This Saturday, July 15, a very good Porvoon Butchers (5-2) team hosts the Seinäjoki Crocodiles (2-5) in a Maple League week 10 matchup. The Butchers are currently on a two game win streak and tied for second place in the Maple League standings. The Crocodiles had a two game winning streak snapped last week by the Hämeenlinna Huskies in a comeback fashion. The last time these two teams met in Seinäjoki it was a one-sided game that ended 31-0 in favor of the Butchers. That game was played over a month ago and both teams have changed tremendously since then.
Seinäjoki Crocodiles Keys to Win
Based on the last matchup, the Crocodiles have no chance to win this game. Based on the last three weeks, the Crocodiles could make this game very interesting. To do so the Crocodiles have to stop the Butchers run game. Specifically, they need to stop Butchers running back Rickey Stevens, who has over 400 yards rushing in only two Maple League games this season. If the Crocodiles can slow down the Butchers run game they have a chance to keep the game close. Offensively the Crocodiles will need to figure out a way to create explosive plays without their quarterback Brett Arrivey, who was injured in their last game on Monday. The responsibility lies with the offensive trio of Anthony Brooks, DJ Washington, and Jaska Varinen to somehow make those explosive plays happen. The final way the Crocodiles could pull this upset is to have a repeat of their game against the Hämeenlinna Huskies and create turnovers to give themselves more opportunities to score.
Photo Credit: Marko Tuominiemi
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STOP BUTCHERS RUN GAME
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CREATE EXPLOSIVE PLAYS
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WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Porvoon Butchers Keys to Win
Over the past two weeks, the Butchers have been the most impressive team in all of the Maple League. It is easy to come to the conclusion that they should win this game. But the Crocodiles have proven as of late that they are not to be taken lightly by anyone. This is why the first thing the Butchers must do is establish their run game and deny the Crocodiles any type of confidence or momentum early in the game. On the defensive side of the ball its pretty simple for the Butchers, 11 guys to the ball. The Crocodiles offense will never be described as potent, but they have been able to make big plays at various times this season. If the Butchers defense plays as an entire unit and swarms to the ball, these big plays will not happen. Lastly the Butchers need to be smart and protect their players. They have already had to replace two import players in the middle of the season, and can’t afford to have any late season injuries in a game that they should be in control of throughout.
Photo Credit: Sami Ranta
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ESTABLISH THE RUN GAME
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DEFENSE SWARM TO BALL
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BE SAFE, PREVENT INJURIES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
This game has plenty of narratives to follow, Will running back Rickey Stevens put up more big numbers on the ground? The Crocodiles will try to manufacture an offense without a quarterback! Quarterback Danny Farley is playing his second game in the Maple League. Will Perfect Pervis be in the stands? With so much going on, you probably should know who to look for and why. Here is a short list of some of the key players in this game along with their stats and jersey numbers (jersey numbers tend to change).
SEINÄJOKI CROCODILES
Offense
#13 WR ANTHONY BROOKS – 30 receptions, 253 yards, 3 touchdowns
#8 WR DJ WASHINGTON – 12 receptions, 201 yards, 2 touchdowns
#34 RB JASKA VARINEN – 86 rushing attempts, 368 yards, 2 touchdowns
#23 RB JUSTIN ANDRUSHKO – 20 rushing attempts, 75 yards
Photo Credit: Marko Tuominiemi
Defense
#15 LB CORY MAGWOOD – 40.5 tackles, 9.5 tackls-for-loss, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
#43 DB JUHANI KOIVUMÄKI – 21.5 tackles, 1 pass defensed, 3 interceptions
#45 LB J-P KOIVUMÄKI – 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced fumble
#92 DL HANNU SAARIMAA – 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sack
#13 DB ANTHONY BROOKS – 12.5 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 4 interceptions
#8 DB DJ WASHINGTON – 17 tackles, 1 pass defensed, 1 interception
PORVOON BUTCHERS
Offense
#18 QB DANNY FARLEY – 8 of 18 passes completed, 127 yards, 1 touchdown
#4 RB RICKEY STEVENS – 60 rushing attempts, 411 yards, 4 touchdowns
#11 WR MIKKO SEPPÄNEN – 32 receptions, 383 yards, 2 touchdowns
#7 WR/K DANIEL LUOMA – 17 receptions, 254 yards, 4 touchdowns
#6 WR PHUNG NGUYEN – 18 receptions, 203 yards, 2 touchdowns
Photo Credit: Marko Tuominiemi
Defense
#68 LB SEBASTIAN KARBIN – 38 tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks
#3 LB TROY ROACH – 37 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss, 2 forced fumbles
#37 LB TOMMI PADATSU – 12 tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, 3 sacks
#8 LB NIKO PENNANEN – 34 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced fumble
#52 DL TERO KONTAINEN – 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced fumble
#5 DB NIKO ROIKO – 20.5 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
PERFECT PERVIS PREDICTION
I have to be honest that I do not believe the Crocodiles have a chance to win this game. The Porvoon Butchers are an all around great team gearing up for a playoff run, while the Crocodiles are coming off a game that could derail their season because of injuries. The Crocodiles at full strength would have trouble upsetting the Butchers, but without their quarterback they just don’t have enough overall talent to pull this out. I‘m predicting the Porvoon Butchers to win, 34-3.