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Galaxy Ready to Face Fire for World Bowl Title

June 10, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Frankfurt Galaxy News Release


World Bowl XI will bring together the fiercest rivals in all of NFL Europe, as the Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire clash for the third time this season. Both teams have the opportunity to make history in Glasgow, with one team becoming the first ever to win three World Bowls. Frankfurt has already placed itself in the record books, locking down a World Bowl bid in Week Nine to become the first team to qualify for five World Bowls. Rhein fans will remember that it was a 38-7 beating of the Fire that elevated Frankfurt into the championship game. The two teams have split their regular season meetings in 2003, with Rhein pulling out a 7-14 win at home in Week Five before losing in Waldstadion one month later. A glance at the team stats shows Frankfurt appears to have the upper hand. The Galaxy lead the league in every defensive category, and are ranked higher than Rhein in total offense (3,636 yards to 3,085), turnover ratio (+1 to –2), passing yardage (2,285 to 1,700) and total points scored (252 to 189). History, however, has not abandoned the Fire. Rhein still dominates this series, having won 7-8 against the Galaxy.

For Galaxy fans traveling to Glasgow to watch the championship, shuttles will be departing from the Central Train Station every 10 minutes on Saturday, June 14. The shuttles cost 1 euro each way and will be available throughout the day.

GALAXY STATS LEADERS (Final NFLE Rank)

Rushing Yards: Jonas Lewis – 669 (3rd)

Passing: James Brown – 1402 (5th)

Receiving Yards: Marc Lester – 678 (2nd)

Receptions: Marc Lester – 45 (2nd)

Rushing Touchdowns: Jonas Lewis – 8 (1st tied)

Receiving Touchdowns: Robert Baker – 7 (1st tied)

Tackles: Fred Jones – 51

Sacks: Joey Evans – 8 (2nd)

Points (non-kickers): Jonas Lewis – 54 (2nd)

LAST WEEK’S GALAXY ACTION

A mental letdown in Week Ten was almost inevitable. After a highly emotional victory over the Rhein Fire to clinch a World Bowl berth, the Frankfurt Galaxy appeared less than interested through much of a 27-14 loss in the season finale to the Berlin Thunder. A sloppy and penalty-ridden first half by the Galaxy led to a 20-0 halftime deficit, a situation Frankfurt hasn’t seen too many times this season. It was clear from the start that it could be a long game for the Galaxy, as RB-Jonas Lewis fumbled the first offensive play of the game. Berlin recovered and converted the field goal three plays later to take the early 3-0 lead. The Frankfurt offense could generate yardage but no points in the first frame, while the defense was uncharacteristically vulnerable against the run. Berlin, long since out of World Bowl contention, came out determined to give the 13,768 fans in attendance a worthy show in the final week of the season. They owned the first half, capitalizing on a steady stream of Galaxy miscues.

Frankfurt entered the second half with renewed focus and intensity, clawing back into the game on a 3-yard Lewis touchdown run, his eighth of the season. The PAT attempt failed, leaving Frankfurt trailing 20-6. That margin closed further when QB-Quinn Gray found WR-Robert Baker break open on a deep crossing route over the middle. Gray caught Baker in stride, and no Berlin defender could catch him as he raced 47 yards for his team-leading seventh receiving touchdown of the year. Unfortunately, the team could get no closer, as Berlin LB-Jamel White sealed the deal with a 46-yard interception return touchdown in the fourth quarter. Despite the loss, the Galaxy responded admirably in the second half. The offense compiled 314 total yards, including 234 through the air. The defense meanwhile, was a nightmare for Berlin’s passing attack. CB-Jeremy Unertl took his fourth interception of the season, while the secondary limited Berlin to just 87 yards through the air. The front seven harassed Berlin’s quarterbacks all day, claiming a season-high 8 sacks. The unexpected loss, combined with Rhein’s big win against F.C. Barcelona, set up the all-German World Bowl XI matchup.

