Russell Tabor Named MVP of the BIG4 Weekend

Russell Tabor led the Munich Ravens into the first EFA Championship Game and earned MVP honors for the BIG4 Weekend with an outstanding performance in the semifinal. In the 52-33 victory over Frankfurt Galaxy, the quarterback was responsible for five touchdowns, threw for 360 yards and repeatedly caused problems for the Frankfurt defense with his legs as well.

Tabor completed 32 of his 45 pass attempts for 360 yards and two touchdowns. He added 36 rushing yards on 14 carries and three more touchdowns on the ground. In total, the Ravens quarterback was responsible for five of Munich’s seven touchdowns and led his team to Innsbruck, where Nordic Storm awaits in the EFA Championship Game on August 29.

Five Touchdowns on the Road to Innsbruck

Tabor made his presence felt on the very first drive of the semifinal. The Ravens moved the ball 65 yards in nine plays before the quarterback finished the drive himself with a one-yard run for the 7-0 lead. After Frankfurt tied the game just eight seconds later on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Zach Calzada to Brevin Easton, Munich responded immediately. This time, Tabor led his offense on a 12-play drive and eventually found Justin Rodney for a seven-yard touchdown to make it 14-7.

Frankfurt remained in the game. After another Ravens touchdown by Ron Tiavaasue, Galaxy fought its way back and cut the deficit to 21-24 shortly before halftime. The semifinal was therefore completely open at the break. After halftime, however, Tabor ultimately became the decisive factor.

A 66-yard pass to Louis Geyer took Munich deep into Frankfurt territory on the Ravens’ first drive of the second half. Tabor finished it himself from one yard out to make it 30-21. Shortly afterward, Justus Seelig added a three-yard rushing touchdown before Tabor also carried the ball into the end zone himself on the two-point conversion. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the quarterback scored his third rushing touchdown of the night. From two yards out, Tabor extended the lead to 45-21 and put the Ravens firmly on course for the Championship Game.

Even when Frankfurt managed to cut into the deficit again, Tabor had the answer. Munich put together another long drive that took valuable time off the clock before the quarterback connected with Louis Geyer for an 18-yard touchdown. It was Tabor’s second passing touchdown and his fifth score of the night.

Tabor and Geyer Dominate Through the Air

The connection between Tabor and Geyer in particular caused major problems for the Galaxy defense. Geyer was targeted 15 times and caught 12 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception alone went for 66 yards. Justin Rodney added three receptions for 18 yards and caught Tabor’s first passing touchdown of the game.

Beyond that, the quarterback distributed the ball to numerous targets. Marvin Rutsch caught all seven passes thrown his way for 61 yards, Justus Seelig finished with three receptions for 25 yards and Malik Stanley recorded three catches for 22 yards.

Tabor finished the game with 32 completions on 45 attempts, 360 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 100.2. With an additional 36 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, he was responsible for five scores in total. The Ravens produced 482 yards of offense and 30 first downs as a team while converting nine of their 14 third downs.

Chambers and Faithfull Also Honored

Alongside the MVP of the BIG4 Weekend, the Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week were also honored. The defensive award went to Frankfurt Galaxy defensive back Mason Chambers. In a game in which the Galaxy defense spent long stretches on the field, Chambers recorded 15 total tackles. Thirteen of them were solo tackles, with two additional assisted tackles.

Dean Faithfull of the Paris Musketeers was named Special Teams Player of the Week. The kicker scored his team’s only six points in the semifinal against Nordic Storm. Faithfull converted two field goals, including a 55-yarder that gave the Musketeers an early 3-0 lead. He also averaged 62.7 yards on his kickoffs.

The Previous EFA MVPs

Week 1: Russell Tabor, Munich Ravens, Quarterback
Week 2: Roberto Miranda, Nordic Storm, Tight End
Week 3: Brevin Easton, Frankfurt Galaxy, Wide Receiver
Week 4: Chris Mulumba, Frankfurt Galaxy, Defensive Lineman
Week 5: Jaylen Clay, Frankfurt Galaxy, Defensive Back
Week 6: Matyáš Bílý, Prague Lions, Wide Receiver
Week 7: Jaylon Henderson, Prague Lions, Quarterback
Week 8: Ethan Garbers, Frankfurt Galaxy, Quarterback
Week 9: Hugo Dyrendahl, Nordic Storm, Linebacker
Week 10: Kenyatte Allen Jr., Raiders Tirol, Quarterback
Week 11: League-wide Bye Week
Week 12: Lukas Haslwanter, Raiders Tirol, Running Back
Week 13: Wilfried Pene, Nordic Storm, Defensive Lineman
BIG4 Weekend: Russell Tabor, Munich Ravens, Quarterback