Thunder Face Rival Rhein Fire in World Bowl Rematch
April 9, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Berlin Thunder News Release
The two-time defending World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder (0-1) look to get back on the winning track as they play their home opener at Berlin's historic Olympic Stadium on Sunday April 13, against the Rhein Fire (0-1). The Thunder are attempting to make it a repeat of last year's World Bowl, a 26-20 triumph against the rival Fire, and their first regular season win against Rhein since May 12, 2001. Last week, the Thunder suffered a 62-31 loss in Scotland while the Fire lost a heartbreaker on the final play of the game, 17-15, versus Amsterdam.
TV:
Sunday's contest will be broadcast live in the United States on Direct TV at 10:00am EST, on tape delay on DSF in Berlin on Sunday night at 11:30pm, and again on Premiere in Berlin at 1:45am early Monday morning. The U.S. play-by-play will be handled by veteran Fox Sports Northwest broadcaster Rich Cellini, with color commentary coming from former NFL quarterback Kelly Stouffer. Kick-off at Olympic Stadium is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local Berlin time.
THE SERIES
With Berlin winning the 2002 World Bowl championship 26-20, they broke a three-game slide against the Fire. Rhein, however, leads the all-time series 6-3 with victories of 20-16 and 24-14 against the Thunder in the 2002 regular season.
Berlin's Largest Margin of Victory: 6; 26-20 (June 22, 2002) in World Bowl X and 23-17 (May 12, 2001) in Berlin
Rhein's Largest Margin of Victory: 29; 29-0 (June 5, 1999) in Berlin
Most Recent Tie: There has never been a tie
Current Winning Streak: Thunder 1, (June 22, 2002- Present)
LAST TIME VS. RHEIN
Two touchdown receptions by wide receiver Dane Looker powered the Berlin Thunder to victory in World Bowl X, making them the first team in league history to win back-to-back championship games.
Looker - allocated by the St. Louis Rams - caught touchdown passes of 41 and 15 yards from Todd Husak as the Thunder opened up a 20-0 halftime lead before holding off Rhein's second half charge.
But victory was only assured for Berlin on the game's final play when Tee Martin's desperation pass attempt from his own 36-yard line fell incomplete as time expired.
The hometown Fire got off to a shaky start when Martin was intercepted near midfield by safety Ontei Jones on the second offensive play of the game.
Berlin moved into scoring range as running back Anthony White picked up 9 yards on a screen pass and ripped off a 13-yard run. But the drive stalled at the Rhein 30-yard line and the Thunder settled for a 47-yard field goal by Danny Boyd and an early 3-0 lead.
After Rhein went three and out on their next possession, Berlin took full advantage and opened up a 10-0 lead when Husak - under heavy pressure - fired a 41-yard touchdown strike to a leaping Looker, who raced down the middle of the field to the end zone.
The Fire found themselves in further trouble when Martin was intercepted by linebacker Keith Adams at the Berlin 47-yard line. Adams ran the ball back 43 yards to the Fire 10-yard line.
Three incompletions meant the Thunder could not find the end zone but they did pick up another three points on Axel Kruse's 27-yard field goal to lead 13-0 after 15 minutes of play.
Late in the second quarter, Berlin made the most of the opportunity presented to them when Husak fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to Looker, who made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone. Kruse added the PAT for a 20-0 lead.
Rhein did find the end zone on their next possession after the Thunder went three and out. Martin hit wide receiver Jimmy Robinson for gains of 9 and 26 yards before Tony Taylor sprinted untouched into the end zone from 6 yards out.
Following a 41-yard kickoff return by Ahmad Hawkins, Berlin began moving the ball downfield again on Husak completions of 1 and 11 yards to Looker and 7 yards to wide receiver Kenny Christian.
Although Berlin failed to find the end zone, they stretched their lead to 23-7 on Boyd's 45-yard field goal.
Rhein continued to fight back early in the fourth quarter when Martin completed eight passes on a 65-yard scoring drive. Robinson caught 4 passes for 40 yards on the march while fellow wideout Scott Cloman added an 18-yard catch before leaping high in the end zone to reel in a 2-yard touchdown pass from Martin.
