The 1-4-1 Kirchdorf Wildcats travel to the unfriendly confines of Optima Sportpark in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany to face the undefeated and Europe #1 Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (7-0) Saturday, June 22 as the German Football League heads towards midseason.
The Unicorns enter the game on a 41 game winning streak stretching back to the 2016 German Bowl and have looked just as impressive as ever this year. Last week, they disposed of the Stuttgart Scorpions 63-21 after whipping their German Bowl opponents and chief rivals the Frankfurt Universe, Europe #4, 31-0 three weeks ago. Prior to that, they overwhelmed the Marburg Mercenaries 52-9, the Ingolstadt Dukes 24-0, the Munich Cowboys 35-3, Kirchdorf Wildcats 51-12 and Stuttgart Scorpions 63-13.
Unicorns QB Jadrian Clark is the third most efficient passer in the GFL with a rating of 185.8. He has thrown for 1,688 yards and 22 TDs in the seven wins this year. His top receiver so far has been Tyler Rutenbeck with 24 catches for 627 yards and 10 TDs while tied with him in yardage is Nate Robitaille with 627 yards receiving and 8 TDs. As a team, the Unicorns are averaging 172.3 yards rushing a game, second best in the country with RB Maurice Schuele the top rusher with 354 yards.
Defensively, the Unicorns lead the GFL giving up just 8.3 points a game and top the league in yards allowed with 192.
Kirchdorf notched their first win of the season last week in beating the Allgau Comets 27-25 after suffering through four straight losses and a tie. Before dropping a 31-29 decision to the Stuttgart Scorpions two weeks ago, the Wildcats had played the Munich Cowboys to a 27-27 tie, dropped a 34-7 decision to Stuttgart and then were walloped 52-14 by the Unicorns. A month ago, they lost to Marburg in a shootout, 55-49.
KIrchdorf QB Ian Kolste (Whitworth) has thrown for 1,221 yards and eight touchdowns in six games after throwing for 220 yards and 3 TDs in last week’s win over the Comets. Receiver Robert Ruiz (Colorado State) has hauled in 40 catches for 761 yards and three touchdowns and is third the country in receiving yardage but missed the last game with a knee injury and is doubtful. Defensive back Jack Richards filled in and impressed with five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Running back Alex Braunsberger has rushed for 300 yards and also caught six passes for 49 yards.
This is a daunting task for Wildcats head coach Christoph Riener and his troops. Schwäbisch Hall’s sideline boss Jordan Neuman never takes any opponents lightly nor any games for granted.