After a dominant win in the semifinals with a score of 33-8 over the Allgäu Comets, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns are now flirting with destiny with a chance at a perfect undefeated season and another German Bowl Trophy.
Their task will be tough in the German Bowl as on Saturday, October 8th, they will be taking on the Potsdam Royals, the only other undefeated team in the GFL. Potsdam is also coming off of a one-sided win in their semifinal game as they took out the Cologne Crocodiles with a 49-21 victory.
The Unicorns’ #1 ranked defense will have their hands full with Potsdam’s #1 ranked offense as the Royals have put up 115 points in their last two games alone.
Unicorns defense smothering Comets ball carrier Photo: Manfred Löffler/Carsten Götze
Their key to success will be to stop the run game of the Royals. The bulk of Potsdam’s offensive attack has ridden off the 122.1 yards per game from running back Karri Pajarinen. Over the last two playoff games, Karri rushed for 213 yards and four touchdowns.
Pajarinen may not be the only player the Unicorns will have to account for on the ground. Dual threat backup quarterback Robbie Patterson IV replaced an injured Chris Helbig and threw for 164 yards and one touchdown but rushed for 149 yards and two more scores in the semifinal matchup against the Cologne Crocodiles.
On the offensive side of the ball, Schwäbisch Hall signal caller Reilly Hennessey will need to play a perfect game in terms of keeping the ball out of the hands of the Royals. With an offense as high powered as Potsdam’s is, the Unicorns cannot afford to give them any more chances to score.
Unicorns RB Mikey Alfieri #22 Photo: Manfred Löffler/Carsten Götze
Last game, Hennessey did virtually everything for his team with five total touchdowns, scoring three through the air and two on the ground.
Expect a shootout in the final game of the GFL season between the two undefeated teams left in the league. If Schwäbisch Hall is unable to keep up with Potsdam on defense, then their offense will need to be able to answer or their date with destiny could be cut short of celebration.