Finland’s final stats leaders tell interesting story as playoffs loom

AFI | American Football | 09/04/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

Finland’s seven-team Maple League wound up its regular season schedule this past weekend with the Helsinki Roosters topping the standings ahead of the second place Kuopio Steelers.

The offensive stats leaders tell an interesting story though as the Roosters did not top any one category and yet had the highest scoring offense in the country.

The Helsinki Roosters led the league with four players among the top 5 in three categories while the Helsinki Wolverines and Seinäjoki Crocodiles have three apiece. The Kuopio Steelers and Porvoon Buthchers have two each while the Wasa Royals have one. The Tampere Saints did not have a single player on these lists.

The Maple League playoffs kick off this weekend with the second place Kuopio Steelers facing the Helsinki Wolverines on September 6 while the Helsinki Roosters take on the Seinäjoki Crocodiles Saturday, September 7.

Passing

Helsinki Wolverines QB Robert Johnson finished as the passing yardage leader with 3,527 yards and 38 TDs. Mira Kadmiry of the Helsinki Roosters was not far behind throwing for 3,213 yards and a whopping 51 TDs. Porvoon Burchers QB Hans Fortune wound up third after throwing for 2,808 yards while Jonathan Baker of the Seinäjoki Crocodiles landed in 4th with 2,762 yards. Kuopio Steelers QB Seth Peters was the fifth best passer in Finland’s Maple League throwing for 2,669 yards in 10 games.

Rushing

Christian Powell of the Seinäjoki Crocodiles had an outstanding year rushing the ball with four 200+ yard games and wound up with 1,620 yards averaging 135 yards a game. In 2nd spot was Kuopio Steelers RB Gerard Johnson with 1,322 yards and a league-leading 27 TDs. Dayton Winn of the Porvoon Butchers ended the year in 3rd with 1,141 yards while Wolverines RB William Young finished 4th. He had 1,135 yards. Karri Pajarinen of the Roosters rushed for 846 yards in eight games to finish as the 5th leading rusher.

Receiving

Seinäjoki Crocodiles WR Stephane Fortes led all receivers with 1,103 yards in 12 games with Adam Connette of the Helsinki Roosters right on his heels. Connette had 1,097 yards and 12 TDs. Wolverines WR RJ Long finished 3rd with 1053 while Nnamdi Agude of the Roosters was 4th. He had 995 yards and a league-best 23 TDs. Finishing in 5th was Aymeric Nicault of the Wasa Royals with 916 yards.