Finland: Wasa Royals top 3 of 4 categories in Maple League with playoffs around the corner

The Wasa Royals, continue to dominate the stats in Finland’s Maple League in 2017, with players leading three out of four stats categories again this week. There are only two games left and although the Helsinki Roosters still lead the league, the Royals are knocking at the door. They have won six straight and will likely take the final two. They lead the passing, receiving and tackling categories for the second straight week. But the top four teams  – Royals, Roosters, Porvoo Butchers and Hämeenlinna Huskies  –  occupy most of the top 5 spots in each.

Passing

For the second week in a row, Wasa Royals quarterback Justin Sottilare occupies the top spot in passing after throwing for 298 yards in the win over the Crocodiles last week. He has 2,919 yards passing and 32 TDs. Hämeenlinna Huskies head coach and quarterback Stan Bedwell  has leapfrogged into 2nd with 2,763 yards and 30 TDs. Helsinki Roosters quarterback Brandon Connette is now in 3rd with his 2,675 yards but leads the league in passing TDs with 35. He is followed by Tampere Saints QB Raleigh Yeldell in 4th with his 1,434 yards . Zach Bartlow, QB for the Turku Trojans, has moved up into 5th despite only having played six games. He has thrown for 924 yards.

Receiving

RJ Long, the Wasa Royals leading receiver continues to be the favorite target of QB Justin Sottilare and has hauled in 1,338 yards in receptions to lead the league. He had a modest 92 yard yards last week against the Crocodiles but scored 3 TDs. Bernard Luster of the Helsinki Roosters 7 passes for 198 yards and 2 TDs last week giving him 776 and 11 TDs for the year so far, good for 2nd. Hämeenlinna Huskies receiver Roman Runner has moved down a spot to 3rd with 758 yards while Timothy Thomas of the Roosters follows in 4th with 617.  Royals receiver Spencer Cutlan has jumped up into 5th with 505 yards.

Rushing

Porvoo Butchers running back Ricky Stevens remains in 1st with his 949 yards although the Butchers were idle..  Jaycen Taylor of the Roosters  is still 2nd and now has 841  yards rushing but leads the league in rushing TDs with 10.  Josh Quesada of the Turku Trojans follows him with 802 yards following a 126 yard performance against the Roosters. The injured Darion Hall who amassed 656 yards rushing and 7 TDs in 4 games before suffering a season-ending injury is 4th. while Karri Pajarinen also of the Roosters has moved up into 5th with 610 yards.

Tackling

As he has done all year, Wasa Royals LB Chris Young has been an anchor on the leading defense in the league in yards allowed (244/game) and leads with league with 78.5 tackles. IIkka Koiranen of the Turku Trojans is still 2nd at 64.5  tackles while Huskies LB Tahj Jones is 3rd with 64 tackles. Ilya Redin of the Roosters has taken over 4th after an 8.5 tackles performance against the Trojans and now has 61 tackles and Tampere Saints LB Tony Ballon is now 5th with 61 tackles.