Poland’s Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego, LFA heads into its second week of play in the shortened 2020 season with two games on the schedule.
The defending champion Wroclaw Panthers (1-0) are on the road against the 0-1 Silesia Rebels while the 0-1 Warsaw Mets play host to the 0-1 Tychy Falcons.
Saturday, September 12, Wroclaw Panthers (1-0) @ Silesia Rebels (0-1)
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 QB Ashley Bailey 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 can cause problems and with running backs Devion Young and Courtney Ettiene, who can both explode this might be a different game than last week for the heavily favored Panthers.
Wroclaw’s offensive line led by German giant Sven Breidenbach (#66) opened some big holes for running back Ryan Tuiasoa who scored three touchdowns. If quarterback Bartosz Dziedzic has the time, he can pick apart a secondary. The Panthers roster is filled with veteran players and with a defense anchored by defensive end Thiadric Hansen (#1), the Rebels offense will be under pressure.
Although the outcome of this game would seem to be a foregone conclusion, the Rebels have some weapons that can make a difference.
Sunday, September 13, Tychy Falcons (0-1) @ Warsaw Mets (0-1)
The Tychy Falcons ran into a freight train last week in the form of the Wroclaw Panthers and were pummeled 52-0. Meanwhile, Warsaw also lost but not as badly. The Bydgoszcz Archers defeated them 17-7. Mets linebacker Łukasz Przygodziński scored the team’s only touchdown after returning a fumble 16 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback TJ Richardson was able to move his team between the red zones but unable to find the end zone.
Despite the lopsided score, the Falcons actually had some bright moments against Wroclaw but big plays cost them. German quarterback Niklas Gorny (Bielefeld Bulldogs) moved the offense at times, but against a Panthers defense he was under constant pressure. If he has time this week, he has 6’5″, 220 pound wide receiver Rashad Still (University of Minnesota) to throw to.
This is a game between two teams looking for their first win, so there is a lot at stake.