The Allgäu Comets, 2015 semifinalists in the German Football League, defeated Swiss champions, the Calanda Broncos 24-14 in Chur, Switzerland on the weekend in an exhibition game in one of the prettiest stadiums in Europe.
Surrounded by the towering mountains of the Alps, the Comets, in their first game of the year, looked sharp at times. Quarterback Cedric Townsend, returning to Chur for the first time since playing for the Broncos in 2014, threw for two touchdowns and scored another one on his own.
Calanda quarterback Josh Dean connected with receiver Plukas Lutscher for both Calanda touchdowns.
Photos: Hele Kobelt
Allgäu struck first as Townsend found receiver Matt Green from 13 yards out for the game’s first score. But Dean wasted no time retaliating connecting with Lutscher on a 20 yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7 in the first quarter.
The second quarter offered more of the same as Townsend threw a 12 yard pass to Florian Borchert to take a 14-7 lead. Then the versatile Borchert kicked a 28 yard field goal to give the Comets a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter.
The Broncos mounted a long drive with little time left in the first half, and Dean capped it by tossing his second touchdown of the game to Lutscher, closing the gap to 17-14.
The second half saw defenses rule and miscues from both teams. Allgau twice reached the red zone and both times fumbled the ball away, once on the goal line.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Townsend called his own number and scrambled into the end zone from the nine yard line, sealing the win with a final score of 24-14.
Photos: Helen Kobelt
Both coaches were happy with the game. Calanda head coach Geoff Buffum:
“I was proud of our guys’ effort. Allgäu is a better team and we were able to compete with them.”
Comets head coach Brain Caler was also satisfied:
“I thought it was a pretty good game for us. Calanda is a very good team, well coached.
“At times we looked very sharp, and executed well, and at times we made typical first game mistakes. But overall I am pleased with the outcome.”