Germany: Pforzheim Wilddogs stun Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in thrilling overtime road victory

The Pforzheim Wilddogs (4-1) outlasted the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (2-2) 41-34 in overtime at Centus Arena in Aalen, overcoming six turnovers to retain first place in the GFL South during a breast cancer awareness game hosted in partnership with the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Wilddogs’ resilient comeback
Trailing 27-13 early in the third quarter—their largest deficit in over a year—the Wilddogs clawed back behind quarterback Dre Harris’ connection with receiver Alec Tatum (2 TDs). Kicker Luca Hirschberger’s clutch 32-yard field goal tied the game at 34-34 with 1:40 remaining, capping a 21-7 run. The defense forced two critical fourth-quarter turnovers, including linebacker Lars Dietrich’s forced fumble and Tobias Schmid’s recovery, to fuel the rally.

Unicorns’ early dominance unravels
Schwäbisch Hall capitalized on Pforzheim’s sloppy start, converting three first-half turnovers into a 20-13 halftime lead. A tipped interception and Harris’ fumble set up two early touchdowns, while their ground attack extended the margin to 27-13 in the third. However, the Unicorns’ offense stalled late, managing just one first down in the final seven minutes of regulation.

Overtime drama and defensive heroics
In overtime, Harris found Tatum for a 25-yard touchdown on the Wilddogs’ opening drive. The Unicorns responded with a strong rushing series, but defensive back Jeremy Conley stripped the ball at the goal line to seal the win. Pforzheim’s defense, despite allowing 34 points, forced four second-half turnovers and blocked a potential game-winning 61-yard field goal before halftime.

Turnover plague and special teams swings
Pforzheim’s six turnovers—three fumbles and three interceptions—nearly derailed their efforts. Schwäbisch Hall scored 17 points off takeaways but faltered in critical moments, including a blocked extra point and failed fourth-quarter drives. Hirschberger’s three field goals and a successful two-point conversion kept the Wilddogs within striking distance.

Coach’s reflection
“If you win a game despite six turnovers, you deserve it,” said Wilddogs head coach Michael Lang. “Our defense saved us today. They never let us quit, even when we dug ourselves a hole.”

The Wilddogs now hold sole possession of the GFL South lead, while the Unicorns drop to .500 despite a valiant effort. The victory underscored Pforzheim’s resilience, proving their ability to thrive under pressure in a season-defining clash.