PIKES HOME OPENER, JUNE 9th vs DARMSTADT DIAMONDS

The Pikes are back in the 2^nd league!  After a 1 year hiatus from the 2^nd highest Division in the German American Football League, the Pikes return to GFL 2 with high expectations.  “We expect to compete for the league title” claims Head Coach Jason Nowlin.  “I think to a man we would be disappointed if we aren’t in the position to claim the league come September” continued Nowlin. 

Last year the Pikes competed in the Regional Center Division(3^rd League), and dominated the competition to a perfect 10-0 record which included a 27-0 win over the Frankfurt Universe in what ended up being a Championship game, due in fact that both teams came into the last game of the year at 9-0.  This season the Pikes have started off strong with a 2-0 start with road wins over Darmstadt and Holzgerlingen, two of the leagues pre-season favorites.  “We’re definitely happy with our start, though we have a lot to improve on.  But anytime you can win on the road, it’s a major advantage when trying to compete for a league title.” Said Nowlin.  Most of last year’s championship team is still intact, including Fan Choice Player of the Year, TSgt Eric Walton.  Last season Walton rushed for a team record 2600 yards and 31 touchdowns and is already off to a good start with 344 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns through two games this season.  The defense will again be anchored down by Linebacker’s Kamil Mazur and MSgt Brian Watkins.  Last season the Pikes defense only gave up an average of 4.7 points a game in the second half which included 7 shutouts.  At the present time the Kaiserslautern Pikes has the 2^nd longest regular season winning streak in Germany at 12 games.

The Pikes will kick off their 7 game home slate with a return trip from the Darmstadt Diamonds on June 9.   Currently the Diamonds sit at 0-2 losing another close game this past weekend 23-17, as they were stopped at the 1 yard line as time expired.  They will then return to Schulezentrum Sud on July 7 against the Nuremberg Rams.

K-Town was victorious in their 2^nd game versus the Holzgerlingen Twisters back on May 26, 18-14.  The game came down to the final seconds as the Twisters drove the ball inside the Pikes 20 only to have a pass attempt intercepted in the endzone by Thilo Asel to seal the win for the visiting Pikes.  Eric Walton led a 266 yard rushing attack with 197 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The defense was led by Kamil Mazur who had 7 tackles and LuKas Mertens with 5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. 

Story by Chad Adamczyk