The Potsdam Royals (10-1) kept pace with the unbeaten Dresden Monarchs (11-0) in the GFL North race with a 36-13 road victory over the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (5-5) at Eintracht Stadium. The Royals’ offense, led by quarterbacks Kenyatte Allen and Xeavier Bullock, overcame early defensive pressure to secure their 10th win ahead of a September 6 showdown with Dresden for the division’s top seed.
Early defensive battle tilts to Potsdam
Braunschweig’s defense stifled Potsdam early, with sacks from Christoph Bachmann and Lukas Baumann forcing a punt on the opening drive. The Royals broke through late in the first quarter via Allen’s 9-yard scramble, capitalizing after Braunschweig’s offense stalled. A 73-yard Allen-to-Malik Flowers touchdown strike early in the second quarter extended the lead to 14-0, while Allen’s 52-yard connection with Emanuel Bakare made it 22-0 at halftime.
Lions’ lone highlights punctuate Royals’ dominance
Braunschweig running back Marc Kaufmann broke the shutout with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the third quarter, but Potsdam responded immediately. Backup QB Xeavier Bullock orchestrated two scoring drives, including an 11-yard rushing touchdown and a 3-yard pass to Sami Ahmed. Kaufmann’s historic 97-yard touchdown sprint with two minutes remaining—the longest in Lions history—provided a late consolation, but the Royals’ defense held firm, limiting the Lions to 4-of-12 third-down conversions.
Key performances
- Kenyatte Allen: 2 passing TDs (73-yard, 52-yard), 1 rushing TD.
- Marc Kaufmann: 112 rushing yards, 2 TDs (including 97-yard record run).
- Potsdam defense: 4 sacks, 1 interception (Dominique Shelton).
GFL North playoff landscape
- Dresden Monarchs (11-0) remain unbeaten and hold the division’s top seed.
- Potsdam Royals (10-1) trail by one game, with a September 6 finale against Dresden to decide the North’s No. 1 playoff spot.
- Braunschweig Lions (5-5) sit fifth in the North, needing wins in their final two games to challenge for a wildcard berth.