The Silesia Rebels (0-1) will play host to the reigning Polish champions, the 1-0 Wroclaw Panthers, Saturday as Poland’s Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego, LFA, heads into its second round of play in the shortened 2020 season.
The Rebels suffered a tough 38-14 loss last week to the Bialystok Lowlanders while Wroclaw easily defeated the Tychy Falcons 52-0. This was the first shut out for the Panthers since blanking the same Tychy Falcons team 39-0 in 2018.
Silesia enters their second game in Poland’s top division with British quarterback Ashley Bailey who played for the Prague Lions in the Czech League of American Football in 2019, helping the team win the Czech title. Bailey looked impressive at times last week running the offense. He threw for 206 yards and one touchdown (20 yards) last week while rushing for 101 yards and scoring the other touchdown for the Rebels. He knows he and his team are facing a formidable opponent today:
“I am aware we are in for another tough game, but we know what level to expect from the Panthers who won the top division title last year.”
At running back, the Rebels have both Courtney Ettiene, another British product from the Coventry Jets university team, and Devion Young (Jacksonville State University) who also anchors the secondary. Both Young and Etienne also showed signs last week that they can explode. Ukrainian receiver Ihor Lysenko along with Jan Korkuc are key targets for Bailey.
Young is in his second season with the Rebels while another key to the defense is defensive end Timur Litvinov, another addition from theUkraine
Needless to say, the defending and three-time Polish champion Panthers look like the favorites this season with the additions they have made to the roster. Canadian Football League (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) defensive end Thiadric Hansen (#1) was a force on defense last week forcing a fumble and recording two sacks while keeping constant pressure on the quarterback. Veteran and Polish national team quarterback Bartosz Dziedzic leads a potent offense and in the backfield Wroclaw also has 5’11”, 210 lb University of Hawaii running back Ryan Tuiasoa (#2) who played for Hungary’s Fehérvár Enthroners in 2019. Last week, Tuiasoa scored three touchdowns and was dangerous all game.
Despite the lopsided win, Tuiasoa while confident, still sees room for improvement:
I am feeling really good! The team is confident and we’re starting to clean up our little mistakes. Our team is full of talented, hardworking players and coaches so we’re always very excited to have a new challenge. This week we get to see an opponent with different strengths and some good players so it should be a lot of fun.”
The offensive line is anchored by German giant Sven Breidenbach (#66) (Cologne Crocodiles) who was selected from the CFL Combine held in Germany earlier this year.
Wroclaw Panthers @ Silesia Rebels, Sept. 12, 16:30 CET (10:30 ET)
Watch the game live here. Wroclaw Panthers @ Silesia Rebels, Sept. 12, 16:30 CET (10:30 ET)
Silesia Rebels roster (Click image to enlarge)
Wroclaw Panthers roster (Click image to enlarge)
