PREVIEW: Switzerland’s American Football Season Set to Start

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

Alpine Football ready to go!

Switzerland, with its spectacular, towering mountains and deep lake-filled valleys, is the next European country to start its regular season in the battle for the ultimate prize in that country –  Swiss Bowl XXX.

For the first time ever, the Basel Gladiators are the defending champions after an outstanding season where they dominated the Swiss league in 2014. They look to be the favorites in 2015 but any one of the six teams in the A league in Switzerland could prevail.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Basel Gladiators[/tps_header]

2014 Record 9-1

The Basel Gladiators are the team to beat.

Head coach Dwaine Wood has most of his 2014 title winning team back. Their new import quarterback Jaren Williams (Northwestern) is true dual-threat quarterback with very good speed. Jonathan Talbot (Sioux Falls), their new import linebacker is also a very versatile player.

They rolled to the title last year and there’s no good reason they won’t be in the mix again.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Calanda Broncos[/tps_header]

2014 Record 2014 8-2

The Calanda Broncos have a lot of question marks. New head coach Geoff Buffum watched as many players left a team that had ruled football in this alpine country for many years although a number of new faces have joined.

The fusion between the 1st and 2nd team has left them with a decent-sized roster and there are some proven veterans like wide receivers Adrian Sunderhauf and Lukas Lutscher, running back Tino Muggwyler, and defensive end Mauro Bühler. A playoff berth is not out of the question, but hard to to predict at this point.

Coach Buffum will be looking to quarterback Josh Dean (Willamette) and defensive back Jamal Clay (Maine) to lead the team. They have also signed French offensive lineman Bastien Pereira.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Bern Grizzlies[/tps_header]

2014 Record 6-4

The Bern Grizzlies are another true contender.

Head coach Marcel Niklaus’ team suffered a number of injuries in 2014 which de-railed their title chances, but they have the biggest and most physical offensive line in the league, an excellent import running back in Darius Willis (Indiana), and very solid defense.

The Grizzlies lost a local player in defensive end Dominik Liechti who is playing in America (Arizona Western JC), but replaced him with a very good import defensive end Thomas Evans (Texas State). If they stay healthy, they’ll be in the hunt.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Zürich Renegades[/tps_header]

2014 Record 4-6

The Zurich Renegades with head coach Phil Hofstetter are another team that many think to be a dark horse in Switzerland in 2015.

The Renegades return Perry Patterson at quarterback and have added veteran import Courtney Dailey (Norfolk State) to their stable.

Three very good Swiss players, Jeff Provencal, Dayron Campos and Andres Troutmann return as well. They’ve had a very good youth program that is starting to feed the senior team with players, so an improvement from last season has to be expected.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Winterthur Warriors[/tps_header]

2014 Record 3-7

The Winterthur Warriors have not had the best of off seasons after losing an import they had announced, suddenly to the Marburg Mercenaries.

Canadian quarterback Shane McDonald (Bishops) will lead the team and he has  weapons including talented Swiss receiver Timo Schneckenburger. and running back Beat Wyss.

Head coach Antonio Morisco is considered one of the best defensive coaches in Switzerland. They will be in the mix for a playoff berth but would have to be considered long shots.

[tps_title]Preview: 2015 Swiss SAFV[/tps_title]

[tps_header]Luzern Lions[/tps_header]

2014 Record (League B) 9-1

The Luzern Lions are going to surprise some people this season.

The Lions have advanced from the second division and although they are ranked 6th in the 1st “power rankings” in Switzerland, they run a double-wing offense and it is very tough to stop. They have been running it for years and know it well.

Luzern has also upgraded their roster adding experienced linebacker Jeff Souder (Nebraska at Omaha) and German running back  Tobias Schmiedekecht.   Head coach Delmus Pinkston III returns and his experience will be a boon.

They traveled to Italy to play a round robin tournament against the Milano Seamen and the Aquile Ferrara and fared well winning one game. Although they might not be title contenders this year, they will definitely be in the mix and not battling to stay out of a relegation game at year’s end.