Finland: Seinäjoki Crocodiles stun unbeaten Wasa Royals in defensive Bothnia Bowl clash

AFI | American Football | 07/07/2025

Photo: Marko Tuominiemi

The Seinäjoki Crocodiles (2–1) upended the previously undefeated Wasa Royals (3–1) 21–2 in a gritty Gulf of Bothnia derby, leveraging a dominant rushing attack and suffocating defense to claim their second win of the Finnish Maple League season.

Sipp’s historic night fuels Crocodiles’ ground dominance
Running back De’Anta Sipp delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns—including a decisive 97-yard third-quarter score that broke the game open. Sipp, named MVP by Pohjola Insurance, single-handedly outgained the Royals’ entire offense (208 yards to 176) and doubled his season rushing total in the victory.

Royals’ offensive woes compound in scoreless effort
The Royals, held to zero offensive points, managed only a safety via a Crocodiles tactical own goal. Quarterback Elias Haapamäki struggled under relentless pressure, completing 14 of 27 passes for 97 yards with three interceptions and three sacks. Wide receiver Gabriel Quigley, limited by injury, was replaced by Alpha Jalloh after halftime, further disrupting Wasa’s rhythm.

Defensive standouts define physical contest

Seinäjoki: Defensive end Charkes Akanno dominated with 6.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Arttu Heikkilä (2 INTs) and Aki Seppälä (1 INT) capitalized on Haapamäki’s errant throws.
Wasa: Linebacker Samu Hautala anchored the defense with five tackles, but the unit couldn’t offset the offense’s -2 turnover margin.

Key moments and turning points

First half: Seinäjoki established a 14–0 lead through methodical drives, capitalizing on Wasa’s botched snaps and poor field position.
Third quarter: Sipp’s 97-yard TD—the longest rush in Maple League history—extended the lead to 21–0.
Second half: The Royals held possession for nearly 24 minutes but failed to convert four red-zone opportunities, including a goal-line stand by Seinäjoki’s defense.

Playoff implications
The Crocodiles bolstered their postseason hopes despite quarterback Brandon Kyles’ limited impact (3/9, 34 passing yards). Seinäjoki must address its aerial deficiencies ahead of tougher matchups. For Wasa, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in pass protection and red-zone execution—issues needing urgent fixes to maintain their conference lead.

Source: Vaahteraliga