LIVESTREAM Finland: Kuopio Steelers @ Seinäjoki Crocodiles August 13th, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

| American Football | 08/13/2022

The undefeated Kuopio Steelers (8-0) visit the Seinäjoki Crocodiles (7-2) as the league’s first and second seeds meet up in this late season Maple League matchup. These two met all the way back in week four with the Steelers winning 42-21 in Kuopio. 

Kuopio Steelers @ Seinäjoki Crocodiles August 13th, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

The Steelers defense leads the league with 33 sacks in eight games. Linebacker Colby Campbell, along with returning Steelers defenders Ikeem Allen (Miami OH), Jani Lindqvist, Roni Laine, and Iro Pekkarinen make for a tough unit to score against. This week that same unit be keyed in one stopping Crocodiles running back Christian Powell.

Offensively, running back Leanthony Reasnover the league’s leading rusher with 1,324 yards and 22 touchdowns, and veteran Tuuka Lehtonen, lead the charge as the Steelers ran for 257 yards last week against the UNC Crusaders. The Steelers have the Maple League’s best rushing attack averaging over 200 yards a game on the ground. When they do pass, Maple Bowl champion quarterback Joey Bradley will target fullback Ville Lindsten, and receivers Isaac Marshall and Hannes Harju.

The Crocodiles running back Christian Powell, the second leading rusher in the Maple League with 1.066 yards and 16 touchdowns, was the star of the Crocodiles huge win last week, as his three touchdowns and 234 total yards helped Seinäjoki defeat the Helsinki Wolverines on the road 25-20. Quarterback Anthony Whitehead managed the game well, spreading the ball out to young talents such as Joel Sarkela and Anttoni Lampivuo. Whitehead led a clutch game winning drive last week finding Powell in the endzone with under 30 seconds left to give Seinäjoki the win.

Former “Last Chance U” star and University of Tennessee (NCAA DI) defensive lineman Emmit Gooden stood out making two and half sacks in the win last week as the Crocodiles defense looked sharp against a talented Helsinki offense. The former junior college All-American along with Arthur Pinheiro, Seth Zins, Fillip Zacok make for a fierce defensive line that needs to play well today. If Seinäjoki’s defensive line can play well today they give themselves a good chance of upsetting the Maple Leagues top dog.

LIVESTREAM Finland: Kuopio Steelers @ Seinäjoki Crocodiles August 13th, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and