On August 31st, the Düsseldorf Panther U13 met the Cologne Crocodiles in their 4th game of the season.
Thanks to the possibility of a double-header, the young big cats were able to enter the field through the Panther enema helmet with a lot of noise and cheering.
As soon as they entered the infamous Panther Tunnel, you could feel the special energy that was in the air that day. The guests from the cathedral city won the coin toss and started with the offense.
Already in this opening drive it was clear that the defense would be the deciding factor for both teams today. The right to attack changed several times and the Panther defense always found a way to stop the guests. It took until the middle of the second quarter for the first points to appear on the scoreboard. Unfortunately it was the Crocodiles who were able to celebrate these points. Their subsequent attempt to achieve a comfortable lead with a two-point conversion failed again due to the Panther defense. So the team went into the break with a score of 00:06.
There, the coaches around head coach Marc Kronsbein skilfully motivated the team, as the Panthers returned to the field with such energy that it spread to fans and parents. What then happened in the Panther Stadium in Benrath is hard to describe in words. The spectators created such a brilliant atmosphere that is rarely seen at youth games of this age. This practically carried the team and coaches through the last two quarters. Encouraged by this, the Panthers stormed against the impending defeat and were rewarded with the first touchdown to equalize after a series of impressive runs. Unfortunately, the attempt at a two-point conversion was stopped here too and so the score remained 06:06.
The hot weather and the intense game meant that the guests’ strength was slowly waning. After a few quarterback sacks and a blocked punt, the Panthers fought for the ball at the Crocodiles’ 20 yard line and sensed their chance. After a great drive, the Düsseldorf Panthers were able to celebrate again and take the lead. This time the Panthers tried a PaT, which unfortunately didn’t find its way between the goal posts and so the score was 12:06 for the hosts. Now the Crocodiles tried everything to catch up, but were stopped again by the Panther defense. Shortly before the end, the big cats then took the ball again and attacked one last time. Unfortunately, the game ended just before the Crocodiles’ end zone. When the final whistle blew, all the dams broke and cheering parents, coaches and players hugged each other. For some of them, it was their first ever victory against their old rivals from the cathedral city. A fantastic result that everyone celebrated for some time!
“The team fought so hard and never gave up, I’m very proud of them,” said a visibly relieved head coach Marc Kronsbein. “But now we have to focus fully on the game in Essen. We have to carry on there exactly as we left off against the Crocodiles,” he said, but quickly turned his attention back to the next tasks. Because the game against the SG Assindia Cardinals/ Bochum Rebels is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Essen.
Text: Marc Kronsbein/ Monika Kamp- Marx
Pictures: Ilona Krüll/ Instagram
