Dresden Monarchs remain unbeaten with commanding win over Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns

| American Football | 08/12/2025

The Dresden Monarchs (9-0) solidified their status as the German Football League’s top contender, defeating the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (4-5) 48-21 at Heinz Steyer Stadium to clinch a playoff home game and extend their perfect 2025 campaign.

Miller’s precision fuels offensive dominance
Quarterback Justin Miller orchestrated a near-flawless performance, completing 17 of 19 passes (89%) for 189 yards and 5 touchdowns. His connection with receiver Tyler Hudson (6 catches, 94 yards, 2 TDs) and tight end Joel Särkelä (4 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD) overwhelmed the Unicorns’ secondary. Running back Tofunmi Lala anchored the ground game with 130 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Yazan Nasser added 77 yards on 11 carries. The Monarchs scored on six of their first seven drives, with Miller’s lone mistake—a second-quarter fumble—leading to Schwäbisch Hall’s only defensive touchdown.

Defense delivers game-changing plays
The Monarchs’ defense dominated, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Unicorns to 43 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Safety Devonni Reed opened the scoring with a 58-yard interception return touchdown, while defensive end Kerim Altunbas capitalized on a botched handoff for a fumble recovery TD just before halftime. The unit held Schwäbisch Hall quarterback Josh Taylor to 17 completions on 35 attempts (49%), though Taylor connected with Emil Rabin (5 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD) and Austin Brock (6 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD) for explosive plays.

Special teams milestone underscores team effort
Kicker Florian Finke surpassed 600 career points with four successful PATs, a testament to the Monarchs’ sustained excellence. His contributions complemented a raucous home atmosphere, as 7,051 fans witnessed Dresden’s ninth consecutive win.

Unicorns’ struggles against elite opponents continue
Despite Taylor’s 276 passing yards and two touchdowns, Schwäbisch Hall fell to 0-4 against teams with winning records. Their ground game sputtered, averaging 2.1 yards per carry, while defensive breakdowns allowed Dresden to convert 75% of red-zone opportunities.

Next matchup
The Monarchs travel to face the Düsseldorf Panther (Week 10), while the Unicorns travel to face the Saarland Hurricanes in a must-win game to keep playoff hopes alive.

Key stats

  • Total yards: Dresden 445 (256 passing, 189 rushing), Schwäbisch Hall 319 (276 passing, 43 rushing)
  • Turnovers: Dresden 1 (fumble), Schwäbisch Hall 2 (1 INT, 1 fumble)
  • Third-down efficiency: Dresden 2/7, Schwäbisch Hall 4/13

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