GFL: Regensburg Phoenix pull away from Straubing Spiders for 31-22 win

The Regensburg Phoenix (7-3) broke open a tie game after halftime and finished their home schedule with a 31-22 victory over the Straubing Spiders (0-10) in a hard-fought German Football League matchup Saturday in Regensburg. Nebechi Abana scored twice on the ground and Cameron Yowell connected with Jadon Gildersleeve for two touchdowns as the Phoenix completed the season sweep of their East Bavarian rivals.

Defenses trade early takeaways

Turnovers set the tone early. Pascal Andreas Sendelbach intercepted Yowell to give the Spiders the first takeaway, but Luis Guter answered with an interception for Regensburg.

The Phoenix finally broke through late in the first quarter when Abana powered into the end zone from eight yards. Dominik Laßmann added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Spiders answer before halftime

Straubing responded in the second quarter. Jvonte Kareem Davis finished a long drive with a three-yard touchdown run, and Kristof Komiszar tied the game with the extra point.

Yowell quickly put Regensburg back in front, hitting Gildersleeve for an 18-yard touchdown. But Raleigh Benjamin Yeldell III answered before halftime, finding Eloi Soler for a 17-yard score with 30 seconds remaining. Komiszar’s kick sent the teams into the break tied 14-14.

Regensburg takes control

Laßmann’s 34-yard field goal gave the Phoenix a 17-14 advantage in the third quarter, but Dane Lynch intercepted Yowell to stop another Regensburg drive.

The Phoenix defense soon returned the favor. Mika Stieger forced and recovered a fumble at the Straubing 38, and Regensburg cashed in. Abana capped the possession with an 11-yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 24-14.

Gildersleeve delivers the big play

The Spiders threatened again in the fourth quarter before Julian Herrera intercepted Yeldell at the Regensburg 10.

The Phoenix turned that stop into the game’s biggest offensive play. After two Abana runs, Yowell found Gildersleeve for a touchdown of more than 50 yards, pushing the advantage to 31-14.

Straubing refused to go quietly. Davis broke loose for 38 yards before Yeldell connected with Soler on a 31-yard touchdown. Yeldell ran in the two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 31-22.

The Phoenix, however, secured the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Turnovers prove costly for Straubing

Yeldell completed 20 of 29 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, but his three interceptions helped swing the game. Soler caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns while adding 106 kickoff-return yards.

The Spiders finished with 347 yards of offense but committed four turnovers and nine penalties for 98 yards. Regensburg generated 417 total yards and turned the visitors’ mistakes into crucial points.

Phoenix close home schedule with a win

For the Phoenix, the victory provided a winning finish to their home schedule and completed back-to-back victories over the Spiders.

For Straubing, the search for a first victory continues with two games remaining. The Spiders will host the Munich Cowboys in their final home game before finishing the regular season on the road against the Düsseldorf Panther.