The Straubing Spiders (1–0) edged the Ravensburg Razorbacks (0–1) 31–24 in a thrilling ERIMA GFL season opener in Straubing on Saturday, May 10, avenging last season’s playoff exit with a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.
Early momentum halted by injury
The Spiders struck first with a 30-yard field goal, but the game paused abruptly when a Straubing defender suffered a serious injury on the Razorbacks’ opening drive, delaying play for over 30 minutes. Upon resumption, the Spiders dominated: running back Leroy Rümmeli powered in a touchdown, followed by a trick-play TD pass to Deniz Yilmaz, extending the lead to 17–0. Ravensburg’s offense sputtered, coughing up a fumble to deepen their early woes.
Razorbacks rally to level before halftime
Ravensburg found rhythm in the second quarter. Quarterback Broghean McGovern engineered a 12-play drive capped by Lennies McFerren’s rushing TD. After forcing a three-and-out, McGovern scrambled for another score, narrowing the gap to 17–14 at halftime. The Spiders, despite their explosive start, entered the break grappling with momentum shifts.
Ravensburg surges ahead in third quarter
The Razorbacks seized control post-halftime. McGovern’s 14-yard TD run and a Tim Müller field goal pushed the visitors ahead 24–17. Straubing’s offense stalled, compounded by a botched punt that gifted Ravensburg prime field position. Yet the Spiders’ defense held firm, preventing further damage and keeping the deficit manageable.
Gibbs’ heroics seal comeback victory
The final quarter belonged to Straubing’s star running back Sidney Gibbs. He bulldozed through tackles for a 24-yard TD to tie the game, then delivered the dagger with a 12-yard score with seven seconds remaining. The Razorbacks, despite a valiant defensive stand forcing a fourth down, watched Gibbs’ brilliance erase their lead. A decisive interception by Straubing’s secondary sealed the 31–24 win, igniting euphoria among the home crowd.
Road ahead for both teams
The Spiders avenged last year’s playoff loss to Ravensburg, claiming a critical head-to-head advantage in the Southern Division race. “This win sets the tone for our season,” said Straubing’s head coach postgame. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, face a quick turnaround, hosting Muhlenberg College (USA) in a historic friendly on May 12. Despite the loss, their rally from 17–0 underscores their resilience in the GFL title chase.
Source: GFL