The Berlin Rebels (2-2) delivered a statement victory at home, stunning the previously unbeaten Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (2-1) with a 39-26 triumph fueled by a relentless ground game and opportunistic defense at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark.
Dominant ground game sets the tone
Running back Nazar Bombata spearheaded the Rebels’ offensive explosion, ripping off touchdown runs of 44 and 24 yards in the first half to establish momentum. His explosive second-quarter carries—part of a 163-yard rushing performance—overwhelmed a Lions defense missing key starters Michael Breuler, Tjard Müggenburg, and Finn Oppermann. Backup Ataly Yildiz compounded Braunschweig’s woes with a 2-yard plunge and a backbreaking 47-yard fourth-quarter sprint, finishing with 89 yards on just eight carries.
Defensive resilience fuels momentum shift
After Lions running back Marc Kaufmann opened scoring with a 56-yard touchdown on Braunschweig’s second play, Berlin’s defense stiffened. Linemen Alan Steinohrt and Sherif Djibrila logged critical sacks, while cornerback Koi Freemann’s first-half interception of Karé Lyles halted a Lions drive deep in Rebel territory. The unit delivered its defining stand late in the second quarter, stonewalling Braunschweig at the 1-yard line to preserve a 19-6 halftime lead. Injuries to Steinohrt, Malte Hrabak, and Luca Jeckstadt tested depth, but rotational players stepped up to limit the Lions to 4-of-6 red zone conversions.
Kaegi’s efficiency complements rushing onslaught
Quarterback Connor Kaegi managed the game effectively, completing 10-of-18 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. His 4-yard strike to Maylan Bacher tied the game early, while a 5-yard dart to Aaron Jackson in the fourth quarter extended the lead to 32-14. Though not flashy, Kaegi avoided turnovers and kept drives alive with third-down completions.
Lions’ late surge falls short
Braunschweig quarterback Karé Lyles (298 yards, 3 TDs) rallied late, connecting with Philipp Dolezal (136 yards, 2 TDs) and Lewis Kirby (18-yard TD) to trim the deficit to 39-26. However, the Rebels’ ground attack drained the clock after Yildiz’s 47-yard score, while linebacker rotations contained Lions receiver CJ Okaplobi (78 yards) in critical moments.
Injury-riddled Lions falter late
Already depleted, Braunschweig lost Steinohrt, Hrabak, and Jeckstadt mid-game, crippling their defensive rotations. Berlin capitalized, averaging 8.7 yards per carry and scoring on six of nine drives. Kicker Kevin Cain’s 3-of-4 PATs provided stability, contrasting with Braunschweig’s 2-of-5 conversion rate.
Statement victory for Berlin
The Rebels’ 448 total yards and four rushing touchdowns signaled a resurgence, moving them to .500 ahead of a pivotal midseason stretch. For Braunschweig, the loss exposed depth concerns and defensive vulnerabilities—issues requiring swift fixes to maintain playoff positioning. As Berlin revels in derby glory, the Lions regroup, their unbeaten start now a distant memory.