LIVESTREAM: Maple League Finland – Wasa Royals @Helsinki Wolverines, Thurs. June 13, 6p (5p CEDT, 11a EDT)

AFI | American Football | 06/13/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The 2-0 Helsinki Wolverines will play host to the 1-2 Wasa Royals in the third edition of Thursday Night Football Game in Finland’s Maple League this season.

Helsinki has opened the season with two convincing wins, beating the Seinäjoki Crocodiles 47-29 and then rolling over the Tampere Saints 66-27. Meanwhile, Wasa, after a promising opening game, a solid 33-12 win over the Porvoo Butchers, have struggled. They lost to the Helsinki Roosters 28-7 and then were soundly defeated 35-9 by the Kuopio Steelers.

For Helsinki, head coach, offensive coordinator and starting quarterback Robert Johnson (Texas Tech) is the key to the offense and along with running back William Young, who has rushed for 211 yards and seven touchdowns, presents opposing defenses with problems. In the two wins Johnson threw for league-leading 733 yards and 11 touchdowns with Young hauling in nine receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns while scoring another four on the ground.

Royals quarterback Diondre Borel has only thrown for 331 yards and three touchdowns in the three games, but he has rushed for 180 and another score. French receiver Aymeric Nicault has been his favorite target by far hauling in 11 passes for 266 yards. Linebackers Marc Millan and Josh Davis are really having an impact already and have 22.5 and 20 tackles respectively in three games. They are the toughest team in the league to run against giving up 70 yards rushing a game.

The Wolverines are already looking like title contenders in their first season back in the Maple League since 2014. The Royals look to be in tough tonight.