The Triangle Razorbacks overcame a 14 point fourth quarter deficit and defeated a stubborn Søllerød Gold Diggers squad 21-17 in Mermaid Bowl XXVII at Energy Viborg Arena. This is the sixth Danish championship for the Razorbacks since 2006 and the fourth win in the title game against the Gold Diggers.
Game MVP Mathias Kraghe struggled early but came back strong in the second half. His running mate Geoffrey Lewis scored two fourth quarter touchdowns including the game winner with 46 seconds left.
Mermaid Bowl MVP Mathias Kraghe Photo: 1st Down Photo
Triangle had to come from behind twice during a game in which they kept making mistakes and handing Søllerød scoring opportunities. In a tough defensive battle mistakes are crucial and the Gold Diggers took full advantage early on. A bad punt snap which sailed over the head of Razorback punter Torben Jørgensen’s head into the end zone was recovered by the Gold Diggers’ Jesper Mabira Andersen for the game’s first score.
Triangle responded as running back Geoffrey Lewis finally found some running room helping move the Razorbacks down the field. Then quarterback Steven Wilken connected with Robert Bleiler for a 30 yards touchdown tying the game at 7-7.
Still in the first quarter, Gold Diggers quarterback Morten Forsbøl found receiver Phillip Boye on a deep seam route and threw a 50 yards touchdown pass to retake the lead 14-7.
Both defenses tightened up in the second quarter with neither team gaining an advantage until Triangle’s long snapper, who was having a bad day, again put one over the head of punter Atkinson Jorgensen who managed to recover but watched as his punt attempt was blocked and the Gold Diggers recovered the ball on the eight yard line.
Søllerød has to settle for a field goal as the Razorback’s defense stiffened, giving the Gold Diggers a 17-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. With the game on the line Kragh began to chip away at the Gold Diggers, following his blocks well and finding space to counter. His running mate Geoffrey Lewis complemented him and Wilken began finding his receivers.
The Razorbacks took the game over in the fourth as their defense forced Søllerød into several three and outs. Meanwhile, Lewis was punishing the Gold Diggers front seven, chipping away finally scoring from two yards out to close the gap to 17-14.
Geoffrey Lewis scored two second half touchdowns. Photo: Per Kronvold
Then, with 46 seconds left in the game and Søllerød still leading 17-14, Razorbacks’ Simon Jensen recovered a fumble and Lewis made the Gold Diggers pay scoring his second touchdown of the game from two yards out.
Søllerød’s final drive was snuffed out as Daniel Karkov picked off Forsbøl and the Razorbacks began celebrating.
Photo credits: Per Kronvold and 1st Down Photo