Linfield's Fisher and Skore are headed to Schwäbisch Hall.

Taylor Skore (Top) and Drew Fisher (Below) left their mark on Linfield Football history.

Photos Courtesy of Brad Thompson: Purchase Brad's photos here.

The Linfield connection to the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns will continue during the 2013 season as two former Wildcat standouts have signed on to help the back-to-back defending German Football League champions, as the Unicorns try to make it three in a row in 2013.

2012 Linfield College graduates Drew Fisher and Taylor Skore wrapped up their senior seasons as Wildcat players in the fall of 2011 as part of what many regarded as one of the best defensive backfields in program history. Fisher was twice named a Division III All-American and 2011 Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year for his weekly playmaking highlighted by bone jarring hits and Taylor Skore was a 3x All-Northwest Conference selection (twice 1st team) at cornerback. Skore was widely considered one of the top athletes in the NWC during his 4 years in the ‘Catdome.

The connection to the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns dates back to 2011 when Linfield all-american quarterback, Aaron Boehme (now the QB coach at Linfield), and all-region defensive tackle Paul Nishizaki, signed on to play in the GFL. The infusion of Boehme and Nish into the Unicorn line-up was the last ingredients needed in the Unicorn’s championship recipe. In 2011, Schwäbisch Hall compiled a 13-0 season and captured the franchise’s 1st German Football League championship (founded in 1983) in a thrilling 48-44 German Bowl victory over the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes.

Boehme hung up the cleats in 2012 to start his coaching career but Nishizaki headed back to Germany once again. With Nish anchoring the middle of the Unicorns defense, Schwäbisch Hall knocked out a 12-2 record and once again won the GFL championship in knocking off Keil Baltic in a rematch of the 2011 German Bowl.

Former Linfield Defensive Tackle, Paul Nishizaki, celebrates his 2012 GFL Championship.

With Nishizaki coming back home for good, the Unicorns looked once again to Linfield to help fill their American allocation in the signing of Drew Fisher. Once Fisher was inked the Unicorn staff was still looking to shore up their defensive backfield and that’s when Fish turned Schwäbisch Hall onto Skore. Next thing you know, Linfield will once again have two former players having a wild experience playing the game they love in Schwäbisch Hall.

Below are some thoughts from both of these standout former 'Cats on their upcoming adventure overseas.

Going to Germany this up and coming season is an extremely exciting opportunity that in all reality wouldn't be an option for Taylor and I if Nish and Boehme hadn't represented Linfield so well already. Those guys went over and played a major role into capturing back to back German Bowl championships which really reassured Coach Gehrke of the Unicorns to have confidence in future Wildcats playing for him. First and foremost, I am looking forward to playing some more football. I'll always have a passion for the game and couldn't be more thrilled to hit someone across the middle again. I'm excited to be a part of the Unicorns and compete against teams from all over Europe. It could not have worked out better to have a fellow DB that I've played with and became great friends with come over and join the Unicorns as well. We are both eager to share our experiences both on and off the field with friends, family, and Wildcats everywhere. The only thing we can do is give it all we have over there to represent Linfield well so that future players can have the same opportunity as us.

-Drew Fisher

The opportunity to go over to Germany and play football is something that doesn't come around too often and is something that I couldn't pass up. Like Drew said, if not for Boehme and Nish having played for the Unicorns at a high level while representing Linfield football the right way, I would not be traveling overseas in the next couple months. Likewise, Drew played a huge role in my signing with the team by letting coach Gerhke know about me and my ability as a player. I am looking forward to continuing to play the sport I love and have missed greatly over this past year. I can't wait to share the field with Fish again (hopefully without any friendly fires) and represent Linfield and our coaches, especially Fendall and Haze, the way that we know how. Having Drew on the team makes this trip that much better and I know we will share many great experiences living and playing in completely different culture. I am blessed to have the amazing support from my friends and family to continue my football career and I know Drew and I will both play our hearts out and hopefully get back to the German Bowl for a third consecutive year.

-Taylor Skore


Drew Fisher Linfield Highlights


Taylor Skore Linfield Highlights

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