performances and highlight runs from Rebels’ back Tyrese Johnson-Fisher (UK, Istanbul Rams), who has two touchdowns in his first two GFL games.
Glory to God. pic.twitter.com/YqMzUEVtj2
— Tyrese Johnson-Fisher🦁 (@tyresejf9) May 29, 2023
When Johnson-Fisher wasn’t moving the rock, Tom Heyroth was driving the ball, leading the team with 74 yards on the ground.
After a solid first game, quarterback Connor Kaegi (USA, Ottawa University NAIA) struggled in the air against an unimpressive Mercenaries defensive unit, turning the ball over twice in the third quarter and only completing 43.5% of passes throughout the game. Nevertheless, he put the ball in the endzone three times, twice to Bryce Goggin (USA, Southern Oregon NAIA) and once on the ground on a 15-yard run.
Defensively, Missouri State alumnus LB Jonathan Avant is instantly proving himself to be a key signing for the Rebels, with a 55-yard pick-six.
The Monarchs’ last game also came against the Mercenaries, and the scoreboard painted a similar picture, with the game ending 59-6.
The game itself, however, was far less competitive, with Dresden scoring as many times as Marburg gained first downs.
Newly-signed quarterback Steven Duncan (USA, Tarleton State, NCAA DI) had a lights-out professional debut, leading his team to over 500 yards of total offense, passing for 386 yards and five touchdowns, while picking up another 43 yards on with his legs.
The Mercenaries’ secondary was simply unable to contain the number of weapons in the Monarch’s receiving corps, namely Austin Mitchel (USA, Southeastern Louisiana, NCAA DI), who went off for 233 yards and four touchdowns on eight receptions, putting him in first place in the GFL for yards and touchdowns despite having one game in-hand. When it wasn’t Mitchell, Tommy Wilson (UK, Oxford Saints) was making the plays through the air, with an impressive debut of eight receptions for 71 yards.
Linebacker Chris Noak was a force to be reckoned with on the other side of the ball, leading his team in tackles (7) and tackles-for-loss (3.5), on top of picking up a sack. defensive back Joe Cassidy (UK, Dickinson, NCAA DIII) snagged an interception on his professional debut on a lofted ball, showing off his athleticism as he returned the pick for 66 yards.
Ex-Storm u16 player Joe Cassidy getting himself an INT on his pro debut in Germany! pic.twitter.com/77e3acMDPF
— Swindon Storm Youth (@swindonstormu16) May 26, 2023
With both teams being undefeated, both showing strong performances against a weak Marburg side, this game is sure to be one to watch in GFL week three.