Porvoo Butchers and Seinäjoki Crocodiles collide in Maple Bowl XLVI showdown
The Porvoo Butchers (10-0) and Seinäjoki Crocodiles (7-3) meet in the Finnish Maple Bowl XLVI at Bolt Arena in Helsinki on September 13, marking their fourth championship clash. Porvoo enters as the heavy favorite after dominating the regular season, including a 42-17 thrashing of the Crocodiles, and crushing defending champion Helsinki Roosters 44-14 in the semifinals, while Seinäjoki survived a 31-28 overtime thriller against Kuopio Steelers to advance.
Undefeated Butchers meet battle-tested Crocodiles
Porvoo’s offense, led by quarterback Christian Arrambide (260 yards, 67% completion in the semifinal) and running back Christian Powell (151 rushing yards, 3 TDs vs. Helsinki), has been unstoppable. The team’s revamped offensive line, anchored by U.S. import John Paul Flores, silenced preseason doubts by allowing the fewest pressures in the league. However, defensive concerns linger after injuries to star lineman Jesse Vuoksenturja shifted responsibility to Atro Heinonen, Julius Vuoksenturja, and Noah Netettey.
Seinäjoki’s path relied on resilience. Quarterback Brandon Kyles delivered his best performance in the semifinal, supported by a defense that allowed the league’s fewest rushing yards. Their defensive line, featuring sack leader Charles Akanto (14.5 sacks, a Maple League record) and tackle Tylen Riley-Coleman, faces its toughest test against Porvoo’s top-ranked offense.
Trench warfare: Lines define championship stakes
Porvoo’s offensive line, critical to Powell’s league-leading 1,450 rushing yards, must neutralize Seinäjoki’s aggressive front. The Crocodiles’ O-line, which allowed a league-low six sacks, aims to create lanes for running back De’Anta Sipp (1,200+ rushing yards) and protect Kyles. Finnish linemen Samuel Leppänen and Luka Hietala have elevated their play alongside American counterparts, forming a unit praised for its late-season cohesion.
Eerola vs. Seinäjoki secondary: X-factor duel
Wide receiver Luukas Eerola, whose 95-yard TD torched Seinäjoki in their 42-17 regular-season loss, remains Porvoo’s deep threat. The Crocodiles’ cornerbacks Akseli Syrjänen and Juho Kasari, tasked with containing him, must avoid a repeat of Eerola’s three-TD explosion in the 2023 Maple Bowl. Seinäjoki’s secondary, vulnerable to big plays, allowed 240 passing yards to Arrambide in their prior meeting.
Powell’s pursuit of elusive title
Christian Powell, a seven-year Maple League veteran and former Seinäjoki star, seeks his first championship after three failed attempts with the Crocodiles. Now wearing Porvoo’s colors, he faces his old team’s stout run defense (league-low 85 rushing yards allowed per game). Powell’s 5.8 yards per carry and red-zone efficiency (18 TDs) will test the Crocodiles’ disciplined front.
Legacy on the line
While Porvoo aims to cap a historic perfect season, Seinäjoki channels underdog grit reminiscent of their 2023 title run. The clash pits Porvoo’s explosive offense against Seinäjoki’s tenacious defense, with the winner etching their name in Finnish football history.
