In an early-season matchup of pre-season playoff favorites, the defending champion Kuopio Steelers will visit the Helsinki Wolverines in the nation’s capital.
Both teams won their season openers in blowout fashion and look to extend their streaks tonight against a talented opponent.
The new-look Wolverines looked sharp in their opening game-winning 45-6 over the Kotka Eagles. In his return to the Wolverines, quarterback Jabari Harris threw five touchdown passes and used his legs well. The veteran dual-threat veteran will have to play an excellent game today against an athletic and well-coached Steelers defense. Look for him to get the ball out quick to receivers Juuso Alakoski, RJ Long, and running back William Young. This game will be a great test for the Wolverine’s offensive line as the Steelers boast of a fierce front seven.
Kuopio Steelers @ Helsinki Wolverines, May 28, 15:30 CET (3:30 pm, (9:30 ET)
Defensively, Helsinki matches up well against a physical Steelers running game. Defensive lineman Benjamin Egbudiwe, Ville Valasti, and Jonas Jousmaki will aim to control their gaps and make things hard on Kuopio’s ball carriers. On the back end, veterans Curtis Slater and Eric Irvin are back giving the Wolverines an athletic secondary. Adding to the secondary, the Wolverines announced the addition of Colby Burton this week, a defensive back out of Hawaii (NCAA DI) and Mcneese University where he was named to the All-Decade team.
In the visitors’ locker room, head coach Pekka Utriainen seems to have his squad on track for a three-peat after a convincing win against the powerhouse Helsinki Roosters two weeks ago. Offensively, quarterback Joey Bradley is back, along with Leanthony Reasnover one of the league’s best-running backs in 2021. When not handing off the Reasnover, expect Bradley to spread the ball out to weapons Hannes Harju, Ville Lindsten, and Isaac Marshall.
Defensively the Steelers still have the league’s best defensive tackle in former Miami OH (NCAA DI) standout Ikeem Allen. If Allen and the rest of the Steelers defense can get pressure on the Wolverines Jabari Harris they could force some errant passes and turnovers. Irro Pekkarinen and Tino Ndongo return to the Steelers secondary this year, after spending last season with the Berlin Thunder of the ELF.
One new wrinkle in this game is the recent signing of Colby Campbell. The newest Steeler made over 360 tackles in his NCAA career for Presbyterian University (NCAA DI FCS). He replaces injured linebacker Cody Leonard.
The Wolverines assembled some of the best talent in Finland this off-season launching them back into the contender category. Today they’ll have an early season test, to see where they stand against a Kuopio team that has set standard winning back-to-back titles.