Dresden Monarchs move past Braunschweig New Yorker Lions with 24-7 win

| American Football | 08/08/2023

The German Football League’s most significant matchup of this past weekend saw the Dresden Monarchs defeat the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions 24-7, exchanging their GFL North seeding in the process.

The Monarchs found the scoreboard first with an opening-drive field goal from 39 yards out by Dylan Moghaddam, before a Lions three-and-out set Dresden up for their first touchdown. Quarterback Steven Duncan found wide receiver Hayden Braga for six to extend the lead to 9-0. However, two consecutive drives saw the Monarchs turn the ball over, with one interception by Braunschweig’s Matthew Soldner and one fumble recovery from Alan Steinohrt, which gave the Lions their first touchdown. The Monarchs entered half time up 9-7.

Dresden’s defense dominated the entire game, keeping the Lions out of the endzone and holding the league’s leading rusher, D’wayne Obi, to just 61 yards. An interception from British defensive back Joe Cassidy would set up the Monarchs for their next score, which came through the air by way of fellow Brit Tommy Wilson, who tracked in a Steven Duncan deep ball to go up 16-7.

The final touchdown of the game was almost inevitable as Dresden’s league-leading wide out Austin Mitchell hauled in a 25 yard scoring pass from Duncan, continuing his streak of seven consecutive games with a touchdown. This game did, however, mark the first game of the season where Mitchell did not surpass 100 yards, falling just short with 97 yards.

The New Yorker Lions will look to get back on track next weekend as they face the Berlin Adler, while the Monarchs will travel to face a struggling Kiel Baltic Hurricanes team.

A current student at Bournemouth University as well as a quarterback with eight years of playing experience. Brad's goal is to be a part of the growth of the game around the world through journalism and media.