Battle for playoffs in the Alps: Rhein Fire visit Raiders
Alex Malchow
This Saturday evening at 6 p.m., the reigning back-to-back champions of the European League of Football will visit Innsbruck. The third of five away games in a row marks the first ever clash between the Raiders and Rhein Fire.
Head coach Richard Kent's team come to the Tivoli Stadium with the tailwind of three wins in a row for the back to bakc champions. The home Raiders Tirol are in second place in the South Division with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses. The Raiders led by ex-NFL coach Jim Herrmann need a win to oust Munich from the top of the table. The Rhein Fire are also battling for the playoffs with a 4-2 record sitting in second place in the North Divison.
Reinforcement arrive for the Fire
The Rhein Fire's squad features some new faces with wide receiver Mark Pope and defensive back Chauncey Moore who will make their debut in the Rhein Fire jersey. Chauncey Moore last played for the Hildesheim Invaders in the German Football League in Germany. Head Coach Richard Kent got to know the defensive back at several scouting camps in the USA and has been in regular contact with the 25-year-old, who played for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League last year. Moore spent his college career at Temple University and Alabama State University.
Moore takes over the roster spot from Darrius Nash, who since signed a contract with the Helvetic Mercenaries following his release from the Fire. After wide receiver Rory Starkey Jr's season ended prematurely due to injury, Rhein Fire also had to take action at the receiver position. Veteran pro Mark Pope fills that spot. He was most recently under contract with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and was a teammate of defensive linemen Hugo Klages at the University of Massachusetts.
A crucial game in Tivoli
With the playoffs being in sight for both teams. The matchup in Tivoli stadium will be extra special this Saturday. In terms of on the field, Tirol relies on the passing game led by quarterback N'Kosi Perry threw for 396 yards last week, and almost pulled off a late comeback against the Vienna Vikings.
Who will dominate the ground game?
Panamanian running back Jonathon Scott has been impressive so far this season behind a strong Rhein Fire offensive line. Scott is averaging an eye popping 7 yards a carry so far this season, with a total of 406 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tirol’s running game is the league's best as far as yards falling just short of 200 yards a game. For the Raiders both Lucas Haslwanter and Tobias Bonatti have proven they can take over the game at any time. Now with the addition of E-import Tyrell Bovelle the Raiders seem to be adding another horse to their stable of running backs.
The game between Rhein Fire and the Tirol Raiders kicks off at 6 pm. It can be followed live via the ELF Game Pass and Joyn+. As usual, there will be a fan meeting and pack watching in the Düsseldorf Altstadtkneipe "Knoten" from 5 p.m. admission is free.