Big6 Europe: Berlin ends Calanda’s Eurobowl aspirations

By Bjorn Hesse via Berlin Alder

Saturday on the European stage the Berlin Adler proved their fire-power with a 42-20 win in their EFAF BIG6 tournament opener against the reigning Swiss champion Calanda Broncos. Led by their quarterback Darius Outlaw (4 touchdown passes) the Adler scored 40+ points for the third game in a row this year. Man of the match was someone else in black and yellow. On critical plays in the game wide receiver and Special Teams returner Conrad Meadows brought his team back on the road of success.

The visiting team from Chur started out like there was no tomorrow. On the first play of the game kick returner Jeffrey Provencal ran 79 yards into the endzone. No four plays later Alder WR Meadows equalled the score 6-6 with a 30 yard touchdown catch. Later, in the fourth quarter Meadows sealed the win with a 70 yard kickoff return touchdown.

“Conrad had caught some critical first downs todays and wrapped the game up with his return touchdown”, said Adler Head Coach Kim Kuci after the game. “This was a great effort today, big compliment to my Offensive Coordinator Johnny Schmuck, who is pulling the right strings. You can be quite satisfied with such a result, but nonetheless we were shown our weaknesses.” Adler QB Darius Outlaw also gave some critical remarks, “They gave us their best game, but we didn’t give our best game.”

After the 6-6 tie Calanda had double whammy. On the first offensive play RB Andre Buford fumbled the ball after being hit hard by DB Jason Owusu and suffered a torn ACL. The Broncos lost one of their key players and possession of the ball. “That was extremely hard for us”, said Calanda Manager Daniel Zinsli. “In the end we only played with 2 Americans (FS/WR Stacey Thomas und DE/TE Bert Whigham). Of course that was a handicap for us.” Youngster Dea Baumann replaced injured starting QB Cedric Townsend. “Dea played a fantastic game for us. Considering he’s only 19 years old, he’s a genius on the field, a sensational talent.”

The Adler offense of the home team ran three quarters on all cylinders. Like in the two GFL games before, Coach Kuci could rely on RB Björn Dreier and WR Danilo Gonzalez. In the third quarter Tight End Florian Pawlik extended the lead to 35-6, the Adler were boat-racing Calanda. But in the fourth quarter with the rain starting to pour down the Berlin became careless. Broncos QB Baumann knew exactly how to profit. His touchdown run and TD Pass in the fourth quarter brought the guests closer. That is, until Conrad Meadows sealed the win with his kickoff return for a TD.

With the second loss in the second BIG6 game the Calanda Broncos can bury their Eurobowl aspirations. Team Manager Daniel Zinsli sees the furture optimistically, “We strive to win the 6th NLA championships in a row – and I’m pretty sure, we’ll do it.” On June 14 the Adler will play the Swarco Raiders, whoever wins advances to the Eurobowl XXVIII. It’ll be a game of well known friends. Juan Fatah, leading the Adler to a Eurobowl title in 2010, has been Raiders Head Coach for the past 4 years. Adler RB Talib Wise, longtime Swarco’s go-to-guy, transferred to Berlin in this off-season.

Scoreboard

00:06           79 yd TD – Kickoff Return Provencal, PAT no good
06:06           30 yd TD – Pass Outlaw to Meadows, PAT no good
13:06            16 yd TD – Pass Outlaw to Gonzalez, PAT Anderson
16:06            21 yd FG – Andersen
18:06           Safety Adler
25:06           23 yd TD – Pass Outlaw to Vöhringer, PAT Andersen
28:06           32 yd FG – Andersen
35:06           16 yd TD – Pass Outlaw to Pawlik
35:13            6 yd TD – Lauf von Baumann, PAT Baumann
35:20           75 yd TD – Pass Baumann to Steffani, PAT Baumann
42:20           70 yd TD – Kickoff Return TD Meadows, PAT Andersen