The Finnish Maple League is down to four teams as the Porvoon Butchers (8-2) and Kuopio Steelers (7-3) get home-field advantage against the Helsinki Roosters (6-4) and Seinäjoki Crocodiles (7-3) this weekend, with two spots in Maple Bowl XLVII up for grabs.
Steelers look to make it three against Crocodiles
The Steelers open the semifinal weekend Friday at Väinölänniemi against a Seinäjoki team they have already beaten twice this season.
Kuopio survived a 35-33 shootout at home in the first meeting, with Joshua Mack rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Eight days later, the Steelers took control defensively and rolled to a 26-7 victory in Seinäjoki.
Quarterback Slade Jarman has driven the Kuopio offense throughout the season, but the Crocodiles still bring plenty of danger with Christopher Fowler. He threw for 311 yards and ran for three touchdowns in Seinäjoki’s late-season victory over the Wasa Royals.
Butchers begin title defense at home
Regular-season champion Porvoon gets the second semifinal Saturday against the Roosters at Keskuskenttä.
The defending champion Butchers finished 8-2 behind an offense featuring quarterback Donovan Isom and running back Christian Powell. Powell had already topped 1,000 rushing yards with two games remaining, giving Porvoo a proven way to control a playoff game on the ground.
But Helsinki arrives after turning its season around dramatically. The Roosters opened 0-3 before rattling off six consecutive victories to climb into playoff contention.
Now the safety net is gone. Kuopio and Porvoo earned the home games, but one loss ends the season.
The two winners advance to Bolt Arena in Helsinki for Maple Bowl XLVII on September 12.