Finland’s Maple League returns to action this week following a two-week break with the two bottom dwelling teams, the host United Newland Crusaders (3-7) and visiting Helsinki Wolverines (0-9), in a battle for pride.
Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention with three games left in the season. They met in the opening game of the season with the Crusaders coming away with a 35-6 win.
After a promising early season which saw the Crusaders win three of the first six games, they have now lost their last four with the most recent matchup, a 39-22 loss to the Wasa Royals, dropping them from the playoff race entirely.
Watch live. Helsinki Wolverines @ United Newland Crusaders, May 10, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am EDT)
Photo: Jari Turunen
Crusaders quarterback Raleigh Yeldell has thrown for 1,168 yards and 12 touchdowns in the six games he has started averaging 194.7 yards a game, good for fourth in the league. He will have a key target return to action from injury in this game as wide receiver Cedric Johnson will be back in the lineup. Johnson had 25 catches for 368 yards and six touchdowns before getting hurt with a concussion. The rest of the receiving corps is impressive as well with receiver RJ Long (44 rec, 540 yds, 6 TDs) and running back Seth Rowland (48 rec, 489 yds, 4 TDs/160 carries/954 yds/8 TDS) in the lineup.
Defensively, United Newland has struggled against the run and has given up a league-worst 189.2 yards rushing per game. If there is a weakness that Helsinki could possibly try to exploit that would be it.
The Crusaders will be facing the worst offensive and defensive team in the league unfortunately as the Wolverines have given up a whopping average of 54.1 points a game while scoring just 5.1 per contest. Quarterback Rasmus Laalo has thrown for just 1,107 yards (123 per game) and four touchdowns in nine games. However, Laalo has two excellent receivers in William Young (44 rec, 440 yds, 1 TD) and Kevin Adams (44 rec, 463 yds, 3 TDs). Running back Sebastian Lugora is averaging only 40.6 yards a game, however. Still, they will be facing the next worst defense as the Crusaders have surrendered an average of 33.7 points a game.
On defense, Helsinki will miss the services of their leading tackler, Willy Lindfors, (52.5 tackles) so the rest of the crew will need to pick up the slack to have a chance today. Middle linebacker Alvin Reels will be tasked with the job of trying to corral Rowland helped by fellow linebackers Max Poikonen and Santtu Jääskeläinen.