The Paris Musketeers used a late rally to beat the Berlin Thunder 40-37 at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark in Berlin to continue their quest for the playoffs. Quarterback Zach Edwards was phenomenal, completing 22 of 28 passes (79%) for 332 yards and 6 TDs against zero interceptions.
Berlin opened the scoring in the first quarter with two quick touchdowns by Aaron Jackson, but Paris countered with touchdown catches by Austin Mitchell and Anthony Mahoungou to bring the deficit to 16-14 in the second. Berlin countered with another Jackson TD catch in the final moments of the half to lead the game by 9 at the break, 23-14.
In the third quarter, the Edwards would bring Paris back. First, he found Mitchell on a deep post route from 36 yards out to cut the lead to 23-21. Then, under heavy pressure, he found Hugo Tekadam in the corner to take the lead, before hitting Mitchell again, this time from 7 yards out. Paris’ 19-0 run in the third gave them momentum, but Berlin would fight back with a score of their own, making it 33-30 early in the 4th. Edwards would hit Mitchell on a beautiful back-shoulder fade route in the endzone to give the Musketeers breathing room at 40-30. Mitchell would finish with 9 catches for 172 yards. On the next drive, Berlin QB Jakob Sullivan would scamper in from five yards out to bring them back within 3 points with six minutes remaining. But from there, the Paris offensive line and running back Chris Voumbo would take over, all but running out the clock with a time-sucking six minute drive. Berlin would have one final chance with only seconds remaining, but Sullivan’s desperation throw over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Dauson Dales to end the game.
