ELF Season Opener: Nordic Storm rout Helvetic Mercenaries in franchise debut

The expansion Nordic Storm (1-0) dominated the Helvetic Mercenaries (0-1) 56-12 in their historic European League of Football opener, showcasing explosive offense and defensive grit at the Lidl Arena in Wil, Switzerland.

Storm’s offensive fireworks
Nordic Storm quarterback Jadrian Clark orchestrated a near-flawless debut, throwing for 258 yards and five touchdowns. The offense leaned on reigning MVP Glen Toonga, who rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 receiving yards before exiting in the third quarter with a leg injury. His replacement, Danish homegrown Anton Witmeur, seamlessly took over, grinding out 106 rushing yards and a score to keep the pressure on Helvetic’s worn-down defense.

Mercenaries’ glimmers overshadowed
Helvetic showed flashes of improvement from their 1-11 2024 campaign. Dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Weed delivered a 69-yard rushing touchdown and totaled 200 passing yards, but four sacks, a fumble, and an interception stifled momentum. The defense briefly sparked hope with a third-quarter fumble recovery touchdown, but offensive inconsistencies—including three three-and-outs—left them overmatched.

Photo: ©Simon Bernardini

Toonga injury casts shadow
Toonga’s early exit after a dominant first half raised concerns. Though he walked off unaided, his absence looms large for Nordic Storm’s Week 2 clash against the Wrocław Panthers. Witmeur’s strong relief performance provides depth, but Toonga’s dual-threat prowess remains irreplaceable.

Defensive foundations set
The Storm’s defense stifled Helvetic’s rebuild, logging four sacks and a pivotal red-zone interception. Their front seven consistently disrupted Weed’s rhythm, while the secondary limited big plays outside of Weed’s scrambles. The blocked field goal on their opening drive set a physical tone that rattled the Mercenaries‘ special teams.

Road Ahead
The Nordic Storm’s emphatic debut signals their playoff potential, but stiffer tests await—starting with a Wrocław Panthers squad fresh off their own statement win. For Helvetic, Weed’s mobility offers hope, but offensive line upgrades and red-zone execution must improve to avoid another stagnant season. The Storm’s balanced attack and defensive discipline have already reshaped the ELF North Conference hierarchy.