In a rematch from last Saturday’s game, the Kuopio Steelers were able to put up a dominant shut out performance in the Finnish semifinals to defeat the Helsinki Roosters 28-0 on Friday.
While the beginning of the game started off slow with no scores in the first period, similar to last week’s game. The rest had Le’Anthony Reasnover’s name written all over it. Finishing with 218 total scrimmage yards off 28 rushing attempts and six receptions, Reasonover scored the only four touchdowns of the game as well.
Kuopio’s first score of the game came off of a long 14-play, 81-yard drive that Reasnover capped off with a score from one yard out.
After a fizzled-out drive, the Roosters were forced to punt. Reasnover found his way to the endzone once again with a short plunge from three yards out. This score gave Kuopio a 14-0 lead over Helsinki heading into the half.
Photo: Jari Turunen
There was much to say about the second half with the Steelers and Reasnover continuing to dominate Helsinki as the young running back added two more touchdowns, making the final score of the game 28-0
The only play worth mentioning from Helsinki did not even go in their favor as Kuopio’s Roni Laine picked off Roosters backup quarterback Lassi Pajarinen with just over five minutes left to go in the third period.
Kuopio quarterback Joey Bradley threw for 199 yards with Reasnover as his main target. The elusive running back caught six passes for 84 yards while rushing for another 125.
The Roosters’ offense struggled all game long managing to muster up a mere l46 offensive yards with both quarterbacks, starter Bryce Stancombe and Pajarinen, completing just seven passes on 25 attempts for 88 yards.
This playoff win puts the Steelers on the doorstep of their third straight Maple League title. The Maple Bowl championship game will take place on Saturday, 10 September.