As the Norwegian American Football League winds down, the Eidsvoll 1814s (3-1) will host the Kristiansand Gladiators (1-3) in a key matchup that could ultimately determine home field advantage in the playoffs.
The 1814s opened the season with two straight wins, first beating the Gladiators 34-21 and then the Vålerenga Trolls 39-7. They were tripped up by the Oslo Vikings 27-15 but rebounded with a lopsided 42-3 win over the Trolls again. The Gladiators, who finished second in Norway in 2021, lost to the 1814s 34-21 to open the season and then were beaten 27-0 by the Oslo Vikings. They downed the Trolls 22-13 but then were blasted by Oslo 44-17.
Should Eidsvoll win, or lose by 13 points or less, they will have sewn up a home playoff date. The Gladiators need to win by at least 14 points and then defeat the Trolls in the final regular season game of the year and hope that the 1814s lose to Oslo in their last game of the regular season to get that home playoff game.
Eidsvoll enters the game with veteran Dustin Hawke Willingham at quarterback and also as offensive coordinator. Head coach Leif Lindvik has taken over a team that went 3-3 in 2021 but had an offense that could score. With wide receiver Arne August Søgaard, and running back Tor Erik Stensjøe, the 1814s have a solid offense and sit right behind Oslo, averaging 32.5 points a game.
Quarterback Viktor Wessberg is the key to the Kristiansand offense. He will target his three key receivers, Marlon Hýlton, Erlend Lien and Nicolas Chapman while running back Lasse Aaberg anchors a solid backfield. Swedish defensive back Damian Caban anchors the secondary along with Joshua Harrell while linebacker Mads Flåt who attended the CFL Combine, is a key in the Gladiators front seven.
Kristiansand Gladiators @ Eidsvoll 1814s, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)
