LIVESTREAM Finland: United Newland Crusaders @ Helsinki Wolverines, May 20, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am ET)
The Helsinki Wolverines will open their 2022 Maple League campaign at home when they will play host to the United Newland Crusaders in the first Friday Night Football game of the season.
These two teams faced each other twice in 2021 with the Wolverines coming out on top both times, 27-22 and 14-6. Helsinki finished fifth in the Maple League standings last year with a 3-5 record while the Crusaders were right behind in sixth at 2-6.
United Newland Crusaders @ Helsinki Wolverines, May 29, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am ET)
Wolverines head coach Michael Mattingly, in his third season at the helm of the team, has signed former Wolverines signal caller, Jabari Harris, to quarterback the team this season. One of his key targets will be WR RJ Long, who played for the team in 2019, while in the backfield he will rely on elusive running back William Young who played for the Wolverines in 2019 when he rushed for 1,135 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Defensively, the return of defensive lineman Ville Valasti was obviously important to Mattingly. He anchored the front seven that helped the team reach the Maple Bowl two years ago before signing in the ELF. The secondary is boosted by the return of defensive back Curtis Slater and the signing of bruising linebacker Josephy Kordus (University of South Dakota, NCAA Div. 1).
The Crusaders, under head coach Tuomas Heikkinen, former Team Finland head coach, enter the new season with Shay Netter (Ohio University, Eastern Kentucky, NCAA Div. I) behind center. Netter has an impressive receiving corps to throw to including brothers Miles and Nolan Corpening. Nolan is returning while Miles is in his first year after spending part of the season, along with his brother, playing in Spain with the Barbera Rookies. Another key target for Netter will be Cedric Johnson who returns. Johnson played three games for UNC in 2021 amassing 433 yards receiving and five touchdowns. He can be dangerous.
This game is a toss up, pitting two experienced and successful head coaches against each other. Both have veterans at quarterback and plenty of experience on both sides of the ball. This will be an interesting matchup.
United Newland Crusaders @ Helsinki Wolverines, May 29, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 11:30 am ET)
