Finland: Seinäjoki Crocodiles claim Bothnia Bowl dominance over Wasa Royals
The Seinäjoki Crocodiles (7-3) secured a 20-7 victory against the Wasa Royals (5-5) in a defensive-heavy Bothnia Bowl, clinching their second straight regular-season sweep of the Ostrobothnian rivalry. All scoring concluded by halftime, underscoring Seinäjoki’s control in a game defined by trench battles.
Crocodiles’ ground game, defense seal victory
Seinäjoki’s offense leaned on its rushing attack, with running back De’Anta Sipp (2 touchdowns) and quarterback Brandon Kyles (1 touchdown) exploiting gaps created by their dominant offensive line. The unit, anchored by U.S. import Ezekiel Williams, cleared paths for 178 rushing yards and earned collective MVP honors. Defensively, edge rusher Charles Akanno added two sacks to his league-record 14.5 total, pressuring Wasa’s backfield throughout.
Royals’ struggles highlight absent stars
Wasa, missing multiple starters, managed only 144 total yards. Quarterback Elias Haapamäki completed 32% of his passes and endured five sacks, while kick returner Alpha Jalloh provided the lone highlight—a 70-yard touchdown return off Mathias Suutari’s kick. Linebacker Raul Khalifa’s 4.5 tackles weren’t enough to overtake East City Giants’ Felix Salonen (59 tackles) for the Matti Lindholm Trophy.
Key performances and playoff implications
- Seinäjoki: Akanno’s record-breaking sack tally and Sipp’s league-leading 12th and 13th rushing touchdowns.
- Wasa: Jalloh’s special teams spark and Khalifa’s fourth-place finish in tackles (58.5).
The Crocodiles enter the playoffs with momentum, their physical identity intact. The Royals, meanwhile, finish 2025 with questions after failing to solve their rivals. Seinäjoki’s balanced formula—opportunistic defense, clock-controlling runs—positions them as a postseason threat, while Wasa’s injury-marred campaign ends with pride in regional grit.
