Germany: Munich Cowboys secure first playoff berth in four years

The Munich Cowboys saved their best game for last as they rolled over the Stuttgart Scorpions 37-7 to advance to the German Football League playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Rolling up 484 yards of offense, the Cowboys took control early and never let up.

Munich quarterback Trenton Miller had one of his best outings of the year, completing 33 of 43 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another two himself. Wide receiver James Okike was his main target on this day, hauling in 10 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while Kai Silbermann caught eight for 105 and a touchdown. Benjamin Linska also caught a 21 yard pass from Miller for a score.

Stuttgart’s lone touchdown came from a 26 yard touchdown pass from Günther Michel to Japanese receiver Shoichi Matsubara. Michel had replaced starting quarterback Michael Eubank in the second half.

Munich roared out to a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter on touchdowns by Linska, Okike and Miller while Hughes added a 34 yard field goal.

Stuttgart was unable to take advantage of excellent field position as Richard Samuel returned a Munich kickoff 74 yards to the Cowboys 23 yard line. The offense stalled and then, two possessions later the Scorpions failed on a fourth and one at their own at their own 22, turning the ball over.

The Cowboys capitalized on the opportunity, with Miller scoring from one yard out to extend the lead to 31-0, still in the first half.

Michel came in for a struggling Eubank to start the second half following a fumbled punt return by Munich’s Maxim Soujon. He connected with Matsubara to narrow the lead to 31-7.

They came no closer.

Miller padded the Cowboys lead late in the third quarter with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Silbermann and the defense did the rest.

Munich head coach Garren Holley was proud of his team as Munich won four of their last five games after opening the season 0-5:

“As tough as our season started. We stayed together and believed we can accomplish our ultimate goal this season of making the playoffs. The message was to believe in what we are doing and we will peak at the right time.”