How Wang and Harris transformed Frankfurt's season

Next weekend, Frankfurt Galaxy could complete one of the greatest comebacks in ELF history – and this after a really strange course of the season.

While head coach Bart Andrus' team started the season strong with three wins in the first four games, nothing went right for the team in terms of results afterward. Frankfurt lost four games in a row, and after a heavy defeat in Week 9 against Stuttgart Surge, they stood at a 3-5 record. Their chances of making the playoffs were at 0.3 percent in the middle of July.

With their backs against the wall, they first achieved a commanding victory against the winless Cologne Centurions and then pulled off the season’s sensation in Week 11 – a win against the previously unbeaten Nordic Storm. With a positive feeling and the belief that they could still reach the playoffs, they went into the league-wide bye week, before playing against two more teams in the regular season. 

Watch here to see what the current playoff picture looks like!

Galaxy's mid-season signings

This positive development in recent weeks is mainly thanks to new signings. No other mid-season signings have been as impactful this season as those of Frankfurt Galaxy. In Week 7, after A-import Terry Wright was played on Injured Reserve, Galaxy signed former NFL receiver Brevin Easton. With only one catch in his first game under quarterback Matthew McKay, he directly clicked with the new quarterback Jameson Wang, who, together with DB Bijon Harris, was signed in Week 9 as a direct replacement for the injured McKay and Channing Stribling.

Bijon Harris, who played for the Cologne Centurions last season, said about his comeback in the ELF: "I come in with a passion for this game." He added, "I'll do my best to put on a performance, use my abilities, and never take any competition lightly."

Overtime thriller in Prague

Last weekend marked the first game after the bye week, and it already featured an early showdown. Frankfurt played on the road against the Prague Lions, who are playing their best season in the ELF. In a tough game, the Prague Lions managed to take a one-score lead several times. Shortly before the end of the game, the score was 21-13 in favor of the Lions.

At the time of the two-minute warning, the Frankfurt offense was still in its own territory. With fourteen seconds remaining, Frankfurt scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-19. They needed a two-point conversion, otherwise, the game would have been lost and their playoff dreams dashed. As so often, the combination from Wang to Easton delivered.

Watch the Frankfurt Galaxy at Prague Lions highlights here! 

After 60 minutes, the game between Frankfurt Galaxy and Prague Lions was tied at 21-21, sending both teams into overtime for the first time this season. The Lions won the coin toss and gave Frankfurt the ball. The Frankfurt offense ended in a touchdown – which, of course, came once again from the Wang-to-Easton connection. After Prague had run the ball effectively at the start of the game, they had to rely on the passing game following the injury losses of their starting running back Adam Zouzelka and his backups David Machacek, which caused them some problems. It was none other than Bijon Harris who intercepted the pass thrown by Prague's QB Javarian Smith into the end zone, securing the win for his team. 

Crunch time: Frankfurt eyes playoff spot

With the crucial victory over the Lions, Frankfurt now has a record of 6-5 and a realistic 41.9 percent chance of making the playoffs. DB Bijon Harris is well aware of how big the opportunity has become: "We take it day by day and game by game and look, the chances became higher." "I feel like we're just now starting to hit stride," added WR Brevin Easton. 

While the four division champions have already been clinched, four teams are competing for the remaining two playoff spots: Rhein Fire, the Paris Musketeers, the Madrid Bravos, and Frankfurt Galaxy. Next weekend – the final weekend of the regular season – Frankfurt will face a direct competitor, the Madrid Bravos.

Win and pray for help

In the game against the offensively strong Bravos, Harris emphasizes that team spirit will be key: "Putting the team first allowed them to trust me, play together, believe in each other, and take it to the next level." A simple win won’t be enough, even though it’s the only thing they can control; additionally, either the Vienna Vikings must beat the Paris Musketeers, or Nordic Storm must beat Rhein Fire. "We just need to treat this game like any other, play our best, and nobody can beat us," said Harris.

The upcoming weekend promises high drama. By Sunday evening, we will know exactly what the playoff picture looks like.

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