The two-point pass attempt failed but the Fire had pulled to within ten and trailed 23-13.
Berlin's response to Rhein's touchdown was immediate as Husak hit Looker for 16 yards and White reeled off an 11-yard run to the Fire 35-yard line. Another 15 yards were tacked on when defensive tackle Brandon Miller was flagged for a late hit.
The Thunder could advance no closer but stretched their lead to 26-13 when Boyd kicked his third field goal of the day - this time from 38 yards out.
However, Rhein never gave up the chase and put together a late drive to score on Martin's 1-yard sneak with 20 seconds remaining.
Fire safety Deke Cooper then recovered the onside kick at their own 40-yard line but Martin was sacked by defensive tackle Cleveland Pinkney and then threw incomplete on the final play to end another thrilling World Bowl.
A THUNDER VICTORY WOULD...
- Improve Peter Vaas's career coaching record to 17-15 in the regular season and to 4-4 against the Fire.
- Improve the franchise overall record to 22-22.
- Give the Thunder their second win in a row against their heated rival.
HEAD COACHES
PETER VAAS completed his third season as head coach of the Berlin Thunder by leading his squad to the team's season best-tying record at 6-4 and their second consecutive World Bowl title in 2002. Vaas finished his fifth year of coaching in NFL Europe, having joined the league in 1998 as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Barcelona Dragons. In 1999 as offensive assistant he helped the Dragons to a league best 7-3 record and a World Bowl berth. Under his guidance running back Lawrence Phillips rushed for 1,021 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named the league's Offensive MVP. Vaas began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at Allegheny College and from 1979-85 worked as offensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire. In 1986, Vaas returned to Allegheny as their head coach, guiding a team that had not posted a winning record in seven years to two North Coast Athletic Conference championships. In his second season he led the Gators to an undefeated 9-0-1 regular season record. Vaas went on to become running backs and then quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame. There he coached players such as Rick Mirer, Jerome Bettis, and Ricky Watters, all of who became top-flight NFL players. He was head coach at Holy Cross from 1992 to 1995 before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League. Peter Vaas is married to Rosann and they have two daughters, Katelyn and Kelly and reside in Hampton, New Hampshire.
PETE KUHARCHEK enters his second season as head coach after leading the Fire to a 5-5 mark in 2001. Promoted to head coach in 2000 after five seasons as Fire defensive coordinator. Helped Rhein record four straight winning seasons in that time. Under Kuharchek, the Fire's defense ranked number one overall in NFL Europe in 1999. Against the run, they have been number one on three occasions (1996, 1998, 1999) and topped the ratings against the pass in 1999. 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 Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions and then the University of Texas-El Paso. In 1992, his first season in the NFL Europe League, Kuharchek helped the Orlando Thunder gain a place in World Bowl, where they were beaten by the Sacramento Surge. Kuharchek won World Bowl rings with the Fire in 1998 and 2000.
FROM COACH VAAS
(on what he is looking for this week)
"It should be a great day. We are at home, playing our German rivals in the Rhein Fire and we will be going all out to get a win. It is great for the NFL Europe League, for visiting teams and for the Berlin Thunder to be playing at a venue like the Olympic Stadium. We have practiced at that site for four years now and it never ceases to amaze me how much historical importance is in that stadium." (on the keys to the game)
"The big keys for us are sticking with the game plan, taking care of the ball on offense, and forcing turnovers on defense. We also need to make sure that we produce in the red zone and finish off our drives with points."
WHAT TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK FROM THE FIRE
The Rhein Fire offense is led by a tandem of talented quarterbacks including Nick Rolovich (Denver Broncos) and Chris Greisen. Rolovich got the starting nod against the Admirals after a successful training camp which included a long touchdown strike to wide receiver Emmett Johnson in the scrimmage versus Berlin at Raymond James Stadium but Greisen also will split time, playing in the second and fourth quarters. Both quarterbacks combined for 95 yards passing in Week One.
Lining up in the Fire backfield this season are four multi-faceted running backs. Starting is NFL veteran Autry Denson (Detroit Lions) who offers a scat-back mentality and sure hands. Denson had 65 yards rushing against Amsterdam on a 5.9-yard average.
