This one started out quick for the visiting Hamburg Sea Devils, as the Leipzig Kings just were not able to get anything going early on.
Hamburg used offense, defense, and special teams to take a commanding lead into halftime, 31-0.
Sea Devils RB Xavier Johnson had a lot of success against the front 7, scoring on the initial possession..
TE Adria Botello Moreno had a big half too, scoring the 2nd TD for his squad, on an incredible pass from QB Jadrian Clark.
A punt return by CB Justin Rogers and a scoop and score by DE Evans Yeboah built the lead to over 4 TDs.
The Kings continued their search for a QB, as WR Jaleel Awini got the start, but was not able to get any rhythm going. The pass rush from the Sea Devils proved too much for the Kings offensive line, as Awini was off his spot, sacked, and turned the ball over through fumbles and an interception.
But it’s not as if the pass game for the Sea Devils was working the whole time. Clark had his struggles, as did some of his receivers. The difference is Clark had more time, and Johnson was able to pick up big yards on the ground. Leipzig couldn’t get anything going at all.
It would be very easy to put the blame of this performance on Awini. He was the QB. But no one on this Kings offense looked comfortable. Bad snaps, and bad beats by the linemen, drops by the receivers, and the coaches never seemed to try to get the run game going at all.
Penalties on both sides of the ball also beat the Kings today.
Case in point, Clark was able to hit WR Benjamin Mau for a 26-yard TD one play after a key taunting penalty on Leipzig. The lead was up to 38 at that point.
Trying to make plays on the run and men in his face, Awini turned the ball over once again with an INT to CB Barry Maruschke.
Backup QB Salieu Ceesay made his appearance late in the 3rd, and with help from Johnson, was able to add to the Sea Devils lead.
A 10-yard TD run by RB Johann Gisli Hummel made the Kings deficit 45-0 late in the 3rd.
But with another quarter to go, rhe Sea Devils continued to show why they’re the only undefeated team left with yet another TD on a punt return by Justin Rogers. This time, 70 yards. That makes 2 TDs and an INT for Rogers.
With starting QB Michael Birdsong out for the foreseeable future, and now it looks like backup QB Jaleel Awini might also be out, 3rd man up Tom Van Duijn took the field in the 4th.
Hamburg was just too much for this Leipzig team. They dominated in every part of the game. Touchdowns were scored on the ground, through the air, defensively, and on defense.
Four turnovers were created by the defense and special teams too. None of the Kings players looked great today. Nobody found their rhythm, as the Sea Devils never let off the gas.
Even when the backups, Hummel and Ceesay took over, points were put on the board. And unlike many of the other teams, K Phillip Friis Anderson was automatic. All PAT’S and both FGs from 35+ were right down the middle.
The Leipzig Kings fall to 1-4, but luckily they have a bye next week. Hopefully they can get healthy. Like Hamburg Sea Devils take their 4-0 record on the road to face the Wroclaw Panthers.
