Triangle Razorbacks stun Copenhagen Towers, capture Mermaid Bowl XXXI
The Triangle Razorbacks came together at precisely the right time this past weekend to shock the previously unbeaten Copenhagen Towers, beating them 20-14 in Mermaid Bowl XXXI.
With the win, the Razorbacks claim their eighth Danish title, to tie the Towers.
As huge underdogs, the Razorbacks had nothing to lose in this game. They had lost to Copenhagen in both meetings during the regular season. And they were facing a team that had not lost a game to a Danish team since April 2017. But the Razorbacks jumped out to a 14-0 lead and let their defense do the rest holding the Towers to their lowest points total in three seasons.
Razorbacks quarterback Reed Gottula three three touchdown passes, two to Niko Lester and the third and game winner to Mark Meter.
For the Towers, running back Anton Witmeur scored both touchdowns with Michel Konate adding a two-point conversion. Quarterback Danny Higgins did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time all season.
Razorbacks RB Niko Lester scored 2 TDs Photo: Nini Skjoldager Andersen
Triangle opened the scoring with Gottula finding Lester for a 35 yard touchdown reception.
The Razorbacks defensive front seven played inspired football, keeping Copenhagen running back Anton Witmeur in check for much of the game.
Despite double coverage by the Towers secondary, Lester created problems all game long. He hauled in another Gottula pass for a touchdown, this time from 22 yards out and Triangle took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Witmeur finally found some running room and two possessions later escaped for a 13 yard touchdown and with Konate’s two-point conversion, Copenhagen crept closer, 14-8.
Razorbacks QB Reed Gottula threw 3 TD passes Photo: SBC Photo
The Towers opened the third quarter with a vengeance as Witmeur, behind solid blocking, found a seam and raced 63 yards to tie the game at 14-14.
Neither team could gain any momentum after that and with five minutes left in the game and the two teams deadlocked, Gottula was finally able to kick the Razorbacks offense back into gear. He capped a drive with an eight yard touchdown pass to Meter to give Triangle a 20-14 lead.
Copenhagen could get no closer though as the Razorbacks defense kept HIggins and Witmeur at bay.
Game MVP was QB Reed Gottula. Niko Lester was the League MVP with his two touchdowns.
Photos: Nini Skjoldager Andersen, SBC Photo.
