On Saturday, a pair of German Football League playoff teams from last year in the Berlin Rebels and Saarland Hurricanes will be in action for the first time this season as they face off in a cross-conference showdown.
The Rebels snuck into the playoffs at 6-6 last season and went on the road to face the mighty Schwabisch Hall Unicorns in the first round, but they surprisingly hung with their favored opponents for most of the game, losing by a final score of 17-7. Perhaps that game gave them some confidence going into the offseason as they set their sights on 2024.
They will have a lot of new faces who will be making their team debut in this game. For one, quarterback Tyquell Fields joins the Rebels after spending last season with the Danube Dragons of the Austrian Football League and the Prague Lions of the European League of Football. Also joining the team are former Bowling Green Falcons receiver Austin Osborne, rookie American defensive back Nick Olivier, and another defensive back, Antonio Smith, who spent last season with their rivals in Berlin Adler. The Rebels have also re-signed British running back Dwight Caulker.
Watch live PPV. Saarland Hurricanes @ Berlin Rebels, May 18, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)
The Hurricanes also come into 2024 after falling in the first round of the playoffs last season, as they lost to the Dresden Monarchs in a 45-38 nailbiter. At 9-3, their year was a nice step up from their 4-6 2022 season, and now they look to take another leap this campaign. They will have a new head coach this season, as Jake Lawrence, a 30 year old American, was promoted to this position after spending last season as offensive coordinator. In 2023, Lawrence’s offense was the highest-scoring unit in the GFL South division, so the Hurricanes should be primed to have another strong offense in 2024.
Saarland will also have some impact players making their team debuts, highlighted by quarterback Andrew Brito, formerly of Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. Linebacker Juanya Majette and receiver Spencer Corona are other imports who will suit up for the Hurricanes for the first time.
With so many new faces on both sides, it is hard to expect what will be in store for us on Saturday. But one thing that will be for sure is that the Rebels will look to defend home turf against a high-powered Hurricanes team as both squads look to kick off 2024 with a win.