This year’s Vaahteramalja XLIV or Maple Bowl matchup features the Porvoon Butchers going up against the Seinäjoki Crocodiles in a highly anticipated Maple Bowl. This year’s championship game features two talented teams that know each other well. For the first time since 2011, the Maple Bowl doesn’t feature the Helsinki Roosters or Kuopio Steelers. Instead, the Crocodiles are back after narrowly losing the title game last year, while the Butchers make their first Maple Bowl appearance since 2010. Seinäjoki swept the Butchers in the regular season defeating them 31-6 earlier in the season before narrowly beating Porvoon the next time 28-21. They will also have a advantage this year as Seinäjoki will host this year’s Maple Bowl.
Watch live. Porvoo Butchers vs Seinäjoki Crocodiles, September 9, 15:00 CET, (3 pm, 9 am ET)
Offensively, veteran running back Chrisitan Powell was leading the league in rushing yet again, averaging 124 yards a game. Powell has been a force in Finland since entering the league in 2018. The former Colorado Buffalo recently moved into third all-time in the league’s touchdown scorers list. At quarterback Zachary Whitehead is back for his third season with the club managing the game while throwing only four inceptions compared to 24 touchdowns through twelve games. Finnish talent is also leading the way as Jannes Sarkela has racked up 40 catches for 664 yards and 14 touchdowns proving to be a menace in the red zone.
Defensively, the Crocodiles boast the league’s top defense giving up an average of 18 points and 248 yards a game. Veteran defensive back Eric Irvin and young linebacker Aatu Tuokko make for a dynamic duo for the Crocodiles. At the line of scrimmage, American imports Seth Zins and Elijah Watson make this a tough from-four to run against.
The Porvoon Butchers were the second seed going into the playoffs finishing the season with a 8-4 record. The Butchers are led offensively by veteran quarterback Brandon Gwinner who has been one of Finland’s best quarterbacks since entering the maple league in 2020. Gwinner has put together a phenomenal season throwing for 2980 yards and 29 touchdowns, while adding another five scores on the ground. THe Butchers offense features several playmakers such as Finnish veterans Micky Kyei and Miko Seppanen.
Defensively, the Butchers will look to stop Christain Powell and the Crocodiles run game. For this they will lean on linebacker Zachary Wright and veteran Nike Pennanen as they hope to get thier first championship since 2010.