In their season opener last weekend, the Geneva Seahawks (1-0) hosted the back-to-back champion Calanda Broncos (1-1) and took revenge for last year’s loss in the Swiss Bowl, beating the Broncos 14-12.
Calanda had entered the game on an 18 game winning streak stretching back to 2017 and which had continued through their first game of the season last week.
Geneva quarterback Kyle Graves was solid, throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Antoine Brandt and running back Morgan Nkule bulled his way in from the one yard line for another touchdown.
Fullback Steffen Haenelt scored both touchdowns for Calanda.
The Seahawks defense had a large part in the victory.
The Broncos have dominated the Swiss football scene now for several years due in no small measure to their physical line play – and Sunday’s contest was no exception. The Seahawks defensive front seven had to slow down the Broncos’ potent ground game which features Haenelt along with an experienced and technical offensive line.
They did that and more.
Despite bending at times, Geneva managed to limit the run-heavy Broncos, playing without their two top receivers, to just two major scores.
The play of the game came with just over three minutes remaining when the Seahawks stopped the Broncos two-point conversion attempt which would have tied the game.
Needless to say, Geneva head coach Larry Legault was pleased with the win:
“It’s unquestionably an important victory for our team, but it remains just one game, and the season is long. We’ll have to try to build on this and continue to improve. The Broncos have been bit early by the injury bug – they will present an entirely different face when they get some people back”