Week 9 Results
Amsterdam 17, Frankfurt 12
Hamburg 13, Rhein 10
Cologne 25, Berlin 7
The Amsterdam Admirals have booked their place in Yello Strom World Bowl XIV after downing the Frankfurt Galaxy 17-12 in Week Nine of the season. Which team become the Admirals' opponents in the final will not be discovered until next week, with both the Galaxy and Fire still alive. Rhein's hopes were severely dented, however, as they lost their game to Hamburg 13-10.
That Fire loss means that, in all likelihood, the game between Amsterdam and Frankfurt was a dress rehearsal for the World Bowl. In order for the Galaxy to make it into the championship game, they have to defeat a Berlin Thunder team in Week 10 that has not won a game since Week Five. For the Fire to take that spot they have to defeat Cologne and hope that the Thunder upset the Galaxy.
"We a very happy to be in the World Bowl again," said Admirals head coach Bart Andrus after his team has beaten Frankfurt. "We set a goal during training camp and now we have accomplished the first part of that goal."
If it does turn out to be a final between the Admirals and Galaxy, Andrus' troops will take a great deal of confidence into the game having swept Frankfurt this season. They held the Galaxy without a trip into the endzone until the final period, despite Frankfurt gaining 365 total yards, including 211 on the ground.
The Galaxy's loss overshadowed another outstanding performance from running back Roger Robinson (Arizona Cardinals), who rushed for 121 yards - passing the 100-yard mark for the sixth time in the season to equal the league record.
"Surely we are disappointed to lose this game, but we have one more shot to make it to the World Bowl," said head coach Mike Jones. "I know that these players will bounce back and next week we are going to go to Berlin and leave it all on the field."
However, the Fire will hope that this week's Galaxy loss - which snapped their five game winning streak - is the start of a slide that sees Frankfurt miss out on the World Bowl. In order to make that faint hope come real, however, Rhein will have to make a dramatic improvement to their own game to beat Cologne.
The Fire's 13-10 loss to Hamburg highlighted their offense's lack of productivity, as they could only muster 194 total yards and three points on offense. A 100-yard interception return for a score by Ronyell Whitaker accounted for their only endzone trip of the game.
However, any lingering disappointment at the loss to Hamburg was dispelled when news reached the Fire locker-room of the Galaxy loss the kept their faint World Bowl hopes flickering.
"Amsterdam did us a favor and beat Frankfurt, which means that we still have a chance to go to World Bowl," said Rhein head coach Jim Tomsula as the news of the Admirals victory reached the Fire locker-room. "We are going to come out for our last home game next week and try to get one more win against Cologne and let the pieces fall where they may."
Their formula for making World Bowl is a tough one. Not only are Frankfurt's opponents, Berlin, struggling mightily, but also Rhein will find that Cologne have hit a rich vein of form and will be no pushover in their Week 10 fixture.
The Centurions confirmed that by winning their third game in four weeks, easily downing the Thunder 25-7 on Sunday. The Centurions dominated Berlin, outgaining them 451 yards to 162, and breaking out the play on both sides of the ball that they have flashed at times through the season.
"I'm very happy right now," says head coach David Duggan. "It was a rewarding day for this team. They have worked very hard, and it was nice to get a win with such a total team effort. I thought that both sides of the ball played extremely well. It was nice to give the fans a win to show our appreciation for their support this year."
Although they cannot play in the final, Cologne can have a huge say in which team does in the final week of the season. Their burgeoning rivalry with the Rhein Fire - based just 30 miles away from Cologne - looks set to explode on Saturday when the Centurions travel to LTU arena with thoughts of knocking their adversary out of the World Bowl race.
Courtesy: NFLEurope.com
Packers in NFLEL
S Atari Bigby (Amsterdam Admirals) -
With nine starts at free safety, leads the team with 58 tackles (42 solo), with one interception among four passes defensed.
Week 9 at Frankfurt -
Started and led the team with 10 tackles (nine solo), adding one interception (no return).
WR Vince Butler (Amsterdam Admirals) -
As a reserve WR, has made 10 catches for 108 yards and one rush for 13 yards.
Week 9 at Frankfurt -
Played as a reserve receiver and caught one pass for 1 yard.
CB Therrian Fontenot (Rhein Fire) -
Has started six games at left cornerback and is credited with 19 tackles (18 solo) and two interceptions among eight passes defensed...Was dubbed Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2 after a two-interception performance in a 22-0 shutout of Berlin.
Week 9 at Hamburg -
Played as a reserve cornerback and made a tackle on special teams.
TE Tory Humphrey (Amsterdam Admirals) -
Has started nine contests at tight end, catching 15 passes for 147 yards and one TD.
Week 9 at Frankfurt -
Started and made four receptions for 33 yards.
WR Chad Lucas (Amsterdam Admirals) -
Has started all nine games at wide receiver...Leads NFLEL in touchdowns with eight; is second on the team in receptions with 27 for 440 yards...Was awarded Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4 after catching a league-record four touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over the Berlin Thunder; he finished the game with six catches for 120 yards.
Week 9 at Frankfurt -
Started and caught one pass for 9 yards.
DT Jerome Nichols (Frankfurt Galaxy) -
In nine starts at left defensive tackle, has made 26 tackles (24 solo), including a team-high five sacks, plus a forced fumble and three passes defensed.
Week 9 vs. Amsterdam -
Started and made two sacks among three solo tackles, and also forced a fumble.
C Pete Traynor (Rhein Fire) -
Has started eight games at center.
Week 9 at Hamburg -
Started at center.
QB Brian Wrobel (Berlin Thunder) -
Serving as backup, has completed 17 of 43 passes for 169 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, for a passer rating of 39.8...Has ran 13 times for 23 yards and one TD.
Week 9 at Cologne -
Did not play
Week 10 TV Schedule (all games on NFL Network)
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Cologne at Rhein, 12:00 PM (CT), Live
Frankfurt at Berlin, 4:00 PM (CT), Tape delay
Hamburg at Amsterdam, 8:00 PM (CT), Tape delay
NFLEL Standings
Amsterdam Admirals: 7-2-0
Frankfurt Galaxy: 6-3-0
Rhein Fire: 5-4-0
Cologne Centurions: 4-5-0
Berlin Thunder: 2-6-1
Hamburg Sea Devils: 2-6-1
