East City Giants survive furious Wasa Royals comeback in 25-20 season-finale win

The East City Giants (3-7) built a 19-point lead and then survived a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Wasa Royals (2-8) to escape with a 25-20 victory in their Maple League season finale in Helsinki.

Giants build early cushion

Points were hard to come by in the first half as both defenses controlled the game. Noa Nieminen got the Giants moving with two first-quarter field goals before Oskari Suoniemi hauled in a touchdown pass late in the second quarter to send East City into halftime leading 12-0.

Neither team found much room on the ground. The Giants managed just 16 rushing yards in the opening half, while the Royals finished the half at minus-17.

East City finally opened some breathing room in the third quarter when Ronny Lindroos caught a touchdown pass, pushing the advantage to 19-0.

Royals come charging back

The Royals suddenly found life in the fourth.

Karim Limam powered into the end zone before quarterback Shazzon Mumphrey followed with another rushing touchdown, cutting a 19-point deficit to 19-14 and turning what had looked like a comfortable Giants win into a fight.

East City responded in unusual fashion. Sebastian Lugora finished off a 19-yard “tush push” touchdown with 1:28 remaining, stretching the lead to 25-14 but leaving Wasa enough time for one final charge.

Giants survive final push

The Royals raced back downfield and Tony Tienviere scored to make it 25-20. Their comeback ended there, however, when the ensuing onside kick failed and East City secured possession.

Penalties repeatedly interrupted the game, with the teams combining for 35. Wasa was flagged 20 times for 139 yards.

Romello Herbin led the Royals defense with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while Nolan Bernat paced the Giants with 7.5 tackles.

After watching a 19-0 lead shrink to five points in the final quarter, the Giants recovered the onside kick and finally shut the door on Wasa’s comeback to end their season with a win.