The SWARCO Raiders, sister-team of The Oakland Raiders, lost their week 10 matchup in the Austrian Football League (AFL) 6-24 (0-14; 6-3; 0-0; 0-7) at the Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna. With one week left in the regular season this loss means the Tyroleans will enter the playoffs as the 2nd seed.
In the team's last road game of the season head coach Shuan Fatah had to go with many second-stringers as many starters were banged-up in the win over Calanda in the Eurobowl semifinals a week ago.
"Today we went the Austrian Way and I'm very satisfied with the way we played today," said Fatah. "It was a very tactical game. We came out with all the information we wanted to gather."
QB Adrian Platzgummer started in place of QB Kyle Callahan. In his very first start the 17-year old completed 7 of 19 passes for 49 yards with one touchdown and 3 interceptions. RB Lukas Miribung had 9 rushes for 45 yards. RB Andreas Hofbauer had 9 carries for 30 yards and caught 3 balls for 20 yards and a score. DB Enrico Martini caught an interception.
The Vikings started the game at their 28. QB Christoph Gross led his team across the field with completions of 8 yards to WR Laurinho Walch and 15 as well as 14 yards to WR Michael Zweifel. The drive ended with a 15-yard touchdown run by RB Jesse Lewis. The PAT gave Vienna a 7-0 lead with 8:09 left in the first.
The Tyroleans punted on their first series, giving the Vikings the ball back at Vienna's 35. Gross found
WR Stefan Holzinger for 21 and 12 yards and Lewis finished the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. The extra point extended the Vikings lead to 14-0 with 5:34 left in the first.
Starting at their own 26 the SWARCO Raiders third possession ended with DB Benjamin Bubik's interception around midfield. A penalty gave Vienna the ball at the opposing 31. Moments later K Sebastian Daum added a 23-yard firld goal to gibe the Vikings a 17-0 lead with 11:56 left in the second.
After punts on both sides the Tyroleans regained possession at the Vikings 48. Miribung opened the series with runs of 5, 4 and 22 yards. Later Platzgummer found Hofbauer with a 9-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was no good, but the SWARCO Raiders had cut Vienna's lead to 17-6 with 4:22 left in the second.
On the Vikings next drive Martini intercepted Gross around midfield, but the Tyroleans were mot able to turn the pick into points.
After three punts to open the third quarter Vienna finally marched towards the Tyrolean endzone. The drive ended when Daum missed a 22-yard field goal attempt. On the Tyroleans next drive Platzgummer was picked off by LB Philip Stojaspal at the 38. A few plays later Daum missed another kick, this time from 27 yards out.
Again the Tyrolean drive ended with an interception as DB Christian Salvinetti picked off a pass at the Tyrolean 32. This time the Vikings were able to score when Gross threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to WR Maximilian Koesler. The PAT gabe Vienna a 24-6 lead with 3:01 minutes left in the fourth.
Next weekend the SWARCO Raiders host the AFC Rangers on Saturday, June 29. Kickoff at Tivoli Stadium at 8:00 a.m PT (5:00 p.m. CET).