With a facet of tall and quick wide receivers, this group of wideouts is Rhein's most talented corps in years. Leading the way are Johnson (Seattle Seahawks), Kendall Newson (Miami Dolphins) and Charlie Adams (Denver Broncos) for the three-wide Rhein set.
The defensive line has two bookends in Andre Arnold and Corey Callens, a Fire veteran. Callens contributed with one sack against Amsterdam. The run-stopping tandem of Brad Harris (New York Giants) and Josh McKibben (Tampa Bay Bucs) will help anchor the line.
Rhein's linebacking corps may be the strongest portion of the defense. Top NFL allocation draft pick Courtney Ledyard (New England Patriots) leads the group as the middle linebacker (12 tackles vs. Ams) with Charles Burton (Arizona Cardinals), who had two tackles for loss on Saturday, and Rhein veteran Jamel Smith (nine tackles vs. Ams) playing outside.
The secondary is led by cornerbacks Teddy Gaines (Chicago Bears) and Tony Lukins (Oakland Raiders). Safety Greg Brown, a member of the Fire in 2002, and Abdual Howard (Jacksonville Jaguars) play safety.
On special teams, Denson is the primary returner for punts (16.0-yard average) and is joined by Kendall Newson (three returns for 87 yards) for kickoffs. Punting for Rhein is Jay Taylor (Cleveland Browns) and kicks are handled by Todd France (Minnesota Vikings) and former German soccer star Ingo Anderbrugge, who made a 23-yarder on Saturday.
THUNDER OFFENSIVE NOTES
-Quarterbacks Henry Burris (Chicago Bears) and Phil Stambaugh will split time again in Week 2, Coach Vaas decided following a closely contested battle throughout training camp.
-Both Burris and Stambaugh looked impressive in Tampa and were therefore rewarded with leading the team every other quarter. Burris will play during the first and third quarters and Stambaugh will get the nod for the second and fourth periods. In Week 1 at Scotland, Stambaugh finished the day 19 of 27 for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Burris's numbers were equally as impressive as he completed 12 of 16 passes for 149 yards, two touchdowns (one rushing), and one interception.
-Running backs Sedrick Irvin (Miami Dolphins) and David Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars) provide the ground game with an effective variety of styles. Irvin is a power runner that can get the team those much-needed extra yards while Allen uses his quickness to make opposing defenders miss and has great breakaway speed. Irvin put up quality numbers last weekend against the Claymores rushing for 53 yards on 6 carries, including a 46-yard scamper. The former Michigan State star also was effective as a receiver out of the backfield catching 7 balls for 70 yards. Allen finished his day with 30 yards on 11 carries, while also setting an NFL Europe record with 10 kickoff returns.
-Wide receivers Elijah Thurmon (Chicago Bears) and Sean Scott (Philadelphia Eagles) led the team in receptions throughout the training camp scrimmages, while Pierre Brown (Detroit Lions) serves as the team's deep threat.
-The most impressive catch of camp came on a 30-yard snag by Scott against Amsterdam in which he leaped up over two defenders, took a brutal hit that sent him crashing to the ground, and still held on to the ball.
-Brown had the longest reception of the day against Scotland last week when he hauled in a 44-yarder from Burris on the third play of the game. His final stats included 6 grabs for 97 yards, tops on the team. The speedster from Wayne State also caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Stambaugh in the second quarter.
-Center Josh Warner (Chicago Bears) and tackle Freddie Moore return for their second seasons with the Thunder and help anchor one of the biggest offensive lines that the organization has had in its five years of existence.
-German national wide receiver Jörg Heckenbach is in his seventh year in the league and fifth with the Thunder. He finished with 12 catches for 205 yards in 2002, including a 66-yard reception and started off the 2003 campaign with a 20-yard touchdown snag against the Claymores in Week 1.
THUNDER DEFENSIVE NOTES
- Free agent acquisition Salem Simon has stood out at defensive tackle throughout the first few weeks together with his new teammates. The 6-3, 273 pounder from Northwestern plays a key role for a defensive line that has already suffered several injuries. -Cornerbacks Tim Carter and Foad Ajdir, safety Lelan Brickus, and linebacker Joe Wesley are all returning to the Thunder defense for the 2003 season. Carter, Ajdir, and Brickus in 2002 and Wesley in 2001. Brickus, a German national in his fourth season with Berlin, was named NFL Europe National Player of the Week in week 8 for his performance against Scotland last season.
