Friday Night Football continues in Sweden as the country’s top team and six-time champion Carlstad Crusaders will face the undefeated Limhamn Griffins in their charity home opener Friday evening.
All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Swedish Prostate Cancer Association.
Although both teams enter the game sporting 2-0 records, the Crusaders have to be considered favorites having won both their games this season by lopsided scores. Carlstad whipped the only team they lost to in 2015, the Tyreso Royal Crowns 41-6 and then did the same to the STU Northside Bulls 53-17.
The Griffins were hard pressed in both games beating the Stockholm Mean Machines 24-14 and then edging 2015 playoff team the Uppsala 86ers 7-6. Nevertheless, as underdogs, the Griffins can be dangerous.
Carlstad head coach Tracey Gere has returned to the team after spending the past four years in the United States coaching football. His new offensive coordinator Stephen Parker, who led the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in Germany to the playoffs in 2015, has the offense purring.
Swedish-American quarterback Philip Juhlin has opened the season in outstanding form and has already thrown for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns. The backfield still looks the same with powerful running back Brett Koepp the ideal complement to Juhlin’s passing game.
Starting QBs Philip Juhlin & Brian Ensminger Photo credit: Hans Cullberg
Defensively, the Crusaders will be more or less the same, led by defensive lineman Olaf Flenstrom. The recently signed defensive lineman Josh Hartigan from the Colorado Buffaloes adds even more depth to Sweden’s stingiest defense.
Griffins head coach Carl Klimfors has signed an American quarterback this season in Brian Ensminger. With two wins under his belt, Ensminger has already proven to add more leadership to the offense. Timmy Göransson starts at running back.
Kickoff is 6:30 PM (12:30 PM EDT) and the game is being broadcast live on TV4 in Sweden (PPV). TV4 gives the first 30 days for free.