"We really push ourselves": Prague Lions on the rise

Guess who's back! Or rather, guess who's finally arrived? Since joining the league in 2023, the Prague Lions have had few successes. In two years, the Czech team has only managed two wins. A number that the Lions were able to surpass after just six weeks in the 2025 season. At the moment, this gives the franchise their first positive record in history.

The franchise has shown significant improvement and, in addition to their recent 19-14 victory over the Hamburg Sea Devils, celebrated wins against the Fehévár Enthroners (40-0) and Wroclaw Panthers (45-13). With a record of 3:2, the Lions are in second place in the East Division.

Lions survive tough start to the season

The season began with two defeats against the clear favorites, the Vienna Vikings (28:6) and Hamburg Sea Devils (28:13). But the Lions managed to turn things around. The ideas and game plans of new head coach Dave Warner are paying off, and quarterback Javarian Smith is proving to be a good signing.

The American's dual-threat qualities are particularly noticeable. Smith threw 106 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 151 rushing yards and one touchdown in 35 attempts.

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Skill Player Patterson: "I am able to do some special things "

In addition to QB1, wide receiver William Patterson, who also plays second quarterback and running back, is also making a strong impression. “I played quarterback for like twelve years. It's in my blood to be behind the center,” the American explains to ran, ProSieben.

Patterson adds: “And coaches see that I am able to do some special things with the ball in my hands. Giving me the ball as Quarterback, Receiver or Running back gives the defense a lot to worry about.”

In addition, the Prague Lions have an outstanding defense, allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards and the seventh-fewest rushing yards in the league. A recipe for more success?

William Patterson ©Lukasz Skwiot

"That is our key to winning games”

Patterson is satisfied with his team's performance: “I feel great, the team is responding well to the hard work and all the practicing we have done. Our coaches are constantly harping on us about the details and focusing on just the minor things to win games. So, we are finally coming in, taking care of the ball, making sure we don't take the ball over and also creating turnovers on defense. That is our key to winning games.”

Nevertheless, the experienced ELF star sees room for improvement: "We simply have to get stronger, recover, but also get back to training. We still have a lot of work to do to get better, and we're still a long way from our goal.“ He adds: ”I think the offense stagnated a bit in the first half. If we get into the game quickly and efficiently and put seven points on the scoreboard, it helps our defense every time we get the ball. Our goal is to play complementary football."

Watch all top plays of Week 6 here!

Historic opportunity for the Prague Lions

In Week 7, the Prague Lions will play on the road against Frankfurt Galaxy (June 29, 1:00 p.m. CET). The team from the Czech capital will then have the opportunity to further extend the franchise's first positive record in their history.

“We really push ourselves to get better. Coach always say 'raise your hand, and then you can raise it a little higher'. That means we can keep going even more”, says Receiver William Patterson.

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