-Defensive back Travis Coleman (Chicago Bears) was one of the bright spots for Berlin in Week 1. He picked off a pass thrown by Claymore quarterback Shane Stafford and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
-Wesley, Berlin's veteran defensive leader, has been sent to Birmingham, Alabama to rehabilitate his injured wrist
-Defensive back Jeff Harris, who was sent to Birmingham during training camp due to a knee injury, has rejoined the team this week and will be active for Sunday's game.
THUNDER SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
-Kicker Axel Kruse looks to extend his consecutive PAT streak to 79.
-Punter Steve Cheek has been impressive throughout training camp and in Week 1. He punted twice at Scotland last week with a stellar average of 51.5 yards per boot.
ADDITIONAL THUNDER NOTES FROM WEEK 1 ACTION
-Quarterback Henry Burris (Chicago Bears) played in six NFL games for the Bears in 2002 and looked sharp in his Thunder debut through the air. He also rushed for 14 yards and scored on a 12-yard scramble
-Free agent Quarterback Phil Stambaugh returned to NFL Europe this season and faces his old team in the Rhein Fire (2001) this week.
-Running Back Sedrick Irvin (Miami Dolphins) led Thunder with 123 total yards in Week 1.
-Running back David Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars) set NFLEL single-game record last week with 10 kickoff returns (188 yards). Besides his success on the ground, he also caught 3 passes for 35 yards.
-Wide receiver Kirk Rogers (Kansas City Chiefs) caught 1 pass for 9 yards last week ...
-Wide receiver Elijah Thurmon (Chicago Bears) was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Caught 5 passes for 44 yards last week.
-National wide receiver Jörg Heckenbach caught 2 passes for 35 yards and 1 touchdown in season opener last week. Boasts career figures of 7 receptions for 102 yards vs. Fire, including 4 catches for 79 yards in 2002.
-Receiver Sean Scott (Philadelphia Eagles) caught 1 pass for 5 yards last week.
-Tight end Bryan Fletcher (Chicago Bears) caught 3 passes for 34 yards last week.
-Tight end Chad Hayes (Tennessee Titans) earned All-Atlantic 10 honors while serving as a team captain at Maine. Caught 1 pass for 15 yards vs. Scotland in Week 1.
-Defensive end Reggie Grimes played in eight games for New England in 2000. Recorded 3 tackles last week.
-Linebacker Josh Symonette (Miami Dolphins) played in three NFL games for the Washington Redskins in 2000. Returns to Thunder after missing season opener while getting married.
-Linebacker Jamal White (Oakland Raiders) recorded 3 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defense last week.
-Linebacker Chaz Murphy (Detroit Lions) also boasts NFL experience with the Washington Redskins. Recorded 3 tackles last week.
-Safety Clint Finley (Kansas City Chiefs) played in one regular season game for the Chiefs in 2002 (vs. Oakland) and made 1 tackle. Led Berlin with 6 tackles last week.
-Cornerback Travis Coleman (Chicago Bears) played in seven NFL regular season games in 2002, recording 3 tackles. Scored on a 38-yard interception return last week and added 6 tackles, 2 special teams stops and 1 pass defense.
-German safety Lelan Brickus recorded 1 tackle last week. Made 5 tackles vs. Fire last season.
-Safety Tim Carter made 5 tackles and knocked down 1 pass last week.
-German kicker Axel Kruse is in his fifth season and is the Thunder's all-time leading scorer with 130 points, after adding 1 field goal and 4 PATs last week.
National Football League Europa Stories from April 9, 2003
- Galaxy to Visit Claymores - Frankfurt Galaxy
- NFLE Injury Report - NFLE
- Thunder Face Rival Rhein Fire in World Bowl Rematch - Berlin Thunder
- Claymores Continue Season-Opening Homestand - Scottish Claymores
- Admirals Host Dragons in Home Opener - Amsterdam Admirals
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