The 6-0 Calanda Broncos, Europe #11, continue to march through the Swiss American Football League with a 42-21 defeat of the Luzern Lions (0-5) at home in Chur, Switzerland.
However, the game was closer than the score indicates.
Calanda quarterback Clark Evans and the entire offense struggled in the first half, with a couple of sure touchdown passes dropped, and managed to score only one touchdown on an Evans run from the three yard line. After that, the only other points Calanda would score in the first half came on a safety forced by the defense and a late field goal. Meanwhile, Luzern surprised the Broncos in the second quarter as quarterback Keith Hilson threw a touchdown pass to Thomas Kilchmann.
The Broncos went into halftime leading 12-6.
After the break, the Lions continued to surprise as they took a 13-12 lead when Hilson then connected with wide receiver Saury Heiniger, silencing the Calanda fans.
That, however, was a signal to the Broncos.
Evans scored on a nine yard run and then threw two touchdown passes to Lukas Lütscher to give the Broncos a commanding 34-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, Broncos defensive back Matthias Tanno picked off a Hilson pass and waltzed into the end zone from 19 yards out and with the two-point conversion the lead was 42-13.
Luzern running back Elias Douglas added a late touchdown and two-point conversion to finalize the score at 42-21.
With the win, Calanda sits atop the standings in Switzerland with a 6-0 record. Next up for the Broncos in the Swiss league is the Basel Gladiators May 13. Calanda will face Germany’s Potsdam Royals May 27 in European Football League play.
Watch the game highlights here.
