In a game that was as exciting as advertised, the Dresden Monarchs pulled out a last second 40-36 victory over the Berlin Rebels in front of a roaring crowd of 2,500 at Heinz-Steyer Stadium in Dresden, Germany Saturday.
Monarchs quarterback Brandon Connette tossed a 25 yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds on the clock to Mike Schallo after Berlin had taken the lead with just under a minute to go.
In a penalty-filled contest which saw Dresden flagged 17 times for 142 yards and Berlin seven for 67, Dresden took a 14-0 halftime lead only to see the Rebels storm back with 36 points in the second half to almost grab the victory.
Connette threw for 328 yards and six touchdowns on 17 of 27 passing. Dresden wide receiver Micky Kyei caught six of those passes for 128 yards and two scores while Schallo, Donald Russell, Sebastian Sagne and Hendrik Hinrichs added one each.
Berlin quarterback Terell Robinson completed 21 of 29 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. The Rebels Alexander Tounkara Kone led all receivers with six catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns, one of which almost won the game.
Dresden WR Micky Kyei avoiding a tackle; Berlin QB Terell Robinson looking for daylight. Photos: Christian Gossler
In a game billed as run versus pass, neither team could mount a consistent rushing attack. The league’s leading rusher, Berlin’s Lawrence McCoy was held to 43 yards rushing, far off his average of 136 per game. The Rebels managed 119 yards in total. Meanwhile Dresden could only muster a total of 75 yards between Donald Russell and Connette.
The Rebels had plenty of opportunities to score in the first half but kicker Max von Wachsmann was having a day to forget. He missed two field goals in the first quarter from 42 and 35 yards out and had a 54 yard attempt blocked which led to Dresden’s first touchdown. He wasn’t the only one suffering though. McCoy fumbled on his own 25 yard line which led to Dresden’s second touchdown.
Connette connected with Hindrichs for the first score and then found Kyei for a 45 yard touchdown following the blocked field goal.
Dresden’s 14-0 halftime lead increased to 21-0 on the first drive of the second half with Connette finding Kyei again, this time on a 53 yard pass and run.
Although Berlin’s secondary was reeling, Robinson found a way to rally his team, engineering five Rebels touchdowns in the final quarter and a half. Connette was hard pressed to match him and almost didn’t. Robinson scored himself from 18 yards out with less than a minute to go in the game giving the Rebels their first lead of the game in what looked like a miraculous comeback.
Schallo’s last second heroics spoiled the incredible second half for Berlin and knocked them out of first place in the German North division.
Braunschweig back on top
Dresden’s victory alters the standings in the North. The Braunschweig New Yorker Lions have returned to first followed by the Monarchs in second. Berlin falls to third from first and the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes now sit in the fourth and final playoff spot.