LIVESTREAM Germany PPV: Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns @ Allgäu Comets, July 9, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)
The 5-0 Allgäu Comets will host the 3-2 Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in Sunday’s only German Football League matchup.
After the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions’ loss to the Potsdam Royals on Saturday, Allgäu remains the only unbeaten team in the GFL, although their wins have come in a far less convincing fashion over the generally weaker GFL South teams.
The Comets are coming off a 28-21 win over the winless Marburg Mercenaries; interestingly, the week two matchup between Allgäu and the now 1-6 Ravensburg Razorbacks featured an identical scoreline, with the Comets scraping one-score wins on 50% of their games this year.
Nevertheless, the Comets have been impressive on all sides of the ball, with the fifth best offense and sixth best defense based on points per game.
Former Lake Erie College (NCAA Div. quarterback Javarian Smith has averaged just shy of 350 passing yards per game, throwing for an impressive 22 touchdowns in his five appearances, placing him second in both categories.
Watch live PPV. Schwäbisch Hall Hurricanes @ Allgäu Comets, July 9, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT).
Defensively, linebacker Matthew Barrett has led the team in tackles, averaging 10.0 a game, while Jonathan Zinnecker holds down third place in sacks (3.0).
After tough losses to the Potsdam Royals and Braunschweig, the Unicorns have begun to find success and identity since their almost complete rebuild following last season.
Their last outing versus the Straubing Spiders saw a brilliant performance from quarterback Ian Gehrke, going 21/26 with 216 yards and two touchdowns, and a lone turnover. Both scores went to Scottish TE Stephen McCluskey (SGS PRIDE, Northwestern Oklahoma, NCAA DII), who had his first breakout game since signing for the Unicorns earlier this year. Although he didn’t find the endzone, Caleb Schweigart has his third 100-yard game of the year, taking in 10 receptions for 123 yards.
Despite some good performances from Gehrke, he still holds a negative TD:INT ratio (8:9) making him one of just three quarterbacks with this dubious honor.
European football veteran RB Mike Gentili has still been getting it done on the ground, with his 72.0 yards per game putting him sixth in the league. His last game was his biggest, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
The Unicorns will look to avoid sinking to a .500 record while the Comets will attempt to remain the only undefeated GFL team in 2023.
Watch live PPV. Schwäbisch Hall Hurricanes @ Allgäu Comets, July 9, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT).
