The undefeated Søllerød Gold Diggers (3-0) will host the Aab 89ers (1-2) as the Danish Nationalligaen begins its second half of the season after a six-week break.
These two teams met back on the 5th of June with Søllerød winning 28-6. The Gold Diggers look to continue the success of the first half of the season today as they’ll be hosting a talented 89ers team in front of their home fans.
Søllerød enters the second half of the season with a question mark at the quarterback position. After the sudden departure of starting quarterback Aaron Ellis, the Gold Diggers played and won their last game with a combination of running back Rasmus Caroe and receiver Taylor Ekstrom at quarterback. Both are athletic players who can get the job done on the ground and make simple passes. Whoever is playing quarterback will have a dynamic duo in the backfield as Christian Vahl and Spaniard Edu Molina are two explosive backs looking to continue their success from earlier this summer.
Aalborg 89ers @ Søllerød Gold Diggers, August 14, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 8 am ET)
The Søllerød defensive line features 2020 Danish Nationalligaen All-Star Logan Dykstra. Dykstra along with fellow import Sam Taylor make this physical defense tough to run against. Dykstra will have his chances as a pass rusher today as the 89ers will look to throw the ball often out of the spread and empty formations. Expect the Gold Diggers defensive line to be eager to add to their impressive sack total as Eppler’s protection has struggled at times this season.
Coach Austin Jones looks to get the 89ers another win going into the second stretch of the season. Quarterback Shelton Eppler has shown the ability to move the chains with his arms and his legs so far this season. He’ll have to continue that success today against an athletic Gold Diggers defense. Expect Eppler to target young receiver Margnus Urth and Jester Jorgensen throughout today’s game. Urth has shown off reliable hands and good route running this season. Look for Urth’s role in the offense to grow as he develops more chemistry with the quarterback. Andreas Rabæk returns to the 89ers backfield as he looks to be the bell cow back in Jones’s pass happy offense.
Defensively the 89ers will have to stop the run in order to win today’s game. One advantage they have is at the line of scrimmage as 6’5 290 lb defensive tackle De’mage Bailey is hungry to stuff the Gold Diggers rushing attack. Expect Bailey to be busy against a Sollerod offense that relies almost entirely on their rushing attack. Behind Bailey, linebacker Tobias Fogtmann should finish the game with a full stat sheet as he looks to slow down this opposing ground game. 6’2 240 lb Fogtmann is a physical young player who brings experience playing at the Junior College level in the United States.
Fans are thrilled to see the Danish Nationalligaen back in action after a long summer break. Players and coaches arrive at the field rejuvenated to make a run at the postseason. Fans can anticipate a competitive game as both the Gold Diggers and 89ers used the break to improve their team a refocus on their goals for August and September.
Søllerød Gold Diggers roster
AaB 89ers roster
