The Polish Football League continues his opening weekend of play with a matchup Sunday, April 18 between the visiting Krakow Kings and the Silesia Rebels.
The Silesia Rebels narrowly missed the playoffs last season and are looking to change that this year. The Rebels will have some new faces on the team as new coach John Lisella takes over the program. Lisella has brought in former head coach of the Marseille Blue Stars, Bavuong Southanthavong as his defensive coordinator. Coach Southanthavong didn’t waste much time bringing in French athlete Haydrein Lynda. Lynda has experience playing both receiver and defensive back in France and Finland.
Krakow Kings @ Silesia Rebels, April 18, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)
The Rebels, from southern Poland, have brought back a familiar face in receiver and defensive back Devion Young, a dynamic player who returns for his third season. Throwing to Young will be new quarterback Jon Mullin from Wesley College (NCAA D3), where he threw for 14 touchdowns in his senior season.
Mullin played in one game for the Bialystok Lowlanders in 2020 before suffering a season ending injury.
Mullin on his team’s preparations for the season opener:
“The preseason is going great! I can’t wait to finally play against another team again. We are fully prepared to dominate in every aspect. We have a lot in store for the season and can’t wait to see it all come together.”
The Krakow Kings return after missing football entirely in 2020, and are led by new head coach Zygmunt Lodzinski. Lodzinski has added veteran coach Malik Jackson to his staff as the defensive coordinator.
Lodzinski on the Kings preparation for the season.
“I’m excited that I can again serve my players. Against the Rebels we plan to play every down with high intensity and commitment. We don’t look any further than this game. We are going to carry the Kings way all season long and beyond.”
Veteran Polish quarterback Filip Moscicki is back for the Kings. Moscicki has a reputation as one of Poland’s best passers for the better part of the past seven years and also serves as one of the quarterbacks on the Polish national team.
The former league MVP is excited to be back in 2021 and has high expectations as he told Halftime.pl:
“I expect a fight for gold. The departure of the Panthers to the Europa League left a gigantic void in the league. Looking at the pre-season play of teams such as the Mets, Archers, Lowlanders, Rebels or Falcons, it can be expected that each team has one real goal for this season – the Polish Championship.”
New faces on the Kings roster include British receiver Jack Farr who previously played in Warsaw for the Mets. Another transfer is big lineman Sebastian Bal who has been a reliable left tackle in Poland for the last four seasons in the lower leagues. On defense, the Kings bring in physical linebacker Alonzo Brock from Kentucky State University (NCAA D2) as well as Australia where, in 2018 and 2019, Brock played for the Bayside Ravens and South Brisbane Wildcats.
Look for both of these teams to play a great game as they are excited to kick off their seasons.
Watch the game live here. Krakow Kings @ Silesia Rebels, April 18, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)
Silesia Rebels roster (Click to enlarge)
Krakow Kings roster (Click to enlarge)
