The hosts were fourth in the table before the match and knew that neither a win nor a defeat would change that.
The Spartans were fully motivated, desperate to win and thus decided ten games in their favor for the first time since the legendary 2014 season in which they were undefeated champions of the Bayernliga.
At 32 degrees and without a few important players, especially in the strong offense line, it initially looked like a challenge. The opponent was also missing players in key positions, including American quarterback Robert Parks who left the team at the beginning of the week. The Neu-Ulm defense was little challenged throughout the game, dominated the game and won several balls.
The attack, which initially stuttered a bit, always found good field positions and, above all, got rolling with the barrel. Running back Dirk Mainka (#34) scored three running touchdowns, Felix Klein (#30) contributed another.
Regular quarterback Hunter Sturgeon led the game confidently and handed over to junior playmaker Mike Höchsmann in the last quarter, who – like last week in the home game against Amberg Mad Dogs – also showed great moves in Rothenburg. Late in the 4th quarter, when the score was 26:00, the Knights still got an honor touchdown after a pass from Julius Stender to Christian Dehner, Stefan Hahn then got a 2-point conversion to the final score of 26:08.
Spartans-Offense-Coordinator Carter Gusway: “We really had a great season, even if there were setbacks, we always came back from them well. I’m very proud of the team” In fact, there were only two defeats – a very narrow, avoidable against champions Landsberg X-Press and a completely unnecessary against the Nuremberg Rams, who were relegated to third place in the table by the Spartans at the end of the season. “Runner-up in the first regional league year and not only the best climber, but also leaving the established behind – you can be proud of the team“Agree those responsible around Klaus Weiß, head of the football department at TSV Neu-Ulm.
In fact, the Spartans have also worked their way up to 37th place among all teams in Germany in the power ranking of the online specialist portal “Football Aktuell”. And the final table also provides some information, for example showing the quality of the defense and pointing the finger: The offense still has to develop. On average, only a few opposing scores were allowed, but the offense sometimes scored comparatively moderately – for example in the home game (!) against the Rams, which was unexpectedly lost 10:11 (!), which ultimately cost the championship.
Three players announced their departure after the game. Linebacker Leon Gabriel and defense tackle Michael Mühlfeld are retiring, while defense end Patrick Rodriguez wants to help his former team in the Heidenheim area rebuild.
Spartans head coach Daniel Koch: “II would like to thank all players for the strong year. The guys are now supposed to take a few weeks off, but at the same time we want to work on 2024 in the background. It will be important to know earlier this year than in the last two years who will definitely be available. We have developed well as a program and can show the players much earlier what the club can do. After this season, the declared goal is to work so well in the winter that we go into next year’s season as a very hot candidate for promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga (GFL 2) and then be ready for it in terms of sport and organization become.”
2023-08-21 17:42:41
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