Finland’s Maple League wrapped up its regular season last weekend with the Helsinki Roosters topping the standings heading into the playoffs. However, the Wasa Royals finished the year leading in three out of four categories, retaking the passing lead and maintaining the lead in both receiving and tackling.
The Hämeenlinna Huskies led the league with five players among the top 5 in four categories while the Roosters have four, the Royals have three (but three leaders) as do the Turku Trojans and Porvoon Butchers. The Tampere Saints have two. Only one team did not have a representative in any of the categories – the Seinäjoki Crocodiles.
Passing
Wasa Royals quarterback Justin Sottilare threw for 258 yards in his final regular season game, a loss to the Turku Trojans but retook the lead in passing yardage and finished with 3,133 yards and 32 TDs. Hämeenlinna Huskies head coach and quarterback Stan Bedwell fell one spot to 2nd and finished the year with 3,079. Helsinki Roosters quarterback Brandon Connette wound up 3rd with his 2,675 yards but led the league in passing TDs with 35. He is followed by Tampere Saints QB Raleigh Yeldell in 4th with his 1,599 yards . Zach Bartlow, QB for the Turku Trojans, ended the year in 5th. He threw for 1,153 yards.
Receiving
RJ Long of the Wasa Royals finished the year where he started as the leading receiver in the Maple League with 1,437 yards and a league-best 15 touchdown receptions. Hämeenlinna Huskies receiver Roman Runner held on to 2nd with his 837 yards receiving. Bernard Luster of the Helsinki Roosters ended up 3rd with his 832 yards and 11 TDs. Mikko Seppanen of the Porvoon Butchers climbed back up with his 112 yard receiving in the final game against the Tampere Saints and ended the season with 638 yards. Timothy Thomas of the Roosters rounds out the top5 with 617.
Rushing
Josh Quesada of the Turku Trojans took the rushing lead on the final day of the regular season when he ran for 229 yards against the Wasa Royals giving him 1,111 yards for the season. Despite missing the final game of the regular season, Porvoo Butchers running back Rickey Stevens hung on to 2nd with his 1,006 yards. Jaycen Taylor of the Roosters finished 3rd 841 yards rushing but led the league in rushing TDs with 10. Another Roosters RB, Karri Pajarinen climbed to 4th with 669 yards.The injured Darion Hall who amassed 656 yards rushing and 7 TDs in 4 games before suffering a season-ending injury still finished 5th.
Tackling
As he did all year, Wasa Royals LB Chris Young anchored the second leading defense in the league in points allowed (16.5/game) and still leads with league with 80.5 tackles. IIkka Koiranen of the Turku Trojans is still 2nd at 70.5 tackles while Huskies LB Tahj Jones is 3rd with 70 tackles. Tampere Saints LB Tony Ballon wound up 4th with 66 tackles while David Izinyon finished 5th. 62 tackles.