Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns clinch playoff berth with decisive victory over Straubing Spiders

The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (6-5) secured postseason qualification with a commanding 45-21 win over the Straubing Spiders (3-7) in a German Football League regular-season finale at Optima Sportpark, leveraging a dominant second quarter to seal their playoff destiny.

Unicorns’ offense erupts early
Quarterback Josh Taylor orchestrated a near-flawless first half, connecting with receiver Magnus Bumiller for three touchdowns and guiding the Unicorns to scores on every opening-half drive. Austin Brook ignited the scoring with a 60-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive, while Mathis Harang added two rushing scores, including a 1-yard plunge after a botched Straubing punt snap gifted Schwäbisch Hall prime field position. Taylor’s poise under pressure—evidenced by a 27-yard strike to Bumiller in the third quarter—kept the Spiders at bay, finishing with four passing touchdowns and 240+ yards.

Defensive adjustments stifle Spiders’ rally
After a back-and-forth first quarter tied 14-14, the Unicorns’ defense locked in, holding Straubing scoreless in the second and fourth quarters. Defensive end Leo Kunz’s critical third-down sack forced a punt, while linebacker Monteze Latimore’s fourth-quarter interception halted a potential Spiders comeback. Straubing’s Sidney Gibbs managed two rushing touchdowns, but the Unicorns limited quarterback Evan Lewandowski to 130 passing yards and forced two turnovers on downs.

Special teams, discipline prove pivotal
Kicker Toni Trefzer drilled a 32-yard field goal and all six extra points, while Schwäbisch Hall’s opportunistic special teams capitalized on Straubing’s high punt snap to set up Harang’s second score. The Unicorns committed just three penalties, contrasting with Straubing’s six infractions, and dominated time of possession (32:17) to wear down the Spiders’ defense.

Second-half shutdown seals victory
Leading 31-14 at halftime, the Unicorns weathered a brief Straubing surge in the third quarter, responding to Gibbs’ 8-yard touchdown with Bumiller’s 27-yard score. Taylor’s fourth touchdown pass—a 10-yard dart to Bumiller early in the fourth—extended the lead to 45-21, while the defense stifled the Spiders’ final drives, including a goal-line stand as time expired.

Playoff momentum and postgame reflections
With the win, Schwäbisch Hall clinched its sixth consecutive playoff appearance, showcasing balanced offense (246 passing yards, 105 rushing) and defensive resilience. Head Coach Felix Brenner praised his team’s “consistent execution,” while Straubing heads into the offseason seeking stability after a 3-7 campaign.

Key performers:

• Schwäbisch Hall: Magnus Bumiller (3 TD receptions), Josh Taylor (4 TD passes), Mathis Harang (2 rushing TDs).
• Straubing: Sidney Gibbs (2 rushing TDs), Leroy Rümmeli (12-yard TD catch).

The Unicorns enter the playoffs with momentum, while Straubing reflects on a season marred by defensive lapses and untimely errors.