Sullivan and Cole Show Leads Berlin Thunder to Comfortable Win Over Firenze Red Lions

Cole breaks the single game receiving yards record as Thunder roll to back-to-back wins

Final Score: Berlin Thunder at Firenze Red Lions – 45:12

Thunder Come Out Flying

Berlin wasted no time making their intentions clear. The Thunder converted two of their first three drives into touchdowns, setting the tone early and putting Firenze on the back foot before the game had really found its rhythm. After a shaky start to the season, Berlin are starting to look like a team that knows exactly what it wants to do.

Firenze Make It Tough for a Half

To their credit, the Red Lions did not simply roll over. The Firenze offense showed some life in the early stages, and at halftime it was the defense that stepped up and gave Berlin genuine problems. For a stretch, the Thunder found it difficult to move the ball and Firenze looked capable of making this a contest. It did not last. As the game wore on, the Red Lions ran out of answers on both sides of the ball, and Berlin pulled away with a comfortable final margin.

Kicking Woes on Both Sides

One notable subplot was the struggles in the kicking game. Between both teams, five field goal attempts produced just two successful kicks, and only three of six point after touchdown attempts were converted. Yards were being gained, but points were being left behind throughout the afternoon.

Cole Rewrites the Record Books

The story of the game was the connection between quarterback Jakeb Sullivan and wide receiver Jon Cole. Sullivan was exceptional, throwing for 431 passing yards and five touchdowns in a performance that showed just how dangerous this offense can be when it is firing. Cole was even better. The American receiver hauled in 12 catches for 230 receiving yards, a new single game record in the league, and found the end zone four times. The chemistry between the two is becoming one of the most exciting things in the AFLE right now.

What’s Next

The Firenze Red Lions head into Week 4 with a road trip to London to face the Warriors. Berlin Thunder, meanwhile, travel to Poland for a tough away game against the Panthers Wroclaw.