Despite defensive heroics, the Kirchdorf Wildcats were only able to slow the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns juggernaut last weekend, holding them under 30 points for the first time this season. They still were blanked 29-0 but for the Wildcats, newcomers to the German Football League, this was a huge step.
Although they lost, Kirchdorf came out of the game knowing their defense can play with just about anyone in the league. The Unicorns were aware going into the game this would not be an easy game.
Unicorns head coach Jordan Neumann:
“We knew coming into the game that Kirchdorf, despite being a promoted team, would be a tough opponent. Their defense gave us a lot of problems throughout the game.”
The Kirchdorf Wildcats defense played Unicorns tough Photo: Manfred Löffler
It was not Kirchdorf’s defense that let them down though. The offense was anemic. Schwäbisch Hall racked up 399 yards of offense as compared to Kirchdorf’s 70. The Wildcats managed just three first downs the entire game.
However, Wildcats defensive coordinator Florian Berrenberger had drawn up a brilliant game plan. Unicorns quarterback Marco Ehrenfried threw only one touchdown pass in the first half, to Nathaniel Robitaille, with the only other points coming from a safety.
Leading 9-0 at the half, Ehrenfried and the Unicorns finally figured out the Kirchdorf defense in the second half as Ehrenfried threw two more touchdown passes, one to Christian Hafels while Robitaille caught his second. With the score 23-0, the Unicorns then had to rely on the foot of Tim Stadelmayr who kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Schwäbisch Hall remains unbeaten after four games this year which extends their winning streak to 21-0 stretching back to last year. Kirchdorf falls to 1-2-1.