The Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (4-4) outlasted the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (3-4) 28-27 at Kilia Stadium this past weekend in a heart-stopping GFL North clash marked by late-game heroics and four lead changes.
Defensive dominance sets early tone
Kiel’s defense stifled Braunschweig early, forcing three first-half turnovers. Cornerback Rob Revels intercepted Lions quarterback Karé Lyles on the opening drive, setting up PJ Settles’ 7-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Smith. Revels later deflected another Lyles pass, which linebacker Bjarne Sauer secured for a second interception. A blocked field goal by Tom Kamphausen preserved Kiel’s 14-0 halftime lead, bolstered by Maximilian Lundahl’s 6-yard rushing score.
Lions roar back in second half
Braunschweig rallied after halftime, with Lyles connecting with Lewis Kirby for a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. CJ Okpalobi’s 29-yard sprint tied the game 14-14 early in the fourth, but Kiel responded with Settles’ 6-yard scramble to regain the lead. The Lions answered swiftly, leveling at 21-21 via Marc Kaufmann’s 7-yard run.
Rotermund’s career-defining moment
With 1:15 remaining, Kiel receiver Lorenz Rotermund broke free from a tackle pile, aided by lineman Kevin von Kroge, and sprinted 55 yards for a touchdown—his 50th GFL game milestone. “It was a monster job for the defense to force turnovers and stay alert,” said Kiel head coach Timo Zorn. Anousheh Fulford’s PAT extended the lead to 28-21.
Late drama seals Hurricanes’ win
Braunschweig struck back with Lyles’ 7-yard touchdown pass to Philip Dolezal with 24 seconds left. Opting for a two-point conversion, Lyles’ pass fell incomplete, leaving Kiel ahead 28-27. The Lions recovered an onside kick but squandered their final drive when Bodo Bilitewski intercepted Lyles’ pass, sealing Kiel’s fourth narrow victory of 2025.
Standings implications
The win lifts Kiel to fourth in the GFL North, while Braunschweig drops to fifth. Kiel faces the unbeaten Dresden Monarchs on July 26, seeking to disrupt the division leaders’ streak.
Key stats:
- Kiel: 28 points (4 TDs, 4 PATs), 3 forced turnovers
- Braunschweig: 27 points (4 TDs, 3 PATs, 1 failed 2PC), 441 offensive yards
- Attendance: 1,503
Source: GFL.info