Dresden Monarchs edge Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in high-scoring GFL thriller

| American Football | 07/28/2025

The Dresden Monarchs (8-0) preserved their perfect season with a 41-35 road win over the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (4-5) in a back-and-forth German Football League clash at Heinz Steyer Stadium, overcoming multiple surges from the hosts in front of 3,081 fans.

Offensive fireworks define first half
Kiel struck first with quarterback PJ Settles’ 4-yard rushing touchdown, but Dresden responded swiftly as Justin Miller connected with Joel Särkelä on a 38-yard score. The teams traded blows throughout the second quarter, with Kiel receiver Anousheh Fulford catching a 7-yard TD and Dresden’s Tofunmi Lala answering with a 20-yard rushing score. Miller’s 16-yard pass to Anthony Tittel gave the Monarchs a 21-14 halftime lead, capitalizing on a stalled Hurricanes drive.

Miller’s dual-threat mastery extends lead
Dresden’s quarterback dominated the third quarter, launching a 55-yard TD to Tyler Hudson and sprinting 40 yards for another score after evading pressure from Kiel linebacker Rob Revels. Kiel stayed within striking distance as Settles found Chandler Smith (11-yard TD) and Fulford (27-yard TD), but failed PATs left them trailing 34-27 entering the final quarter.

Late rally falls short
Miller’s 2-yard rushing TD early in the fourth pushed Dresden’s lead to 41-27. Kiel mounted a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped by Benedikt Englmann’s 2-yard TD catch, with Fulford securing the 2-point conversion to trim the deficit to 41-35. A failed onside kick attempt sealed Kiel’s fate, allowing Dresden to kneel out the clock.

Key performances

  • Justin Miller (Dresden): 4 TD passes, 2 rushing TDs
  • Anousheh Fulford (Kiel): 2 TD catches, 3 PATs, 2-point conversion
  • PJ Settles (Kiel): 3 TD passes, 1 rushing TD

Standings shakeup
The loss dropped Kiel to fifth in the GFL North, while the New York Lions (4-4) leapfrogged them into fourth. Dresden remains atop the division, eyeing a historic undefeated campaign. Kiel heads into a two-week break before facing the Munich Cowboys (5-3) on August 16.

Kiel coach reflects
“We kept fighting but couldn’t bridge the gap,” said Hurricanes head coach Timo Zorn. “The momentum from our Braunschweig win carried us, but Dresden’s execution in critical moments made the difference.”

American Football International is your source for news and updates about American Football outside the United States!