The 1-3 Örebro Black Knights had to Uppsala, Sweden Saturday, May 25 to face the winless Uppsala 86ers in a game both teams need to win to avoid last place in the Swedish Superserien standings.
The two teams met in the first round of the season with the Black Knights taking a 21-7 victory.
The 86ers lost their starting quarterback in that opening game and have dropped three more since then losing 33-7 to the Carlstad Crusaders and then suffering back to back losses to the Stockholm Mean Machines, 20-0 and 34-6
Wide receiver turned quarterback Gustav Bowall, who was pressed into service during that opening game when starting quarterback Olle Hesselgren broke his leg, is struggling. He has only thrown for 237 yards and two touchdowns so far.
Uppsala’s Canadian defensive back Ryan Hector plays both ways while also returning kicks has given the team a true all-round weapon. In the last two games against Stockholm he has had 200 all purpose yards while recording 7.5 tackles. Australian offensive/defensive lineman Tim Clulow (12.5 tackles) also starts both ways. Linebacker Luis Rosado, who leads the team with 26.5 tackles in three games, is joined in the defensive front seven by another Australian, defensive end Sam Matautia who had team-best 6 tackles in the last game against Stockholm.
Running back Johannes Nilsson had 36 carries for 175 yards in the last two games and could pose problems for the Black Knights front seven this week.
For Örebro, this game is important after losing three straight following the 21-7 win over the Uppsala 86ers in the opening game of the year. They were shocked by the Carlstad Crusaders 46-0 and then were beaten 23-7 by Stockholm and 27-13 in the return game against Carlstad.
Örebro quarterback Johnny Knox has struggled so far this year and suffered an undisclosed injury in the first half of the loss to the Crusaders and may be doubtful for this game. Young Joel Isacson took his place and may be called upon again today. Running back Veikka Lehtonen is beginning to regain the form he displayed in helping Team Finland win the bronze medal in the 2018 European Championships.
There is a great deal at stake for both teams in today’s game. This could be a good game to watch.