The Calanda Broncos and Winterthur Warriors will face each other in the finale of the Swiss Fall Cup on Saturday, October 10 marking the end of a strange, COVID-19 shortened season.
With the cancellation of the regular Swiss American Football Federation, SAFV season due to the coronavirus, six teams elected to play in a Fall Cup. The teams were divided into two regional groups, East and West, basically to cut down on travel costs. Each team in the West group played a total of six games while in the East with only three teams, each played four games. Following a six game regular season and a playoff game, the Broncos and Warriors qualified for the final.
One of the critical “gentlemen’s rules” for the season to be able to be played was that all the games would be played without import players. The only non-Swiss players allowed were European players already on the roster and non-Swiss residents who have lived in the country for five continuous years.
Winterthur Warriors @ Calanda Broncos, Oct. 10, 18:00 CET (12:00 ET)
As a result, 44 year old Calanda head coach Geoff Buffum, a former quarterback who now lives in Chur, Switzerland, was eligible to play. A former Eurobowl winning quarterback with Austria’s Swarco Raiders and college quarterback at Azusa Pacific, he has led his team to an unbeaten season so far. Buffum admits he has had a good time despite the fact that he had not suited up for 14 years prior to this experiment:
“I’ve just tried to enjoy the ride, I never thought I would play again, so I’ve looked at the whole thing as a silver lining in this whole 2020 mess we’re living through together.”
The Warriors and Broncos both defeated the St. Gallen Bears. The Warriors blanked St. Gallen 48-0 and then beat them 31-15. Meanwhile, Calanda beat the Bears 47-7 and 28-6. Winterthur and Calanda faced each other twice in 2019 with Calanda winning both games, 36-14 and 23-20.
The Broncos downed the Thun Tigers 34-10 in the semifinal round last weekend while Winterthur defeated the Basel Gladiators 35-9.
In the two meetings between the two teams this year, Calanda has won comfortably taking the first one 34-3 and the second 19-0.
In the five games Calanda has played, Buffum has thrown for 644 yards and 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Tino Muggwyler has led the team in rushing with 447 yards and five touchdowns while Severin Murk has caught 18 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns while Lukas Lutscher has 12 receptions for 157 yards and six scores.
“I think we’re all grateful that we can play at all, and I try to remind myself and our team of that as often as I can.”
Winterthur enters the game with veteran Richard Wartmann at quarterback while Leon Simioni will start at running back. Wartmann’s main target is wide receiver Yannick Bünzli while running back Cédric Peter is another threat catching the football along with Jeff Wissekerke.
Wartmann has a different view of the game:
“We have nothing to lose and can only win.”
He has a point. Winterthur can come out totally loose with only pride at stake. In a Cup final, anything can happen.
Check out highlights from the last game between these two teams.
Watch the game live here. Winterthur Warriors @ Calanda Broncos, Oct. 10, 18:00 CET (12:00 ET)