Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns QB Ian Gehrke has led the defending champions back to the title game against all odds

There was a lot of doubts about the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns after they lost their longtime head coach Jordan Neuman and half of their roster heading into the 2023 German Football League season.

However, the 2022 GFL champions have found their way back to the GFL Bowl under a new coach, Christain Rothe, and a new/old signal caller, Ian Gehrke.

If the last name Gehrke sounds familiar in association with Schwäbisch Hall, it is because Ian is the son of former Unicorns head coach Siegfried Gehrke who retired in 2017. In his 26 years of coaching, he laid out the foundation for what the program is today. The elder Gehrke took the team to five total German Bowls, winning two.

With only one more game left to play, this Saturday, the younger Gehrke is looking to add one more GFL trophy to the family name.

This season, the 6’1, 200-pound quarterback has done more than enough to get the Unicorns to where they are. Gehrke has thrown for 2,303 yards and 23 scores. The only knock on the Schwäbisch Hall signal caller are his turnovers. Gehrke led the GFL in interceptions thrown with 18.

Before rejoining the Unicorns, Gehrke spent a season in 2022 with the Berlin Thunder, playing receiver. During his time in the ELF, Gehrke caught 13 balls for 212 yards and a touchdown.

This was Gehrke’s second stint as quarterback with the Unicorns. In 2021, he served in a backup role, throwing for 858 yards, 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Tune in to watch the athletic Gehrke and Schwäbisch Hall take on the Potsdam Royals for the second straight year in the GFL Bowl on Saturday October 14^th.

Watch the game live. Potsdam Royals vs Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Oct. 14, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT).