Wasa Royals dominate stats in Finland with season end looming
The Wasa Royals, one of the preseason favorites to win Finland’s Maple League in 2017, seem to have hit their stride as they top three out of four stats categories this week. There are only three games left and although the Helsinki Roosters still lead the league, the Royals are knocking at the door. They have won five straight and look poised to take their next three. They also boast leaders in three of the four key categories as Justin Sottilare has now become the passing leader. But the top four teams – Royals, Roosters, Porvoo Butchers and Hämeenlinna Huskies – still dominate the key stats categories.
Passing
Wasa Royals quarterback Justin Sottilare now occupies top spot in passing after throwing for 507 yards in the win over the Porvoo Butchers last week. He has 2,621 yards passing and 26 TDs. Helsinki Roosters quarterback Brandon Connette is now in second with his 2,504 yards but leads the league in passing TDs with 33. Hämeenlinna Huskies head coach and quarterback Stan Bedwell is not far behind in third with 2,430 yards and 25 TDs. He is followed by Tampere Saints QB Raleigh Yeldell in 4th with his 1,268 yards . Zach Bartlow, QB for the Turku Trojans, has moved up into 5th despite only having played five games. He has thrown for 868 yards.
Receiving
Wasa Royals receiver RJ Long continues to be the favorite target of QB Justin Sottilare and has hauled in 1,246 yards in receptions to lead the league. He had a whopping 317 yards last week against the Butchers. Hämeenlinna Huskies receiver Roman Runner is a solid 2nd with 700 yards while Timothy Thomas of the Roosters follows in 3rd with 604. Bernard Luster of the Helsinki Roosters has 581 yards and 9 TDs while Niko Lester of the Huskies continues to hold down 5th with his 489.
Rushing
Porvoo Butchers running back Ricky Stevens has climbed into 1st after rushing for 369 yards in his last two games and now has 949. Jaycen Taylor of the Roosters has slipped down into 2nd and now has 841 yards rushing but leads the league in rushing TDs with 10. Josh Quesada of the Turku Trojans follows him with 676 yards. The injured Darion Hall who amassed 656 yards rushing and 7 TDs in 4 games before suffering a season-ending injury is 4th. while Vaasa Royals Tom Suoste is 5th with 566.
Tackling
As he has done all year, Wasa Royals LB Chris Young has been outstanding for his team in 2017 and leads with league with 72 tackles. IIkka Koiranen of the Turku Trojans is still 2nd at 62 tackles while Huskies LB Tahj Jones has jumped up into 3rd with 57 tackles after posting 10.5 in his last game. Tampere Saints LB Tony Ballon (image mistakenly indicates Butchers) has jumped up into 4th with 56 tackles following his 10 tackle performance against the Trojans. Ville-Valtteri Suojanen of the Turku Trojans now occupies 5th also with 56 tackles.
