PREVIEW & LIVE STREAM: GFL Quarterfinals: Dresden Monarchs vs. Marburg Mercenaries

Dresden-Marburg quarterfinal matchup a repeat of 2008 and 2009

This Sunday, the Dresden Monarchs (AFI Europe #3) will face the Marburg Mercenaries (AFI Europe # 18) in the playoffs for the third time since 2008. Both then and in 2009 the games were hard fought. The 2009 matchup was a barn burner going into two overtimes before Dresden escaped with a 64-63 victory.

This year, the Monarchs (8-4) may have a slight edge, especially on defense having allowed 22 points a game as compared to Marburg’s (9-5) 31 points against per game. Dresden have played the toughest teams in Germany to a standstill while Marburg petered off late in the season losing three of their last four games. Dresden running back Trevar Deed has been a workhorse this season and finished third in rushing with a total of 1,363 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games. At 6′ and 210 lbs, and built low to the ground, he is tough to bring down. Quarterback Jeff Welsh has been very efficient throwing for 2,820 yards and 23 touchdowns, good for seventh in Germany.

Marburg relies heavily on quarterback Micah Brown who rushed for a team-leading 953 yards and 16 touchdowns while passing for an average of 248 yards per game and 33 touchdowns. In other words, if Dresden stops him, they can stop Marburg. Mercenaries’ defensive back Curtis Slater gives the Marburg secondary an edge though as he led Germany in interceptions with 10, returning three for touchdowns while also recovering three fumbles. Jeff Welsh will have to be aware of where he is at all times.

The kicking game is almost dead even. Dresden and Team Germany kicker Jan Hildenfeldt was 10 for 12 in field goals this year while his counterpart for the Mercenaries, Danlje Katusic, was a perfect eight for eight.

LIVE STREAM: Dresden Monarchs v. Marburg Mercenaries

Kickoff: Sunday, 9/21 – 2:30 PM local German time, 8:30 AM EST.