Finland: Porvoon Butchers dominate Kuopio Steelers in Maple League opener

| American Football | 06/11/2025

The Porvoon Butchers (1-0) showcased their championship credentials with a commanding 35-14 victory over the Kuopio Steelers (0-1) in their Finnish Maple League season opener at Porvoon Stadium, fueled by Christian Powell’s record-chasing debut and a suffocating defensive display.

Commanding first half
The Butchers raced to a 21-0 halftime lead behind a dominant offensive line and quarterback Christian Arrambide’s dual-threat prowess. Arrambide rushed for two touchdowns and connected with Luukas Eerola on a 65-yard scoring strike, exploiting gaps in the Steelers’ secondary. Running back Christian Powell, making his Butchers debut after transferring from the Crocodiles, gashed Kuopio for 207 rushing yards and a touchdown—his 120th career Maple League score.

Defensive standouts
Porvoon’s defense stifled the Steelers’ revamped offense, holding them to 87 first-half yards. Cornerback Zachary Wright anchored the unit with two interceptions, returning one for a 42-yard pick-six. The Butchers’ front seven neutralized Kuopio’s center Ethan Greenfield, a standout from 2023, limiting the Steelers to 2.8 yards per carry before halftime.

Steelers’ second-half adjustments
Kuopio regrouped after halftime, with quarterback K’hari Lane finding Noah Choate for a 24-yard touchdown and Greenfield punching in a 3-yard scoring run. However, the Butchers countered immediately, as Eerola’s 33-yard reception reignited momentum. Defensive back Iiro Pekkarinen (8 tackles, 2 pass breakups) and linebacker Adam Callahan (team-high 7 tackles) kept Kuopio competitive, but three red-zone stalls proved costly.

Key performances

  • Porvoon: Powell (207 rushing yards, 1 TD), Arrambide (2 rushing TDs, 1 passing TD), Wright (2 INTs, pick-six).
  • Kuopio: Choate (4 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD), Callahan (7 tackles, 2 TFLs).

Road ahead
The Butchers travel to face the East City Giants on June 12, aiming to build on their league-best rushing attack. Kuopio hosts the Helsinki Wolverines, seeking to refine offensive consistency after managing 4.1 yards per play in Porvoon.

Historical context
Powell’s 120th career touchdown moves him within 12 scores of the Maple League’s all-time record, set by Lauri Riska in 2019. Porvoon’s 35 points marked their highest opening-week output since 2021.

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