FRANKFURT GALAXY 2003 SCHEDULE

DATE OPP. TIME RESULT

April 5 F.C. Barcelona 7:00pm W 15-13

April 13 at Scotland 3:00pm W 17-13

April 19 Berlin 7:00pm W 41-21

April 26 at Amsterdam 5:00pm L 16-20

May 3 at Rhein 7:00pm L 7-14

May 10 Scotland 7:00pm W 33-27

May 17 Amsterdam 7:00pm L 24-27

May 24 at F.C. Barcelona 5:30pm W 47-13

June 1 Rhein 4:00pm W 38-7

June 7 at Berlin 7:00pm L 14-27

JUNE 14 World Bowl XI 5:00pm ----------- Hampden Park, Glasgow

MEET THE OFFENSE

The Galaxy offensive unit is headed by offensive coordinator Dwain Painter. In his third year with the team, Painter has established one of the most balanced offensive philosophies in NFL Europe. The Galaxy are one of the few teams in the league to employ a tailback – fullback combination. But Painter will also utilize three and four wide receivers in his formations, giving quarterbacks James Brown and Quinn Gray (NFL/Jaguars) ample targets downfield. Brown and Gray have alternated under center all season, a trend which will continue in the World Bowl. Joining them in the backfield are Jonas Lewis and bruising fullback Corey McIntyre (NFL/Eagles). Lewis set a new club record this season with 8 rushing touchdowns and is third in the league with 669 yards on the ground. The receiving corp. consists of Robert Baker (NFL/Dolphins), Marc Lester (NFL/Ravens) and Galaxy veterans Brian McDonald and Marc Soumah. Lester and Baker have proven almost unstoppable this season, with Lester ranked second in the league in receptions (45) and receiving yards (678). Baker is second in the league with 7 receiving touchdowns and was widely considered the most dangerous deep-threat in the league this season. Josh Whitman is a proven clutch player at tight end. A stout front line is led by Michael “Mookie” Moore (NFL/Broncos). David Pruce, Kendrick Rogers (NFL/Cardinals), Corey Mitchell and Joe Jackson round out the hogs up front.

MEET THE DEFENSE

The potential hinted at in training camp was clearly reached this season, as the defensive unit etched its name as one of the most dominant in NFLE history. Frankfurt is the run-away champion in all defensive categories, including total defense, run defense and interceptions. Defensive coordinator Bob Valesente’s players have bought into his philosophy of high speed pursuit, disciplined play and relentlessness. An overpowering front four includes Joey Evans (NFL/Seahawks), who ends the season ranked No. 2 in sacks with 8. He earned Week One Defensive Player of the Week after a 3 sack, 8 tackle, 1 FF performance. His brothers in the trenches are John Schlecht (NFL/Saints), Luis Almanzar (NFL/Seahawks) and Buck Gurley (NFL/Buccaneers). The linebacking unit consists of team-leading tackler Fred Jones, Idris Price (NFL/Buccaneers) and Dustin Cohen. The defensive backfield has its share of playmakers, topped by league interception leaders Rashidi Barnes and Jeremy Unertl (NFL/Packers). Both players have stolen 4 passes this season. Calvin Spears holds down the free safety position while Chris Pointer (NFL/Panthers) mans the corner.

