Switzerland: Winterthur Warriors beat Basel Gladiators in double overtime to stay undefeated

The Winterthur Warriors won their third straight game in Switzerland this past weekend downing the Basel Gladiators 41-38 in double overtime, thus remaining unbeaten in 2017.

The difference could well have been the ground game. Winterthur amassed 224 yards rushing as opposed to Basel’s 24.

Warriors quarterback Holt Claiborne completed 17 of 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 98 yards and another two touchdowns to lead the Warriors. Running back Jery Medici had 19 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Mortiz Boller and Timo Schneckenburger caught a touchdown pass apiece.

Basel quarterback Perry Patterson threw for 272 yards and five touchdowns to pace the Gladiators.

Winterthur took a 13-0 lead before Patterson got the Gladiators passing game in gear engineering a 75 yard drive capping it with a touchdown pass to Fink Rene midway through the second quarter.

The third quarter saw the teams trade touchdowns setting up a wild fourth quarter and two overtime periods in which the teams combined for a total of 45 points. With the score tied 28-28 at the end of regulation, Basel took a 35-28 lead on their first possession only to see the Warriors answer with a Claiborne six yard run tying the game at 35-35. In the decisive second overtime, Basel could only muster a field goal giving Winterthur an opportunity to win the game. Medici scored his lone touchdown to give the Warriors the win and a decisive leg up in the playoff race.

Winterthur has now beaten the reigning champion Bern Grizzlies as well as the 2014 winners in the Gladiators. Head coach Evan Harrington:

“It was a great team win, Basel is always a strong team every season. Beating the defending champions Bern was great but I know this week it will be an even tougher game in the return meeting against Bern as they has a great coach in Darius Willis.”