Despite the simultaneous 42:45 defeat of their rival Stuttgart Surge against the Tirol Raiders, the Rhinelanders will probably start the play-offs with a wildcard game. If the win-loss record is the same, the difference in touchdown points will decide. And Surge has a clear advantage here thanks to the simple remaining schedule.
“I’ve had 40 or more fans ask me why we didn’t try with all our might to score more points.”said Fire head coach Jim Tomsula afterward. “But that’s not sporting: we want to win when we can, and win clearly, that’s what we want. But humiliating the opponent and giving them 90 points, this ‘running up the score’, that’s not our style. The league urgently needs to change the rules.”
The foundation for the clear victory against Hamburg was laid by the outstanding Fire defense
By the end of the third quarter, the home team’s defense had only allowed 89 yards of ground to be gained, and Hamburg only achieved its first first down after the break seven minutes before the end. “That was our goal, we were really annoyed that we allowed so much running and points in the first leg.”says Linebacker Marius Kensy afterwards. This time Hamburg’s playmaker D’Angelo Fulford constantly under pressure and was brought down seven times in the backfield. The Sea Devils’ two points were scored after a blocked extra point.
The week off obviously had “a lot of rust” (Offensive Coordinator Andrew Weidinger) in the hosts’ offensive gear. In the first two quarters, the guests’ tactics worked, just not to suffer another thrashing like the 23:62 The Northern Lights remained in possession of the ball for more than 23 minutes until half-time and therefore only went with a 2:20-deficit in the third quarter. Two touchdowns from Glenn Toonga and a great run from T.J. Alexanderwho carried a short (screen) pass over 22 yards into the end zone, nevertheless made things clear.
The fact that the Rhinelanders had only 20 offensive plays by the end of the second quarter (Sea Devils 39) was also due to the fact that quarterback Jadrian Clark threw two interceptions. “It happens”Weidinger didn’t take it too seriously. From the third quarter onwards, the hosts’ attack machine was running at full speed. After only 101 yards gained in the first two quarters, Clark and Co. added 245 yards. To Toonga, Tim Sauerland and Patrick Poetsch Clark threw three more touchdown passes, Sergej Kenduswhich just like Justin Schlesinger was back after a four-week break, scored another six points. Kicker Sebastian van Santen, who converted six of the seven extra kicks, also contributed a field goal from 49 yards.
This is how it continues
Next Sunday (August 18, 2024, kick-off: 4:25 p.m.), Rhein Fire will host the Berlin Thunder team for the last home game of the regular season in the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena. The weekend of August 24/25 is a game-free weekend for the reigning ELF champions, before Rhein Fire (probably) hosts a wildcard play-off game a week later.
ELEMENT Week 12
Rhein Fire (10-1) vs. Hamburg Sea Devils (2-8) 51:2
(6:2/14:0/21:0/10:0)
SUN 11 August 2024 16:25 · Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena Duisburg
