LIVESTREAM: Finland – Seinäjoki Crocodiles @Kuopio Steelers, Thurs. Aug. 1, 6:30p (5:30p CEDT, 11:30a EDT)

AFI | American Football | 08/01/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Seinäjoki Crocodiles (3-4) will try to end a two-game losing skid tonight when they head to Kuopio, Finland to face the 6-2 Kuopio Steelers in Finland’s Maple League.

The Crocodiles were tripped up by Kuopio 33-28 a couple of weeks ago and then lost to the Helsinki Roosters 61-36. Seinäjoki had opened the season with a 20-7 win over the Tampere Saints but then lost to the Helsinki Wolverines 47-29. After beating the Porvoo Butchers 51-40, they lost to the Roosters 29-21 before beating the Wasa Royals 34-27.

Jonathan Baker has had a solid season so far at quarterback for the Crocodiles throwing for 1,365 yards and 14 touchdowns against only three interceptions. In the first game against the Steelers, he threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Christian Powell has rushed for 782 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. In the loss to the Steelers he had 107 yards rushing on 28 carries. In other words, Kuopio will be seeing a lot of him tonight. Dejvion Steward leads all tacklers for Seinäjoki with 44.

Despite a great opening to the season with a 57-41 win over the Roosters, the Steelers have been up and down. They then lost to the Porvoo Butchers but followed that with victories over the Wasa Royals and Tampere Saints. After losing 54-21 to the Wolverines, they got their revenge beating the Wolverines 40-21 then downing the Crocodiles 33-28 and Saints 61-47.

So this game is big for both teams For Kuopio, Gerard Johnson has been a key. He has rushed for 1,o11 yards and 18 touchdowns and spelled quarterback Seth Peters once throwing for 135 yards against the Butchers. Peters has been solid throwing for 1,559 yards on the season in six games. The Steelers defense is anchored by linebackers Donavan Hayden and Mattias Eriksson. Hayden leads the league with 75 tackles while Eriksson is right behind in second with 70.

The Crocodiles are better than their record but the Steelers have looked strong in their last three games. This will be a tough assignment for Seinäjoki.