Once again, the ifm Razorbacks Ravensburg have shown this season in the German Football League that they have made great improvements in defense. While defense was the Achilles heel of the Razorbacks’ game in the last two years in the first division, this year they can rely on their defense. This was also the case in the 29:22 (6:7, 2:7, 14:0, 7:8) win on Saturday evening in front of 1287 spectators in the Teledata Stadium at Lindenhof in Weingarten against the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes.
That would be crazy, of course: the first time in the GFL play-offs and then at home.
Michael Mayer of the Razorbacks
After their fifth home win in the fifth home game of the season, the Razorbacks have secured second place in the southern division again. This position would give them a home game in the play-off quarter-finals at the end of the main round. “That would of course be amazing: the first time in the GFL play-offs and then at home,” said Michael Mayer. “That’s what we’re working towards.”
The fact that Ravensburg only allowed their opponents from the far north 22 points on Saturday evening was also due to Ben Rashid. “He is perhaps the best defense player in the league,” Mayer praised his teammate. In the second quarter, Rashid brought Kiel quarterback Nate Hayden to the ground in the Hurricanes’ end zone. This so-called safety brought the Razorbacks two points.
In the fight for second place everything is in your own hands
In the third quarter, Rashid threw the Kiel quarterback to the ground again. “These are great feelings,” said Rashid, adding with a laugh: “I don’t score points that often.”
With a record of 5:5, the Ravensburg team is second in the southern division of the GFL behind the top team Schwäbisch Hall. There are still two games left in the main round: on August 24th, the Razorbacks will host the Saarland Hurricanes (current record 2:7) and on September 7th they will face the Munich Cowboys (4:5). “We must not let up,” said Mayer. “And we must show a better performance, with fewer mistakes.”
We trust each other and work together.
Ben Rashid on the reason for the defensive strength
As important as the home win against Kiel was, the Razorbacks’ wide receiver was not entirely satisfied. “It wasn’t our best performance,” said Mayer. “But it’s good to know that we can win games like that.”
In the first quarter, the Hurricanes took the lead through Benjamin Kyburz, kicker Cobian Adjei-Freeman increased the lead to 7:0. Lennies McFerren shortened the lead to 6:7 with his touchdown, but McFerren had problems catching the ball on the extra kick. With Rashid’s safety, the Razorbacks took the lead in the second quarter (8:7), but before the break, Kiel managed to take a 14:8 lead through Michel Peschel and kicker Adjei-Freeman. Keyword mistake: This was preceded by a turnover by Ravensburg’s quarterback Broghean McGovern.
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But the second half clearly belonged to the hosts. Mathieu Belval immediately provoked a loss of the ball for Kiel, and shortly afterwards Pierre Moudorou caught McGovern’s pass for a touchdown. This time the kick was also successful – Linus Diez increased the score to 15:14.
On Kiel’s next play, Henri Moudilou intercepted a pass from Hayden. The Ravensburg team did not manage to score any points, but Kiel had an even harder time – not least because Rashid and his colleagues put a lot of pressure on quarterback Hayden. “We trust each other and work together,” said Rashid about the reason for the Razorbacks’ defensive strength this year.
If we start even better and minimize the mistakes, then we can become a very good team.
Michael Mayer
Shortly before the end of the third quarter, Mayer increased the score to 22:14 with his touchdown and Diez with the extra kick. Shortly after the start of the final quarter, Kiel was in a promising field position, but Alex Mashak won the ball back for Ravensburg. McFerren ran for another touchdown, Diez remained safe (29:14).
The Razorbacks were not thrown off track by a trick play by Kiel – Henrik Wolk threw the ball to Lars-Ole Gloe – and the successful two-point conversion by Adjei-Freeman to make it 29:22. They played the remaining time confidently. “We are a good team,” said Mayer. “If we start even better and minimize mistakes, then we can become a very good team.”
One that would then enjoy home advantage in the play-offs.
