The East City Giants (2-7) and Wasa Royals (2-7) close out their Finnish Maple League seasons Saturday at Käpylä Velodrome in Helsinki, with fifth place in the regular-season standings still within reach for both teams.
Neither team will be heading to the playoffs, but there is plenty left to play for. A win gives either side a chance to finish a difficult season on a high, while the Giants also need a victory to make certain they avoid seventh place. The Royals cannot finish at the bottom regardless of Saturday’s result.
Giants turn to Douglas
The Giants return to action following a three-week break and will have Norman Douglas Jr. at quarterback with Khari Lane ruled out.
Douglas will have plenty of options through the air. Austin Brock, Ronny Lindroos and Oskari Suoniemi are all available for the finale, giving ECG its leading group of receiving threats.
The bigger question is whether the Giants can generate enough on the ground to keep the Royals defense from concentrating on the passing game. ECG has averaged only 40.7 rushing yards per game and 277 total offensive yards.
That makes balance particularly important against a defense that has been the strongest part of Wasa’s season.
Royals lean on their defense
Despite entering Saturday on a six-game losing streak, the Royals have allowed just 289 yards per game, the second-best defensive mark in the Maple League.
Their problems have come offensively. Wasa has averaged 219 yards per game while injuries have repeatedly disrupted the lineup.
Quarterback Shazzon Mumphrey will direct the offense, with Andrew McElroy Jr. remaining a key part of the attack. McElroy has also rushed for 122 yards as the Royals have looked for different ways to move the football.
The running game has been hit particularly hard. Loris Savalle provided a lift after joining the team during the season and averaged 79 yards per game before an injury ended his year.
Fifth place up for grabs
With both teams sitting at 2-7, Saturday offers one last opportunity to change the complexion of their seasons.
The matchup also pits two offenses that have struggled to consistently produce yards against a Wasa defense that has performed at a much higher level than its team’s record suggests.
There is no postseason waiting for either side when the clock runs out in Helsinki. Instead, the Giants and Royals get one final game to settle their position in the standings and carry a victory into the offseason.