Hungarian Football League: Wolves Visit Steelers, Sharks Change Head Coach Before Tigers Game

The Hungarian Football League (HFL) has reached the midpoint of the season, while the fourth round holds us some exciting games.

Saturday the reigning champion Budapest Cowbells visit the Division I. winner Fehérvár Enthroners. Sunday the Miskolc Steelers host the Budapest Wolves, while the Nyíregyháza Tigers travel to Győr to face the Sharks. Finally, the DAK Acél Gorillaz’s opponent will be the TD Store Eagles in Budapest.

Fehérvár Enthroners (1-2) – Budapest Cowbells (2-1) May 5

Photo: Bence Boda

The Fehérvár Enthroners got its first win in the HFL after defeating the DAK Acél Gorillaz away. The defense is starting to become solid after Tim Mcgee’s arrival and the return of the injured players. Still it needs some minor adjustments. The offense also got confidence thanks to Antonio Roane’s three touchdowns in Dunaújváros. Maybe the Enthroners are capable of beating the Cowbells too in the First Field, where they have not won a game.

After the reigning champion lost against the Wolves in Székesfehérvár, they had a lot of work to do in just under two weeks. The biggest question will concern the quarterback situation. The coaching staff has to decide who will start. Tamás Váry has not been so confident lately, while receiver Márton Czirók was able to lift the offense after substituting Váry in the third quarter of the Wolves game.

Miskolc Steelers (1-1) – Budapest Wolves (3-0) May 6

Vasyl Yordan is back! At least that is what appeared to be happening in the Győr Sharks game. He gave two touchdown passes and took great part in the team’s victory. In addition, Andre Whyte is not the only one, who can contribute to the running game, but Pawel Lesiv. The Ukrainian back’s physicality can tear apart a defense.

The Budapest Wolves is in a great form after defeating the Budapest Cowbells. However, head coach István Kovács emphasized, this will be their most difficult game of the season, since the two Hungarian National Team quarterback Vasyl Yordan and Márk Bencsics will face each other in an epic battle. Nevertheless, the six time champion still has bigger quality among the receivers which could be a decisive factor in the match.

TD Store Eagles (1-2) – DAK Acél Gorillaz (0-3) May 6

Photo: Bence Boda

It is hard to stand up after a crushing defeat. The Eagles coaching staff’s task was to mentally put the players together. On the other hand, the squad’s receiver-based offense will cause hard times for the Gorillaz defense, since András Storcz returned after a one game suspension, thus, the Eagles can use their full playbook. The only thing they need is a solid defense.

Photo: Celesztina Szabó

In the past two seasons, the Gorillaz and the Eagles helped each other out with some players. However, in 2017 the teams decided to part ways with the other. And the time has come to see this match-up. The Gorillaz’s offense seems to be getting into shape. Quarterback Balázs Krasznai is starting to find his receivers and the running backs are more confident than ever. If the defense remains rock-hard as earlier, the Gorillaz will get the first win in the season.

Győr Sharks (1-2) – Nyíregyháza Tigers (2-0) May 6

Photo: Szigetköz Photo Studio

The Sharks left behind an action-packed week. Quarterback Cody Enman was replaced by John Ross Hudson. In addition, this week Troy Baker also left and Andres Fernandez replaced him as the new head coach. He has his work cut out for since the squad did not perform as expected. Not to mention, after two losses the players must be put together mentally to get back on track.

Photo: Celesztina Szabó

Smashing victory! That is how the Nyíregyháza Tigers made its debut in the Stadium of Nyíregyháza in front of 1300 spectators. The offense and the defense showed strength and confidence during the Eagles game. Thus, this squad will be hard to stop, especially when there is a Brian Gessel and a Troy Rice in the offense. Speaking of Gessel. This game will be special for the quarterback because he spent a season with the Sharks two years ago.

László Makranczi is a radio reporter, announcer and American Football journalist in Hungary. He lives in Debrecen and works for the Hungarian American Football Federation. Studied at the University of Debrecen, got a master’s degree in American