Berlin Thunder cruise past Firenze Red Lions behind record-setting day from Jon Cole

The Firenze Red Lions (0-2) stayed competitive for stretches, but the Berlin Thunder (2-1) proved too explosive on offense as they rolled to a 45-12 victory in American Football League Europe action.

Powered by quarterback Jakeb Sullivan and wide receiver Jon Cole, Berlin piled up big plays throughout the afternoon and secured its second straight win of the season.

Thunder strike early

The visitors wasted little time taking control.

Tomiwa Oyewo opened the scoring with a four-yard touchdown run before Sullivan connected with Dominik Tietz on a 10-yard touchdown pass to help Berlin build a 12-0 lead.

The Red Lions responded late in the first quarter when Matthew McKay found Keith Coffee II for a three-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 12-6.

Any momentum for Firenze was short-lived. Just 55 seconds later, Sullivan hit Cole for a 40-yard touchdown, extending the Thunder advantage to 19-6 heading into the second quarter.

Firenze hangs around

To their credit, the Red Lions refused to fold.

Jacopo Impallomeni converted a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 19-9, and Firenze’s defense managed to slow the Thunder offense for portions of the half.

However, Sullivan and Cole struck again with just 33 seconds remaining before halftime. Their nine-yard touchdown connection pushed the lead to 25-9 and gave Berlin breathing room entering the break.

Impallomeni added a 31-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to pull the Red Lions within 25-12, but that would be as close as they would get.

Cole rewrites the record book

The turning point came moments later.

On the very next Berlin possession, Sullivan found Cole for a 75-yard touchdown that restored complete control and pushed the lead to 32-12.

Cole finished with a historic performance, hauling in 12 receptions for 230 yards and four touchdowns. His 230 receiving yards established a new single-game AFLE record.

Sullivan was equally impressive, throwing for 431 yards and five touchdowns while consistently finding ways to attack the Firenze secondary.

Thunder pull away

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the visitors.

Nosa Uyimwen returned a blocked punt five yards for a touchdown, and Cole added his fourth score of the day on a 34-yard touchdown reception from Sullivan.

Special teams proved challenging for both clubs, with missed kicks and failed conversion attempts preventing the score from growing even larger.

For Berlin Thunder, the performance was another sign that the offense is beginning to hit its stride. For the Firenze Red Lions, the search for a first victory continues as they head into Week 4 still looking for answers.

Scoring summary

First Quarter

Berlin Thunder – Tomiwa Oyewo 4-yard run (kick failed), 6-0

Berlin Thunder – Dominik Tietz 10-yard pass from Jakeb Sullivan (two-point attempt failed), 12-0

Firenze Red Lions – Keith Coffee II 3-yard pass from Matthew McKay (kick failed), 12-6

Berlin Thunder – Jon Cole 40-yard pass from Jakeb Sullivan (kick good), 19-6

Second Quarter

Firenze Red Lions – Jacopo Impallomeni 24-yard field goal, 19-9

Berlin Thunder – Jon Cole 9-yard pass from Jakeb Sullivan (kick failed), 25-9

Third Quarter

Firenze Red Lions – Jacopo Impallomeni 31-yard field goal, 25-12

Berlin Thunder – Jon Cole 75-yard pass from Jakeb Sullivan (kick good), 32-12

Fourth Quarter

Berlin Thunder – Nosa Uyimwen 5-yard blocked punt return (kick good), 39-12

Berlin Thunder – Jon Cole 34-yard pass from Jakeb Sullivan (kick failed), 45-12

Final: Berlin Thunder 45, Firenze Red Lions 12