LIVESTREAM Germany PPV: Potsdam Royals @ Berlin Rebels, July 20, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)
The league-leading and defending champion Potsdam Royals (6-0) travel to Berlin to take on the Berlin Rebels (2-4) who sit last in the GFL North standings as the German Football League heads into the second half of the season.
These two teams faced each other a month ago in Potsdam with the Royals getting an overwhelming 74-20 victory.
The Rebels opened the season with a thrilling come from behind 39-38 win over the Saarland Hurricanes but were brought down to earth by the Hildesheim Invaders who beat them 36-19 in Game #2. They then beat the Kirchdorf Wildcats 33-17 before being downed by crosstown rivals the Berlin Adler 27-18 and then the Royals 74-20. They suffered a 56-24 loss to the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in their last outing.
Potsdam has looked impressive so far this year beating 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 defeat the second place Dresden Monarchs 40-19 three weeks ago before whipping the number one team in the GFL South, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns 56-18.
Watch live PPV: Potsdam Royals @ Berlin Rebels, July 20, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)
The story for the Rebels season has been their starting quarterback Tyquel Fields. In his first season, he has thrown for 1,123 yards and six touchdowns in six games but has tossed six interceptions as well. However, he is the sixth leading rusher in the league with 70 carrries for 417 yards and eight scores. His leading target in the air is Austin Osborne with 47 catches for 706 yards and four touchdowns which ties him for second overall with the Royals Brenden Beaulieu.
The key to the Royals is their offense and quarterback Jaylon Henderson. Potsdam is averaging 56.6 points a game with Henderson throwing for 2,119 yards and 33 touchdowns. The QB/WR duo of Henderson and Beaulieu has been hot. Through their six games, Henderson and Beaulieu have connected for 12 scores and 706 yards. Henderson is the GFL leader in passing touchdowns (33), second in yards per game (353.2) and first in completion percentage with an absurd 82.1%.
This game would seem to be a foregone conclusion but since it is the first home game for Berlin in almost two months, the Rebels may be up for the challenge. Still, Potsdam has showed no signs of slowing down this season.