The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (10-0) remained perfect in the German Football League on Saturday, overcoming a turnover-filled performance to defeat the Straubing Spiders (0-8) 35-13 and record their 10th straight victory of the season.
Defense creates early advantage
The Unicorns wasted little time taking control after the Spiders turned the ball over on their opening possession deep in Schwäbisch Hall territory. Quarterback Julius Klenk capitalized on the opportunity by finding Marvin Fuchs for a 21-yard touchdown, with Jimmy Sawang adding the extra point for an early 7-0 lead.
Although both offenses struggled through a stretch of defensive football, the Unicorns steadily pulled away before halftime. Klenk connected with Sawang on a 20-yard touchdown pass to double the lead, and after Leo Kunz intercepted a pass, Schwäbisch Hall needed only one play to strike again. Klenk found Rayjuon Pringle on an eight-yard scoring pass, giving the visitors a comfortable 21-0 halftime advantage.
Klenk spreads the ball around
The Unicorns opened the second half with another impressive drive as Klenk delivered a 34-yard touchdown pass to Cem Kahveci to extend the lead to 28-0.
The Spiders finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Raleigh-Benjamin Yeldell III connected with Jordan-Xavier Pouncey on a nine-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, leaving Straubing trailing 28-6.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly erased early in the fourth quarter. Klenk again guided the offense down the field before connecting with Fuchs for a 25-yard touchdown, his second scoring catch of the afternoon, stretching the lead to 35-6.
The Spiders added a late five-yard touchdown run with just 52 seconds remaining to account for the final 35-13 score.
Turnovers can’t slow Unicorns
Despite committing several turnovers, Schwäbisch Hall controlled the game with timely defense and an efficient passing attack. Klenk completed 22 of 27 passes for 282 yards and five touchdowns, spreading scoring passes among Fuchs, Sawang, Pringle and Kahveci.
Fuchs finished with two touchdown receptions while the Unicorns defense repeatedly forced mistakes, preventing Straubing from sustaining drives until late in the game.
Head coach Felix Brenner was pleased with the road victory but acknowledged there is room for improvement, noting that while the defense created several turnovers, the offense gave the ball away too often.
The victory keeps the Unicorns unbeaten at 10-0 as they continue their march through the GFL South schedule.