On Saturday, August 7th, the Cologne Centurions traveled to Barcelona for an intense matchup against the Dragons that came down to the wire. The Dragons got their 2nd win of the season with a final score of 60-51, moving them to a 2-5 record on the year, while the Centurions moves to a 4-3 record following this loss.
— European League of Football (@ELF_Official) August 7, 2021
Recap
The Centurions received the ball to begin the game with quarterback Jan Weinreich at the helm. The league’s rushing leader Madre London was slow to start, but his team would pick up the slack. A few nice plays by wide receivers Quinten Pounds and Noah Aarass set up a short touchdown run by London to take an early lead. The PAT would be blocked by Dragons defensive back Nico Lester, making the score 6-0.
On the Dragons’ first drive, they’d run a flea-flicker, and quarterback Zach Edwards found wide receiver Remi Bertellin deep down the field. Bertellin was stopped at the 4-yard line, and Zach Edwards would find wide receiver Jordi Terrededia in the endzone for 6. They’d make the PAT, giving Barcelona an early lead with a score of 7-6.
Cologne stalled out on their next drive and was forced to punt. Dragons wide receiver Jean Constant would make a great return and set up another touchdown for the Dragons, with Zach Edwards finding Jordi Torrededia in the endzone once again. The PAT was blocked, making the score 13-6.
Early in the second quarter, Cologne put another solid drive together. Wide receiver Quinten Pounds would will his way down the field with a few nice receptions and capped the drive off with a long touchdown catch. They would not convert the 2 point attempt, closing the gap to 13-12, Dragons still leading.
Barcelona kept the momentum rolling on their following drive. A huge reception by wide receiver Remi Bertellin got them into the redzone and was capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run from Adrian Jimenez. They’d again miss the PAT, making the score 19-12.
The defense took control of the game for the next few possessions. Cologne was held to a 3 & out on their next drive, followed by the Dragons turning the ball over on downs. After another stalled drive and punt from the Centurions, the Dragons would get things going on offense once again.
Running back Antonio Monton started the drive off by taking a dump-off pass for a 1st down, making a nice move on the defender. Wide receiver Samuel Ance would make a great catch while getting hit, followed by a perfectly placed pass by Zach Edwards finding wide receiver Jean Constant over the shoulder down the field. Constant capped the drive off with a 4-yard touchdown run on a jets sweep play. They’d convert the PAT, increasing their lead to 26-12.
On the following drive and shortly after the 2-minute warning, Cologne quarterback Jan Weinreich threw an interception to Dragons linebacker Timon Debeiz, and Barcelona would run the clock out, taking the game to halftime.
The Dragons got the ball the begin the 3rd quarter, and it would not take long for them to find the endzone yet again. A huge pass from Zach Edwards would connect with wide receiver Remi Bertellin for an 80-yard touchdown grab. They’d convert the PAT, stretching their lead to 33-12. Cologne lost a fumble on their next drive, followed by Barcelona turning the ball over on downs.
When things began to look like they may be getting out of reach, Cologne finally began to gain some momentum. Quarterback Jan Weinreich would run the ball into the endzone on 4th & goal from the 20-yard line for 6 points. They’d miss the PAT closing the gap in score to 33-18.
The Dragons punted the ball away on the following drive. Centurions running back Madre London, who had been fairly quiet up to this point, took control of the drive, getting a few great runs and capping the series off with a short touchdown run. Cologne would not convert the 2 point attempt, and the score would move to 33-24.
Cologne would force the Dragons to punt on the next series, and cologne would again put a great drive together led by Madre London. Jan Weinreich would pitch the ball to London, who would make a great cut back and break off for a big touchdown run. They’d convert the PAT, bringing it to a 2 point game with a score of 33-31.
The Centurions would again hold the Dragons to a punt and finally took the lead early in the 4th quarter. Some nice running by Madre London would set up a touchdown reception by Jannik Lorcks for the go-ahead points. They did not convert the 2 point attempt but would finally take the lead with a score of 33-37.
The Dragons answered back quickly, with Zach Edwards finding Jean Constant and Remi Bertellin on a few nice plays, then finishing the drive with a 6-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Samuel Anca to re-take the lead. The trend of missed PATs would continue, making the score 39-37.
On the following drive, Cologne worked their way down the field, and Madre London would again find the endzone, this time from 5-yards out. They’d convert the 2 point attempt and take the lead back with a score of 39-45.
Both teams would be held to punts on their next drives. The Dragons would be the next team to find the endzone as the shootout continued. A long drive would be capped off with a Zach Edwards touchdown run, giving Barcelona a 1 point lead, with a score of 46-45.
The Barcelona defense would hold strong and force the Centurions to turn the ball over on downs on their next possession. The Dragons returned to the field, and running back Adrian Jimenez would find the endzone on a run up the middle from 11-yards out. They’d convert the PAT, increasing their lead to 53-45.
On their next drive, Cologne would work their way into the endzone, finding wide receiver Paul Lenhardt for a touchdown grab. They would not convert the 2 point attempt, and the score would move to 53-51, Dragons still leading.
Barcelona put the game away on their next drive, recovering an onside kick attempt and adding to their score with Zach Edwards running 47 yards for one final touchdown. The final score of 60-51 was the highest-scoring game in the league so far this season. Following the win, Barcelona moves to a 2-5 record on the year, while Cologne moves to a 4-3 record after the loss.
