GFL Bowl 2023: Potsdam Royals HC Michael Vogt’s path to the GFL Bowl

| American Football | 10/13/2023

Head coach Michael Vogt has led the Potsdam Royals to yet another German Football League Bowl game, losing just one game throughout the season.

Vogt has been part of the Potsdam Royals since their inception in 2005 and has held the position of head coach for the club since 2007. He has witnessed the team’s journey, marked by a gradual and challenging ascent. In 2010, they initially gained entry to GFL2, but due to financial difficulties, they were compelled to withdraw from the league.

Their return in 2012 marked the start of an arduous climb from the fifth tier of the national football scene. In 2018, their patience was rewarded as they embarked on their first season as a GFL team.

Only two seasons later, in 2021 (the 2020 season was cancelled due to covid), Vogt’s team achieved a significant milestone by making the playoffs. This accomplishment followed a season where they secured the second position in their division and celebrated their inaugural playoff victory, defeating the Munich Cowboys by a score of 36-23. However, their playoff journey concluded in the subsequent round when they faced the formidable Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns and suffered a hard-fought 28-18 defeat.

Last year, the Royals had their best season since their promotion to the GFL, going undefeated in the regular season before falling at the final hurdle to the Unicorns by a score of 44-27.

Vogt signed a new quarterback this season, Jaylon Henderson, and he immediately had an impact as Potsdam opened their 2023 season with a statement 44-30 win over the Unicorns in week one.

They would go on to dominate all other opponents, but one. They suffered a surprise loss to the Dresden Monarchs. However, they atoned for that hiccup by steamrolling the Monarchs 57-21 late in the season.  They then found themselves in a tight battle with the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions in the semifinals but used a strong second half to come away with a 41-28 victory.

Vogt and the Royals will look to flip their fortunes from last season’s championship game loss and capture their first GFL title as they rematch the Unicorns this weekend.

Watch the game live. Potsdam Royals vs Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Oct. 14, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT).

A current student at Bournemouth University as well as a quarterback with eight years of playing experience. Brad's goal is to be a part of the growth of the game around the world through journalism and media.