LIVE STREAM: Swarco Raiders Face Elmhurst Bluejays

AFI | American Football | 06/03/2016

The Swarco Raiders take on a brand new challenge this weekend as they face the Div. III Elmhurst Bluejays in the third edition of Battle4Tirol in 2016.

Swarco won the first two contests against Germany’s Stuttgart Scorpions (33-3) and Finnish champions, the Helsinki Roosters (37-21) but this time face a US college opponent.

Despite a below .500 record in 2015 (4-6), Elmhurst has had plenty of time to prepare for this game. And head coach Ron Planz is aware of the quality of his opponent having coached the Danube Dragons in 2002.

“I’m excited for the awesome challenge of playing one of the top club teams in Europe. We will have our hands full with their size and speed.”

The Raiders enter the game having won their last two contests in the Austrian league defeating the Vienna Vikings 30-7 and the Hohenems Blue Devils 52-14.

This is the third time Swarco faces a US college team. They played Taylor University in 1999 and Center College in 2001.

Swarco quarterback Sean Shelton is having another outstanding year. In the Austrian league Shelton has thrown for 1,736 yards and 13 touchdowns while in Big6 competition he has completed 45 of 64 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns.

Running back Milton Knox has scored seven touchdowns in four games so far this year. A key to the Raiders defense is linebacker Roni Salonen who leads the Austrian league with 26.5 tackles along with 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.

Elmhurst comes into this game with two quarterbacks who will rotate. Drew Domino will no doubt get the start. In his six games as a junior in 2015 he threw for 693 yards and three touchdowns. Orlando Hernandez should get plenty of playing time as well

Receiver Garrett Claxon had 46 receptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns in 2015 while also rushing for 79 yards and another two majors.

On defense, the Bluejays rely on linebacker Andy Warsen who was an all conference selection in 2015. Defensive back Sean Wetherell led the defense with 90 tackles.

The Bluejays have five of their offensive line starters with Sam Rathbun at guard and Garrett Underwood at center as two of the keys.

Elmhurst’s defensive line is anchored by Eddy Beyer, Mike Weaver and Myles Carroll and could make life difficult for Knox.