Last season LB Florian Hueter and the SWARCO RAIDERS lost at Prague (Photo: Schellhorn)
On Saturday the SWARCO RAIDERS, sister-team of The Oakland Raiders, face the Prague Black Panthers in the Austrian Football League (AFL). Kickoff at Prague's Slavia Stadium is at 7:00 a.m. PT (4:00 p.m. CET).
"Prague will be a huge challenge for us", said SWARCO RAIDERS head coach Shuan Fatah. "Last season we lost our first game to Prague since the team joined the AFL in 2010. Obviously we want to settle the score. We have to play focused, because their offense is extremely dangerous"
The Black Panthers love to play tight gmes this season. In their season opener they fell to the Vienna Vikings 31-30 at home. A week later they beat Graz 34-28. Their third game was a 35-34 victory over the Danube Dragons.
Just like the Black Panthers the SWARCO RAIDERS have won two AFL contests. After losing at Vienna and at Danube Dragons to start the season, the Tyroleans beat Graz (51-14) and the Vikings (30-17) at home.
The last time the SWARCO RAIDERS traveled to Prague they lost their for the first time since the Czech team joined the AFL in 2010. It was the Tyroleans first loss against Prague after eight straight wins and the first loss since 2002. In those eight games the SWARCO RAIDERS scored an average of 46 points.
PLAYERS2WATCH:
#12 Sean Shelton (QB, SWARCO RAIDERS Tirol): Sean Shelton has played two games in the AFL thus far – both against Vienna. He completed 37 of 69 passes for 483 yards with 5 touchdowns and one interception. He also had 21 rushes for 110 yards and a score.
#22 Fabien-André Gärtner (RB, SWARCO RAIDERS Tirol): In his first season with the SWARCO RAIDERS Fabien-André Gärtner has gained 190 yards on 43 carries in the AFL. He scored twice. He also caught 6 balls for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.
#30 Alexander Achammer (DB; SWARCO RAIDERS Tirol): Since 2014 Alexander Achammer is a starting defensive back for the SWARCO RAIDERS. This season he had 13 tackles (10 solo) and defended 5 passes. He also leads the team with 4 interceptions and was named "Player of the week" two weeks ago.
#8 Kyle Newhall-Caballero (QB, Prague Black Panthers): Kyle Newhall-Caballero used to be with the Oakland Raiders. He enters his second season with Prague. Last year he threw 31 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. This season he completed 71 of 115 passes with 12 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He also had 14 rushes for 47 yards.
#11 Jan Dundacek (WR; Prague Black Panthers): Jan Dundacek is a houdehold name in Czech football. In 2014 he led the AFL with 69 catches for 1,127 yards and 13 touchdowns. This season he has caught 29 balls for 499 yards ans 3 scores.
#45 Karel Augusta (LB; Prague Black Panthers): Karel Augusta is second on the team with 15 tackles (14 solo). He leads his defense with 3 tackles for loss and a sack. He is now a leader on the Black Panthers defense after having only 12 tackles all last season.
