LIVESTREAM: Finland – Helsinki Wolverines @Helsinki Roosters, Thurs., Aug. 15, 6:30p (5:30p CEDT, 11:30a EDT)

AFI | American Football | 08/15/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The 8-1 Helsinki Roosters, Europe #14, will play host to cross town rivals, the Helsinki Wolverines, Thursday, August 15 as Finland’s Maple League heads into the home stretch.

The last time these two faced each other, the Roosters handed the Wolverines a 42-13 beating.

The Roosters are on a roll. After dropping their opening game of the season, losing 57-41 to the Kuopio Steelers, they have reeled off eight in a row downing the Wasa Royals 28-7, Seinäjoki Crocodiles 29-21, the Porvoo Butchers twice, 53-20 and 66-34, the Tampere Saints also twice, 58-14 and 50-33 and the Crocodiles again, 61-36. To go along with the win over the Wolverines.

Roosters running back Karri Pajarinen returns to action tonight after missing the last two games. Pajarinen is second in the league in rushing averaging 118.3 yards a game in the seven games he has played and has a total of 828 yards and seven touchdowns. Adam Connette filled in for two games and performed well and in last wee’s win over the Saints rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Miro Kadmiry is the second leading passer in the Maple League having thrown for 2,678 yards and a league-best 44 touchdowns in the nine games.

The Wolverines have returned to their early season form, winning their last three games in convincing fashion. They beat the Wasa Royals 58-34, the Butchers 62-16 and the Saints 48-14. After opening the season with four convincing wins, the Wolverines hit a skid losing three in a row triggered by their loss to the Roosters.They were defeated 34-31 by the Porvoo Butchers after losing 40-21 to the Kuopio Steelers. Previous to that /Roosters loss, the Wolverines had beaten the Steelers 54-21 and handed the Wasa Royals a 27-13 defeat. They had started the year downing the Seinäjoki Crocodiles 47-29 and then rolling over the Tampere Saints 66-27.

For the Wolverines, offensive coordinator and starting quarterback Robert Johnson (Texas Tech) is the key to the offense and has thrown for 3,059 yards and 35 TDs and, along with running back William Young, who is averaging 106.5 yards a game, still presents opposing defenses with problems. In the loss to the Roosters, he ran for 172 yards and a touchdown. RJ Long is Johnson’s favorite receiver with 920 yards receiving on 68 receptions. Quentin Coulpin leads the team in tackles with 49.5.

In the first game between these two, the Roosters ended the Wolverines’ winning streak. They are both on fire now. Which winning streak will end tonight?