The Carlstad Crusaders open their Swedish Superserien season on the road when they head to Örebro, Sweden to face the defending champion Örebro Black Knights, Sunday, April 17.
The Black Knights have had a rough start to the 2022 season dropping their first two games. First, they lost a heartbreaker to the Stockholm Mean Machines 26-23 at home at Behrn Arena and then suffered a second half letdown in losing to the Tyresö Royal Crowns 35-14.
The last time these two teams met during the shortened 2021 season, Carlstad came away the winner, downing the Black Knights 34-27.
Örebro head coach Sam Eisenstadt:
“The past two games have been very valuable for us. Although we did not get the result we wanted, we learned alot. The team’s response to adversity has been great since the game ended in Tyresö and it really shows me how special this group of players and coaches are. Our mindset has shifted away from winning and losing and towards embracing the process. We are now taking it one day at a time, and taking care of what is in our control rather than worry about the things outside of our control.”
Black Knights quarterback Trevor Vasey has thrown for 451 yards in the two games and five touchdowns but against the Royal Crowns he was harassed mercilessly by the front seven and only managed to complete nine of 37 passes while being picked off twice. For Carlstad to have a chance in today’s game they will have to find a way to exert the same kind of pressure on the 6’7″ passer or he will make them pay. Running back Tim Göransson has been a workhorse carrying the ball 27 times but has only gained 84 yards in the two games. He will need to find a rhythm in today’s game. A huge weapon for Vasey is wide receiver Johannes Lindeus. The Team Sweden wideout has 237 yards receiving and two touchdowns on five catches. His brother Jesper has caught seven passes for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns as well.
Defensively, the front seven is unchanged with linebacker Jonathan Armendariz leading the way with his 11.5 tackles in two games. Defensive lineman Martin Jäppinen has also made his name known in backfields with 10 tackles. Add to this, 6’3″, 307-pound defensive linemen Tristen Cox, along with Team Sweden’s Sebastian Nilsson, and the unit looks impressive.
The Carlstad Crusaders enter the 2022 campaign with a new head coach in Daniel Holmgren, who replaces BD Kennedy who has moved into the role of general manager.
Still, the offense looks somewhat familiar with the return of quarterback Tim Morovick and wide receiver Kevin Börzei. Running back Alexander Segerfeldt has also returned while the versatile Davarus Shores has been added to the receiving corps and the defensive secondary. The offensive line is anchored by Team Sweden’s Anton Hyvönen.
On defense, veteran defensive lineman Olof Flemström leads a group that includes 20-year-old Adam Classon and Linus Lindberg, both Team Sweden selections. The linebacking unit is anchored by Mattias Eriksson, winner of multiple titles with the Crusaders while in the secondary, both Davarus Shores and Kevin Börzei will be doing double duty.
Holmgren is excited with the look of his team:
“It will be fun to follow this group and be part of the journey. We will grow as a team and develop at an individual level. We have a young and talented group of players, seasoned with some of the best players in their positions in Sweden.”