On Sunday, July 4th, the Leipzig Kings hosted the Cologne Centurions for a high-scoring matchup. Both offenses were tough to stop, but The Centurions would take the win with a final score of 48-47, moving them to a 2-1 record on the season. The Kings will move to a 1-2 record on the season.
— European League of Football (@elf_official) July 4, 2021
Recap
The Centurions began the game with the ball and great field position thanks to a nice return by running back Quinten Pounds. They’d turn the ball over on downs, and Kings quarterback Jaleel Awini would quickly find the endzone on a 68-yard play to wide receiver Alpha Jalloh taking an early 7-0 lead.
— The Alternate Football Scouting Report (@altfbscout) July 4, 2021
The Cologne offense returned to the field, and running back Quinten Pounds would haul in a 50-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.
The Kings were forced to punt on their following drive. When Cologne returned to the field, running back and ELF rushing leader Madre London would lose a fumble, recovered by Leipzig defensive lineman Vincent Buffet. The Kings offense would keep things moving with a nice downfield grab by Anthony Dable-Wolf, but quarterback Jaleel Awini would lose a fumble in the red zone, recovered by Centurion’s defensive lineman Julian Volker.
Cologne kept the ball moving on their next drive with Quinten Pounds and Madre London. London finished the drive on a 3-yard touchdown run, making the score 14-7.
Leipzig wide receiver Alpha Jalloh would get a nice return of his own, taking it down to Cologne’s 11-yard line. Sadly, Jalloh’s efforts would not pay off on this drive as Jaleel Awini would throw an interception to Cologne linebacker Lennart Weitz.
Madre London kept the Centurions ground game going strong, and a great play by tight end Florian Eichhorn would set them up in the red zone. Fullback Patrick Poetsch would pound it into the endzone from 3 yards out, increasing Colognes’ lead to 21-7 early in the second quarter.
Leipzig returned to the field, and quarterback Jaleel Awini avoided a sack, running for a 20 yard gain. Wide receiver Anthony Dable-Wolf would haul in a nice grab, setting up a phenomenal 55-yard touchdown from Awini to Timothy Knuettel, closing the Centurions lead to 21-13 following a missed PAT.
Madre London quickly answered with a long touchdown of his own, running it in from 60-yards out, increasing the lead to 27-13. Leipzig got the quarterback option going with Awini, and a big pass interference call would get them into the red zone. A speed option pitched to Raymond Sobowale would find the endzone, and a 2 point conversion by Alpha Jalloh closed the gap to 27-21 as we approached the end of the 1st half.
Leipzig received the ball coming out of the half, and Jaleel Awini would find Anthony Dable-Wolf for a 20-yard touchdown reception. They’d go for another 2 point conversion but would not convert, tying the game at 27-27.
The Kings recovered a fumble on Colognes’ next drive, and Raymond Sobowale scored a touchdown from 28 yards out. Leipzig would take the lead, making the score 34-27.
The Centurions kept feeding the ball to Madre London, who found the endzone again, tying up the score at 34-34. The Kings answered quickly with a great catch in traffic by Timothy Knuettel, setting up a 43-yard touchdown grab by Anthony Dable-Wolf. They’d miss the PAT, making the score 40-34.
As the 4th quarter began, Madre London would get his 4th touchdown of the day following another great drive running the ball. They’d miss the PAT, tying the game at 40-40.
— The Alternate Football Scouting Report (@altfbscout) July 4, 2021
As the end of the game drew near, Leipzig found the endzone 1 last time. Jaleel Awini would run the ball into the endzone, stretching the lead to 47-40. However, the Kings touchdown would not be enough, as Centurion’s tight end Florian Eichhorn hauled in a 56-yard touchdown grab, followed by Quinten Pounds running in the 2 point conversion, making the score 48-47.
On Leipzig’s final possession, they’d turn the ball over on downs. Cologne kneed out the clock and would take the victory, moving to a 2-1 record on the season. Leipzig will move to a 1-2 record on the season.
Next Opponents
The Leipzig Kings will travel to Stuttgart in week 4 for a matchup against the Surge on Sunday July 11, at 9am EST.
The Cologne Centurions will return home in week 4, where they’ll face the Frankfurt Galaxy on Saturday, July 11, at 6 pm EST. (Kickoff time to be confirmed)
