The Porvoo Butchers (2-0) will host the Helsinki Roosters (1-0) in this Thursday night’s Maple League matchup.
Both teams are eager to keep their undefeated records as they meet for the first time this season.
The Butchers have built positive momentum as two close wins have started their season off on the right foot. The Jim Nendel coached squad looks primed for the post season behind the play of star running back Sean Mcallen. Mcallen followed a strong debut in Finland with 199 total yards and two touchdowns in their most recent win over the UNC Crusaders. Mcallen meshes well with athletic quarterback Jabari Harris and Finnish talents Marcus Siskonen and Mikko Seppanen. This week Mcallen, Harris, and the Butchers offense will have to move the ball against an always physical and well coached Roosters‘ defense.
Helsinki Roosters @ Porvoo Butchers, July 1, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am ET)
Defensively, the Butchers have been playing athlete RJ Long at safety. Long’s soft hands and size could help counter a group of tall and physical Roosters receivers. Another addition to this defense, linebacker Alvin Reels has been an impact player for Porvoo. The veteran import defender was crucial in Porvoo’s OT win last week as his five tackles and pick six helped in the narrow victory.
Helsinki heads to Porvoo looking to prove themselves as one of Finland’s best teams once again. The Roosters defense will get a boost this week as linebacker Roni Salonen returns to Finland. The native Fin spent the last three seasons as a star linebacker for the New Yorker Lions in the German Football League. Salonen should bring leadership and physicality to this Roosters linebacking unit. Salonen’s sure tackling will come in handy tonight as running back Sean Mcallen has been dynamic so far this season.
Offensively, the Roosters also added another impact Finnish player in receiver Micky Kyei. Kyei last played for the Helsinki Wolverines in 2020 helping them reach the Maple Bowl as a dynamic running back and defensive back. With the addition of the versatile veteran, home grown quarterback Miro Kadmiry now has a host of weapons as Andres Lindley, Karri Pajarinen, Lorenzo Melchiore, and Arrtu Erkkila are all threats to score out wide or out of the backfield.
The Roosters aim to return to the league’s top spot as their season slowly starts to take shape. The addition of Finnish veterans should help against a Porvoo squad that looks leap and bounds better than their team in 2020. This will be a great early season test to see how these two ambitious teams match up against each other.
Watch the game live here. Helsinki Roosters @ Porvoo Butchers, July 1, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am ET)
Porvoo Butchers roster
Helsinki Roosters roster
