Düsseldorf Panther roll past Straubing Spiders 42-12 in regular-season finale

The Düsseldorf Panther (6-6) finished the German Football League regular season with their third straight victory, pulling away from the Straubing Spiders (0-12) for a 42-12 win at Panther Stadium and carrying some momentum into the playoffs.

Straubing struck first and moved the football throughout the afternoon, but Düsseldorf consistently made more of its opportunities. The Panther turned a one-point first-quarter lead into a 21-6 halftime advantage before breaking the game open after the break.

Spiders strike first

The Straubing defense stopped Düsseldorf’s opening drive on fourth down, and the offense took advantage.

Raleigh Benjamin Yeldell III hit Eloi Soler twice, including a 37-yard completion that moved the Spiders deep into Panther territory. Jordan Xavier Pouncey finished the drive by powering in from three yards for a 6-0 lead.

Düsseldorf responded through the air. Dawson Herl found Eritros Haggi for a 16-yard touchdown, and the extra point pushed the Panther in front 7-6.

Düsseldorf takes control

The Spiders threatened again in the second quarter, reaching the Düsseldorf 11, but came away empty after a missed field goal.

The Panther made their chances count. Herl capped a long drive with a seven-yard touchdown run, then struck through the air before halftime, finding James Okike from 25 yards to send Düsseldorf into the break leading 21-6.

That efficiency became the difference. Straubing reached the red zone six times but produced only two touchdowns, while Düsseldorf turned four of its five red-zone opportunities into six points.

Panther put it away

An interception early in the third quarter handed Düsseldorf another opening, and Herl quickly cashed it in with a touchdown pass to Sven Appelt.

Straubing answered with a 68-yard march. Yeldell moved the offense downfield before finding Soler in the end zone to cut the margin to 28-12.

The comeback stopped there.

David Crawford added another Düsseldorf touchdown before Herl broke loose for a 33-yard scoring run to finish the scoring at 42-12.

Herl leads playoff-bound Düsseldorf

Herl accounted for five touchdowns as the Panther piled up 420 yards of offense. Düsseldorf also converted seven of 11 third downs.

For Straubing, Yeldell completed 16 of 24 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. Soler caught seven passes for 99 yards and a score, while Pouncey rushed 10 times for 44 yards and a touchdown.

The Spiders close a difficult season without a victory, while fourth-place Düsseldorf now turns toward a road quarterfinal against the unbeaten Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns.