On Saturday, August 21st, the Cologne Centurions hosted the Leipzig Kings in what was a fairly one-sided matchup. The Centurions were without their number 1 wide receiver Quinten Pounds, and The Kings would come out on top, ending the game with a final score of 42-24. Both teams will move to a 4-4 record on the year after this game.
While the final playoff seeding is still to be determined over the season’s remaining weeks, the Centurions currently hold the second playoff seed in the south division following this win, and the Kings will be in a position to hold the second seed in the north division with a loss by the Wroclaw Panthers tomorrow against the Hamburg Sea Devils.
— European League of Football (@ELF_Official) August 21, 2021
Recap
The Kings received the ball to begin the game, but they’d lose a fumble on the opening kickoff, and the Centurions got things going early with running back Madre London. They’d cap off their first drive with an 18-yard touchdown from quarterback Jan Weinreich to wide receiver Paul Lenhardt, taking a very early 7-0 lead under 1 minute into the game.
When Leipzig returned to the field, they were able to put a great drive together, finding wide receivers Anthony Dable-Wolf and Timmothy Knuettel for a few nice receptions. They’d finish the drive with a 6-yard touchdown to Dable-Wolf on 4th down, making the score 7-7.
Cologne lost a fumble on their next drive, which Leipzig defensive back Daniel Docal would recover. The Kings would capitalize on the turnover, with quarterback Michael Birdsong connecting with defensive end/linebacker Kyle Kitchens in at fullback for a short touchdown reception. They’d miss the PAT, making the score 13-7.
— The Alternate Football Scouting Report (@altfbscout) August 21, 2021
The Centurions turned the ball over on downs in the redzone on their next drive, but shortly after, they’d block a Leipzig punt that would roll out the back of the endzone, forcing a safety and moving the score to 13-9, the kings still ahead.
Cologne got the ball back following the safety, and they’d capitalize on the extra possession. Madre London would get a few great runs, breaking tackles, and ended the drive with a short touchdown run. They’d convert the PAT, making the score 16-13 early in the 2nd quarter.
A Leipzig punt, followed by a Cologne missed field goal, would bring us inside the 2-minute warning, but the Kings would find the endzone once more before halftime. Some great running by Jason Aguemon would set up a nice touchdown from Michael Birdsong to tight end Anton Doroshev. They’d convert the PAT, moving the score to 16-20, kings leading.
Coming out of halftime, the Centurions received the ball, but they punted the ball away on the half’s opening drive. Leipzig returned to the field and picked up right where they left off. Running back Jason Aguemon had a few long runs on the drive, ending it with a 39-yard touchdown run. The PAT would be snapped poorly, causing them not to convert the PAT and increasing their lead to 26-16.
The Centurion’s rough day would continue on their next drive, with Leipzig defensive end/linebacker Kyle Kitchens getting a strip-sack which he’d also recover, setting the Kings up with great field position. Leipzig would score on the 1st play of their next drive, with Michael Birdsong finding wide receiver Anthony Dable-Wolf for a touchdown on a goal-line fade. They’d convert their 2 point attempt, stretching the lead to 34-16.
Cologne’s struggles continued on the following drive, where they’d be forced to punt once again as we approached the end of the 3rd quarter.
Despite their lead, the Kings would not slow down. Michael Birdsong would connect with wide receiver Jaleel Awini for a 48-yard touchdown reception, and running back Jason Aguemon would convert the 2 point attempt, making the score 42-16 early in the 4th quarter.
Both teams would turn the ball over on downs on each of their next drives, and Cologne would find the endzone 1 more time before the end of the game. Running back Glody Ngovo would rush for a short touchdown, and the team would convert the 2 point attempt making the score 42-24.
Leipzig would run/knee the clock out and seal the victory with a final score of 42-24. Both teams will move to a 4-4 record on the season after this game.
Next Opponents
The Leipzig Kings travel to Hamburg in Week 11 to face the Sea Devils on Sunday, August 29th at 9 am EST.
The Cologne Centurions will host the Stuttgart Surge for a Week 11 matchup on Sunday, August 29th, at 9 am EST.
