ELF: Prague Lions overpower Wroclaw Panthers in statement road victory
The Prague Lions (3-1) extended their winning streak with a commanding 45-13 road triumph over the Wroclaw Panthers (1-2) at Olympic Stadium, fueled by William Patterson’s historic five-touchdown performance and a suffocating defensive effort.
Early defensive battle
A gritty first half saw both teams stifle offensive momentum, with Prague clinging to a 14-7 halftime lead. Patterson broke through first, scoring on a 14-yard rush and a 60-yard punt return to offset Wroclaw’s lone score—an 8 yard rush by running back Dawid Brzozowski.
Patterson’s historic performance
The Lions erupted after halftime, outscoring Wroclaw 31-6. Patterson added three second-half touchdowns—two receiving strikes from quarterback Javarian Smith (117 yards, 2 TDs) and another rushing score—to cement his five-touchdown night. Defensive lineman Marek Danik (3 sacks) and linebacker Arthur Kingdom (interception, tackle for loss) dismantled Wroclaw’s offense, while defensive back Tyrus Guilford Jr. snagged two interceptions.
Wroclaw quarterback DJ Irons Jr hit Erik Ottender for a 65 yard touchdown late in the fourth but it was little solace for the home team on this day.
Panthers’ struggles compound
DJ Irons Jr. (249 yards, 1 TD) battled constant pressure, throwing three interceptions and taking four sacks. Ottender (110 yards, 1 TD) provided a bright spot, but the Panthers’ ground game managed just 33 yards on 14 carries. Prague’s defense held Wroclaw to 2-of-12 third-down conversions.
Key contributors
Prague’s Patterson totaled 107 receiving yards, 78 rushing yards, and two return scores, while running back Adam Zouzelka added 78 rushing yards and a touchdown. Smith completed 9-of-14 passes, spreading targets efficiently. For Wroclaw, Ottender’s 110-yard outing highlighted an otherwise disjointed effort.
Road ahead
The Lions enter their bye week riding momentum, while Wroclaw faces a critical Week 5 clash against the Cologne Centurions. Prague’s balanced attack and relentless defense now position them as playoff contenders, while the Panthers must address offensive line woes and turnover issues to salvage their season.
