Germany: Hildesheim Invaders edge Berlin Rebels on last-second field goal

The Hildesheim Invaders (9-3) survived a second-half surge from the Berlin Rebels (2-10) and escaped Berlin with a 23-20 victory on a field goal as time expired in the final game of the German Football League regular season.

Despite missing several starters, the Invaders built a 12-3 halftime lead, watched the Rebels storm in front and then answered in the fourth quarter before Tristan Eikenberg delivered the winner.

Invaders control the first half

Hildesheim struck first when Nelson Hughes III found Pieter Solf for a four-yard touchdown, finishing a 10-play, 66-yard drive. Hughes was nearly perfect through the air, completing nine of 10 passes for 48 yards and the touchdown, while Solf finished with four catches for 41 yards and the score.

The Invaders stretched the lead in the second quarter with a bruising 17-play, 77-yard march. Hendrick Scharnbacher finished it from the one, pushing the advantage to 12-0.

The Rebels finally answered just before halftime with a 40-yard field goal.

Berlin flips the game

The momentum swung sharply after the break.

Tyquell Fields connected with Nate Stewart for a 46-yard touchdown to pull Berlin within 12-10. Moments later, Niclas Krieg intercepted Scharnbacher and raced 30 yards for another score, suddenly putting the Rebels ahead 17-12.

Fields completed 12 of 18 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, with Stewart doing most of the damage downfield. He caught five passes for 101 yards and the 46-yard score. On the ground, Nazar Bombata led the Rebels with 49 yards on eight carries.

Scharnbacher answers

With Hildesheim needing a response, Scharnbacher delivered.

The Invaders put together a 15-play, 55-yard drive that ate more than eight minutes off the clock. Facing third-and-15 from the Berlin 15, Scharnbacher scrambled all the way to the end zone. He then found Thies Surma for the two-point conversion and a 20-17 lead.

Scharnbacher completed eight of 10 passes for 57 yards and also carried eight times for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremie Kwanzambi Beni handled most of the work on the ground, grinding out 73 yards on 18 carries. Joseph Ledama led the Invaders with five receptions for 24 yards, while Solf’s four catches produced 41 yards and Hildesheim’s only passing touchdown.

Eikenberg wins it at the gun

The Rebels refused to go away. A 26-yard field goal tied the game 20-20 with 2:54 remaining, giving Hildesheim one final possession.

The Invaders moved 46 yards in 10 plays and put Eikenberg in position to decide it. His 27-yard field goal sailed through as time expired, completing the 23-20 win.

Hildesheim closes the regular season at 9-3 and now turns toward the GFL playoffs, where the Invaders will travel to face the Pforzheim Wilddogs in the quarterfinals.