The undefeated Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (5-0) will visit the Ravensburg Razorbacks (3-3) in one of three German Football League games on AFI.tv today.
The talented Unicorns face the Razorbacks for the second time this season, as these two teams kicked off the league’s 2021 season back on June 4 with the Unicorns winning handily 55-14.
Razorbacks head coach Sebastian Fandert aims to pull off the monumental upset as his Razorbacks will need all the wins they can get with the playoffs quickly approaching. Quarterback Ryan Deal will be under center for Ravensburg looking to get the ball to a talented trio of running back Lennies Mcferren, receiver Michael Mayer, and tight end Ryan Smith. Smith is a player to watch as the 6’4″ former Green Bay Packer is one of the best tight ends in the GFL. Across the field, homegrown tight end Moritz Böhringer, a former Minnesota Vikings draft pick, is likely the best. Fans will be treated to two of the best tight-end talents in Europe as both quarterbacks will be looking for their big targets over the middle.
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns @ Ravensburg Razorbacks, August 8, 15:00 CET, (3pm, 9am ET)
Defensively for Ravensburg, Jeremy Conley headlines an aggressive unit. The edge defender has racked up 55 tackles and two sacks. In the trenches, French pass rusher Stanley Zeregbe has impressed in his first season in Germany putting up four sacks. Expect the slippery defensive end to add to his total today against a beat-up Unicorns’ offensive line. Defensive tackle Lucas Walk looks to stuff the run in the middle of this defense.
The Unicorns are coming off of a 77-0 win against the Frankfurt Universe. In that game, Schwäbisch Hall put up 497 yards off offense behind their second and third-string quarterbacks. In this game, they should be able to establish the run given that Ravensburg allowed 233 yards rushing last week. The Unicorns‘ committee of running backs expects to reach the endzone as the potent offense looks to have another big day. In the passing game, German starting quarterback Alex Haupert will target former NFL tight end Moritz Böhringer along with receiver and Tyler Rutenbeck.
Unicorns linebackers Tobias Loffler and Dennis Follinger project to have the tough task of covering Ravensburg tight end Ryan Smith. Head coach Jordan Neuman will no doubt give the linebacker some help as a talented defensive back Monteze Latimore is an intimidating player for opposing quarterbacks and receivers. At the line of scrimmage, pass rushers Daniel Bartmann and Corey Chapman are hungry to add to their sack total as Unicorns‘ pass rush has now totaled 12 sacks in five games.
Schwäbisch Hall could be without several key players as their roster features national team members from Italy and Austria both countries of which were scheduled to play international games. Leading tackler, linebacker Nick Alfieri, team captain safety Cody Pastorino, and starting offensive linemen Alessandro Vergani and Francesco Fanti were set to suit up for team Italy against France before the game was cancelled. In another international matchup, the Unicorns second-leading receiver Yannick Mayr, will represent Team Austria as they take on Serbia today. Look for some of Schwäbisch Hall’s young talent to get more playing time today as they could be without many veteran contributors.
Schwäbisch Hall’s season has been perfect so far as they’ve dominated in both the German Football League and in international play winning the Central European Football League tournament. Head coach Jordan Neuman is hungry to finish the season undefeated and complete a storybook ending with a German Bowl. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks have proven that they belong in Germany’s top league after moving up from GFL2. Today, they’ll have another test as they look to measure themselves against the cream of the crop in Europe.
Watch the game live here. Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns @ Ravensburg Razorbacks, August 8, 15:00 CET, (3pm, 9am ET)