2003 NFL EUROPE FINAL STANDINGS

TEAM W L T HOME AWAY PF PA

FRANKFURT 6 4 0 4-1 2-3 252 182

Rhein 6 4 0 4-1 2-3 189 188

Scotland 6 4 0 3-2 2-3 303 190

F.C. Barcelona 5 5 0 2-3 3-2 150 221

Amsterdam 4 6 0 2-3 3-2 230 273

Berlin 3 7 0 2-3 3-2 248 318

FLASHBACK : JUNE 1, 2003

Galaxy fans will long remember the last meeting between the two arch-rivals. Frankfurt cast off a five game losing streak to the Fire, dominating them 38-7 in front of a sellout crowd at Waldstadion. The win ensured the Galaxy of its NFLE record fifth trip to the World Bowl, and marked the first career victory for Head Coach Doug Graber against Rhein. The Galaxy played possibly its most complete game of the season, racking up 438 yards of total offense while limiting Rhein to just 206. The Fire had no answers for the WR combo of Marc Lester and Robert Baker, who torched them throughout the game. Lester finished the game with 113 yards and 1 touchdown, all in the first half. Baker added 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, the first of which came after he leaped over the heads of two Rhein defenders. RBs Jonas Lewis and Adam Tate each added short-yardage touchdowns to the cause, while QB-Quinn Gray continued to sparkle, throwing for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Baker was named the Week Nine Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

The defense was possibly more dominant than the offense. Rhein’s rushing attack is the basis for its entire offense. In two games against Frankfurt, Rhein has rushed for less than 70 total yards. The front seven gave up only 24 yards rushing on 16 carries, an average of 1.5 yards per carry. Unable to run the ball, Rhein was forced to put the ball in the air 44 times. SS-Chris Young and CB-Jeremy Unertl picked off two of those passes, with Young’s coming on Frankfurt’s 3-yard line. The defense held the shutout through most of the game, giving up the lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

MEET THE COACHES

DOUG GRABER

Doug Graber became the fourth head coach in Frankfurt Galaxy history on September 18, 2000, taking the torch from Dick Curl. In his first season at the helm, Graber’s team suffered through a 3-7 record. The squad entered 2002 much improved. With lessons learned, the team jumped out to a league-best 4-1 record. Unfortunately, that team was decimated by injuries and limped to a 6-4 finish, just missing a World Bowl appearance. In his third season, Graber’s focus has been on consistent improvement from week to week. The final goal was always the World Bowl. In his third year as head coach, he has taken the Galaxy from the bottom to the championship game. Graber’s overall record stands at 15-14, and 1-5 against the Rhein Fire.

Graber was head coach at Rutgers University from 1990 to 1995, after serving two years as head of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. The 1988 Bucs posted the best rushing defense in the NFL. Graber also made a mark while defensive backs coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1983 to ’86. His secondary during those four years recorded an NFL record 120 interceptions. He was head coach at Montana State University in 1982 after spending three years as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin. Graber began his coaching career at St. Francis Cahrini High School, where he was head coach from 1967-68. The school was unbeaten in those two years and won two championships.

Graber, a native of Detroit, MI., is married to Brenda and has two sons, Joe and Jerome. The Graber’s currently reside in Tampa, FL., where he hosts a weekly NFL television show and does color commentary of Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason football.

PETE KUHARCHEK

Coach Pete Kuharchek enters his third season as head coach after leading the Fire to a 7-3 mark in 2002 and a World Bowl appearance. Coach Kuharchek was promoted to head coach in 2000 after five seasons as Fire defensive coordinator. Under Kuharchek, the Fire's defense ranked No. 1 overall in NFL Europe in 1999 and No. 1 against the run in 1996, ‘98 and ‘99.

As a player, Kuharchek started at linebacker for two years at George Washington University and a further two years at the University of Tampa. He also began his coaching career at the University of Tampa, serving as linebackers coach in 1970.

From 1972-75, Kuharchek was defensive coordinator at Tampa Catholic High School before returning to the college ranks as a defensive assistant at the University of Kentucky in 1976. He served for two years as defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before stints at Holy Cross (defensive assistant) and East Tennessee State University (defensive coordinator).

His first venture into pro football came in the USFL, where he served as linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Bandits from 1983-85. He was defensive coordinator at Memphis State University from 1986-89 and spent a year with the CFL’s British Columbia Lions.

In 1992, his first season in the NFLEL, Kuharchek’s Orlando Thunder were beaten in the World Bowl by the Sacramento Surge. From 1993-95 he returned to UTEP before teaming up with Galen Hall and the Fire in 1996. Kuharchek won World Bowl rings with the Fire in 1998 and 2000. He has led Rhein to a record four consecutive winning seasons.

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