In last nights away match against the Grizzlies in Praag, Cascade rookie quarterback Inga Dedekind excelled, scoring 4 completions and a casualty! This is the report from our folks in town!

Hertha: Everything is of course chaotic here at “The Bleakness” in Praag. Once again, Cascade receiver TJ has saved Cascade from the brink of the abyss, by making another one-turner to equalize the game at 3-3 just before the game ended. The player all the fans talk about though, is our #6, Inga Dedekind. With Anders out of the game with a back injury, it was clear that this young rookie would have to shoulder the responsibility as the starting quarterback in the game against the Grizzlies. And what a way to solve such responsibility! We have witnessed a future star being born here today! I bring to you, our Inga!

Günther: Inga, this was amazing! And you looked so sure about what you were doing out there. Where you not nervous at all?

Inga (laughing): Nervous? I will tell you, I have never been more nervous in my life. You know, when we travelled here I felt good, and just before we got onto the field I was repeating to myself every play we have in the playbook. Remembering all of them perfectly. And then, lights are on, we are on the field, fans are screaming their heads off so you can barely hear yourself thinking, and I can see the Grizzlies kicker sending the ball up in the air and I know it will be too high and I will have time to get under the ball… and I suddenly froze. Arms and legs felt like jelly, and my brain turned all mushy. I could hardly remember my name, never mind any of the plays. I fumbled the reception, and spent way too long time trying to pick up the ball, and the fans were screaming and booing, and I knew, I just knew this would be a catastrophe… yeah, I know, but that’s the way it felt… but then, when I had the ball in my grip and felt the reassuring sensation of the soft leather, everything cleared up again. From that point, I was totally focused and it worked out well, didn’t it?

Hertha: Fantastic, actually! You (she looks down on her notes) had four completions and a casualty. That’s half of the completions Anders made in the first half of the season, seven matches! Will you take over his job now?
Inga: You know, to compare me to Anders is not right at all. He’s so much more than just a quarterback! I’d say he is also the brain and soul of the team. Me, so far, I’m just a back-up quarterback who succeeded at some throws. This of course, does not mean that I’m not happy about my performance today. I did well, and proved myself to the team and the fans, and this calls for a celebration! But then, when we get back to Carroburg, there will be more training and a new game against the Wolfskins, and Anders will be back and I will still be the back-up. Only difference is, now I have proved what I can do when given the chance!

Günther: And another casualty as well. This brings you to a total of two. Only Turbin and Althoff has more than that. If you are not replacing Anders as a quarterback, then maybe you will become the star blitzer when Althoff becomes injured?

Inga (laughs again): No. Not at all. Althoff had Datko down at the start of the second half, and he had just got back on his feet when I hit him from the side. I think he landed on top of his left arm, and sprained his elbow or something. I talked to him after the match, and he said it was fine again after a little rest. I’m happy to do my part of the bashing, of course, and there is something immensely satisfying when you hear the crunch and know what has happened… But, it’s a part of the job I’m happy to leave mostly to the experts; to Althoff, Turbin and Martin. If the team really need me as a blitzer, the Cascade must be in desperate straits indeed…

Hertha: Even though you did well, the team had really needed a victory here. When will the Cascade start winning again, Inga!

Inga (sighs): Wish I could tell you. Once more, we got off to a bad start thanks to all my fumbling with the ball, and we just barely managed to score in the first half, giving the Grizzlies plenty of time to equalize. In the second half we thought we had them when they were squeezed against their right sideline, and four players down, but Hattendorf made a wrong decision and suddenly they managed to break through anyway. And then we had our hands full trying to equalize. But you never know, next time may be a winner!
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Günther: That’s all for tonight. Enjoy your night out in this human outpost, and then we will meet again in Carroburg for the Wolfskins game.

Brought to you by Hertha Wendlinger and Günther Schiele, Carroburg Tageszeitung