LIVESTREAM: Braunschweig New Yorker Lions face Hildesheim Invaders In Germany

The Braunschweig New Yorker Lions have regained first place in Germany’s North division and now take on the Hildesheim Invaders at Eintracht-Stadion Saturday with three games to go in the regular season in Germany.

Braunschweig has a good chance to finish the year as the number one seed from the North but will need to win these final three games to be sure. In Hildesheim, the Lions face an opponent which is the closest thing to a cross town rival they have. The two cities are 45 minutes apart so fan interest will be high.

The last time these two teams met this year, the Lions had no trouble downing the Invaders 52-7. However, that was only Hildesheim’s second game in Germany’s top division after being promoted from the second division. The Invaders have improved since then while Braunschweig has stumbled a couple of times.

The Invaders enter the game with nothing to lose except pride. They are not in the playoff picture and are in no danger of being demoted to the second division. They can play as wide open as they want.

Hildesheim quarterback Zach Cavanaugh has thrown for 2,264 yards and 23 touchdowns so far but has been picked off 11 times. The Lions Grant Enders has not been called upon as often throwing for 1,479 yards and 13 touchdowns but with only two interceptions.

Invaders running back Reggie Bullock leads his team in both rushing (809 yards, 8 TDs) and receiving (591 yards, 7 TDs). However, Cavanaugh is not far behind with 710 yards rushing on his own scoring eight touchdowns as well. Back up running back Phillip Gamble has also rushed for eight touchdowns on 335 yards rushing.

Braunschweig relies on the rushing tandem of Chris Smith (1,011 yards, 10 TDs) and David McCants (679 yards, 15 TDs). The Lions receiving trio of Jan Hilgenfeldt, Evan Landi and Christian Bollman have accounted for 1,438 yards in receptions between them and 16 touchdowns.

The game is important to the Lions to maintain their lead atop the German North standings. For the Invaders it is crucial to set the tone for next year.

Kickoff, Saturday August 20 6 PM (12 Noon EDT)