The Stuttgart Surge (2-1) edged the Munich Ravens (1-2) 36-28 in a back-and-forth Southern Germany Derby thriller at GAZi-Stadion auf der Waldau in Stuttgart, fueled by early defensive dominance and clutch special teams play in front of 3,200 home fans.
Early dominance sets tone
Stuttgart stormed to a 17-0 first-quarter lead, anchored by Kai Hunter’s 8-yard rushing touchdown and Lasse Engel’s blocked punt return score—his third defensive touchdown of 2024. Kicker Timo Bronn added a 37-yard field goal after Raheem Wilson intercepted Ravens quarterback Russell Tabor, silencing Munich’s struggling ground game.
Munich’s resilient response
Tabor rallied the Ravens in the second quarter, connecting with Malik Stanley for a 14-yard touchdown. Stuttgart answered with Reilly Hennessey’s 12-yard strike to Mike Harley Jr., though a blocked PAT kept the lead at 20-6. Tabor’s 3-yard rushing score narrowed the gap, but Bronn’s 45-yard field goal before halftime extended Stuttgart’s advantage to 26-12.
Second-half surges
Hennessey’s 1-yard quarterback sneak early in the third quarter pushed the lead to 33-12. The Surge defense intensified when Berend Grube strip-sacked Tabor, with Luca Siebert recovering the fumble. Munich’s offense sputtered, managing just 54 rushing yards through three quarters.
Late drama and composure
The Ravens surged in the final frame: Stanley’s 18-yard touchdown catch and a successful two-point conversion cut the deficit to 33-20. Bronn countered with a 28-yard field goal, but Tabor’s 68-yard bomb to Ahsan Moore and another two-point conversion brought Munich within eight. Stuttgart’s defense held firm in the closing minutes, denying a potential tying drive.
Key contributors
Hennessey (220 yards passing, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD) managed the game efficiently, while Tomiwa Oyewo (64 yards) and Kai Hunter’s physical runs (29 yards, 1 TD) anchored the ground attack. Engel’s punt-block score and Wilson’s interception highlighted a defense that tallied four sacks. For Munich, Tabor (220 yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD) and Stanley (2 TDs) sparked the late rally, but three turnovers proved costly.
Road ahead
The Surge enter their bye week with momentum, eyeing a June 22 clash against the Cologne Centurions. Munich, now 1-2, must address offensive consistency and red-zone execution ahead of their Week 5 matchup. Stuttgart’s balanced attack—bolstered by Bronn’s 3-of-4 field goals and a relentless defense—cements their status as playoff contenders in the ELF West.
Source: Stuttgart Surge