The Dresden Monarchs will be attempting to win their second German Football League title as will the Potsdam Royals when the two teams face each other in the 2024 GFL Bowl, Saturday, October 12 at xxxx stadium.
Potsdam is looking to win back to back championships while the Monarchs are appearing in their third championship game since 2013. Dresden won the title in 2021.
The Monarchs defeated the Hildesheim Invaders 27-13 in their semifinal matchup while Potsdam disposed of the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions 25-6. Dresden had downed the Straubing Spiders, the number three team in the GFL South, 35-6 in the GFL quarterfinals while the Royals ran over the Allgäu Comets 84-20 in their quarterfinal encounter.
The last time these two teams met back in late June, Potsdam scored 22 unanswered third quarter points to erase a 7-6 halftime deficit to go on to beat the Monarchs 40-19.
The Royals have been a juggernaut this season beating opponents by a staggering average of almost 50 points while allowing a mere 11.
Defensively, the only team that could match the Royals on paper has been Dresden who surrendered an average of 13 points a game.
Watch live. Potsdam Royals vs Dresden Monarchs, Oct. 12, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT)
This game will be a duel between two of the top three quarterbacks in the league. Dresden quarterback Brock Domann finished as the third leading passer in the GFL after throwing for 2,602 yards and 19 touchdowns. In the semifinal victory, he was an efficient 12 of 16 for 162 yards and three touchdowns while in the quarterfinals, he completed 10 of 11 passes for 106 yards.
Domann’s favorite targets are Ricky Smalling who has caught 14 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns in the two playoff games with no other receivers with more than 39 yards receiving. Still his other favorite targets include Jordy Torrededia who caught eight passes for a total of 39 yards and tight end Ethan Janto who has three receptions for 32 yards. Running back Nico Barrow is dangerous from every position on the field. In the two playoff games he has rushed 28 times for 185 yards and two scores. Barrow could be the wild card in this game.
The key to the Royals is their offense and quarterback Jaylon Henderson. He has thrown for 542 yards and five scores in the two playoff games despite being relieved in the second half of the quarterfinal matchup. Brendan Beaulieu has 13 catches for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the post season with Thomas Wilson hauling in 10 passes for 147 yards. Thomas Jenkins has six catches for 191 yards and two scores.
The Royals ground game is not quite as potent but still running back Heiko Bals has gained 131 yards rushing for the defending champions.
Despite being heavy favorites, the Royals will have to be wary in this game. Dresden’s rushing attack can be a factor is the defense can corral the Potsdam receivers.