Finland: Seinäjoki Crocodiles double up on Helsinki Roosters for 2nd win of season

In Finland’s Maple League, the Seinäjoki Crocodiles earned a much-needed win this past weekend when they defeated the Helsinki Roosters 24-12.

This marks the third straight year that Seinäjoki has beaten the Roosters in the regular season. The last time Helsinki defeated the Crocodiles was in 2019.

Crocodiles running back Christian Powell, who had struggled in his last two games, returned to his superstar level and was once again the number one offensive difference maker on the field for Seinäjoki. The fifth-year Crocodile amassed 148 rushing yards during the night. He was even active in the passing game, catching four balls for 58 yards. 

Quarterback Zachary Whitehead was solid completing 11 of 16 passes for 113 yards while adding eight yards and a touchdown on the ground. 

The Crocodiles took advantage of the depleted roster of the perennial Maple Bowl contender by getting constant pressure on Rooster’s quarterback Bryce Stancombe with their defensive trio of Seth Zins, Emmitt Gooden and Filip Zacok. Stancombe obviously felt the pressure completing just 14 for 34 passes for 268 yards (195 yards of this came in the final quarter) and two touchdowns. The most glaring stat was Helsinki’s -1 yards rushing as the Seinäjoki front seven shut down the Roosters run game.

The Crocodiles had a 17-0 lead for the first three quarters and never looked back. However, two successful touchdown passes from Stancombe to wide receivers Johannes Jauhiainen and Verneri Raino, made it a one score game with 3:50 to go. Unfortunately for the Roosters, it was merely just false hope, as the Crocodiles sent them packing with a Christian Powell touchdown to put the game away.

With the win, the Crocodiles now sit third in the Maple League with a 2-1 record while the Roosters are now 2-2 and tied for fourth place with the Porvoon Butchers.