The Ravensburg Razorbacks (5-4) visit the Saarland Hurricanes (7-2) in this crucial GFL South match-up.
Both teams spent the 2019 season as part of Germany’s second league and have played well in their first seasons in the top league. The last time these two teams met the Hurricanes stole a win in Ravensburg 38-31 in an exciting shootout.
Both newcomers to the GFL wrap up their regular season with today’s game but have varying plans for the post-season. The Hurricanes have secured a home playoff game and the GFL South’s second seed. The visiting Razorbacks have a more complex path to the post-season they must win today to get into the playoffs. Both the Razorbacks and Cowboys would then both finish the season 6-4 with Ravensurg owning the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker from their one-point victory back in June. The Ravensburg is eager to get the victory today and punch their ticket into the post-season play.
Ravensburg Razorbacks @ Saarland Hurricanes, September 5, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)
Ravensburg’s offense enters this game with confidence as they’ve been an exciting group to watch in a talented GFL South. Offensive coordinator Augie Stevens has masterfully toyed with his line-up playing both American quarterback Ryan Deal and Danish passer Alexander Kronberg Bjerre. Both quarterbacks have been productive, yet Deal has been the team’s go-to passer putting up 1,549 and 15 touchdowns, while Bjerre has passed for 834 yards and nine touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Augie Stevens’s quarterbacking coaching decisions allow the Razorbacks to play both of their two dangerous American offensive weapons in running back Lennies Mcferren and tight end Ryan Smith. The plethora of imports combines well with Ravensburg’s local talent as German receiver Michael Mayer is another player to watch as this Razorbacks team looks to light up the scoreboard again today.
The Razorbacks defense features one of the country’s top defenders linebacker Jeremy Conley. Conleys has put up 86 tackles,16 tackles for a loss, and four sacks in nine games. Off the edge French pass rusher, Stanley Zeregbe has also been one of the league’s best racking up six sacks. Expect Zeregbe and defensive tackle Lucas Walk to create pressure today against a pass-heavy Saarland offense.
Saarland enters the season finale with the third-best scoring offense in the league scoring 33 points a game. Quarterback Josh Goldin has been an excellent field general in Saarbrucken leading all starting quarterbacks in passing efficiency. Goldin has spread the ball around well finding German receivers along with former Cal University (NCAA D1) receiver Victor Wharton III. Wharton III has been one of the GFL’s top skill players putting up 1,303 all-purpose yards good for fourth in the country. On the ground, running back Brandon Thompson has picked up the load while the dynamic Kai Hunter remains sidelined with an injury.
Australian head coach Christos Lambropoulos is being considered as the front runner for coach of the year for what he has done with the Hurricanes this season. Following a 9-3 record in the GFL2 in 2019, Lambropoulos has built the Hurricanes into contenders in his first year at the helm. The Hurricanes defense is led by Sesan Jelvani’s numbers are among the best in Europe as he’s racked up 68 total tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, and a blocked kick just to top it off. Jelvani’s sensational play along with X factor defensive back and kick returner Chaz Elder could be the reason the Hurricanes have been the surprise of the league this year.
It will be interesting to see how coach Lambropoulos will handle today’s game. Saarland has locked up the second seed, it might be beneficial for the Hurricanes to rest their starters as the playoffs approach. Across the field, Ravensburg has the chance to make history and reach the playoffs in their first-ever season in the GFL. Credit has to be given to coach Sebastian Fandert who has built this program into playoff contention. Expect the Razorbacks to play extremely hard determined to make hsitry for their team.
Saarland Hurricanes roster
Ravensburg Razorbacks roster
