The Carlstad Crusaders made history Friday night as they became the first team to record 153 regular season victories in Sweden surpassing the Stockholm Mean Machines as they pummeled their 2016 championship game opponent the Uppsala 86ers 55-20 in Uppsala. The Crusaders have won the Swedish championship seven straight years and look poised to challenge for their eighth.
Carlstad quarterback Philip Juhlin threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another in the win. Running back Christian Forsman scored three touchdowns and receivers Jacob Dahre, Marcus Johnsson and Viktor Toresson added one each. Defensive lineman Olof Flemström also scored.
Carlstad’s defensive front seven wreaked havoc all game Photo: Moses Sh
Uppsala quarterback Kieran McDonagh threw for 294 yards and one touchdown (Blake Marklew) and Nicko Peterson scored two more.
Carlstad’s defensive front seven led by linebacker Christian Kuylenstjerna, had pressure on McDonagh the entire game forcing hurried passes. Time and again Uppsala running back Victor St Pierre Laviolette, who had sparkled in the 86ers two previous games, was caught in the backfield as the 86ers offensive line struggled against the relentless Crusaders defense.
After forcing Uppsala to a three and out on the opening drive, Carlstad opened the scoring as Juhlin utilized his receivers and running backs to perfection. After taking a quick 7-0 lead, Carlstad added to it on their very next possession as Juhlin found 6’5″ Dahre who burned defensive back Cristoffer Dessezar for a 70 yard touchdown.
The Crusaders added two more touchdowns and a field goal in the second quarter and took a 31-6 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw Carlstad extend the lead to 39-6 before the 86ers could find the end zone again on Nicko Peterson’s first touchdown of the night. Carlstad added two more touchdowns plus the two-point conversions before Peterson scored the final touchdown of the game.
The Crusaders played without imports for the first time since 1997 but that did not have any effect.
The 2017 edition of the Crusaders looks formidable.
