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September 6th, 2008
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Claws coming out for Super Bowl rematch

Panthers, Lions clash in football finale

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
June 25th, 2008 issue

Super Bowl 15


Panthers vs. Lions
Friday, June 27, 6 p.m.
Slavia Stadium (Eden),
Prague 10-Vršovice
Super Bowl winners
1995 Panthers 55 Lions 22
1996 Panthers 48 Ostrava 30
1997 Ostrava 35 Panthers 21
1998 Lions 29 Panthers 8
1999 Panthers 38 Lions 0
2000 Panthers 15 Lions 13
2001 Panthers 35 Brno 13
2002 Panthers 54 Brno 14
2003 Panthers 23 Lions 14
2004 Lions 13 Panthers 3
2005 Lions 24 Panthers 9
2006 Lions 38 Bratislava 21
2007 Panthers 28 Lions 13

It’s nothing new for the Lions and Panthers to battle for American football supremacy. They’ve already squared off nine times in the title game — of a league that began play in 1994.
But this year, Prague’s familiar antagonists paw some unfamiliar turf. Not only does the Czech Super Bowl kick off in Slavia’s brand-new, 21,000-seat palace at Eden, but both teams know the outcome may be determined in the final seconds.
Despite a lopsided 23-0 Panthers win in their first meeting this season, the Lions enter the big game with a little momentum and a rejuvenated quarterback. The regular season finale saw a back-and-forth thriller between the two rivals spill into overtime, with the Panthers emerging on top, 27-21. The Lions’ veteran signal caller, Libor Navrátil, found some long-lost consistency, throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
Last weekend, in a pro-forma semifinal, Navrátil lobbed four more touchdowns against Brno, including a 41-yard opener to Petr Andres.
Still, the Lions defense has yet to slow Jake Shrum and a potent Panthers veer offense that averaged almost 50 points per game throughout the regular season. And Navrátil’s backfield barely dented the Panthers defense, led by middle linebacker Daniel Krejbich and massive lineman Fratišek Skuhra, averaging a measly 2.7 yards per carry.
So it looks like a battle between Shrum’s legs and Navrátil’s arm — and two solid defensive units. Here’s how the rest of the Super Bowl shapes up:
Quarterbacks
American import Shrum mastered Panthers’ head coach John Srholec’s option offense long ago and runs it almost flawlessly. He’s less certain through the air, completing only 24 percent of his passes in the two regular season meetings.
Navrátil has been at the Lions’ helm since 1999. A more traditional quarterback, he suffered a few shaky outings before returning to form at season’s end. And his receiving corps, led by Petr Andres, Lukáš Halenkovský and Jan Dundáček, readily beat the Panthers’ secondary.
Running game
With Martin Dlouhý, Miroslav Dopita, speedster Stanislav Jantoš and other reserves, the Panthers’ pack both punch and agility. The Lions, meanwhile, have been searching for a steady ground attack all year, although young Jakub Musil shows promise.
On the line
Daniel Krejbich directs one of the toughest defensive front sevens the ČLAF has ever seen. Only big Josef Fuksa, the Lions’ right offensive tackle, consistently holds his ground against them. And the Panthers’ offensive line tops the league, as well. The Lions must depend on linebackers Shaka Martin and Jan Šimánek.

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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