The Helsinki Roosters (1-2) scored on their first four possessions and went on to annihilate the visiting Porvoon Butchers (0-3) 60-12 as Finland’s Maple League kicked off the third week of action.
This was the first win of the year for the defending champion Helsinki squad and it was critical. With the victory, the Roosters move out of the basement in the standings still with a hope of reaching the playoffs.
The Roosters were so dominant in this contest that they need just 16 minutes of total playing time to rack up 528 yards of offense and nine touchdowns, seven in the air and two on the ground. In the first half, the Miro Kadmiry-to-Arttu Erkkilä connection was deadly accounting for three of the Roosters five touchdowns. Alexander Wasiljeff caught the other two touchdown passes. Erkkilä had 91 of his 121 yards receiving in the first half as the 6’4″ wideout took advantage his height advantage over the much shorter Butchers cornerbacks. Wasiljeff was also just as hard for the Porvoon secondary to cover as he had five of his six receptions in the first half. He finished the day with 116 yards receiving.
Kadmiry had a career night throwing for 347 yards and six touchdowns before giving way to Henri Vaananen in the fourth quarter who threw for 59 yards and another touchdown.
Roosters WR Alexander Wasiljeff Photo: Jari Turunen
Also in on the scoring with one touchdown each were Santtu Vehkomaki, Olli Lievonen and Mourad Daifi.
Porvoon’s defense spent a great deal of time on the field as the offense simply could not move the ball while turning it over six times, five times of which Helsinki converted into touchdowns. Two interceptions, a fumble, a blocked punt and two failed fourth down conversions were critical, giving the Roosters excellent field position.
Butchers quarterback Jabari Harris battled throughout the game, rushing for 127 yards but completed just 13 of 27 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, one to Mikko Seppanen and the other to Kristian Natunen.
Seppanen had 80 yards receiving and Natunen 34. It was a game that saw the Butchers receivers seeming to have a hard time holding onto the ball, dropping passes at the worst possible times.
Helsinki scored at will roaring out to a 33-0 halftime lead. The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first with the Roosters offense moving the ball easily while the Butchers running backs could only muster a mere 31 yards receiving between the four of them.
By the time the Butchers found the end zone in the fourth quarter, the score had reached 54-0. Harris managed to engineer two late drives, connecting with Natunen from three yards out to reduce the lead to 54-6 and then hitting Seppanen for a 33 yard touchdown with three minutes to go in the game.
With the win, the Roosters climb out of a tie for last place while Porvoon is mired in the cellar. The Butchers will play host to the Helsinki Wolverines on August 20 while Helsinki will be at home to the Wasa Royals on August 21.