Frankfurt Galaxy edge Paris Musketeers in thrilling ELF comeback defense

| American Football | 06/02/2025

The Frankfurt Galaxy (2-1) clinched a heart-stopping 29-27 victory over the Paris Musketeers (1-2) at Stadion am Bornheimer Hang, sealed by Ryan Rimmler’s last-second field goal after a chaotic fourth-quarter rally.

Galaxy build commanding first-half lead
The Galaxy dominated early, racing to a 19-0 halftime advantage behind a balanced offensive attack. Quarterback Matthew McKay (2 total TDs) connected with wide receiver Kevin Kaya for a 30-yard touchdown, part of Kaya’s 92-yard, five-catch outing. Running back Sandro Platzgummer gashed Paris’ defense for 109 rushing yards on 12 carries, while receivers Paul Kavadia-Lenhardt and Normen Schum added touchdown receptions to fuel the early surge. Defensively, linebacker Toby Naylor (15 tackles) anchored a unit that stifled the Musketeers’ offense, forcing four consecutive punts.

Musketeers storm back in frantic fourth
Paris quarterback Jaylon Henderson (340 passing yards, 3 TDs; 97 rushing yards, 1 TD) ignited a furious comeback, erasing the 19-point deficit with a second-half explosion. Wideout Hugo Tekedam hauled in 10 receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns, including a 6-yard score to cut the deficit to 26-21. Henderson then scrambled for a 1-yard TD with 0:20 remaining, giving the Musketeers a 27-26 lead. However, a failed two-point conversion attempt left the door open for Frankfurt.

Rimmler redeems with game-winning kick
McKay (270 total yards) orchestrated a lightning-fast response, scrambling 27 yards to set up Rimmler’s 42-yard attempt. The kicker, who missed two earlier kicks, redeemed himself by splitting the uprights as time expired, igniting a raucous home crowd.

Key performers

  • Matthew McKay: 270 total yards (passing/rushing), 2 TDs
  • Sandro Platzgummer: 12 carries, 109 rushing yards
  • Kevin Kaya: 5 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
  • Jaylon Henderson: 340 passing yards, 3 TDs; 97 rushing yards, 1 TD
  • Hugo Tekedam: 10 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TDs

Road ahead
The Galaxy, now tied atop the West Division, face the Cologne Centurions in Week 4, aiming to leverage Platzgummer’s ground dominance and McKay’s versatility. The Musketeers, despite Henderson’s historic dual-threat performance (437 total yards, 4 TDs), must address defensive lapses ahead of a daunting matchup against unbeaten the Rhein Fire.

The thriller underscored Frankfurt’s offensive depth and resilience, while Paris’ late-game execution miscues—particularly the failed two-point conversion—left them agonizingly short of a season-defining upset.

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