The undefeated Potsdam Royals (8-0) are on the road this weekend to play the Berlin Adler (4-4) in the second game between the two teams this year in the German Football League.
The Royals overwhelmed Berlin 58-0 the first time they met.
The Adler are coming off a narrow 38-36 loss to the Hildesheim Invaders after beating the Munich Cowboys 21-20. The had lost a tough one the week before, 44-32 to the Dresden Monarchs. The loss to Dresden came after a three game winning streak which saw them beat the Straubing Spiders 26-21, the Berlin Rebels 27-18 and the Dolphins 44-33. They had opened the season losing two in a row, 49-42 o the Invaders and then 58-0 (!) to the Potsdam Royals.
Potsdam has looked more than impressive so far this year. They are coming off a bye week after destroying the Allgäu Comets 96-14 in their last outing. To open the season, they defeated in succession, the Hildesheim Invaders 56-21, Berlin Adler 58-0, Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 56-23 and the Berlin Rebels 74-20. They then used a strong second half to down the second place Dresden Monarchs 40-19 a month and a half ago after trailing 7-6 at the half. They followed that up by whipping the number one team in the GFL South, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns 56-18. They then handed the Berlin Rebels an embarrassing 63-0 prior to the bulldozing of the Comets.
The Adler offense has looked solid so far but the return of quarterback Zach Cavanaugh to the lineup for two games did make a difference. Cavanaugh, Berlin’s head coach, did not play the first four games of the season. He threw for 654 yards and eight touchdowns in the two games but returned to the sideline for the two games and will stick to coaching today as well. Young Hendrik Scharnbacher, a former Hildesheim youth player, who had been the starter before Cavanaugh’s return, returned two weeks ago and has now thrown for 1,204 yards and 12 scores. In the loss to Hildesheim, he completed 28 of 36 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Watch live PPV. Potsdam Royals @ Berlin Adler, Aug. 10, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT)
The top receivers for the Adler include wideout Maylan Bacher who has 35 catches for 471 yards and three scores and Chuka Austin Okpalobi who has hauled in 35 passes for 501 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Chrisman Kyei has rushed for 580 yards and four touchdowns on 98 carries (5.9 yds/carry) good for fifth overall.
The key to the Royals is their offense and quarterback Jaylon Henderson. Potsdam is averaging a ridiculous 62.4 points a game with Henderson throwing for 3,063 yards and 51 touchdowns against just one interception completing 81.3% of his passes. His favorite target, Brendan Beaulieu, is the second leading receiver in the GFL with 57 receptions for 916 yards and 15 touchdowns. Teammate Daniel Pedro has 24 for 579 yards and eight scores while Thomas Jenkins has 34 for 453 yards and 10 touchdowns. Newly arrived Thomas Wilson made his mark in only his second game catching six passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the rout of the Comets. He has 242 yards receiving in his two outings.
Not surprisingly, Henderson is the GFL leader in passing touchdowns (51), first in yards per game (382.9) and first in completion percentage with an absurd 81.4%.
On the ground, Potsdam is the fifth leading rushing team in the GFL averaging 141 yards a game with Henderson leading the way with 52 carries for 410 yards and six touchdowns.
The Royals defense which surrenders the league’s fewest points per game (14.4) is led by linebacker Arthur Kingdom who with 42 tackles is averaging almost six tackles a game.
On paper, this would appear to be another win for Potsdam, but Berlin is playing at home and badly needs a victory to stay in the playoff race.